Beatmools’ Interview + Mix For Safeasfx
- SAF
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Safe as Fuck Interview: Beatmool
I. Origins
Let’s start with the name — “Beatmool.”
It’s distinct. Kinda mysterious. What’s the story behind it? Where did it come from?
The word first came to me while I was travelling in Croatia. I visited this beautiful rural area and was inspired to produce a track with an English translated name of the location “Greenfall.” My love of liquid drum & bass at the time helped me envision a new project dedicated to that atmospheric, liquid goodness that I love so much. The fact that the track title was a translation of another language, combined with a refound appreciation of my own heritage while travelling different countries prompted me to find a Korean word that represents the feelings I aimed to create.
Beatmool (빗물) means Rainwater in Korean. I thought it was a good word that represents the liquid side of drum and bass that I enjoy, the feelings of music that I wish to create, and the environment that I grew up in and inspired by endlessly. The word phonetically sounds closer to “Bin-Mul” but I chose “Beat” to represent the purpose of this project at that time- the beats.
When did you realize liquid drum & bass was your lane?
Was there a specific track or moment that made it click? Who were your earliest influences when you started producing?
The very moment that made me choose liquid drum & bass was coming back home from my first Shambhala Music Festival in 2015. There was a liquid sunrise set with multiple resident DJs at this one stage known to me at the time only for its loudness and aggressive music. After hearing and seeing the power of beautiful, musical, and soulful drum and bass making people smile and dance together in a festival setting made me wish I could make music like this. Shout out to the Village and Liquid Sunrise Jam crew!
My influences around that time are all the greats such as Dawn Wall, Artificial Intelligence, Zero T, LTJ Bukem, Calibre, Technimatic, LSB, Alix Perez, Pola & Bryson, Monrroe, etc.
We gotta ask — were there any video game soundtracks that helped shape your sound?
(C’mon, everyone’s got at least one.)
Probably much more than I can think of right now, but my two childhood games come to mind: Sonic the Hedgehog series and Megaman X series.
II. The Scene & the City
How has Vancouver’s music scene changed in the last five years?
What did it look like pre-2020 — and do you think it’s better or worse now?
Before 2020, I was actively going out to shows at least once a week. There seemed to be a big variety of music and many different small to medium sized venues I could choose from. Then Covid happened and kind of destroyed a lot of these smaller venues over the following years for various reasons. There also seem to be less people out on average compared to pre-2020 whenever I go out to shows. I do not want to say it’s better or worse, but just different.
This city is also very expensive to throw a show in let alone to even attend one sometimes. It is actually not too shocking to me that these spaces and cultures are disappearing. I still think there are good pockets of what we used to have, and the quality can still be found if you know the right people or the places. Regardless, I heavily respect all the work that goes into all the newer DIY venues regardless of style of music they play.
Have you always been part of the Digital Motion crew, or did that come later?
How did that connection start, and what does that community mean to you?
I have been attending their shows for a long time and one day I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the promoter through friends I made in this music community. In October 2019, Blake booked me for my first set at the Red Room and they have been kind enough to invite me back once or twice a year since. The vibe and that community feel of their shows is unmatched. Thank you so much to Blake and Digital Motion crew for giving me opportunities to share my music with people.
III. Releases & Creative Process
Your Levitate LP is fantastic — especially “Skin.”
We instantly caught that vocal sample — total anthem energy. What made you flip it the way you did?
Thank you. I think this track actually started with me messing around with the vocal loops I sampled, then adding the rhodes, then adding the guitar riff, and then finally adding the drum and the bass. I usually like to jam with some keys and guitar and see what comes out with nothing else, so having that vocal element as a starting point yielded an interesting result that I never would have come up with otherwise.
Your productions often feature your own piano and guitar recordings.
When did you start playing? And how does that live-instrument touch influence your sound design?
I started playing piano when I was 6, and guitar when I was 12. Music is subjective, and I just happen to gravitate heavily towards piano and guitar sounds - that are somewhat specific to my ears - across many different genres of music.
Sound design is such an essential for electronic music, but sounds such as heavy synth leads or bass do not do anything for me emotionally. They are great to listen to or play in a show setting for building excitement or perhaps for shock values, but something that truly moves my soul is the melody and the harmony that I can often hum along to. Music which not tells but sings a story.
Your mix for us is… beautiful.
How long did it take you to record, and if you had to describe your headspace while making it — what was going through you?
Thank you so much again for this opportunity! I also appreciate these great introspective well-thought out questions.
I have been collecting my favourite tracks for about a month since I was asked for a mix. One night I threw them all in a crate and gave it a go however I felt like track after track. It was the first attempt - so just under 1 hour and 30 minutes. I always find it comfortable to simply mix all my favourite tunes at that specific moment in time and see what comes out - somewhat similar to my music making process with piano and guitar.
IV. Performance & Experience
You opened for London Elektricity, LSB & DRS earlier this year — serious heavyweights.
What’s your ritual before a big set like that? Do you still get the pre-show jitters or is it all muscle memory now?
There always is that little bit of anxiety for me no matter the stage. I used to go for a walk in the woods on the day of, which helped me a lot. Now that I am a bit more experienced, I just show up and hope that my USB or the backup does not fail me and that I have fun.
Do you have a favorite show you’ve ever played?
What made that night stand out — the crowd, the vibe, the chaos?
My favourite set so far is going to have to be my last one, which was at the Red Room for a 360 set - with the stage in the middle of the dancefloor.
I started off the night with an empty room and ended up with a packed and rowdy crowd. That day also stood out to me because I was working with my friend all morning and day, ended up at the emergency room for an allergic reaction, got out of the hospital, went back to work, drove back home and then barely made it to the venue on time.
I felt like I was reborn once I played the first track, and was able to fully immerse myself in the music as I was set up perfectly in the middle of the dancefloor. Hearing all my favourite original tracks both as a performer and as a listener was an unparalleled experience.
V. Inspiration & Influences
Who or what’s been inspiring you in 2025?
Could be artists, could be life stuff, could be a random YouTube rabbit hole.
Being near the waters, taking care of my physical, mental and spiritual health, my students, and some good donuts.
Outside of drum & bass — what genres have been hitting for you lately?
Any curveballs?
Lately I have been vibing to the 80s and soul sounds. Would Diana Ross be considered a curveball? As I wouldn’t expect people to think that I like vocal music as I very rarely use vocals in my tunes, at least for now.
If you could collaborate with any producer on the planet — who’s top of the list?
Nujabes
Tell us about your favorite labels.
Which ones do you look up to, and which would you kill to have a release on?
Integral Records and 1985 are probably my top favourites. I do not feel that my music is suitable for either of those labels, or any other to be honest, but I admire both their authenticity and soulfulness in many of their releases.
VI. Beyond the Music
Where’s your go-to spot for a bite in Vancouver?
We’re always hunting for the post-set eats.
South Castle in Lonsdale has the best Korean Soft Tofu Stew I have ever had anywhere on this planet. They became way too popular now but still worth it. Get the meat soft tofu spicy level 4.
For post-show eats, I usually go to one of the pho places that are open late like Truong Thanh on Kingsway, or good old Church’s chicken if I wanna go full send.
Oh, and Breka for the late night donut runs!
It’s Halloween season — got any movie recommendations? 🎃
Anything spooky, weird, or sample-worthy?
I suck horribly at watching horror movies. I think the last horror movie I saw in theatres was probably Hereditary and that got me all fucked up even to this day. Highly recommended!
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