By: Alex Dada
Photographer: CJ Foeckler

Born in the concrete suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Amiga tracker musician, producer, and live performer: Tyler St Clair, under various pseudonyms, has developed a progressive radical musical style over the years; ranging from minimal harder edge sounds of early Industrial music to quirky 8-bit chiptunes.
The beginnings of this sound began to take shape in the mid 90s when he wrote his first song on the Commodore 64 at the age of 13. With well over a decade of under his belt and anew founded project: Stagediver, I caught up with the musician for a very needed refresh, a glimpse of the past, and what the future has in store.

Alex Dada: Mr. St. Clair, how do you do? Fancy seeing seeing you here ;)

Tyler St. Clair: I tried to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich...only to find out the bottom of the bread was moldy.

St. C: So wheat pasta it is!

Dada: Ohh, I love wheat pasta! OM NOM NOM NOM with sauce.

St. C: And yes I am doing very fine despite that snag. Yourself?

Dada: Quite alright. Sorry to hear about the peanut butter and jelly mold crisis.

St. C: Yeah...that's the problem with all-natural breads, you only have about 3-4 days to finish it off.

Dada: Bacteria eat up that stuff like you wouldn't believe.

St. C: Might stand a fighting chance at 5 if purchased directly from the bread smith, same with the fruits as well.

Dada: Is a good sign though. Means healthy eating. If bacteria stay away from it and won't eat it, you better too!

St. C: Exactly.

Dada: Holdz, closing and blocking/ignoring other AIM windows (how very unprofessional of me hah).

Dada: It's my first time ;) Be gentle.

St. C: I had these bags of food that I never planned on eating.

Dada: Oh, of?

St. C: And in one of them I had some hamburger buns. It was given to me by my mother. Anyway, these bags sat by my front door for what seemed like 2 months because I was going to leave them in an alley, close to my practice space, instead of taking them to a pantry. Because I see the homeless and figured it would go straight to them. Well, these fucking hamburger buns were still good after all that time of just sitting there. Completely disgusting. So I threw that shit to the birds.

Dada: Whoa, chemical mania. Wonder what they had in them. What brand?

St. C: I wish I remembered, but you'll be happy to know the bags were taken.

Dada: Ah, no warning. Well, keep on the look out people! If it's been sitting there for 2 months and the bacteria won't eat... RUN! O rly?

St. C: Still not sure how they managed to cook spaghetti though.

Dada: Nice. Survival of the fittest. Brings out the best in people. They will amaze you.

St. C: Preaching to the gospel! Or is it choir? I suppose it's choir. Excuse me... just a tad bit tired. :: sips coffee ::

Dada: Not sure, can't recall, as long as I get free food. Is all good ;) and quite alright... but yes, I digress. For those of you out of the loop. This convo is taking place via the internet's series of tubes (meme joke). I am too poor to travel and Ty would much rather prefer getting back to his cock sucking session after this, in peace.

St. C: Exactly.

Dada: Heard your last set on the 13th of this month. One word: Epic. People were geeking out over the set. How that go? Enjoy it?

St. C: Well, considering the shitstorm that comes along with using equipment almost as old as I am I think it went pretty well. I'm a big fan of the venue the event was held in and I was among friends so it was very easy to roll with the punches.

Dada: Ah, sounds like a nurturing environment. Ever played there before?

St. C: Yes I played their previously on christmas of '07... the second Stagediver set that happened but was never fully recorded due to said shitstorms. People loved it from what I've been told and I really wish I could make heads or tails of it all, but I've listened to it so many times in such a short time frame that I don't feel as though I created it. It's both currently the only way I can make music while still retaining a level of contentedness and a logical progression in songwriting in general. Not to suggest I'm the fucking future or anything.

Dada: What was the whole deal about bringing a CD of a band you hated and getting a discount for it?

St. C: Ha! I wish I had an answer for you. I have no idea why we were giving discounts for shitty music. Pity maybe?

Dada: A way of letting the crowd take out aggression is one way I'd look at it ;) Perhaps?

St. C: I wouldn't give us that much credit hahah!

Dada: Hahah

St. C: But honestly, yes. That had something to do with it, and it was symbolic in a way. I saw one of my old cd's in there and that was very funny.

