In the vast and intricate tapestry of electronic music, a select few emerge as forerunners shaping the scene with unparalleled ingenuity and unwavering passion. Among these illustrious figures stands Julian Anthony, a delicate DJ and producer whose journey from the vibrant underground of the Netherlands to global acclaim has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In an exclusive conversation with Torture the Artist, Julian graciously offers a rare glimpse into his creative process, profound influences, and aspirational vistas. From his latest auditory endeavors to introspective reflections on the deeper echelons of House and Techno, Julian beckons us into his realm—a place where each beat reverberates with narrative and every melody resonates with emotive depth.
Embark with us on a poignant exploration of Julian Anthony’s rhythmic domain, delving into the intricacies of his musical evolution and the myriad inspirations that propel his artistry ever forward. Whether commanding intimate club settings or commanding sprawling festival stages, Julian’s musical expedition knows no bounds, ensnaring audiences worldwide with his infectious energy and soul-stirring soundscapes.
Uncover the essence of the himself and the esteemed labels that have borne witness to his aural prowess, including the esteemed Beeyou Records, X-Kalay, and Locus, among other illustrious imprints. Prepare to be enraptured as we navigate the labyrinthine corridors of Julian Anthony’s musical legacy—a journey that transcends borders and defies convention in the ever-evolving tapestry of electronic expression.
Torture the Artist: Hello Julian, tell us something about your day.
Julian Anthony: Hi guys! My day has been pretty chill so far today. I’ve been working on some music and prepared some records for a podcast for Trommel that will be online in May.
Torture the Artist: You’ve had releases on Beeyou Records, X-Kalay and Locus just to name a few. What are you musically cooking at the moment and when will Julian, the groove rider, be back with a track or EP?
Julian Anthony: The last few months I’ve been on and off with making music as the touring schedule during the summer is busier. This gives me less time to get in the studio. I’ve got some stuff coming up tough. I’ll be doing a track on Fabric Records which will be a bit of an odd ball in terms of style for me. It’s much darker than most of my music. But I really like to produce without any thoughts about making a certain style. I’ve also got an EP coming up for Dungeon Meat, which I’m really excited about. I’ve known Sammy (Brawther) and Tristan for a while now, through Slapfunk, and they’ve always been a massive inspiration to me in terms of musical taste, as DJ’s and producers. Feel very honored to be able to put out my music on their label.
Torture the Artist: Musically your productions smoothly move between House with a minimal twist and deeper notes. When and where did you get infected with those sub-genres of House and where those the genres you initially loved when first getting in contact with House music at all?
Julian Anthony: Musically I’ve come from a very diverse background I’d say. My parents were always listening to Soul, Funk, Disco and Reggae, so those sounds have influenced me from my early years a kid. When I was 10 years old I started playing the drums and got into genre’s like Bossanova, Jazz and also Rock. I’ve only really started diving into electronic music when I started DJing 10 years ago. The last 3-4 years I’ve noticed that I’d love to play a bit of everything from Electro to older Progressive House to any kind of Techno and House since this gives me the freedom to express myself in the best way as an artist.
I initially opted to go fully digital. It gave me the freedom to pretty much work from anywhere and everywhere.
Torture the Artist: Following the question before, you used to be a drummer, does this imply that you record the basslines in your tracks yourself or do you use the digital offerings? What made you decide to go for either one of those two options?
Julian Anthony: I work mainly in the box which means I don’t use a lot of live instruments or hardware. So for now I use the things that the digital world offers. Although I’d love to build a studio that’s more hands on so I can maybe jam with instruments. I’ve learned myself how to produce from scratch so that’s why I initially opted to go fully digital. It gave me the freedom to pretty much work from anywhere and everywhere.
Torture the Artist: As already said, you mostly like it deeper with a minimalistic touch. What’s the track you want to produce but have not and would it be touch another genre even?
Julian Anthony: I tend to like the deeper side of music since it makes me feel a certain way and that for me is one of the main purposes of music. Most of the times is the melancholic and deeper stuff that moves me emotionally instead of the happier music – even though I really love happy music. I’m a very happy person myself most of the time so that’s probably why I’m moved by music that sounds different to that. Snarky Puppy – Lingus comes to mind when we would talk about something I would’ve loved to have produced/written. There’s a live version on YouTube and I can listen to that version a million times. When it comes to electronic music closer to what I do I would say Soul Capsule – Lady Science (NYC Sunrise). This tune just hits a the right feels for me.
I think the most challenging parties for me are the ones when I’m playing the bigger stages.
Torture the Artist: Throughout your career, you have played in famous clubs in your home country the Netherlands such as BRET or Shelter, you where behind the wheels of steel at Fabric, additionally you played Hoppetosse in Berlin and the DC10 in Ibiza. It’s also not been too long that you’ve come back from your South America-tour. What’s been an irresistible night you played and what’s been – for whatever reasons – a challenge?
Julian Anthony: Playing the Slapfunk Easter party two years ago and the VBX ADE party last year both in BRET have been massive highlights for me. Both parties and crews have had a massive influence on me as an artist and to be able to play there has been a dream of mine since I started my journey as a DJ/Producer. Their parties are always a 10/10 when it comes to the music that’s being played and the people on the dancefloor. Also playing for Sash during their long weekend in Australia has been a massive highlight. I had the pleasure to close their 30+ hour party b2b with Hamish & Toby and Voigtmann. I think the most challenging parties for me are the ones when I’m playing the bigger stages. As it’s harder for me to read the crowd or to see what is happening on the dancefloor but I really enjoy it nevertheless and it’s something i’d love to experience more for sure.
