TSS Artist Spotlight – Charlie Darker Talks New EP

The name Charlie Darker might be one that rings a bell. He has been making quite the name for himself over the past few years, and we are proud to present his brand new EP, HMF. This EP is definitely on the darker side, and we’re loving every second of it. Incorporating so many different styles and elements into this EP, Charlie Darker really impresses with this release. Check out the full interview below and let him to do talking for himself!

Charlie Darker returns. Loaded with a unique new sound and a fresh take on dance music. Combining elements of techno, electro, trap, and more with cutting edge sound design, the young Canadian producer has turned out a two-track EP that expertly manages to push the boundaries of electro house. Both “HMF” and “Kreechers'” are innovative slices of hard-edged dance music that are primed to be hits from the grimy club backrooms and to the biggest festival mainstages.

Charlie Darker – HMF (Original Mix) | Beatport |

Charlie Darker – Kreechers (Original Mix) | Free Download |

TSS: Tell us more about the background story/influences/message of this new EP

CD: I started writing this EP about a year ago. I found myself really frustrated trying to create high energy music (“bangers”). I didn’t like anything I was coming up with, and I didn’t really like what anyone else was doing in that world either. So I tried to change it up from the 4 on the 4 floor kick drum and just about every other formula I had used in the past. After some experimentation I found the sound of this EP. I think it borrows from elements of techno, electro, breakbeat, trap, and a whole host of things. My goal was to make something that hadn’t been done before while still creating peak time music, and I didn’t want it to be able to be slotted into any one genre.

TSS: Where do your production roots come from?

CD: I started out playing in live bands – drums, guitar, bass, singing. It was mostly indie rock stuff so the progression to dance music for me happened with the Electro movement via Justice, MSTRKRFT, Beetroots, Mr. Oizo, and all those guys from that time.

TSS: What does HMF stand for?

CD: Hard Mother Fucker.

TSS: Who are some of your biggest influences as a musician?

CD: It’s really all over the map. I know everyone says they listen to everything, but I really truly try to appreciate everything I can. Music is sort of like a hunger for me, I always want to hear new things and try to understand what it is that makes people love certain genres. I think the more you can learn to accept every type of music for what it is, and try to draw your own influence from it, the better producer you will be. This applies to the everyday listener as well, I think people will find themselves enjoying music a lot more if they try to hear as much as they can with “open ears”.

TSS: Any plans on touring after the release of this EP? What are your other plans for 2015?

CD: I’ve taken some time off the road specifically for the purpose of developing something new. So now that this stuff is starting to come out, yes I will be heading back on the road. I have a lot of new music coming out on a variety of labels, but I also really like to do free releases. I never want to go more than a month without putting something out, and fortunately right now I have more than enough music to do that for quite some time.

TSS: What genre do you see dominating in 2015? Why?

CD: I think it’s going to be heavily dominated by this deep/bass/90s house revival thing going on. I think people sort of forgot what it feels like to hear a super groovy track while they were getting their ears mashed with somewhat “soul-less” main stage music. I mean its two different things, but the latter is more “rage music” and this new trend is more true “dance music”.

TSS: Advice for up-and-coming producers?

CD:Yes, I have a few unsatisfying (but true) suggestions.

1. You can dream all you want and wait for your big “hit” to come to you, but the hardest worker wins almost every time. I still spend pretty much a full 8 hour day (or more) everyday in the studio.

2. Before you put your heart and soul into becoming the next _____, consider how many other people are trying to do the same thing. Honestly I think it’s easier to make it as a pro athlete these days than to crack into the “EDM” main market. So make a plan, make it fresh, and stick to it. Making a different sound can be extremely rewarding but also extremely frustrating when people don’t “get” what you are going for.

3. COLLABORATE. I can’t stress this enough. So much inspiration in my music has come from collaborating with other artists regardless of whether its a casual hangout or an official collaboration. Seeing the way someone else does things can open so many new creative doors.

TSS: Translate you life to BPM’s. What would it be and why?

CD: I think it would somewhere around 120. I feel like a lot of cool people would be living in the 120 bpm world. Ya know we’re a little more easy going than the 175 bpm crowd, a little funkier than the 128 collective, but don’t wanna let life get too slow either ya know? Or maybe thats just the average BPM of the entire Daft Punk discography and therefore figured they would live at 120 too… I dont know.

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