Dada: You mean one of your releases? Which particular release?

St. C: It was my very first release under the "Dispyz" moniker. Titled "Schadenfreude EP". Strangely enough, I thought it was one of my best.

Dada: Hah, different strokes for different folks, I assume... or perhaps to get a cheap laugh? Why did you choose that title for your first release?

St. C: Several reasons actually. First, was that I wanted a title that didn't sound local yet was distinctly Milwaukee. Kind of like the actual sound of the ep itself. Milwaukee, for those who don't know, is rich in German culture.That might be very obvious to some.

Dada: Ah, that's right. New Berlin?

St. C: Hahah, yes.

Dada: I can see how that played a big role in all this. Makes logical sense.

St. C: We actually have a town named New Berlin.

Dada: Hah, yeah. Was referring to it.

St. C: Ahhh... thought maybe it was some laughable Alec Empire reference. The second reason for the name was the actual meaning.

Dada: Which is? For those who don't know German.

St. C: Well all technicality aside there's no english equivalent but it can be roughly translated into a word meaning a way to maliciously gloat/finding happiness in ones misery/dwell in evil thoughts. I thought some of the meaning applied to me in the sense that at that time I was in a strange place and felt accurately hated on by my peers and the city I lived in. I also saw the city around me turning into a different sort of monster with the businesses/developers moving in and the underground pre-internet hardcore techno moving out. Almost as though they were laughing at us all. They wanted to turn the city into a bad episode of Elimidate.

Dada: Ahahaha

St. C: And... well... 10 years later they succeeded.

Dada: Ahh, yeah.... unfortunately. What's this I hear of the building where your practice space is currently located at being bought out by developers?

St. C: Yes, which also happens to be the venue for the above mentioned shows.

Dada: A direct effect of all this. Like another nail to the coffin. Sad times.

St. C: Yes. Our days are numbered here in this building... no... in Milwaukee... fuck that... in general and we know that. So the people who had the funding (or lack thereof) decided to put it to some good use.

Dada: Money makes "teh vorld" go round unfortunately. Looking for a way out from all of it? Considering?

St. C: Yeah, totally. Mentally anyway. The building itself is done for. There is something interesting currently happening here in this particular area however. It seems to me as though more doomed buildings are being used for music performance and not your typical girl-pants shaggy-haired rocker.

Dada: Ahh, like the rave days of the 90's?

St. C: Yes, exactly. As a matter of fact, our building used to host several parties in the early 90's.

Dada: Still rockin' it like it's '99 ;D

St. C: I don't know about the other ones but I knew right away there was something special about this building. The people in it... the music coming out of it... the history of it as I later found out and I know the Milwaukee Noise Fest is going to be held in one of the other buildings nearby next September.

Dada: Which, if I recall correctly, you planned on playing? Correct? Oh, and yes, the history of the building. I remember you mentioning... the practice space was actually once a meat locker of the sort? Very flexible/adaptive building, judging from all it's past history.

St. C: I would love to but that has yet to be confirmed. Ah yes, before the building held parties in the 90's it was a slaughterhouse. Milwaukee used to be something of an industrial powerhouse throughout the 40s-70s. Very, very rich history but that's all gone now.

Dada: Like all good things, they come to an end eventually.

St. C: These buildings have been converted into an everlasting sea of overpriced condos. We are now second to miami for unused condos.

Dada: Wow, really? Had no clue. Like a ghost town? What a waste.

St. C: I mean, don't get me wrong. Some look nice and some are full, but usually only the rich and drug dealers can afford them or those who want to feel "cultured".

Dada: What with the crime waves recently there increasing, I'd imagine that have an affect on how people view the city on whether to live there or not based on those views.

St. C: Yes, completely. It's a piss-poor fix on a serious problem. I believe Milwaukee is the most segregated city in all of america and when crime hits it's brutal.

Dada: Bad times for Milwaukee. Growing up in Milwaukee, what musical influences played a very important role in the way how you perceived and went on about with musik? Any life changing?

St. C: As a matter of fact my windows are open and I'm recording some people fighting right now. Expect that to be in the next Stagediver set. Not to exploit.

