Newsflash: Skrillex isn't the only DJ out there.
Before you get offended and start a social media uprising, think about it for a second. How many artists are you missing out on because you only listen to mainstream?
I'm talking to you, people obsessed with The Chainsmokers.
But now you're probably saying, "but I don't want to look for independent artists. It's so hard."
It's really not that hard, all around you are independent musicians and DJs. We call them "local artists." You know, the guys that play at bars and house parties? They have a name and you're about to discover them.
There is this awesome website that makes it really easy to support artists as well as find new music. It's like the turn signal, many people don't use it. It's called Soundcloud. Yes, there was sarcasm in that sentence. All of these DJs and producers can be found on this holy grail.
These are in no particular order.
I've had the blessing of seeing this kid perform multiple times and every time I see him, I swear he just keeps climbing to the top. I've seen him troll the crowd with a Christmas song too. T-Roub can turn up your house party but then make you hit the floor in speed of light. His tracks features sounds my brain can't even wrap around, like this industrial theme with futuristic influences. And I heard he has a collaboration coming out soon?
Songs to blow your mind: "Dangerous" is by far my favorite. It's amazing how producers can make sound that invokes a particular feeling. "Dangerous" has me feeling like I'm sunbathing next to a vat of acid. Next up, " Summer" shows just how versatile T-Roub can be.
Behind a cloud of vape is the life of the party, DJP is one of the first DJs I met. In his younger days he used to look like Skrillex but he's his own breed. He's not actually on Soundcloud though so I lied about that.
I don't know how else to describe it other than elevator-music at a 1970s party hosted by aliens. His music is fun, it's interesting, and it makes you dance.
Songs to check out: I'm seriously digging the track titled, "Spanish EDM or Something." It's a sick track that I've played three times as I write this. "Disco" is my next pick. These tracks have a progressive/visionary feel.
This Viking thinks with some kind of third-eye or ear. First off, his dance moves leave you speechless. I once listened to a preview track and told him, "I feel like a gangster driving an Impala through space."
Songs to make you question your ear drums: "Beneath" is this mind-blowing track with sounds inspired by the Mariana Trench. Now, the deep ocean probably doesn't have raves but we can pretend. If you want to feel creeped out listen to "Tightrope." I've never actually had a song make me feel strange inside but this one.
Be prepared to enter a vast black hole of being vibed out. His music will leave you floating on a magic carpet ride through an interstellar desert. I've seen The Flourish once and can't to see what he conjure up the next I see him.
Track you can dig: "What Do" is pretty wicked. It will give you all the right vibes. It's calming, but won't make you fall asleep. It leaves you hitting the replay button because it's so sweet to the ears.
Not only is he a producer but also he founded the festival. He has promoted multiple events including the 2016 Illuminate Sensory Arts Festival in Muncie, Indiana. His tracks feature an ethnic vibe interlaced with video games influences.
Sick track: "To The Sea" is has a jazzy feel with some interesting natures vibes. For optimum enjoyment turn the speakers up to experience all the sounds. This track will make you feel like the main character of a video game and that's fine with me.
7. SPACExLION
Blending hip hop and chip tune influences comes laid back tracks that can only be one-of-a-kind. SPACExLION will having you spacing out and drifting off into an unknown realm of music.
Bleep bloops tracks to replay: "Hydra" is a track with 8-bit and intergalatic sounds new to the ears. But also be sure to give "Throwdown" and "P@nic" a listen.
8. Lonestra
Trap and vibes come together to build Lonestra. His remix "Danny Darko feat. Hannah Young - L.o.s. Angeles (Lonestra Remix)," has over 1,200 views on Soundcloud and is pretty wicked! But he can also tone it down and vibe you out with "The Fox." If you're around Ball State's campus you might even seen him DJing a local fraternity!
