#117 Quinn (Paranoid London): Anonymity and acid house, "We'd always press fewer copies than we had preorders for!"
May 21, 2024
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Quinn, a member of the electronic duo Paranoid London, shares insights about their unique approach to anonymity and the acid house scene. He recounts the thrill of playing large festivals while maintaining a 'vinyl-only, no interviews' ethos early in their career. The conversation touches on the evolution of their sound, recording techniques, and the vibrant party culture in London. With humor, Quinn reflects on their new album and the resilience of smaller venues post-pandemic, showcasing a balance of artistry and commercial challenges in today’s music landscape.
Quinn highlights Paranoid London's commitment to anonymity, allowing them to focus solely on their music without external pressures.
The duo discusses the challenges of transitioning from intimate club performances to larger stages, leading to innovative sound adaptations.
Emphasizing authenticity, they reflect on maintaining creativity and avoiding burnout amidst commercial pressures in the evolving music industry.
Deep dives
The Importance of B2B Marketing
B2B marketing is crucial for reaching specific audiences interested in business solutions. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about their father's passion for return on ad spend (ROAS) during a career day at school, highlighting how specialized marketing can sometimes sound amusing to those not in the field. LinkedIn is emphasized as a powerful platform for connecting with the B2B community and offers a promotional credit to encourage businesses to try using its advertising services. This illustrates the potential for targeted marketing strategies to generate effective leads.
Boost Mobile's Unique Offer
Boost Mobile stands out in the competitive telecommunications market by offering an unbeatable plan of unlimited talk, text, and data for just $25 a month, guaranteed for life. This striking offer ensures customers can maintain their connection without worrying about rising costs or losing service. The campaign's quirky examples, such as providing service even for a baby, emphasize the commitment to keeping the plan consistent over time. This approach creates a memorable brand identity that resonates strongly with budget-conscious consumers.
Insight into Digital Underground Live
The speaker expresses their excitement about their upcoming live performances with Digital Underground, promising a return to the stage after a long break. This series of shows will encompass a mix of classic tracks and new material reflecting their evolution as artists, blending hardcore electronic music styles with fresh creativity. The announcement of concert dates across notable UK venues suggests a carefully curated experience for audiences. This not only fosters a sense of anticipation but also reconnects the artist with their fan base in a dynamic way.
Exploring Paranoid London's Evolution
The conversation with Quinn from Paranoid London reveals the duo's roots in Acid House music and their approach to maintaining anonymity in their releases. This strategy allows them to focus purely on the music itself, free from external pressures or biases that often accompany fame. Their journey illustrates the challenges faced by artists in adapting to changing musical landscapes while staying true to their foundational sounds. As they embrace new approaches, such as involving visual artists for live shows, they continue to evolve without losing their unique identity.
Navigating Concerts and Production Challenges
The duo discusses the difficulties faced while transitioning from intimate club performances to larger stages, adapting their music for vast audiences. They acknowledge how the growth of their brand required careful consideration of soundspaces, leading to experimental tracks that possess a more spacious feel. Live shows lead to real-time adjustments in their performances, helping them learn and grow as artists, despite the complexities associated with larger audiences and locations. Their commitment to harnessing these experiences drives them to explore innovative ideas while maintaining their roots.
The Dynamics of Keeping Music Authentic
As artists confront the pressure that fame can bring, they emphasize the importance of keeping the essence of their music lively and authentic. The conversation underscores the challenges of avoiding burnout and maintaining creativity amid demands for new releases and commercial success. They reflect on the evolution of their musical style while remaining committed to creating art that resonates with them personally. This dedication to authenticity is crucial in continuing to foster a deep connection with fans and remaining relevant in a rapidly evolving music industry.
D:U:LIVE is coming in June! My first live shows since 2013.... London / Bristol / Manchester - all tickets: scubaoficial.io/live
Is it possible for the music to do the talking in 2024?
Maybe, but probably not the extent that Paranoid London managed it for the first few "vinyl-only, no interviews" years of their career. Quinn joins us on this episode for a chat that includes a lot more laughter than usual for an episode of this podcast. But that's a good thing!
And we talk about some interesting stuff too, like their new album, the effect of playing on big stages, how great London is right now, recording techniques... and a lot more.
This is a good one, you're gonna enjoy it.
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