Guest Skream, a headline DJ, talks about his experiences in the music industry, including stage invasions, tour bus fires, and being marketed as a certain image. They also discuss the evolution of music styles, the challenges faced in the industry, and wild festival experiences. The podcast delves into the impact of their project in Colombia, gatekeeping in the drum and bass scene, and the changing environment of record shops. A fascinating and entertaining conversation.
The Autonomic era pushed the boundaries of drum and bass, offering a unique sonic landscape.
The transition from Autonomic to mainstream house and techno presented challenges of conforming to the party scene.
Taking a break and exploring sobriety led to a rediscovery of passion and experimentation.
Success in the music industry is now aligned with personal happiness and creative fulfillment.
Marketing the Magnet Man project as a band allowed them to compete with big names and create impact.
Deep dives
The Autonomic Era: a Game Changer in Electronic Music
The Autonomic era, with artists like Debridge and Instra:mental, marked a significant shift in the electronic music scene. The Autonomic podcasts were a game changer, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in drum and bass. The unique machine music and experimental sound captured listeners' attention, offering a retrospective look at the journey of electronic music. The success of Autonomic can be attributed to its ability to break free from the constraints of conventional genres and create a sonic landscape that was truly unique.
The Impact of Club Culture on Perception and Progression
The transition from the experimental Autonomic movement to the mainstream house and techno scene presented new challenges. The perception of being a party guy and the pressure to conform to the club culture became evident. While Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, and Damian Lazarus became like-minded friends, the shift in focus from music to the party scene posed difficulties. The expectations of being a wild party animal influenced public perception, despite personal desires to explore different musical directions.
Breaking Away and Rediscovering Creativity
The decision to take a break and explore sobriety opened up new opportunities for self-reflection and rediscovery. The realization that the party lifestyle was becoming repetitive led to a yearning for a fresh creative perspective. The sober journey allowed a return to the pure excitement and experimentation reminiscent of the early days in the music industry. The Autonomic era played a crucial role in finding that childlike wonder again, expanding horizons and reigniting the passion for making music.
The Changing Definition of Success and Perceptions
The evolving definition of success in the music industry reflects societal shifts and changing expectations. The emphasis on wealth, fame, and Instagram-worthy moments creates an unattainable goal for many. Success, for the artist, is now redefined as aligning with personal values, maintaining happiness, and pursuing creative passion. The desire to escape the pressures of conformity and embrace imperfections became integral to the artistic journey. The ability to do what one loves and maintain a sense of fulfillment became a measure of true success.
The Rise of Magnetic Man and Pop Dubstep
During the Magnet Man era, the project was marketed as a band, even though it primarily used laptops. The goal was to make their sound as big as possible and reach a wide audience. The project became successful and competed with big names like Robbie Williams. Despite facing criticism for pop dubstep, they were proud of the music they made and the impact it had on fans.
The Importance of Record Shops and Sense of Community
Record shops, like the one the speaker frequented, provided a sense of community and common ground for like-minded individuals. It was a space where people with different social skills could come together and bond over music. The speaker reminisces about the excitement of waiting for new releases and the friendly atmosphere in the shop.
The Decline of Physical Spaces and the Rise of Online Platforms
The speaker laments the loss of physical spaces like record shops and the decline of small clubs. With the growing reliance on online platforms, there seems to be a lack of connection and community in the current music scene. While there is still great music being made, there is also a high influx of safe and generic music that lacks originality and risks.
Early experiences at Big Apple Records
The speaker discusses their early experiences working at Big Apple Records. They recall how they initially visited the store to buy records and eventually ended up working there after getting suspended from school multiple times. The speaker shares how the record store became a place where they felt accepted, regardless of their age or background. They reminisce about the diverse conversations and interactions they had with customers, including business professionals and underground music enthusiasts.
Performances at Panorama and Coachella
The speaker reflects on their performances at Panorama and Coachella. They recall their early dubstep set at Panorama, where they felt a mix of excitement and insecurity. The speaker shares that the crowd response was positive, and they left the event feeling satisfied. They also discuss their unexpected performance at Coachella, where they decided to play a freestyle set without prior announcement. The speaker recounts the energetic response from the crowd and how the experience allowed them to leave a lasting impression at the festival.
A lot of artists complain about the way success and the weight of expectation affects their output. But what about people who've been scrutinised in public since they were a teenager?
This week's guest has spent every weekend since he was 15 in clubs, and been the headline DJ for most of that time. There's not many other people who can say that.
It's almost impossible to describe Skream without resorting to cliche. Dubstep poster-boy. Legendary hell-raiser. The amount of rubbish that has been written about him over the years is quite amazing, even by the standards of the music press.
Some of it was true though, and on this week's show we dig into everything from stage invasions and tour bus fires, to record shops, school suspensions, and parenthood. We also discuss Autonomic, the nature of success, the compelling nature of music-making, and being marketed as a certain image.
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