Lucky Date Interview

As “luck” would have it, in the last week Jordan Atkins-Loria made his way into Beatport and Hype Machine’s top 10 charts, in addition to having one of his productions aired on BBC Radio 1 for the first time ever. Jordan, who produces and DJ’s under the moniker Lucky Date, is on a roll right now. Not only do his productions BANG like no other, but his YouTube channel has become the go-to spot for up and coming producers to learn the tricks of the trade through his extensive collection of tutorial videos. His latest and most successful BANGER is a remix of veteran House producers Spencer & Hill’s “Dub Disco” which you can preview bleow. Take a trip with us as we delve into who Lucky Date is, and how he used social media, among other things, to accelerate his career to the top of charts. For more information and music, keep tabs on Lucky Date via Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud and of course www.djluckydate.com

Spencer & Hill- Dub Disco (Lucky Date Remix Clip) Out Now by Lucky Date

You’ve got an interesting name, so we’ll use that as a starting point for this interview. What’s the story?

Don’t have a great story for my name.  When I was 7 years old my older sister was 11.  My older brother told me we were lucky because 7/11 are lucky numbers.  I started producing under the name Lucky Date on July 11th (7/11) in 2008.  Now that I think back im not sure if 7/11 are considered lucky numbers, might have just been because my brother worked there at the time lol.

If I understand correctly, you’re from the Bay Area and go to school in Chicago?

I am a Bay Area native.  Raised in Berkeley CA and moved to Chicago for college.  I am still living in Chicago although I am no longer studying.

You are an excellent example of somebody who has taken advantage of social media to market yourself. I first discovered you via your YouTube tutorials, before I had ever heard a song from you. With all these huge placements you’ve been getting lately, how much of your success/popularity would you attribute to your YouTube channel and Reason Refills?

I owe alot to YouTube.  I started posting tutorial videos very early on in my producing career.  Some of my early tutorials are complete garbage. I was still learning how to produce throughout the first year of making videos.  My first video was actually just a copy of a tutorial I found on a forum.  I had searched for videos on how to create the Benny Benassi sound on Reason and couldn’t find any.  I copied the tutorial made the vid and got alot of good response.  I then worked hard to learn how to create synths so I could post more videos.  About a year into it I started getting serious about my own productions and got a lot of support from the fans of my tutorials.

How well have already established producers received your Refills? Any big names have good things to say?

I’ve gotten some good response from my refills.  Not many electronic producers use reason so that limits my market.  I think the biggest names that use my refills are David Guetta and Niles Hallowell-Dhar (Producer for The Cataracs) I think Foamo might use some of my tutorials  because he has put in requests.

How did you learn how to make synths make some of the awesome sounds that you have created or reproduced from other’s tracks?

Most of the sounds I have made are accidents.  A lot of times I will be tweaking sounds and start to hear similarities to a popular synth.  Then I use the little knowledge of sound design that I have to try and mimic the synth as close as possible to the original. I hope to someday take some classes and learn how synth engineering is really done.

Most producers don’t seem as “open” as you are about revealing your production tips. What made you want to be different and help people learn production? Do you still have some secret techniques that you use that we won’t ever hear about?

I think part of the reason I am more open than other producers is because I put out tutorials to help people make the music I love.  I have never been in it for the money and have always though of it as a hobby.  I love learning new things and I get no better satisfaction than knowing that I am helping people create something awesome!  I think that protecting your sound is important as a producer, but there is nothing wrong with helping people learn the basics.

I recently saw a YouTube video where you were criticized for showing people how to sound like the stuff that’s already out there. They think that it is limiting people and not letting them be more creative and make something brand new. What’s your response to this?

Part of what makes dance music so great is that producers are always borrowing, sampling, reinventing, and reworking other artist’s work.  An artist’s creativity does not come from how original their synth is but rather how they are using the synth and how there music affects the listener.  Part of learning how to create something great is by mimicking your inspirations.

How did you wind up getting all the placements you have now? Are you signed anywhere?

The first year I was producing I sent out my songs to dozens of labels without response.  I decided to hold off on sending my stuff out.  I worked hard on bootleg remix’s and entered a few remix competitions.  After a while I started getting official remix requests.  A word of advice to up and coming producers: If you get turned down by a label it does not mean your music is bad!  All of my songs that were rejected a few years ago have now been rereleased.  Sometimes labels are not looking for talent but rather someone who has a name.  Hold on to your songs no matter what!

What is your favorite track that you’ve done so far?

Spencer & Hill- Dub Disco (Lucky Date Remix)

Purchase on Beatport

Who would you like to work with that you haven’t had the chance to?

I would love to collab with Bass Kleph, Stupid Fresh, Will Bailey, Lazy Rich, Zedd, Porter Robinson, Hirshee, and many others!

Have you reached a point in your career now where you are able to work solely on music now or do you still have other career plans outside of the music industry that you are pursuing?

Music is my main priority although most of my income is from selling synth patches.  I plan on surviving in this industry one way or another.   I do hope to someday work in social work once my hair gets a bit greyer.

Are there any new tracks, refills, or tutorial videos we should be on the lookout for?

Got a few refills coming out soon! I did not make them but I am sponsoring them.  Got a few originals in the works, a couple remix’s waiting to be released, and three collabs that are almost finished.

What does the future hold in store for Lucky Date?

Hopefully more touring!! I cannot wait to make it out to Australia and Europe. Hopefully South Africa and Asia as well someday.  If you are interested in booking me please contact loper@killpoprecords.com

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