Formerly known as UNFORG1VEN, Insteadof7 is a hard techno/trance and Schranz artist from the US. As Label Manager at UNF Records and Founder at Vindicate Collective, Insteadof7 has been an active member in the techno scene and brings a fresh perspective to the industry, blending raw emotion with intricate storytelling in his latest tracks. Join us as we explore the reasons behind the alias change, inspirations and the impact of Insteadof7's music.

 

Hi Insteadof7 thanks for taking the time to talk to our audience how are you doing?

Hi, thank you for the interview. I am doing well, thanks for asking. I have been spending a lot of time in the studio exploring new sounds,

 

To start off the bat, this is actually a new alias for you. Previously you were known as UNFORG1VEN. Why did you decide to make this change and how is the sound of Insteadof7 different from UNFORG1VEN?

I’m glad you asked. This is a new alias and a completely different sound. The UNFORG1VEN project was more of an introduction to my production journey where the sounds revolved around more generic hard techno that was intentionally made palatable for the general audience. The new sound of Insteadof7 presents a much higher production and mixing quality that focuses around vocal chops and emotional intent. 

 

How do you believe your transition to a new artist alias will manifest the emotional and feeling-driven sounds you aim to inject into the scene, particularly within the realms of Hard Techno/Trance and Schranz?

I think the scene, as of currently, has become very stale with monotonous hardstyle rave stabs that provide no meaning or emotional response. Yes, I agree, this is hard techno and we like it hard but I think it is time to move away from the generic and transition into the emotive. This will never be mainstream techno and it will always have hard drums and faster BPMs but this too can be achieved with less over-the-top manifestos.

 

You are releasing a new track “Better Off Alone”. Since this track is pushing your new alias, what about this track embodies the Insteadof7 sound? What do you hope the listeners will feel from this track?

“Better Off Alone” embodies the Insteadof7 sound by touching on the loneliness of the soul. This track is meant to convey great sadness and evoke emotions of despair within the listener. I wrote this track while I was in a very sad state recovering from the loss of a lover. I injected all of this feeling into this track. It is very special to me.

 

As a Label Manager at UNF Records and Founder of Vindicate Collective, how do you envision leveraging these platforms to amplify and support the emergence of this new direction you’re taking? Will you still be using your UNFORG1VEN alias?

I will no longer be affiliated with UNFORG1VEN but I have kept the label to use for my own self releases. It is a trademarked LLC and has served me well, thus far. As far as Vindicate Collective is concerned, I plan to use it as an event series in Detroit to throw parties and push the hometown scene.

 

Thanks so much for talking to us Insteadof7, before we sign off is there anything else you would like for our audience to know?

This new project comes at a very transitional and emotional point in my life and I hope that I am able to help others that are going through similar situations. If I am able to touch one person with the way I write music it will have been worth it. Thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure. 

 

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