Few artists made famous in the year 2010 are able to spark a reaction among EDM enthusiasts like Sonny Moore aka Skrillex.  His visual style and rapid rise to the top of the beatport chart made him a target for praise and scrutiny throughout all forms of social networking. It would be hard to find someone who ‘sort of’ likes Skrillex due to the love/hate energy surrounding Moore’s aggressive music.

Moore names Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy and Aphex Twin as early influences that helped create his current work. The frequently mentioned visual appearance of Skrillex relates back to Moore’s early days fronting the hardcore band From First to Last. His latest release “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” took eight of the top ten spots in beatport’s chart. The 9 track EP is an impressive mixture of electro, dubstep, progressive house and glitch noise.

Moore isn’t a fan on genres, which explains why his music stands out from a lot of mundane electro singles. In a Skrillex original or remix you’ll find that melody and aggressive basslines play equal parts in creating an interesting club sound.

First off congrats on recently dominating the Beatport chart. Where were you/what were you doing when you first saw this?

Thanks! I think I was on the tour bus somewhere on the DM5 tour. Really stoked!

Your music has a fun electro/dubstep hybrid feel to it. What was the first dubstep song you heard that influenced your work?

I’ve been into dubstep for a while, but I’d have to say the first dubstep song I heard and was like “FUCCCCCKKKKK I need try to this out!” was “Guided Relaxation” by Boregore.

Who’s the voice behind the “YES! OH MY GOD!” sample used in Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites?

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This girl on youtube who does this cup stacking thing. She filmed herself breaking her record and freaking out saying “OMG OMG OMG” a thousand times. One of the best videos on youtube for sure! It was the perfect sample before the drop. Her voice really pumps you up! Here’s the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j54yGxuk0yo

Congrats on getting signed to Mau5trap records. How did your relationship with Joel Zimmerman begin?

Met him through Tommy Lee actually at an after party they DJed together. It was at WMC this year (2010) when we actually became “friends” I’d say.

Alejandro (Skrillex Remix) is a good example of a remix that turns shit into gold. Had you intended on remixing top40 dance tunes or did this opportunity come as a surprise to you.

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It was an opportunity that came out of nowhere for sure, but I must say I do really respect Lady Gaga. The fact that she’s around my age, writes all her own songs and is KILLING it says a lot about her. I do think Alejandro is a great song and wouldn’t have remixed it if I thought otherwise.

With Deadmau5, Gartner and yourself all fronting a similar sound along with a wave of other copycats, how does the modern club electro producer separate themselves from everyone else?

I think the reason we get compared is because there are not as many people doing what we are doing. I actually had this with Joey (Wolfgang). Take your every day electro house song which contains a kick, snare, hats, some percussion and a sidechained bassline. The guys who produce that sort of electro never get shit for being “copycats” because there are so many people doing that kind of electro (and no offense to that sound, I play those kind of songs in my sets for sure). I guess my point is, and this is not to boost my ego, but when you are doing something a bit out of the ordinary, it’s easier to be compared to other out of the ordinary producers that might have a similar sound I think. And I think the best way to stick out is to do something out of the ordinary…

The design for your releases does a lot to complete the Skrillex brand. Who does the artwork?

This artist from Spain named David Navarro aka “Roboto” (and no, not the guitar player from Jane’s Addiction). He is a REAL bad ass… and we are currently working on some BIG things together!

What was one of the first electronic songs you fell in love with as a kid?

I’d have to say “Breathe” by the Prodigy was THE gateway electronic track for me… that whole album (Fat of the Land) actually was a landmark in my musical inspirations.

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Current favorite producer?

There are so many amazing contemporary producers and old hero’s I could go on and on forever. But Phonat is probably one of my favorites and the reason why I am singling him out is because he’s EASILY the most underrated producer out there now. Fuck, he’s amazing. I do not know why he isn’t the biggest thing out there.

[side note] Phonat took the the #1 spot in NN’ best tracks of 2009 for his single, Set Me Free.

Is “With Your Friends” inspired by an actual trip you took?

Ha no, not literally at least. Just feels like that kind of song, right?

If you could get ahold of one acapella to any song for remixing, what would it be?

No idea… Maybe some Aphex Twin stuff like “Come to Daddy” or “Milkman” could be a fun one too.

Favorite xmen character?

Ahh… No idea

Which of the following end-times scenarios would you rather be playing at during a festival gig and why?

1. zombie apocalypse

2. alien invasion

3. nuclear warfare (circa terminator era)

4. some chode opened up a portal to hell on earth

#2 Hands down!

Skrillex will be in Nashville at Mercy Lounge Thur. Dec. 9 buy tix