On Deadmau5

Deadmau5 is truly an inspiring artist not just because of his masterful and innovative electronic orchestration but also because of how real and unpretentious he is. Compared to other popular musicians or those who call themselves "DJs", he has this philosophical outlook that's just so modest and refreshing. Of course he's popular, he has millions of fans, but somehow he remained to be untainted by the superficial baggage that comes with fame.

In this article I wish to show everyone some of his musings about the music scene and industry and at the same time show you some of his earlier releases just so you'll see how he's more than just this "electronic dance music" producer that he's known for.
"At the first moment I'm not recording, I'm not on tour and I've never had a song go to number one on Beatport, I've never been featured on Juno Download or Track it Down, I've never released twice, but what I do know is that I've been listening to electronica for many years and I have every right to speak my mind against the fabricated music that is being released on a daily basis. It's absolutely appalling! All these people think that if you're on the Beatport Top Ten you're making something out of yourself, well you're making a mockery out of electronic music. I'm a producer and I come from the underground..."

Here's one of his earlier releases that's really very separate from the genres he's now more associated with. Surely it's not that type you'd hear in a club "event". His earlier works are so inspiring because I somehow see myself in the earlier parts of his career, you know, making music that's underground and is not as appreciated.
“...I don’t really see the technical merit in playing two songs at the same speed together and it bores me to fucking tears and hopefully, with all due respect to the DJ type that will fucking go the way of the dinosaur, I'd like them to dis-a-f*cking-pear! It's so middle man, they’re like fucking lawyers! You need them, but they’re f*cking cunts. God bless them, they’re my number one customer right, so I’m not gonna go dis every f*cking DJ. But to say you become this massive, "up on a podium" performer by playing other peoples productions, at the same speed as someone else's productions and fading between the two of them, I don’t get it..."

Here's another earlier release that's typically IDM. In a previous post regarding some of the songs from my Facebook, I actually talked about how much I am inspired by the wonderful complexities of IDM. And surely this is something that Deadmau5 appreciates as well and this is reflected in his recent songs where he incorporates different elements from different genres of electronica.
"I don't consider my career to be about “being a DJ”. I don't have “DJ roots”. I never had any intention of becoming a DJ, and my conception of “DJ’s” in general from this standpoint has always been being forced into some nightclub when I would have rather stayed home, and watch some dude mash the “play/stop” button and occasionally move a pitch slider. Love it or hate it... that’s just been my conception of the traditional “DJ”. Mind you, I'm not a total fucking idiot, and I recognize talent when I see it... and there are many talented DJ’s out there for sure. In my eyes, those would be the individuals who utilize technology to deliver the music in ways that are both skillful and innovate, more-so than my vision of the “play/stop/pitch” DJ."
Some of Deadmau5's photography during his different gigs in different countries

Yup, aside from being a brilliant musician, he is also very much interested in photography. Being that he gets to travel to so many different countries, he has so many wonderful photographs. If I'm not mistaken he has a Canon 1DS MKIII (yes, he's so rich haha). Also, you know that big mouse mask he wears during his performances? He designed that himself using a 3D modeling software.

So I guess the reason I'm so inspired by him is because I really see myself in him especially back when he was just starting. Aside from music production, I am also interested in photography, video production, and many other things some of which are reflected in my online portfolio or my soundcloud account.

There's just so many lessons we can learn from some of the the things that Deadmau5 is talking about (be sure to follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube). Music, electronic music specifically, isn't something you learn from a podcast or from Wikipedia nor does it have anything to do with geographical location or social trends.


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1 comment:

  1. I really enjoyed this blog post. You should continue this great work. Thank you very much.

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