This is the final part of the interview with Robert Dede (of PumpYouUp fame). In this installment we talk about the music that he loves, and which inspires him the most.

And in case you haven’t read it yet (why?!), the first part of this interview is found here.

PART II

MUSIC & YOU

When did you become interested in music? What was the first album or single you ever purchased?

I was forced to take piano lessons ever since I could remember.  Though I did not enjoy playing until in college and I created my first midi studio. This was on an Atari St computer running the first version of Steinberg software.

My first album: I can’t recall the actual name, it was an 8-track hit collection advertised on TV.  I only remember that one of my favorite tracks was “Rubberband Man”, Detroit Spinners.  I was age 10 at the time. I mowed lawns and had bought a nice amp and speakers; I still have the speaker cabinets today though the internal speakers have been replaced.

Are you in a band yourself, or have you been in a band in the past? Is there a clip on YouTube or elsewhere we could watch?

I’ve never been in a band.  I have jammed with friends but nothing formal and mostly just partying and making noise.

Musical likes and dislikes? Favorite artists?

I like all quality music that has energy, from the hardest Trance and Industrial to the loudest Classical. As of this writing I’m currently listening to mostly hardstyle dubstep and house and original electronica. I do not prefer music that puts me to sleep such as slow ballads, slow country, slow classical, Taylor Swift (all her songs sound alike) and similar artists who refuse to invoke energy but instead mostly heartache or pain. I believe life is too short and its tough enough to be productive without listening to music that makes you want to nap or feel sad.

As for favorite artists, early Van Halen, early AC/DC, early Metallica, Rob Zombie, Thomas Dolby, Depeche Mode, Thompson Twins, The Prodigy, Blink 182, Eminem, Rhianna, Skrillex

If you had to name the song that moves you the most, what would it be? Can you pinpoint the reason why?

Jay Ferguson’s “Thunder Island” invokes memories of my first crush, hanging at the neighborhood pool all summer, age 12, my first serious attraction to girls. While writing this I decided to listen to it again, the lyrics and how the song climaxes starting at 2:17 still gives me goose bumps.

Is there a song that – to you – captures the spirit of your startup and what you have set out to do? What would it be?

Skrillex’s “Reptile”, where it says “FIGHT”