Introducing: AXEN

Perth-based producer AXEN is set for a huge 2017, following on from a 2016 that really stamped his name as one to watch in bass music circles. We premiered a big Adrian Lux remix early last year (although it's since sadly disappeared), and having just released an absolute BEAST of a remix for NGHTMRE and Flux Pavillion (below), we figured it best to take the time to get to know him a little better:

Tell us about about yourself?

I’ve grown up in Perth, creating and producing music since I was 19. I’m now turning 24 this year and have realised producing electronic dance music is truly what I want to do and dedicate myself to.

What kinda tunes we talkin’?

We’re talking traditional electronic dance music but with a style I really want to focus on as the Axen branding. So we’re thinking robotic, post-apocalyptic dark vibes. My DJ sets have always been diverse and filled with different styles and genres so I thought it would make sense for me to translate that into my productions rather than be known for a single genre.

In terms of artists that I’m heavily inspired by would be NGHTMRE, Herobust and Grabbitz. They really push the creative boundaries in terms of sound design and that’s really hard to do when the whole scene is so over saturated with everyone trying to do the same sound.

Production/writing process:

I am heavily inspired by visual stuff such as: anime; video games, movies, that kind of thing. I’m all about creating music that relates to something visually because I feel that helps create a vibe for the listener to connect with. I really want to go all out with the robot branding in terms of stage visuals as well, so It helps a lot creating that initial robotic vibe for me to build around.

Sound design is definitely my strong point, so I always start with making some cool sounds that I can then revolve the track around, it's very rare for me to ever use samples.

What do you do outside of music?

Since going full time with music and quitting my part time jobs, I’ve had the privilege of doing cool music stuff for income like mixing and mastering, ghost producing and creating sample packs for companies. Other than that I highly enjoy big weekends you know the kind where you find yourself on top of a stranger’s roof funneling copious amounts of alcohol on a Sunday morning?

Tell us a bit about your new remix for NGHTMRE and Flux Pavillion:

It's such an insane feeling remixing your idols, I never would have imagined this happening so early on in my career especially considering I had no team or management behind me or anything like that, so for me land this all by myself is extremely validating.

Took me only a few days to do the remix but I spent months cold pitch emailing people hoping for some kind of support at the least. I never would have thought months later I'd get an email from Circus Records themselves saying they want the remix signed as an official, from which I then proceeded to run around my house like a 5-year-old on Christmas morning.

Because of the oversaturation I feel has entered dance music lately, I decided to bring as many styles and influences as I could into this remix, I even challenged the traditional style of structure which I felt made this track even more intense.

What’s coming up for the rest of 2017?

Heaps of music, 18 releases to be exact, really looking forward to touring as well as blasting social media by documenting the entire journey.

Where can we hear more of your music?

On my SOUNDCLOUD, as well as plenty more audio/visual stuff will be rolling through via my FACEBOOK.