Since forming in 2009, Big Gigantic has become just that: big and gigantic.
The duo creates a unique type of EDM that includes live drums and sax and has captivated the scene since its inception. The men behind Big Gigantic, producer and saxophonist Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken, have been working nonstop to preserve their momentum. From constant touring, playing the festival circuit, frequent album releases, and even managing to squeeze in some remixes, they're an unstoppable musical force. Lalli set aside a few minutes to chat with New Times about the Mad Decent Block Party taking place August 3 at Revolution Live, playing with the String Cheese Incident, and their ethos on releasing free albums.
New Times: You guys are playing sporadically for the next month or so until the Mad Decent Block Party down here. Are you just taking a needed break between heavy touring, or are you guys hard at work on writing songs and recording?
Dominic Lalli: Generally, what happens in most bands' touring schedule is you do like a spring tour or a fall tour, like an actual big tour where you're out on a bus and doing all that kind of stuff. And in the summertime, it's usually festivals and one-offs like that. So we're kind of doing what we always do in the summer and playing fests and stuff. But at the same time, I think we're keeping a little lighter than last summer, not playing every weekend and such. Because we're working on a new album in the studio right now. It just takes time, so unfortunately [laughs], unfortunately, fortunately, we have to take time to do that.
Big Gigantic started as a project between friends to try and create the music you wanted to make, and now you are a national act, and it really only happened in the span of a few years, from opening in small venues to being a main draw at festivals. Is it something you expected to happen, especially as fast as it did, and how has this experience been for you?
Yeah, we didn't expect this. We had no idea. We just came in and, like you said, do what we do and have fun with it. I'm completely blown away with and super thankful to have had the support we have had along the way. It's just so cool to have been able to start something, to really see the vision and have it work out.
In terms of it changing it us, it's interesting. Because all this stuff happens, and you'd think there'd be a lot of change. We're obviously a lot busier now, but you stay relatively the same. We're just trying to do the same things we're always doing, and it's making music and having a good time. We're doing that, and it feels like yesterday since it all happened. It's exciting, and we don't want to take it for granted. We're working real hard, and we're real excited about getting this new album out, a new chapter for Big Gigantic.
Any name ideas or anything you want to say about this new album?
Yeah, we have some names, but yeah [laughs] I dunno if we're ready to announce that yet. But we're working on it. It's going to be really good, though. It's going to be really special. Definitely the most special and awesome album we've made to date.
After being just a rumor for some time, it was just announced that String Cheese Incident would be playing Hulaween at Suwanne. It created quite a buzz. Was this something you guys were in on it from the beginning? How'd it all come about?
It's been brewing for a little bit. You know, we're all from Colorado, we see those guys [String Cheese Incident] around town all the time. They've been a big part of us coming up and have been good friends, I play in a bunch of their side projects and stuff. It was pretty natural when they mentioned it to us, we were like, "Yeah, anything you guys want to do with us at any point, just let us know we're down." It's kind of the same thing with STS9 [Soundtribe Sector 9]; they brought us up, so when we heard of the opportunity, we were really excited to be a part of that. It's like our family. It's going to be epic.
Your current stage production is unreal. What was the thought process in creating and designing this setup?
Well, I think, in the electronic world, having some visual production is a key element. It's become an integral part of a live show. So, we started with some stuff, then we went on tour with Pretty Lights and Bassnectar, and they have these huge lighting rigs and stuff. We decided it was time for us to put our personal twist on that aspect of our live show. That prompted us to start thinking of ideas. We had this hive looking thing last year, and we've developed it into what we have this year. We call it "The Waterfall," it has all these curved LED panels. It's a different look, and we love adding that element to our music.
Will it be in tow for the Mad Decent Block Party dates?
Well, Mad Decent Block Party, I think, has their own production. We all just get up and play one after another, almost DJ style. I'm sure they're going to have their own stuff there. We will, though, most likely have a lot of our own video content with us, to go along with whatever they have.
All of Big Gigantic albums are available online for free and very easy to find. Any specific reasons as to why you guys have been doing this?
Well, you know, we always have. It's just something that, as we were coming up, just felt sort of right. It was just that time. Even Jay-Z did it, and he has over a hundred thousand downloads or something like that. It's no secret if you want to find some music, you can just find it for free. So why push against something? Why not pave the new way for it?
Hopefully, it's what we're doing. We have all the options right there, easily available for you. Click right here, get it for free. Click right here to buy it. Click right here if you want to donate. Whatever you want. We do it to give our fans a lot of options and also to have it be everywhere. I think that's the key to releasing stuff these days, and we're sticking to that. I think we probably will, unless something drastically changes. But I don't foresee that happening anytime too soon.
Mad Decent Block Party with Big Gigantic, Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, Flosstradamus, Riff Raff, Kito+Reija Lee, Herobust, DZA, and Robb Bank$, August 3, at Revolution Live, 100 SW 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $35 in advance and $40 day of the show. Call 954-449-1025, or visit jointherevolution.net. You can also find all of their albums at http://biggigantic.net/
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