Dada: Hahaha, I gotta hear this. Make sure to up it later on ;)

St. C: Hahaha, it's ridiculous. People don't make sense anymore when trying to argue a point on the streets. I cannot understand a single fucking word, laughable at best, may as well be farting out of their mouths but at the same time it's scary because they *don't* think.

Dada: Hahah sounds lulz worthy at least.

St. C: Yes, totally. As far as the sounds that influenced me, do you mean strictly local or in general?

Dada: Well, both really. Any that particularly had an impacting affect on the way you looked or created musik in general.

St. C: Well, my father was one of the city's first punkers. He ran away from home with a buddy and wound up here somehow. He ran away because he was abused for listening to music. You know the devil's music like Otis Redding and The Stones. So he always had music in him.

Dada: Haha nice. Musik fuels the soul. Keeps you pumpin' and goin'.

St. C: Yes, it does. Started a few punk bands and collected music and back then you had vinyl, so I remember as a kid he had rooms and rooms of walls of vinyl. Anyway, my point is this: When I was young my father gave me 5 records from 5 different groups that he knew I would need to know: The Beatles, Sex Pistols, Otis Redding, Kraftwerk, and ...shit don't remember the last.

Dada: Devo? I remember you telling me a funny story about him with devo related.

St. C: I think *maybe* it was devo. That moment set the tone. I was the only one in kindergarten who knew when John Lennon was shot. And even knew what the hell Kraftwerk was. Hmmm, I don't remember the story.

Dada: Something about playing it to creep you out I believe. But yes, quite a range of music genres.

St. C: Oh, yes yes. The Residents and Gwar. Used to scare the piss out of me and my father loved it. Schadenfreude indeed.

Dada: Hehe for shiz and giggles. Lulz worthy.

St. C: But for as deeply rooted as music was in my upbringing I never wanted to make it. It wasn't until I heard the music for Mega Man 3 that I stood up and took notice. It was so mechanical, like Kraftwerk. Yet poppy like The Beatles and no one in their right mind listened to video game music, so that to me was punk.

Dada: It had a little of everything. The perfect musik, so speak, fitting for the game at least. I'd imagine it spoke much to you. Videos game musik was the only stuff I was ever exposed to as a kid actually. Should consider covering the tune one day.

St. C: Yeah, I'll never forget it. It was like any other friday night. Out of school. No homework. Rushing to the video store to rent a game before they closed.

Dada: Hahah yes, I did that quite a bit myself.

St. C: My buddy and I picked it up. Went back to his place and put it in. Hahaha, if you know what I mean.

Dada: Hahah

St. C: And when he put the game on I was amazed by the graphics and how little things almost seemed subliminal and nuanced. Like how he would run almost to the beat of the music but it's when he chose the Magnet Man stage that it fucking hit me. I mean I changed at that very moment. I told him to replay the level and he would just look at me strange hahah.

Dada: Hahah, Mega Man musik was always epic. They just had a way with it. The series never really disappointed me until later years cue Playstation, N64 etc. days.

St. C: Yeah, I agree 100%. I stopped playing video games for a period during those days. Partly because of the direction the industry was going and because I had several more poignant moments that literally prevented me from playing anything but that's another time, ahhaha.

Dada: Yeah, to me video games haven't been as exciting for whatever reason. The industries direction plays a role I believe in my lack of caring for them nowadays. Those were the years more less when my video game playing habit/addiction began to decrease. Ultimately completely stopping not that long after. Been trying to get back into games lately though, with the DS and DS roms >.> haha... but yeah hah, I digress. Pertaining to fans, how important are fans to you? What role do they play in all this?

St. C: Real quick, back to Magnet Man. I looked the music up on youtube and saw this comment: "This music is speaking a language, there is no question about it. Only gamers who grew up to it can still hear it or understand it." I couldn't have said it better.

Dada: Haha you looked it up on youtube too?! And yes, very well put. Interesting bit that you found there.

St. C: Hahaha, great minds think alike I say.

Dada: Hah, yeah. Hivemind. But yes, back to the fans.

St. C: Fine if I have too. Hahahha.

Dada: Hahaha

St. C: No honestly. In the beginning fans were not that important because I did this for me and me only. Didn't even tell others I made music for a very, very long time afterward.

Dada: Oh, yes. An old friend discovered it by chance, correct?

