What’s your stage name and where are you from?
I’m a producer and DJ by the name of Vagrant Real Estate, and I’m from Aberdeen, Scotland.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
I am a big fan of lyricism and juxtaposition. I liked the oxymoron of “Vagrant Real Estate” and how the words sounded together. It’s probably a bit of a mouthful but sticks out!
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I originally started making instrumentals from sampling soul records on a USB Vinyl Recorder that I was gifted from my Grandfather. Being in the UK, I gravitated towards the 140bpm styles of Grime and Drill. I now sit somewhere between these, trying to capture the feel and emotion of the sample style while playing in different tempos and genres.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
My latest track “Neo Symmetry” was originally a live freestyle with DeeRiginal during our latest online radio set at Balamii’s studio in London. The spur-of-the-moment clip went viral, and people kept asking for a proper release, so we created a studio version that also incorporated the energy of the live performance.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I think it’s important to not get too bogged down in sticking to a specific sound or style. I encourage artists to open themselves up to many different influences. As an artist, it’s essential to explore different styles and test yourself.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
I am more of an introvert, but getting out into the world and in front of people is a key part of getting your music heard. The pandemic highlighted this for me, as I realized how much I missed attending events and networking with other artists—something I now truly enjoy.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I would love to work with Ghetts or Kano, as they are tied for the best to ever come out of the UK rap scene. Internationally, working alongside The Alchemist or Action Bronson would be a dream.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I want to start collaborating with more artists, both internationally and within the UK. I’m also keen to do more performances around the country, as there’s only so much you can do on a laptop in the studio!
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
I’m looking forward to more live shows. I have my first festival booking next year in Scotland, and I’m excited to publish more mixes. My Greatest Hits mix of MF DOOM recently surpassed 10k plays on SoundCloud, and I’d like to create more deep dives on artists for radio spots.
We occasionally feature artists on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions. Would this be something you’re interested in exploring?
Yes, that sounds great!
Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
I’m keen to explore sync opportunities and always on the lookout for artists whose styles complement mine.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
You can find all my work under “Vagrant Real Estate” on all streaming platforms, and also check my website vagrantrealestate.com for the latest updates.
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Reach out to me on Instagram (@vagrantproducer) or drop me a message via my website.
