INTERVIEW: Sleight of Hands presents “Lipstick Shades”

Ahead of their “Lipstick Shades” compilation release, we had the pleasure of getting to know a little bit more about Sleight of Hands. Enjoy!!

How would you present/describe your work to someone who doesn’t know you?
Fun-lovin underground music hounds of all types.

And your last record? How was it born? And where do you want it to lead?
It was really born out of different places we’d visited, and digging through different samples and synths we had access to. The convergence of two personalities willing to trust where the other is taking a particular tune.

What message would you like to convey to the public?
Be good to each other, be there for your friends, take time to dance.

How do you make music? What is most important for you?
We start by listening and collecting influences – it can be synths, samples, an idea. Knowing how to shape a track – we’ll often strip things back or take the track in a different direction. There’s complete trust in how we work, and it’s important not to overwork something.

Is there a unifying concept behind your art?
It’s about that merging of the minds – and that little bit of unexpected / sleazy influence that reminds us of San Francisco.

What makes you unique?
We’d like to think the music is unexpected and yet just familiar enough.

As for your studio, what is it currently composed of?
A lot of found gear, hand me downs and a hard drive of fun.

What is the one instrument you would never get rid of, no matter what?
The Fender Rhodes Suitcase 73

Do you have hope for the future of music? How would you like the future of the music industry to be?
Strange to say in the digital age, but more democratic – there’s a lot of gatekeepers, but it’s starting to feel like people are aware of the need for change.

What makes you happy?
Music, puppies, the first time you drop a new tune you’ve just made.

What bothers you?
Warm white wine, assholes.