Virtual Riot on Creativity, Sobriety & Teaching — A SlamCast Deep-Dive
Jun 9
/
Slam Academy
In this candid SlamCast episode, bass-music icon Virtual Riot reveals how sobriety, community, and relentless experimentation fuel his sound—and how Slam Academy students can tap the same creative fire.
Meet Virtual Riot: Composer, Sound-Designer, Audio Scientist
When you think of cutting-edge bass music, chances are Valentin “Virtual Riot” Brunn is on your playlist. From early SoundCloud uploads to headlining global festivals, his path has been anything but ordinary—especially the latest chapter, which finds him sober, thriving in Minnesota, and teaching at Slam Academy.
Why Minnesota? A Move Fueled by Recovery & Community
- Sobriety first: Virtual Riot relocated from Los Angeles to Minneapolis after completing treatment at The Retreat in Wayzata—trading Hollywood temptations for a supportive recovery scene.
- Logistical win: MSP’s Delta hub means direct flights to nearly every North-American tour stop—less travel stress, more creative energy.
- Built-in support: Friends, fellow artists, and Slam Academy’s inclusive culture made the transition seamless (yes, “SOBER-kota” is officially a hashtag now).
From Bedroom Uploads to Global Stages
- 2010–2014: Uploaded tracks to YouTube & SoundCloud “as soon as they were finished.”
- Label dominoes: Tiny German imprint Phantom Hertz ➜ U.S. boutique labels ➜ Disciple Recordings in LA.
- First big gig: A last-minute call to replace Dr P at Cologne’s Bootshaus—with nothing but a Windows laptop and raw adrenaline.
- Tour life today: Direct festival slots (Electric Forest, EDC) with a sober green-room rider: “No drugs / alcohol on stage.”
Teaching at Slam Academy: Giving Back (and Staying Balanced)
“It’s a selfish decision—I want to hear more cool music and keep myself accountable.”
In his 12-week Sound-Design & Arrangement course, Virtual Riot:
In his 12-week Sound-Design & Arrangement course, Virtual Riot:
- Breaks down oscillator theory, LFO curves, and envelope hacks.
- Guides students through Ableton Live, Serum, Massive, and TouchDesigner experiments.
- Reworks the curriculum each round to include the freshest plugins, trends, and community questions.
Creative Process Nuggets You Can Steal Today
| Challenge | Virtual Riot’s Fix |
| Loop Hell | Set a 10-min timer; every ding, extend the next 8 bars. |
| Perfection Paralysis | “Embarrassment is the cost of entry.” Upload, get feedback, iterate. |
| Sample Overload | Type a random word in your library’s search bar, scroll halfway down, use the first rim-shot you see—then make it work. |
| Visual Sync | Map kick, snare, and melody stems to motion graphics parameters for hyper-satisfying live visuals. |
Advice for New Producers (2025 Edition)
- Fall in love with the process, not the outcome.
- Audience last: Authenticity attracts superfans; trend-chasing doesn’t.
- Take criticism on the chin—then keep experimenting.
- Try alien genres: Blues riffs in Ableton? Yes. Techno rumbles at 3 a.m.? Also yes.
- Remember your mental health: Creativity thrives when you do.
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Michaelton
(Michael Johnson)
Michaelton (Michael Johnson) is a musician, sound artist, educator, and music technologist. While he wears many hats—both figuratively and literally—his mission is clear: to serve music and those who create it.
With extensive teaching experience at Slam Academy and the University of St. Thomas, Michael guides music producers through both one-on-one mentoring and classroom instruction in production techniques and music business.
As founder of Grove Music Group, Michael helps artists overcome challenges in branding, marketing, release strategy, and royalty collection, while recently expanding into artist therapy to help creators break through creative blocks and reconnect with their authentic voice.
As founder of Grove Music Group, Michael helps artists overcome challenges in branding, marketing, release strategy, and royalty collection, while recently expanding into artist therapy to help creators break through creative blocks and reconnect with their authentic voice.
Write your awesome label here.
Specks
(Michael Rieckenberg)
Inspired by the sound of dance music from the turn of the millennium, Specks is a Minneapolis based producer songwriter and DJ; combining the sounds from the golden era of electro-house, progressive house, UK garage, and techno.
Specks made his way into the DJ scene at the young age of 13-years-old. And nearly a decade later is regularly playing numerous shows and festivals in and around the twin cities.
Write your awesome label here.
Abstrakt Sonance
(Tyler Myroon)
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With a performance resume spanning the iconic stages of Outlook, Shambhala, and Red Rocks, Abstrakt Sonance has painted his unique sonic signature across four continents, gathering a following that is as raw and compelling as his sounds.