Interviews

Video Burnout, the duo behind the brooding, lo-fi EP Shame Spirals, have managed to create a sonic universe that’s both intimate and expansive. Comprised of jazz pianist Adam Stegemann and Samples From Mars founder Teddy Stuart, the pair have blended the nostalgia of dollar-store disco with the forward-thinking energy of 90s IDM. Their unique approach, combining cinematic synths, glitchy rhythms, and disco basslines, has resulted in a sound that's as captivating in the car as it is on the dancefloor. Today, we dive deep into the world of Video Burnout with Teddy Stuart to explore the inspirations, process, and future of this exciting new project.

Where are you at the moment and how are you spending your day?

I'm in my home studio today, working on my live show.

Where were you born and where are you based?

I was born in NYC, and I've been based in Brooklyn for the past 15 years.

What do you love most about where you live, what keeps you there today?

I love the constant inspiration that I get from this city - whether it's people's fashion choices, catching a friend's DJ set or watching skateboarders at the local park.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Hmm probably hearing my parents play Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives me Crazy” when I was around 4 years old. I still get hit with a wave of nostalgia every time I hear that song.

Is there an album that sticks in your mind from when you were a kid?

Stone Temple Pilots - Core. I was really into grunge as a kid.

Who are your musical icons from the past?

Outkast, Miles Davis, Kurt Cobain, Larry Levan.

How long have you been making music? What was your first step as a musician?

Over 25 years! Every time I answer that question, I’m like “hmm shouldn’t this be easier by now?” but I think that’s the beauty of it - it never gets easier.

Are you a DJ too? What came first Djing or production?

Yep. Producing came first, which led me to dance music, which inevitably led to DJing, which I picked up about 15 years ago. DJing has taught me more about production than anything else because I can see in real time how music affects people. It helps me decide what kind of record I want to make.

Who do you think is making great music at the moment ?

Off-brand, but Father John Misty - incredible songwriting, performance and production - truly original. He’s creating his own world, and that inspires me, because in many ways I’m trying to do the same thing, albeit in a completely different style.

Where do you find the most inspiration when it comes to discovering new music?

Seeing DJs is easily the most inspiring way to hear new dance records. For other genres, I find a lot of great stuff sitting in coffee shops in my neighborhood.

You’ve been putting out music for quite a while. What was your first ever release?

My first release was Eddie Mars - Future - an Italo disco style record. I told myself I needed to put a vinyl record out by age 25 - this came out on my 26th birthday, which was close enough.

You have worked with some pretty significant labels like DFA, tell us about your releases with them?

My first project for DFA was a remix I did under my Eddie Mars alias, featuring Aaron from Chairlift and Solange Knowles [Rewards - Equal Dreams (Eddie Mars remix)]. I didn’t have much gear, so I went to a studio and recorded the main synth part on a Memorymoog.

Years later, Justin Strauss and I did a double-sided 12” as A/JUS/TED, remixing two Holy Ghost! Tracks. [Holy Ghost - Okay (A/JUS/TED Remix)] and [Holy Ghost - Bridge and Tunnel (A/JUS/TED Remix)]

Before we talk about the new label, tell us about the Samples From Mars operation and how this came about?

Samples From Mars is a sample label that makes sounds out of rare, vintage electronic gear. The company started as just me 10 years ago and is now a small company working out of my studio in Brooklyn.

At the time I created it, it felt like there were mostly only genre-based sample packs chasing the latest popular sounds, and I thought it’d be useful and really fun to to focus more on the gear itself, which I loved so much.

As digital recording continues to advance, we get further away from the sound of vintage analog and digital instruments - it’s this kind of sound that I’m hoping to make available to people.

TLDR; it’s a way to geek out about gear.

I’ve seen some pictures of your studio and its looks pretty out of this galaxy. How proud are you of this set up and what can you tell us about it?

Thank you! It was a crazy but rewarding process getting here. When the company started, I was working out of my bedroom and renting / borrowing machines to sample. People thought SFM was this big studio in Brooklyn with all of this beautiful gear, but the truth was I couldn’t really afford a real studio and was getting kicked out of every place I tried to rent because I was so loud. But as I kept plugging away, I was able to manifest this studio into existence from the success of the business.

The aesthetic is more high-end DIY than “professional”. The setup itself is based on the same principles of the label - to have a unique sonic signature, through whatever gear that’s possible with. A lot of vintage drum machines, synths, consoles, FX - high end but also some cheaper stuff. It’s all very connected and ready to go.

What are your plans and vision for Samples From Mars the label?

The label will be for any music I’m producing, with friends and solo. I want to create my own sonic world, in a similar way to what I’ve (hopefully) done with the samples. I’m not aimed at commercial success - this is really just to have fun, experiment and spend time making music that can hopefully connect with people. I never stopped making music all of these years and I’m excited to start sharing it again.

Tell us about Video Burnout and who is involved?

Video Burnout is my new project with Adam Stegemann and is the debut artist on the label. Adam’s a long-time friend - an amazing jazz pianist turned DJ.

What parts do both play in the duo?

Adam is responsible for a lot of the initial compositions, programming and overall identity of the project, if that makes sense. We’ll track stuff at my studio, and I’ll spend most of my time trying to hone in on the essence of each song, doing any additional tracking and a lot of editing, comping, arranging, and mixing until I feel like I’ve accomplished that.

What other projects have you worked on together as Video Burnout or otherwise?

This is our first official project together, but we DJed together a lot in our early 20s - we were both fascinated by dollar store disco and boogie records and threw loft parties full of lasers and fog. A big part of this project is about paying homage to these glory days.

Is there a connection to David Cronenberg’s 1982 Videodrome?

Actually no - but I can see why you’d say that!

Talk to us about the new EP and how the tracks came to life?

It’s called Shame Spirals, and is a 5 track instrumental, electronic EP spanning a variety of styles.

Over the pandemic, Adam, who’d never produced anything before, started buying a crazy amount of old samplers, drum machines and synths. He’d connect everything up and send me videos of these really hectic but inspiring sequences that he didn’t even know how to record. I’d choose my favorites, and we’d track everything out at my studio, where we might both add some parts. Then, I’d just spend an insane amount of time refining everything until it became the EP you hear today.

What was most important for you to convey through these tracks?

A sense of originality, spontaneity and fun. Something that sounds simple, not overly polished, and resonates emotionally.

What are you most proud of with this release?

That we actually finished it without compromising our mental health!

What was the most challenging part of bringing the release together?

As usual, deciding when the tracks were done, which is mostly a philosophical question and requires a lot of reflection, listening in different spaces, and knowing when to take breaks from it all.

What else can we hope to see you guys?

You’ll definitely see us DJing together again, and maybe even a live show!

When you are not making music, what might we find you doing Teddy?

Probably journaling in a local coffee shop, plotting the next sample pack or record.

Check out the latest release from Teddy Stuart (Video Burnout)