SIX FOR ONE: Mutant Joe
Four tracks of inter-dimensional beats…
When you listen to the music of Mutant Joe you realise how apt his name is: this might be the tunes mutants listen to on a far away planet. But there is a tenseness simmering underneath those alien beats which feel uniquely human. Imagine laying stoned on your bed having a moment when the doorbell rings and it’s your mom dropping in for an unexpected visit - and now you have to deal with that while still cooked. That’s the vibe.
This is not new territory for the Brisbane-based producer. Whether he dabbles in dark electronica or upbeat electro (or even techno), he injects his music with a shot of real-time anxiety that he counterpoints every now and again with medicated relief. Those traits are all over his recent and most accessible release to date, the Cortisol EP. On ‘Atrophy’, the bass is so high on opiates it threatens to melt all over the slow-steamed beats. On the other hand, the melody on ‘Masquerading as Matter’ is trying to find its legs after being knocked out unconscious - and the bass is thick and bristling with electricity. It all feels very other-worldly.
Following in the footsteps of another cathartic-energy-soaked single we recently featured, Mutant Joe admits the new EP takes inspiration from his own run-ins with anxiety: “While I try not to attach too much meaning to my music, the tracks on this project attempt to touch on my own personal perspectives and experiences with anxiety through ambient tones and left field rhythms.” We daresay mission accomplished.
As you can expect from an artist making mutant tones, his musical education and interests must lie wide. To celebrate the release of his new EP, we sent the producer a Six For One Q+A which delivered everything from 80’s goth to 90’s techno classics…
outside the club:
Eartheater - Spill the Milk (2019)
‘Earlier this year I became obsessed with NY artist Eartheater due to her refreshingly ethereal take on experimental trap. This track is my favourite by her at the moment.’
new discovery:
Rob Clouth - The Vacuum (2020)
’A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to Rob Clouth by a friend, and after listening to his latest project Zero Point I found myself super inspired to explore and create more experimental electronic music. The ever evolving production on this track is absolutely insane and I’ve had it on repeat these past few weeks.’
welcome to dance music:
Underworld - Born Slippy (1996)
‘It’s tough to pinpoint exactly when I first registered that I was listening a ‘dance’ or ‘club’ track, but I do remember being really into Underworld’s ‘Born Slippy’ from watching the movie Trainspotting at a young age. It was probably the first proper heavy techno track I had heard, and I still love it to this day.’
local focal:
StacEmp - That’s Right (2020)
Brisbane-based producer and close friend of mine StacEmp just released their insane debut project on Steel City Dance Discs a couple of months back. My favourite track off the project would have to be ‘That’s Right’ which is becoming a certifiable club hit.
memories of a teenager:
Denzel Curry - Twistin' (Ft. Lil Ugly Mane) (2012)
’During my teenage years I was particularly into rappers Lil Ugly Mane and Denzel Curry. This track features both of them on it is still one of my personal anthems. It marks a very formative period of time filled with inspirations for my production.’
on a loop. forever:
Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead (1982)
‘Weirdly enough, I’ve always loved this one song by Bauhaus, despite not really becoming a giant fan of their other stuff. I think it’s just the slow, dark, creepy tone of the track which I always love. It kind of feels like watching a horror movie or something.’