Writer's Brain July Round Up
These are some of my recent articles, music recommendations, shoutouts, and smaller musings.
Writer’s Writing:
These are all the articles I published last month:
On ‘Pulsar,' L'Impératrice Are Guided By Vibes: "Expressing Your Feelings Is Really Infused In This Album" - GRAMMY
I have a complicated relationship with France. On the one hand, I haven’t enjoyed traveling there. Paris was bland (except for the Lourve) and filled with the disdain towards English-speaking tourists you always hear about. Lyon was fine. Same thing as Paris re tourists. Nice is where a bunch of heathens stole my passport and stranded me there. On the other, some of the most incredible musicians everrrrrr are French. Daft Punk and Justice for one (Duh). And L'Impératrice are among their ranks.
The Growing Presence of Electronic Music at Music Festivals - Chartmetric
I really like writing these data pieces. It allows me to think differently about the music industry. Per this example, I’ve known for over a decade that DJs are taking over. But now I actually have proof. It’s crazy how some fests like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo have shifted so heavily towards dance music.
Furthermore, writing this piece opened my eyes to the DJ snowball effect. Because dance music is so popular, everyone wants to be a DJ (it’s also way easier because of the accessibility of technology). This means more DJs are available for bookings (and for far cheaper). Thus, because more DJs are being booked, DJs are growing in popularity faster than other kinds of artists. Now DJs are the size of John Summit who is inspiring even more DJs.
However, like all things, the DJ trend will come to a close, and now I think I can see how the end will play out.
With so many people pursuing electronic music, another market has opened up: production. Millions of plugins, DAWS, outboard gear, and sample packs are available for purchase. While this may seem like it would lead to more originality, it’s actually causing the opposite.
For example, I’ve spoken to label managers who say they hear the same Splice samples in so many demos they receive.
When there are so many options, where do most people look to make their choices? Other people. They use what other people use. “If it works for them, it’ll work for me, right?” The idea of diving into the endless maw of production options all alone is hella daunting. Way easier to use a guide.
Now AI is coming into the mix as well. This will limit originality even further because instead of relying on chosen mentors and inspirations that differ from person to person, everyone will be using the exact same AI functionality.
This will lead to a breaking point. Electronic music will become more and more homogenous and the incoming generation will be bored by it. What they’ll do next, I have no idea. But I’m excited to see it and hear it.
The Legacy of Austin Peralta: Still Defying Earthly Conventions - FLOOD Magazine
My debut for FLOOD Magazine. I grew up playing jazz, and I grew up in LA. While I never got into the jazz scene the way I got into the rave scene, I feel such a fervent connection to the music, especially when it stems from my hometown. Austin Peralta is the spirit of LA jazz. It was so great to chat with people who knew him during his short life and hear about his profound impact that continues today. After all, we’re all still talking about him, right? Praise be to Jondy.
Writer’s Picks
These are some recent albums/artists that I’m thrilled to share. You can keep track of the new music I’m loving by following my 2024 Albums playlist on Spotify:
Elkka - Prism of Pleasure
Even though Elkka’s team wasn’t down for the interview that was accepted by a dope publication, I am still OBSESSED with her album. I don’t remember how I discovered her music, but she’s one I have been dying for since the minute I heard “Burnt Orange.” Now almost three years later her debut album is out. This music is so damn sexy (which was her intent). Her ability to bring emotion and vulnerability into the rave is unmatched.
Amanda Bergman - Your Hand Forever Checking On My Fever
Since this pitch got rejected or ignored by every single outlet I approached, I am free to share it here. It’s the best way to sum up my feelings about this spectacular album.
After building a cult following with her previous album, 2016's Docks, folk artist Amanda Bergman shifted her focus to the aspects of life that bind the universe together: the beginning and the end.
She's catalyzed wonderful beginnings. She birthed two children in 1.5 years and moved away from Stockholm's urban center to open a sustainably run farm with her partner and producer, Petter Winnberg. The farm is also the site of their CowCow label office, and the music venue they started together, Rockbonden.
But one tragic finality disrupted all of the newness. In 2022 her father passed away. As she saw his life come to an end, she saw fit to birth another beginning: her first album in eight years.
The album, Your Hand Forever Checking On My Fever (a reference to the persisting love of her father) came out June 7, and it contains within it the full breadth of the human experience. She's endured so much in the past eight years. Change, beginnings, endings, love, despair. These feelings are palpable, and I'd love to speak to her about them.
Writer’s Friends
I know tons of people doing tons of cool stuff.
My friend, Jordan, relaunched his bass music event, Earthquake Weather.
Jordan runs a production company called Red House Presents. He and his crew just toured with John Summit building his stage. Their focus is immersive, highly intricate visuals. I urge everyone in LA to check it out on Friday, August 9. Tickets are here.
My friend, Riccardo, who makes music under the name Anakim, is headlining Sound in LA.
If you’ve been following my brother Ricc recently, you’ve seen he is on a new level. Touring in Turkiye. Launching his new label, Celestial Body. A whole new style of music. Anakim 2.0.
He played his first DJ gig at Sound. Now he’s headlining. Get your tickets.
