Exron Exclusive Interview: Ren Zukii & Shanghai Doom

Shanghai Doom and Ren Zukii have come together to create a mind-altering track called “The Phoenix.”

Their new track “The Phoenix” was a surprise release and came out on June 20. The artists explained it was fate after Shanghai Doom stumbled upon Ren Zukii’s music with Wakaan at the same time she reached out to them to work together. Shanghai Doom sent Ren Zukii over a few WIPs and she brought new life to what became “The Phoenix.”

They described the title as very fitting for a tune that ended up being “reborn.” Exron Music had the chance to chat with Shanghai Doom and Ren Zukii following their recent release. We dove into some of their most recent tours, their upcoming performances, how they would explain their music and more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shanghai Doom (@shanghaidoom)

Ren Zukii

Exron Music: Debuting in the US is a major milestone for any artist’s career, what does it mean for you?

It is a massive milestone and I never expected this project to reach such heights. I am extremely grateful and humbled. I hope to anchor in America for a while so I can work on music with more artists in that realm.

Exron Music: Is there anything specific you’re excited to share with Americans about your music?

I am just excited to be myself and if people like my music I am over the moon. I just hope my songs make people feel good!

Exron Music: You’re slated for Lost Lands, one of the biggest bass festivals in the US, how are you preparing for it?

It hasn’t even hit me that I’m flying over to another country to play music. There are a lot of things I will be preparing for. Good mental health is the main. No one really talks about that, but making sure you’re in a good frame of mind so you can be present and really make the most of the experiences is really important. At the moment, like right now, I am working on perfecting my set. If anyone out there is reading this & has some ID’s they want to show, send them my way, I would love to hear them and showcase some underground artists’ work too. Any style any genre.

Exron Music: How did you feel about the response from fans when touring with Rusko in Australia?

That was fun. It was a really positive experience and I met so many nice people. Rusko is one of the coolest guys I’ve met in EDM. He is forever the don.

Exron Music: How would you describe your music in two words?

Dark & crunchy

Exron Music: What can fans expect from your upcoming Wakaan EP?

Diversity. The tracks for this EP wander across a range of different genres. I’ve also just finished my first collaboration working with rappers so it’s a foot in the door when it comes to writing music alongside vocalists, which I am very excited about. I learned a lot. You’ll hear this one on the EP.

Shanghai Doom

Exron Music: What are some of the most important things you to do to prepare for your upcoming tour?

Most important thing is to make sure the set is going to be the best it can be – making sure any new tunes we’re dropping will sound proper on a sound system (new wips or just tunes we’ve dug around for on the internet), also finding new ways to weave our songs together in an interesting way.

Exron Music: Is there any city you’re particularly excited to perform at?

Andrew: Honestly don’t know if there’s a specific one for this. Typically, we’re more excited to do headlines cause it means more sound/production but this time since it’s our own tour It feels pretty exciting to see any of these cities. Might go with Portland because (I’m pretty sure) it’s the only city we haven’t played in yet.

Mike: I’m excited for all of them, especially the PNW dates and Florida dates. Tk lounge is gonna be sick.

Exron Music: What was your favorite moment when performing Forbidden Kingdom for the first time?

Andrew: My favorite moment definitely wasn’t watching the fence to my left get blown over behind the village stage while trying to hold a tent in place with Buku and Ternion Sound during a thunderstorm lol) or was it? it was certainly one of the most memorable moments.

Mike: For me it was hanging w all the artists that were on the peekaboo takeover stage with us. Everyone was super cool and running around the fest together was super fun. Also, the grilled cheeses slapped.

Exron Music: What is one word you would use to describe touring with Shlump?

Vibe. Man knows how to just chill out and vibe while still being on top of everything. You never feel like you’re in a rush, but you still get there on time.

Exron Music: Your music is said to have a unique sound that has a lot of depth and takes people on a mental journey, what is your approach to creating the music?

Andrew: For me, it usually starts with creating weird sounds I haven’t heard before and then slowly piecing them together into something semi-coherent, I say semi because sometimes I’m not sure if it even makes sense to me hahah. Eventually, though it will turn into something, and I will just add from there.

Mike: For me, I usually start with a cool drop idea or riff first then progressively work on the sound design and mixdown over time, although I definitely think I’ve gotten better at executing my idea faster.

Exron Music: How do you two come together to create your music?

We used to create in the same room, but since covid, we ended up just sending ideas back and forth over the internet. Also, since we have 2 different setups now it’s become more convenient/efficient to do it this way.