The collaboration between The First Station and Ermakov has consistently delivered engaging dance music, and their latest single “Missin Out” is no exception. Following the success of their previous releases, this track marks their fourth collaboration and ventures into the high-energy realm of drum and bass.
In our interview, Ermakov and The First Station discuss the evolution of their partnership, the creative process behind “Missin Out,” and their remote working dynamic. They highlight the challenges and rewards of long-distance collaboration, the inspiration drawn from the drum and bass genre, and the emotional impact they aim to deliver with their music.
Their shared enthusiasm for pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds is evident, promising an exciting future for their musical journey together. So check the track below and then dive into the exclusive interview, where they talk about how the track initially came together, the inspirations before the tune, and a ton more.
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How does “Missin Out” fit into your collaborative journey as artists?
ermakov: It fits perfectly! We’ve been working with The First Station for the past two years on collaborative tracks, and we’ve always wanted to do something harder than usual. We chose Drum ‘n’ Bass because we both love it. In the song, you can hear my soft, beautiful pop vocals alongside a really hard beat with an intense drop.
This is your fourth collaboration with The First Station. How did your collaboration start?
ermakov: I think it started during one of our Zoom calls. The First Station sent me a demo without lyrics, and I just started mumbling on it. He said, “Yo, dude, this is fire!” We were just having fun, but we ended up with a great song in “U R Mine.” We released it, and people seemed to love it, so we’ve continued making dance music in English
Can you tell us about the process of creating the track? How did you work together?
TFS: It’s a standard process because we’ve been working together for years now. Typically, I send him a demo with some top-line ideas, and he builds on that, adapting it to his style.
How do you manage working remotely?
ermakov: We’ve been working via video conferences for the past two years due to living in different countries.
TFS: We use the free version of Zoom, which only lasts 40 minutes, so we restart the link each time. We also use a plugin for headphone correction, specifically Realphones 2, since we work with headphones.
Drum and bass is prevalent in “Missin Out”. What inspired you to create such a track? Were you influenced by other artists in this style?
TFS: Yes, drum and bass is prevalent. I was inspired by other artists, but I can’t recall specific names right now. Generally, it’s the ones that are well-known in the scene.
Overall, it seems that drum and bass is experiencing a new wave of popularity. Do you agree?
TFS: Yes, I believe drum and bass is experiencing a new wave. It might be cyclical, or perhaps a new sound has emerged. In a way, it’s both cyclical and a case of old sounds being reinvented. It’s similar to how Skrillex changed the game in his time. Everyone was used to a certain type of drum and bass, then Skrillex came along and altered the sound. It became more energetic and interesting. I think it’s something like that here too.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Missin Out”?
ermakov: Emotionally, I hope listeners will release their emotions. The drop is so hard… I can’t help dancing, jumping, and screaming along with it. So yeah, it’s about just feeling it, having fun!
TFS: In a few words, it’s an emotional, energetic track with pop vocals and a festival vibe. It’s perfect for dancing and having fun.
Q: How does this track reflect your growth since your previous collaborations?
ermakov: Actually, every single track with The First Station has been a bit of a shock. We had an ad on a billboard in Times Square, New York, which was crazy! It was my first billboard ad ever and really special. Now we’re seeing features in magazines, Spotify pre-rolls, and our digital streams are growing. It’s incredible – I never dreamed about this!
What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve ever had for a song?
ermakov: I was watching a Billie Eilish interview where she was describing how she works in her home studio. During that interview, I heard a melody that inspired me to create a track. I don’t remember which track it was, but Billie’s description of her creative process sparked something in me.
What’s a skill or hobby you have that might surprise your fans?
ermakov: Oh, I’ve got one! I’m actually a footballer. I played at a professional level for CSKA Moscow and I’m a winner of the Russian youth championship cup. So yeah, I play soccer pretty well for a guy who sings!
That’s it! Thanks for having us. I hope you love “Missin Out,” and I hope you’ll listen to some more of our tracks!
The post The Story Behind ‘Missin Out’: An Interview with The First Station and Ermakov appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.