St. C: Yes. I believe he walked in during "bad feeling" and insisted that I put it on tape for him for his ride to work that next morning... he never went to work. He just listened to that goddamn tape all day.

Dada: Hah wow, really?

St. C: And *still* talks about it. It really affected him I guess.

Dada: I'd imagine it, seeing as he didn't show up for work! XD

St. C: Hahaha, yeah but that was my first taste of fandom.

Dada: Still your biggest fan?

St. C: I haven't spoke with him much since he moved out of state but yes I do consider him to be my biggest fan of sorts. I guess the ball started to get rolling with fans near the end of the Dispyz life cycle but it was very uncomfortable for me.

Dada: Why was that?

St. C: Because I was no longer making music for myself at that point. It was good yes, but I started to experience new things and I ultimately became something of a different person...the Dispyz material was stuck in this mold of the old me. So I spent about 2 years away from any *serious* music making. As I thought of a way to better suit my needs musically. So now yes fans are ok.

Dada: Oh, that was right after DTPPR, non?

St. C: Yes. After a while it seemed as though things were happening to prevent me from making music with the Dispyz name: HD crashes, master copies vanishing, terrible live sets etc. but now this Stagediver project is up to date.

Dada: Up to Ver. 1.0 ;)

St. C: Yep! And the fans are going to experience something a little more forward thinking. So I embrace it now as evidenced by the fact that I don't charge for my sets online. Share share share. It's no longer just for me. It's now something I do to challenge myself while you all listen and from the sounds of things it's going pretty good.

Dada: I'd say. I enjoyed your last set quite a bit. Was the best Stagediver set to date. Can we expect any Stagediver updates soon? 1.5?

St. C: Funny you should ask. 1.5 is coming very very soon. It's going to be something of a very long song that I'm writing for The Ring (the building I mentioned earlier), maybe 8-10 minutes or so and the Stagediver 2.0 I think will be a two hour set. Just to challenge myself.

Dada: 2 hours! Quite the work load you got ahead of you. Have you been at work with it already? And this song, why for The Ring?

St. Clair: The 2.0 set I have only started sound design on sampling, writing, screwdriver work etc. and the song for The Ring... well, Evil Kneevers, the guy who runs it asked if I'd allow him to use a clip of my set to use for his site. So I agreed but suggested to write something new, maybe with a boxing theme, as it used to be a boxing ring too.

Dada: Oh, that's right hence: The Ring. Good luck with that two hour set man. If anyone can do it, it'd be you and the A1200's. Hope to hear it soon as well as that boxing tune! Radiograffiti.org. What are the plans? I know you're hosting Stagediver there nowadays as well as Dispyz. What is the deal with that?

St. C: It's just nothing more than a current online haven for my different projects. It does lend itself to grow however and that's ultimately what I'd like to do. Do some sort of imprint/label just like everyone else. Fucking cliché, but I'd like to think that I know what the fuck I'm doing. So I guess Radio Graffiti is ultimately your new best friend. The one that showed your ears how to love again.

Dada: Did your musical affair begin with the Amiga or were there past affairs prior to this bond?

St. C: The C64. It was a natural progression. Well, as natural as it can be hahaha. Back to Magnet Man hahaha. I wanted to make video game music.

Dada: Haha considering their machines... I believe Commodore bought them out around 85'?

St. C: Yes, that is correct

Dada: Just a year before I was born.

St. C: Nice! So yeah, I saved some paper route money and after I did a bit of reading I learned that the C64 made the sound I was looking for that of a video game. So I bought one and started writing and coding almost immediately. And wrote elements to Raverblood/Gansta rock etc etc. ...a lot of the Schadenfreude EP and for those keeping score I was 13. 1995.

Dada: Quite a while back. By what means did you manage to learn? What prior knowledge did you have? Anything musically?

St. C: Nope, wait. Yes. I took piano lessons in school and yet another strange twist of fate my grade school specialized in music technology specifically. Yet, I'm not sure it had any sort of affect on me. Other than that I constantly had music around me and that we would build midi drum kits out of pvc piping and shit, but the coding knowledge came from books and asking questions. A lot of questions.

Dada: The source of knowledge. All can be found in books. Any specific books?

