Posted by Scott Willats
As our spotlight on feature artist of the week Porter Robinson continues, we stay focused on his breakout year: 2010. With this next set of releases, the news of a new teenage star in the EDM firmament went viral with the kind of speed that gives the most creative marketing and PR mavens a wet dream.
In other words, after “Say My Name” dropped, the wolves tasted blood. North American EDM fans found an artist they could embrace as their own, 13-to-20-year-olds found a role model and inspiration, and electro house found a new saviour.
Without wasting any time, Porter dropped “The Wildcat,” making his signature sound suddenly inescapable. The scream of a bobcat, the merging of that vocal wobble with the clean, crisp 128 beat — just reliving the time you first heard this song can give you chills. In an age where artists and sounds come and go like public transit, it became clear at this moment that Porter Robinson was here to stay.
Porter Robinson – The Wildcat: LISTEN TO IT HERE
Next came some remixes — a move that was always going to be tricky. Usually, new artists make their way onto the scene with remixes, then slowly begin dropping originals; it’s a sort of feeling-out process. But Porter came at it from the opposite direction: he’d already given us four originals that even the biggest of names would die to call their own — now he was taking other artists’ sounds and trying to add his touch on it.
For me, remixes all come down to song selection. If you’re looking to really make your mark with a remix, why not pick a track that’s huge? It’s the perfect way to showcase your talent: people will already know the original, so they’ll really notice what you’ve done with it. Anyway, great minds must think alike, because Porter took on two of the biggest house songs at that moment and flipped them on their heads. Have a listen.
Tim Berg – Seek Bromance (Porter Robinson Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE
Yolanda Be Cool – We No Speak Americano (Porter Robinson Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE
2010, as you can see, was a huge year for Porter — and it didn’t end there. Here are a few more of the tracks he released in that amazing year. And keep in mind: we’re talking about a guy who was still just 18 years old.
Porter Robinson and Lazy Rich feat. Sue Cho – Hello: LISTEN TO IT HERE
Porter Robinson – I’m On Fire: LISTEN TO IT HERE
Heiko & Maiko - Wer Ist Sie (Porter Robinson Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE
As 2010 drew to a close, one thing had become obvious: Porter Robinson was a star. There was no doubt about his production capabilities — but did he have what it takes to rock a crowd at a live show? That’s what we’ll find out in our next Porter post.
Don’t forget to check THIS LINK for tickets to Porter Robinson’s show at the Sound Academy in Toronto this Friday.
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