Renowned DJ Seth Troxler discusses maturing as an artist, family life, and navigating the worlds of contemporary art and cuisine. Topics include his evolving perspective as a DJ, balancing touring and personal life, cooking and the intersection of electronic music and art, the value of listening to albums as a whole, exploring different delivery systems for music projects, and the future of DJing.
Electronic music is gaining recognition and acceptance in the contemporary art world, creating new opportunities for artists.
Lost Souls of Saturn, Seth Troxler's project with Filippo Cutzofa (Film Offa), provides a different artistic outlet compared to his club records.
Seth Troxler emphasizes the importance of concepts in music, particularly in conceptual albums.
Deep dives
Seth Troxler's Diverse Career and Artistic Pursuits
Seth Troxler is a renowned DJ and producer who has made a name for himself in the electronic music world. He has lived in various cities around the world and headlined major festivals and clubs. Beyond music, Troxler has interests in contemporary art and cuisine, even launching his own restaurant. He shares his love for cooking and how it has become an important part of his life alongside his family. Troxler also reflects on how his approach to music and DJing has evolved over the years, emphasizing the value of patience and being present for his audience. He discusses the increasing recognition of electronic music in the contemporary art world and its positive impact on the culture. Through his project, Lost Souls of Saturn, Troxler explores different artistic avenues, such as installations and augmented reality, pushing the boundaries of what a concept album can be.
The Intersection of Electronic Music and Contemporary Art
Electronic music is gaining recognition and acceptance in the contemporary art world, creating new opportunities for artists. The inclusion of sound as art has opened doors for collaborations and installations that merge the two realms. Artists like Seth Troxler, Carl Craig, and Tom Trago have been at the forefront of this movement, bridging the gap between electronic music and contemporary art. The acceptance and legitimization of electronic music within the art world have had a positive impact on its culture, allowing for exploration and pushing boundaries. The unique experiences of raves and club culture are seen as expressive human happenings that deserve recognition as an art form.
The Creative Process of Lost Souls of Saturn
Lost Souls of Saturn, Seth Troxler's project with Filippo Cutzofa (Film Offa), provides a different artistic outlet compared to his club records. The project explores ambient sets and live performances that require more control and are more intimate. The process of playing for a small audience and creating tension in these sets creates a different artistic experience. Troxler highlights the challenges and nerves that come with these performances. Lost Souls of Saturn also incorporates visual elements, such as augmented reality comics, to enhance the storytelling and create a multidimensional experience for the audience. The project is driven by a desire to take risks, push boundaries, and inspire other artists to experiment and create new forms of art.
The Importance of Concepts and Taking Risks
Seth Troxler emphasizes the importance of concepts in music, particularly in conceptual albums. He believes that the concept has been lost in modern music and strives to bring it back through projects like Lost Souls of Saturn. Troxler sees the value in taking risks and pushing oneself as an artist, even if it means stepping outside of one's comfort zone. He believes that comfortability can lead to complacency, while pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas leads to the creation of the best works. Troxler's commitment to conceptual albums and his willingness to experiment with different art forms demonstrate his dedication to artistic growth and innovation.
Creating a Conceptual Listening Experience
The podcast episode discusses the importance of creating albums and projects that focus on providing a cohesive and immersive listening experience. The speaker emphasizes the idea of consuming music as a whole, rather than focusing on individual tracks or singles. They give examples of concept albums like Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and Beach Boys' Pet Sounds to illustrate the power of experiencing music in a narrative or thematic context. The speaker believes that electronic music and dance albums have lost the concept-driven approach and aims to guide people towards different ideas through their own artistic endeavors.
Legacy, Recognition, and Artistic Evolution
The podcast delves into the artist's perspective on legacy and artistic growth. The speaker reflects on the desire to create a body of work that will be remembered and respected over time, ensuring that their art has a lasting impact. They express the importance of not being solely defined by past antics or a public image, but rather focusing on concentrated and studious efforts in their music. The speaker acknowledges regrets they have regarding past actions but also highlights the need for a space where free expression and open conversation can exist. They discuss the complexities of having an opinion in today's hypersensitive culture and emphasize the importance of allowing various perspectives to coexist. Additionally, the speaker muses on the possibility of retiring from DJing in the future but also expresses a deep love and passion for playing records and the joy it brings them.
"DJs don't hit their stride until their 40s." The DJ and creative multihyphenate discusses maturing as an artist, having a family and navigating the worlds of contemporary art and cuisine.
Resident Advisor has followed Detroit native Seth Troxler's DJ career since the beginning. And on his first appearance on the RA Exchange, he is in his domestic bliss phase, living with his wife and kids in his new home of Zürich and partying at least a little less—and only on the weekends.
Since taking the house and techno scene by storm in the late '00s, when he was still in his teens, Troxler has become one of the most famous DJs in the world, known almost as much for his jokester personality and party antics as his craft. But the public image belies the skill behind his work: he's one of the most popular artists in the world simply because he's also one of the best, able to string music together almost preternaturally, as if he was born to do it. You never know what kind of records he's going to play—sometimes he doesn't, either—but you can count on it being a journey worth taking.
These days, Troxler isn't putting himself through the wringer like he used to, but he has his moments. Before this interview with RA music critic Andrew Ryce, he played New York, then Miami, then New York again, then Toronto, all in the span of one weekend. He opened up about his more responsible lifestyle, his family life and his love of food, as well as his passion for pairing art and technology and his hopes for a lasting legacy.
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