St. C: Yes, I agree 100%. none that I can remember now days. I can remember the covers, but that's about it. I do know that COMPUTE! wrote a few of them but that's all I remember. I remember reading about the Amiga, seeing as how they were owned by Commodore at that time, hitting some rough sales and learned of their sample capability. That's when things became a little more than unhealthy. Hahha

Dada: Haha obsessedmuch? ;) Couldn't keep your hands off her, huh? ;O

St. C: Nope! But she liked it or so she said. It did keep me out of trouble however, but it also kept me out of school.

Dada: Hahah XD Well, she didn't say "NO!". THEY CAN'T PROVE ANYTHING!

St. C: This is true and I was the one underage at that point.

Dada: Hahaha whoah, reminds me.... the Amiga kiddie pr0n archives... >.> RUN!

St. C: Hahaha

Dada: Collaborations: I know of a few in the past that you've done related to other projects, the more recent being of Sexy Birthday fame: Hot Business, to name one, but are there any other plans for collaborations with other people in the works? Will you be celebrating anyone else's birthday in the near future? And if so, where can we request a sexy private party?

St. C: Hahaha. Once again, funny you should ask. I'm doing another tune with Hot Business for that same girl's birthday. Going to start recording this week actually and we are bringing in a sexy gay man to do guitars.

Dada: Oh, yes your friend. The song is completely laid out already then? Can we expect a recording of this to surface in the very near future?

St. C: Yep! Her birthday is right around the corner.

Dada: Nice, looking forward to it. Another interesting question was brought to my attention over at the message board by Jakob, a regular, brought up a question pertaining to record deals and commercial use of your muzik:

How much could you delve into that for us? Has there ever been any offers? Have you attempted to play the market? I know the music industry at the moment in it's current state is drastically changing and a lot of seems to be heading completely into the digital domain area that is the internet. A great example of this would be within the 8bit community, going as far as to give a good majority of their muzik away for free to fans. What's your whole take on that?

St. C: Well, I think a lot of 8-bit "musicians" suck too much to effectively sell their music anyway, but I digress. The 8-bit movement has lost all steam as far as I'm concerned. As has the industry, but that's nothing new and that's the problem. There's nothing new. I personally think the idea of a structured song is obsolete and by that I mean verse chorus verse etc

Dada: Yes, the old formula. The Beatles played it out long ago.

St. C: Exactly. It's really difficult to write a song that hasn't been done before and after a while you are no longer writing music for yourself. You're writing music to avoid a potential re-write. I think that's when MSI were at their best... Oh, please allow me to name drop. BTW, the songs were structured but they really built on that idea by tearing it down, but unfortunately I think that was lost on a lot of people and that might explain why I can still listen to those songs and cannot stand the new ones. It's all just formula to me now and with those two years off I really questioned myself and how I was going to make music exciting again for myself.

Dada: Yeah, totally. I see it. I haven't really been hyped up abouot MSI for years now. Though I still enjoy few songs here there. You just don't get the same feeling anymore. Though I always enjoy their shows. Once that is lost = Game Over. Is that what you spent most of your time doing those years? Well, music related that is.

St. C: So I thought instead of a structured song how about something a little more "stream of consciousness". If loop based music connects with the heart there has to be something that connects with the brain. But yeah, I never really answered that question hahaha. I've received offers. Plenty and during the Schadenfreude days I was told to submit a tape to Matador Records.

Dada: What happen? The outcome?

St. C: Nothing. Nothing happened. Either they got cold feet or I lost interest and now I don't think I would ever entertain the notion of signing to a label. A work for hire maybe.

Dada: How about nowadays? Recent? Have you ever delved into that market? As you know some musician (I won't give out names, but you know which ones I'm referring to! Hahah!) put on a show to specifically get signed etc.

St. C: Oh snap! :: inside joke :: Yes, I would be glad to write music for games as it's related to what I've always wanted to do and it's more soundtrack/stream of consciousness based like the Stagediver sets anyway. As far as a label however, probably not. It would depend on a lot of factors to be honest. A lot of common sense, which surprisingly not many people have now days.

Dada: True. Very true. And you can't learn that at school! TAKE THAT EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM!

St. C: Yes, which is part of why I left.

Dada: Oh, correct. You dropped out of high school early on, no?

St. C: Yes, for several reasons. But it was a fucking pathetic experience. Socially and academically.

Dada: I hear that.

