Magnetic Mag: Eli Brown + Interview
CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE ON MAGNETIC MAGAZINE
The Magnetic Mag monthly residency at West Coast hotspot Halcyon SF continues with the talented Eli Brown this Friday, April 26. We caught up with the prolific producer and all around good guy after his epic run at Miami Music Week.
Eli you played six gigs in four days! What is your secret to surviving such a demanding schedule?
Hahaha, the secret is simple…don’t stop. I don’t think I slept all week, not something I would normally condone but its Miami so what are you going to do?
You played three massive parties; DIRTYBIRD, TOOLROOM and REPOPULATE MARS all in one day! How did it go?
It was amazing, last year I flew in for one or two small shows and this year I was privileged to play some of the best shows that week all in one day. Each show was different. I started the day at Toolroom, which was sick! Then went to Repopulate Mars which was something else, playing a rooftop in downtown as the sun was setting, wow what can I say. Finally, and probably the highlight of the whole week, playing the Space Terrace at 11 am for the Dirtybird guys. Honestly, if you’ve not been to Space in Miami then I can’t recommend it enough!
Do you find yourself mixing it up drastically from set to set or did you keep it pretty consistent?
I find I keep it fairly consistent, I mean depending on the venue, set time and vibe I’ll always change it up to an extent but I like to keep the vibe of my DJ sets fairly similar to what I make which is high energy dance floor music.
What are your current go-to bangers?
I played a whole load of my new stuff and the reaction was great, in particular, my new collab with Noizu smashed it and it was great to see Fisher, Chris Lake, Lee Foss, and Solardo all dropping it as well.
That must be incredibly exciting to hear them dropping your tracks! You were a successful Drum & Bass DJ prior to this massive house music career you’ve curated. Do you ever revert to your D&B roots?
Yeah, drum and bass is in my roots for sure, I’m sure you can hear that in my productions. I’m always keeping an ear in drum and bass but I’m not into dropping drum and bass into my sets as I like to keep my sets rolling between house and techno as that’s what I’m really feeling and there’s so much great music I don’t get to play already!
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve ever done while performing?
Haha! I don’t know if it’s totally appropriate that I tell this story but I covered some girl in whipped cream once! Some EDM DJ had it on their rider and didn’t turn up so I felt it would be rude to waste it and the girl seemed to like whipped cream.
Hahaha! Definitely not the response we were expecting, but thank you for sharing! Any big deals or collaborations sealed this year behind the scenes?
Yes, a lot of really exciting stuff but not a lot I can divulge at this time, you’ll just have to come hear me play and see if you can work it out!
Miami is always a great time. When was your first visit to MMW and how has your experience changed since then?
My first Miami trip was in about 2003 when I was a spotty teenager. I went on holiday and it was amazing. I went to a load of crusty drum and bass raves in downtown and it was great as it was a perfect opportunity to network with all the DJ’s, especially as I was an up and coming drum and bass DJ/Producer at the time. In terms of how it’s changed, certain things are the same, for example, the fact you get to hang out and meet all your DJ friends and peers and that makes it great for networking and probably my favorite part of the whole Miami experience. The clubs, parties, and ravers have changed a lot since the early 2000’s obviously, I wouldn’t say either is better or worse, just different. If you’ve not been to MMW make sure you do, it’s wild!
What other destinations offer lots of networking opportunities for artists?
Miami is by far my favorite but ADE in Amsterdam is also a lot of fun and a similar vibe however I’m told a lot more actual business gets done at ADE! Ibiza is also great over the summer as I love playing there and taking in a bit of a holiday as its beautiful place.
One thing is certain, wherever you play you deliver a fresh musical perspective! We look forward to you playing Halcyon San Francisco this Friday!
Thank you, I love San Fran and what the gals are doing at Halcyon. I can’t wait to come hang and play for you!
ELI BROWN
Eli Brown has rapidly established himself as an artist of real distinction in the house world, with his records making an immediate impact upon a flurry of the industry’s biggest names.
Singled out for his gritty style, Eli’s productions perch on the lines of dark and light, creating twisted dancefloor pieces packed with a vibrant club-ready energy. Self-taught in both his skills behind the turntable, and his powerful production prowess, Eli’s route to stardom was streamlined when Skream signed his ‘Can You Feel It/Acid Test’ EP to his ‘Of Unsound Mind’ label.
This debut soon led to follow up EP, ‘Got The Power/Tech This Out’ in 2017 as well as a collaboration with Skream himself on ‘Lagos’. With labels like Steve Lawler’s Viva Music and Lee Foss’s Repopulate Mars championing Brown, the UK producer continues to gain support from established figures in the house world and finds his music resonating with fans, recently playing shows across the likes of Brazil, Ecuador and North America.
With his 2017 track ‘Sumatra’ – released on Toolroom – proving one of the biggest selling tracks of the year, BBC Radio 1 tastemakers Annie Mac and Monki have continued to offer the Brit continued support on the airwaves. Adding the likes of Green Velvet’s Relief Records, Solardo’s Sola and elrow to his ever-expanding accomplishment list, 2018 saw Brown make his debut at iconic London club fabric (a personal highlight for the Bristolian); an incredible endorsement of his permanently evolving, club-ready tones.
Providing remixes for the likes of Tchami, Gorgon City, Fisher, and GW Harrison, Eli Brown has also collaborated with Mason Maynard, Lee Foss and many more. A raw and caustic talent, Eli Brown continues to cement his reputation as one of dance music’s most innovative and forward-thinking DJ & producers heading into 2019 and beyond.
