Is there anyone in dance music kinder than Porter Robinson? The 26-year-old DJ and producer is hailed as an inspiration by many of his peers. His album 2014 Worlds changed the sound of modern electronic music and launched a return to live stage production that continues to be felt today. His new project Virtual Self explores visual themes of early aught design while revamping the sounds of that era’s hardcore fringe genres like happy hardcore and jungle drum’n’bass. It, too, has inspired a return to classic sounds.
What does a man of such fine repute do on his birthday? In Robinson’s case, he spends it shining a light on those voices and talents that inspire him. Rather then basking in his own glory, he spent an hour shouting out his favorite electronic artists, giving you everything you need to go down a deep hole of musical discovery.
Related
From Japanese pop to experimental bass, early 2000s trance and modern house masters, here is everything Porter Robinson can’t stop listening to right now. Get to know the men and women of the cutting edge, below.
Oh, and happy birthday, Porter Robinson. You’re truly a gem.
thank you everyone for all the birthday wishes! one thing that would make me happy this year is to see good artists (especially electronic music artists) succeed, so i’d like to share some other people’s music that i think deserves some additional love and attention
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
there will definitely be some omissions here, but perfectionism has kept me from doing a lot of stuff so fuck that. of course there’s many many great artists who i won’t mention here
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
i’ve always felt that every “related artists” algorithm is fucking up by not suggesting @anamanaguchi to people who like my music. really really love those guys and people who like my music should be listening to them
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
Wednesday Campanella are such a force of nature and one of my favorite japanese musical acts currently. please check them
two things:
1) this is one of the best live performances i’ve ever seen https://t.co/i42FLKAa1X
2) this music video is so stunning. https://t.co/euKU5k6FDj— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
bill wurtz (@billwurtz)’s music has really moved me this year. “got to know what’s going on” and “new canaan” are just so incredible to me. i really like what he does
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
shadient (@shadient) is definitely a true artist and has had such a huge influence in such a short amount of time. i don’t want to get too negative about current trends but he deserves more credit right now
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
speaking of shadient, @Mat_Zo is a fucking genius and his label @MAD_ZOO is absolutely deserving of people’s time and attention. @Krayysh and @counselpop are doing extremely interesting stuff as well
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
okokok next – THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW: https://t.co/mD1q5vgMjQ
so so so extremely addicted to @KNOWER_music and everything @LouisColeMusic is involved with
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
the trajectory of @KeroKeroBonito has been extremely interesting to follow and i’ve loved every phase of their career
listen to these two songs (and also everything else they’ve done)
trampoline: https://t.co/wMi6LH5twb
only acting: https://t.co/Rv8PQqbPDi!
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
nina las vegas (@ninalasvegas) is amazing – one of my favorite dj sets i’ve ever seen was was when she played at circus in tokyo. such a talented dj + label owner. super crazy forward thinking club music. i adore her track “cool sports”
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
my old friend and longtime influence @Swardy from The M Machine has an incredible EP coming out soon on Mat’s label that blew me away. definitely follow swardy
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
i’ve been talking with G JONES a lot lately and he’s so so clearly inspired – i’ll be honest that i don’t listen to a lot of bass music lately but what this guy does just exudes inspiration and creativity @gjonesbass
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
also @eprombeats is one of the most influential living electronic musicians but you probably already knew that
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
ok i’m almost done here but i just want to share a few virtual self related thoughts
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
i spent a lot of time immersing myself into the history of trance, especially around ‘99 to 2003. i’ve realized that vincent de moor (ghosts, fly away) and signum/ron hagen’s work back then were absolutely the standouts from that time period for me
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
also listen to onoken, shiki, sota fujimori, dj taka, and other bemani/BMS creators’ older works from around 2000 if you like virtual self!
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
last virtual self related note — god, i can’t stop listening to current value. try “consequences”, “tremor”, “mercury”, and “mothman” — this is totally uncompromising, boundary pushing, extreme sound design and arrangement
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
ok my plane’s about to take off so i’m going to condense a few more recommendations:
dv-i (maltine records)
raito / otira
meishi smile
LLLL
takagi masakatsu
nanobii
danny l harle
ag cook
doss
juche— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018
thanks! pic.twitter.com/G3yDlf2UQH
— porter robinson (@porterrobinson) July 15, 2018