St. C: However, I will admit though that I really wish I had stayed with it. By leaving when I did it just left this giant fucking hole right in the middle of my perception of friendship. It's still something I struggle with to be 100% honest.

Dada: Life changing move. Would do that to you.

St. C: I never did the crazy partying. Never talked to the girls. Never made those "fun" mistakes, but i look on it now and everyone is pregnant or miserable or stuck in a shitty job that they are too afraid to leave.

Dada: Yeah, same here actually. Except I nearly dropped as well, but Speed kept me going... errr... I mean wut? >.> Yeah, FEAR. It controls people.

St. C: Hahah, but at the same time I'm almost just as fucked. Because I spent a lot of that time worrying about end of days, conspiracy theory, soul searching, summers and winters of programming etc etc. Pretty lonely and equally as miserable of times. The only difference is that I guess I have something to show for it now, but it's still there unsolved.

Dada: Yes, and not many can say the same. I'm sure one day you can address that accordingly, somehow?

St. C: Hopefully.

Dada: Wishful thinking. So how big is it?

St. C: Honestly?

Dada: Mhm ;O

St. C: Big enough to put you in the hospital.

Dada: Oh shi-

St. C: And to earn the name sexy robocop.

Dada: Hahaha, laser?

St. C: Oh, of course.

Dada: Score one for the raves and the people of 4cha... err the internetz >.> I know of in past shows where random equipment failure have played a big part of your live sets, but a very implying question was brought to my attention, I'm sure you can guess which this one is from (judging only by the last two): Do you just pretend to have hardware failures?

St. C: HA! He must have me mistaken for Alec Empire.

Dada: Ohhh haha oh shi- XD

St. C: And why did I mention his name twice now? Anyway.

Dada: Cocaine or Pixy stix?

St. C: Peanut butter.

Dada: <3 Perfect choice. Seriously, how big is it?

St. C: Perfect choice size.

Dada: |0_0|b Touring. Shows. The works. Any plans for this coming summer? "Stagediver coming soon to a venue near you"?

St. C: I suppose I should address that malfunction question first. No it is not faked. Unlike those with no taste who settle on playing a show with nothing but an ipod. I use equipment that, like me, has personality. Some nights that equipment doesn't feel like working, but I roll with the punches and if one doesn't believe me there's a great pic that was taken at the last show where my computer crashed and you can actually see the screen glitched out. I can't fake that shit.

Dada: Oh, yes! You can see a grin on your face. Is a priceless picture ^_^ Though, not impossible to glitch out electronic equipment at a press of a button :P

St. C: I knew I was in over my head but I soldered on and performed Stagediver 1.0 anyway.

Dada: That you did and it became the best Stagediver set to date. Propz. One last question to wrap it all up: I'm sure people have been wondering and been wanting to know, I quote: "Dispyz is *NOT* dead. I'm as shocked as you are. More info soon." Was and can be found on the splash page of dispyz.com. What is the whole story behind that? Is Dispyz really *NOT* dead? Or has Dispyz been shelved for good? Never to be seen again? 6 feet under? Or will it pull through like Beatrix Kiddo from within the casket and breakthrough once more for that one last final episode?

St. C: Hmmm... Well, I really hope no one is honestly wondering the answer to that question. I mean the US government is lying to everyone and you're worrying about a message on a site I obviously abandoned? But to answer your question, yes it has been shelved for good.

Dada: Once and for all?

St. C: There are a few more things that have yet to surface, new old songs, a vinyl or two a remix etc. but Dispyz as a project is finished. It was a project I started when I was 13 and unless I can find a way to make it 100% relevant to me again it will remain dead and yes I have shows planned around the US for Stagediver.

Dada: Oh, yes. Any specifics? Details etc.

St. C: Things haven't been 100% confirmed but radiograffiti.org will be up and running soon. I'll be posting details there.

Dada: Will be on the look out and I'm sure others will as well. Thank you for your time Mr. St. Clair. Been a pleasure, sir.

St. C: Well I certainly hope so. I'll be looking forward to seeing everyone with my Amigas this year. I cannot wait and thank you sir, for your time. The pleasure was all mine ....in my pants. Sexy robocop. Remember that.

Dada: Anytime ;O hahaha. Will do. Noted ;)