Get To Know: Sharlitz Web

If you’re tapped into the world of WAKAAN, Sharlitz Web certainly needs no introduction but for all those who may not be familiar with the arachnid-inveigled bass enthusiast…allow this to be a proper introduction.

Popping onto the scene back in 2019, the Chicago native channels the pain of her sister’s tragic death using music production as a creative outlet, engineering bone-rattling dark and brooding electronic music that immediately caught the attention of the bass community.

With an evergrowing discography that includes “7 Sins,” “Dark Place,” and her Spider Cider EP, her alluring productions (and live sets) have left in the conversation as one of the most promising producers in the world of bass music.

Still buzzing off the release of her Spider Lily EP, we took the time to get to know Sharlitz Web a little bit better!

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TSS: Who or what introduced you to the world of bass music?

Sharlitz Web: I remember I was kicking it with some friends that were in a jam band. I was always so drawn to the live music side of things growing up. We turned on Pandora radio and one of them put on Skream’s Midnight Request Line. I’ll never forget the feeling of listening to this new realm of music. Instantly was hooked. I made my own Pandora Skream playlist and from there it really blossomed into a sick obsession.

TSS: What made you fall in love with bass music as a whole?

Sharlitz Web: My mind and body’s ability to let go while listening. The way the sounds massage your brain and the way you can catch a vibe with the sounds of the song and dance them out. I felt like my soul had finally found these sounds and frequencies she could play and frolic with. I started learning how to do some flow arts and I just fell even more in love with the music’s ability to make me move and think in ways I never thought I could. That was before I ever went to a bass music festival. Once I saw the scene behind the music — the peace, unity, love, & respect — I was
hooked.

TSS: How would you say the bass scene has evolved since it first caught your attention?

Sharlitz Web: My heart will always have a special place for the underground as it’s been such a staple to my inspirations of sound. Seeing more and more promoters, labels, and larger artists curate their lineups with more tasteful flavors of sound that help to showcase the underground talent is where it all starts. Without the underground bass scene, the bass scene wouldn’t be what it is today. So much inspiration is pulled from that realm – it really keeps the scene evolving and interesting. The scene has also definitely stepped up when it comes to putting on women and the LGBQT community. It’s been refreshing and insanely inspiring seeing the scene shift in positive ways. Also, the evolution of sound design and DAW’s is just insane. It just keeps getting crazier and I’m here for it.

I also want to bring up how the efforts for harm reduction at events for drugs / SA / homophobia / transphobia have tremendously improved and it’s been nice to see more people putting in so much effort to creating safe spaces for everyone.

TSS: What led you to pursue a path in music?

Sharlitz Web: The fact that I couldn’t stop listening to bass music as it was just continuing to unlock parts of my brain. I learned so much about myself in my early years of listening to bass. I started to heal in my own way without even knowing it. When I realized it could heal, that to me was magic and it really had set me on fire. Things just started to make more and more sense and my vision truly came to life. Just following the flow of this insane roller coaster I’m on and putting my trust in the universe.

TSS: DJing or production – which came first?

Sharlitz Web: DJing. I did it for about 4 months and then I started getting all of these ideas for the kind of music i wanted to listen to. I gave it a go and just had so much fun with it and it now has turned into something actually pretty cool.

TSS: When it comes to production, what does your studio setup look like these days?

Sharlitz Web: I have a MacBook labtop, audio- technicas, and Yamaha Hs5’s as my monitors. Ableton is my DAW of choice. Looks out my bedroom window. Two cats that like to harass me for my love. Crystals, a lava lamp, and essential oil diffuser. Pretty simple. I am getting ready to move early next year and will be doing a long awaited studio upgrade so I am very excited for that.

TSS: When you have a rough week or hit a wall creatively, how do you get yourself back on track?

Sharlitz Web: Communicating to someone I trust about how I feel, a good vent out into an audio journal or note book, and usually a good cry does it for me. Exercising is always an added bonus to the mental state. As an artist it is very valid to feel a lot of crazy emotions at times. I try not to put too much pressure on myself in these moments and practice ways of staying more present. I like to put a lot of focus on self love when I feel this way and I’ll try to see if I can learn anything new about myself in these moments of struggle. I also try to actively listen to more music and experiment with genres when I feel like I’ve hit a wall. It opens up portals to inspirations.

TSS: Tell us a little about your new Spider Lily EP and how it came together as a whole.

Sharlitz Web: Losing my sister has been extremely hard for me. I wanted to write an EP that would transmute into the spiritual realm in a form of communication to her. I picked the spider lily flower because it represents the cycle of death and rebirth and is the flower of farewell throughout Asia. Even though I had to say goodbye to her…she is still with me. I am just picturing myself in the spirit realm handing her a spider lily and telling her it’s okay that’s she’s not here and that I am okay. I know she’s with me. From writing this EP, it helped heal parts of me and for anybody out there dealing with some pretty heavy stuff; I just hope this EP can help heal in anyway.

TSS: Not just with your latest offering, but pure emotion plays a significant role when it comes to your productions. Why is that?

Sharlitz Web: It’s just what comes naturally. My favorite tracks to write are the ones that engulf me inside of them. For that to happen there needs to be some sort of emotional element to suck me in. It really gets my creative juices flowing when there is some sort of emotional orchestra pushing the song. It truly is like therapy.

TSS: With that being said, where do you find inspiration, and how are you able to channel those feelings essentially bringing them to life?

Sharlitz Web: I have this burning desire to keep learning more about myself and figuring out what works best for me when I am actively looking for inspiration. I actively look for inspiration in almost everything because I have to. My friends in the scene inspire me so much, in so many ways. Something about seeing people achieve their goals and dreams really fuels my fire. I like to go for card rides and bump some music and forget about reality for a little. Working out to a mix always has me ready to come home and start a tune. This past year I have focused a lot on my own healing. Being insanely more present has helped me so much. Before I start a song, I will draw a mental mandala. It’s kind of like a game — we are trying to get to an ultimate state of flow and awaken the muse. To do that you need to let go and just create. The first thing to sound good after the last thing you did — you stick with it. This keeps you from changing your mind or getting distracted. It opens up your mind to something new and gets you out of your own head. It’s always the most fun and sometimes the song doesn’t come out as cool but it has now allowed me to create unapologetically and undisturbed.

TSS: WAKAAN and SSKWAN have become staples within the world of forward-thinking electronic dance music; how does it feel to have releases on such esteemed imprints?

Sharlitz Web: It feels amazing to be able to share my music on a platform as bass cultured and curated as WAKAAN and SSKWAN. Everything that Liquid Stranger & WAKAAN have done for this community is seriously incredible. I’m honored to be a part of it. Having SSKWAN as an outlet has also opened up this new realm of downtempo that bleeds so viciously out of me sometimes. To be able to explore the duality of the Sharlitz Web project – the heavier bass on WAKAAN and downtempo soundscapes on SSKWAN – has been super inspiring.

TSS: 2023 is right around the corner, what can the world expect from Sharlitz Web?
A lot of new music in 2023! We’re also working on my first round of merch and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve got some special collaborations underway as well.

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