For the untrained ear, electronic music is a nameless game, with loud beats that evoke nothing more than nicely, put-together noise.  However, as Exstus, an electronic musician hailing from Austin, Texas, has shown, so much more than a computer and a beat goes into creating his craft. 

For over 20 years, Exstus has been playing his instrument of choice: the guitar.  And while some choose to wing it, this formally trained musician is keen on his music theory and composition, adding a conservative tinge to this otherwise intense genre. 

Electronic music was not always his gig, however.  He admits to having lived a “guitarist’s dream” in his early days, explaining that he “was the primary composer, the main soloist, and improvised on guitar for a huge part of each show”, but began to appreciate music that had very little guitar and had a synthesized sound to it. 

He took this new love of synthesized music and put a different spin on it.  Like myself, many people have listened to the music Exstus has created and realized that while they normally do not enjoy electronic music whatsoever, this is “somehow different”.

“I love it when people tell me this, because I've managed to reach people who are outside of the usual demographic.  To me, the greatest satisfaction is knowing that I've made a positive impact on someone's life through my art - that is the ultimate beauty.”

Technology itself is looked at as a heartless tool, so it may seem strange to some that a person who relies so heavily on the use of electronic sources (computers, synthesizers, etc) could evoke any kind of emotion into a genre of music that has little to no lyricism and is mostly a mixture of beats.  It’s a common misconception, Exstus explains, and while he admits that it’s a fair criticism to say that it’s artificial many of times, he aims to change that with his own music. 

“For me, the process of writing begins with an intent:  what emotions/feelings/vibe do I want to evoke?  I use that intention as a launching pad and use my background in music theory and composition to guide me to certain types of tonalities, rhythms, syncopations, timbres, etc.  There are literally tracks in my working compositions called things like "air", "molasses", "breath", "wailing", etc.”

So how do you recreate this magnetic vibe in a live show when it’s basically the artist and his electronics?   Definitely don’t call him a “DJ” because he plays only his own material, and while the process itself may resemble a DJ up on the stage spinning and playing tunes, it’s simple logistics:  “I don't want to bring a whole studio full of gear to every performance, which has tremendous possibility for collateral damage since I use much more than just a computer.”

In the process of making his music, Exstus keeps in mind the scaled down version for his live show, but assembling it so it can be DJ’d, by blending tracks or scratching.  With an incredibly expansive library of over 130 Exstus songs to blend, play, and produce at live shows, he has no problem keeping the audience captivated. 

“When you come to an Exstus show, you have never know what you might hear, and you can see two performances on the same day but hear completely different material.”

Exstus is currently unsigned, but this hardly stifles his desire to continue creating this original blend of beats, creation, and entrancing sound.  He explains that while any musician would love the fame, exposure and appreciation that a mainstream artist receives, he does not want to fall into the messy realities of ego, and money hungry glory that comes with signing with a major label. 

“My spiritual journey in this life is more important. Unfortunately at this time, the American music industry is all about image and vanity, with very little substance.  I've made a conscious decision that I would rather remain underground than participate in that kind of silliness.”

His honestly is refreshing, and while many worry about where the next gig comes from, Exstus is fine, riding the wave, watching the future unfold as it will.  And, as he promises, there will always be more to come. 

Check out Exstus tracks at www.myspace.com/exstus
As well as http://www.crunkbox.com/music/members/188/music.php