In Conversation with ICONS | Disciples of Distortion Vol:2 | #113

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Meet the Artist: Icons

We’ve got something special in store for you. Icons, a rising star in the electronic music scene, is making their grand entrance with their debut track “Brillo Pad” on Stonx Music. Join us as we take a deep dive into Icons’ world, explore the unique soundscapes of “Brillo Pad,” and get to know the artist behind the beats.

Where to find Icons


Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the world of music production?

I’ve played music my whole life. Was in a couple of bands then produced hip-hop for a while and got into DnB after seeing Ed Rush and Optical live. Haven’t looked back since!

Let’s dive right into your contribution to Disciples of Distortion Volume 2. Can you give us some insight into the creative process behind your track?

I was struggling with inspiration at the time and I mentioned that to my friend Korax. He suggested doing some sound design so I created a couple bass patches. Brillo Pad was the result of that session.

I decided to just commit to finishing tunes, even if I don’t like them. It’s helped me overcome some of the challenges I’ve had technically

icons

What inspired you while working on this specific piece of music?

Wanted something heavy and darker, but still with a dace-floor vibe. Just imagining rocking out hearing this on a big system was the inspiration!

Are there any unique elements or techniques you used in your track that you’d like to share with your listeners?

I think I got a decent handle on side-chaining on this track. Side-chaining the bass to the snare is key. I used to just do the kick, but you can lose a lot of punch in the snare if you don’t side chain it with the bass. Big up to the Stonx discord for the tip!

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

I like a lot of 90s hip hop (Wu-Tang, Tribe Called Quest etc.), Deep house (Nu Aspect!). I think those styles have influenced my with their head bobbing beats and moody and often etherial sounds.

Are there any artists or genres that you draw inspiration from but might not be immediately apparent in your music?

Phil Collins

Can you share a particularly challenging moment you’ve encountered in your music production journey and how you overcame it?

Finishing tunes. I would often loose interest in projects, or get frustrated with the technical side of music (mixdowns) and just quit and move on to the next project. I decided to just commit to finishing tunes, even if I don’t like them. It’s helped me overcome some of the challenges I’ve had technically because I’ve had to work through issues as best I can to finish the track. That experience flows to the next track — most of the time!

How do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist since your earlier work, and what lessons have you learned along the way?

I’ve focused on the sound that I want/like to produce more. I think that has been the biggest accelerator. Just focusing. I used to be all over the map. Now I just make what I want to hear and hopefully others like it too!

The music community is often a source of inspiration and support. How has being a part of the Stonx Music community and collaborating with other artists influenced your work?

The Stonx community are some of the most generous/supportive people in the scene! Their feedback is always detailed and it’s helped me improve the quality of my music!

Are there any fellow artists you’d like to give a shoutout to for their contributions or influence on your music?

Korax! Would not have gotten on this VA without his support. Also big, big ups to Quoone, Donny Brook, Axel Boy, DJ Titan, Scusi for their support!

Neurofunk is known for its distinctive sound. How do you approach experimenting with and pushing the boundaries of the genre in your music?

Just experimented with creating some bass patches in Serum. I do a lot of dance-floor style dnb as well, so wanted to incorporate some of that into this tune!

Are there any other musical genres or styles you’re interested in exploring in the future?

Deep house maybe 🙂

What would you consider to be a significant highlight in your music career so far?

Being on this VA!

Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Are there any dream collaborations or projects you’re working on?

I would love to get more releases and have some of my heroes play my tunes. A big dream collab would be with Culture Shock, but that is firmly in the dream phase at this point!

What advice would you offer to up-and-coming producers who aspire to make their mark in the music industry?

Keep going, even when you want to quit and you hate all music! Do it because you love it. Don’t let your goals discourage you when you don’t meet them in the way or timeline you expected.

Are there any production tips or resources you wish you had known about when you were starting out?

Focus on mid range. Your mid bass is super important and all the supporting elements as well. Don’t worry too much about ‘muddiness’ as you can end up stripping your tune of a lot of power. Also, you can push sounds harder than you think. Bounce stuff down and push it harder! And learn how to sidechain!

When you’re not making music, how do you like to spend your free time?

Hang with the fam, ride my bike, skateboard. I also fancy myself somewhat of a pit master, I’ve been smoking meat for a few years and really enjoy it!

Can you share a fun or quirky fact about yourself that your fans might not know?

I won a geography bee once in elementary school.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans and listeners about your music, upcoming projects, or your journey as an artist?

Thanks for the support!

As we draw the curtain on our exploration of Icons and their inaugural track “Brillo Pad,” we’re left with a sense of intrigue and curiosity. Icons’ fresh sound hints at exciting possibilities on the horizon. Get Ready, as Icons is poised to make waves in a way that’s entirely his own.

Meet the other Artists

We are incredibly excited for this release and sincerely hope you’ll join us in supporting our vibrant community. Stonx Music’s Disciples Of Distortion Volume 2 is set to unleash its auditory devotion worldwide on September 22nd, 2023

Pre- Order: https://releases.stonx.co.uk/Disciples-vol2


Words by STONX and Stonx Music Co – Founder Ollie Barron

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