Torture the Artist: How does the South America-tour impacts or influences your further artistic-being and what’s been a moment or the personal highlight for you from the tour?
Julian Anthony: A massive highlight of the last tour in South America were the shows with Key Productions in Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Argentina has such a knowledgeable crowd and you can tell electronic music is a big part of their culture. You can really express yourself there as an artist. I also had the pleasure to experience Mendoza with the Key Records crew next to only playing there. We went on several tours through the bodegas to taste different wines (which Mendoza is known for!) and food.
Torture the Artist: How did you prepare for the tour? Did that differ from how you usually prepare for a gig, and if so, how? Also did you put some slightly different records in your box or on your USB?
Julian Anthony: I try not to prepare to much for shows anymore as you never know what you get especially when you’re abroad. I just try to stick to playing the music that I enjoy the most at that moment.
Torture the Artist: What’s a country and club you’d love to play, and why?
Julian Anthony: I’d love to tour in Asia and especially Japan and South Korea. Those countries really intrigue me in terms of culture, food and their way of life in general. Also I’ve never played in France before so I’d love to play there as I’ve heard the scene is really dope there.
Torture the Artist: In the world of livestreams HÖR Berlin is definitely one of the most important and famous ones in the scene. Your stream from the infamous bathroom-box is only a few days old. What do you enjoy about livestreams and what’s maybe something you miss, if so at all?
Julian Anthony: I actually enjoy livestreams a lot since you can play different records from your collection that you might not play in a club even though for my HÖR set I took records I would play in the club. The difference with a stream is that you don’t have an audience which can feel awkward but I don’t really mind as long as I’m enjoying the music.
Torture the Artist: These days livestreams, which are then put on artists’ socials, seem to play an important role for a career in the music. Sometimes it even seems as if a livestreams add more to a career than actual club-gigs. To what extent do you agree with before-mentioned development within the scene?
Julian Anthony: I think social media nowadays is necessary to get your name out there. A fair few people are against it for some reason as they feel like it’s more important than being an artist. There are many forms of expressing yourself as an artist in my opinion and social media is a way of connecting to your audience and it helps in catching their interest to come to one of your shows. There are many artists that are doing great without social media as well. I think everyone should embrace it in their own way. You don’t have to post every day, but it’s a possibility if you like. If that’s what you’re good at, I’d say go for it and don’t think about what other people think of it.
Torture the Artist: Speaking of gigs, you’ve played with several scene heavyweights in your career. What’s still an artist you would love to share the DJ-booth with and would you also go for a B2B with the artist or just watch and listen?
Julian Anthony: There’s so many artists that inspire me in many different was and iId love to play B2B with them all obviously. But, I’d love to play B2B with Tristan Da Cunha. For me he’s one of the most fun artists to watch behind the decks. He is a real performer who gets any crowd going and also his selections, experience and musical knowledge go with that. I’ve also been following Liquid Earth for a long time and I really like his productions and the music that he’s playing so that is one the artists that i’d love to play b2b with.
Torture the Artist: You play vinyl and digital. Is there a medium you prefer over another and if so, why?
Julian Anthony: I prefer playing records since it makes me think more about which tracks I play after each other and also it’s more fun to actually take time to beat match well and make a good transition. I play digital a lot as well as it’s not possible to setup the decks well in every venue Iplay, so I’d rather not be in a position where I can’t play any music when I’m at a gig because of that. I also don’t think the medium is the most important part as one is not better than the other, it’s just a preference.
Torture the Artist: When playing gigs abroad, do you hit the local record stores first and what have been the three most recent vinyl-findings (and where did you get them?)?
Julian Anthony: I try to hit a local record store abroad when I have more time in a city. Most of the time when I’m in Europe it’s a in and out thing so it’s pretty impossible to go for a good digging session.
My last three finds have been:
- Ray Asken – Get Crafty EP
- Leinad – Electric City (repress)
- Thugfucker – Bodyshaker (played in my HÖR Berlin Set)
Torture the Artist: At what record stores does one find Julian Anthony in your hometown and what makes those places special to you?
Julian Anthony: I used to dig a lot at Seawolf Records which is ran by my good friends Alfredo (DJ Senc) and Andy as their collections are close to the sound I play a lot. Since they moved to Barcelona I’ve been going to Killacutz more often, which is the best record store right now for me in Amsterdam. They have a really good collection and their owner Richard is such a great guy, who also shares his knowledge with you all the time and he’s very open and kind to anyone that comes into his store.
Torture the Artist: What’s the record you own, which the so-called “Discogs-Sharks“ would hunt you for and what’s a personal anecdote you connect with it?
Julian Anthony: I think Urban Heads – The Wind (Space Mix). I’ve been lucky enough to find that record when there we’re no clips up on YouTube yet and have been playing it every since. I really like the garage-vibe and the vocoder vocal in this tune. It’s a real party starter which gets the crowd going for sure. Unfortunately it got sharked hard on Discogs – although I’ve heard there will be a repress coming soon.
Hopefully at the end of my active career I can say I’ve inspired people in any kind of way.
Torture the Artist: How would you like to evolve as an artist and what’s the headline you’d want to read about you once your active-career is over?
Julian Anthony: Hopefully at the end of my active career I can say I’ve inspired people in any kind of way. For me that’s one of the most important and humbling things about being an artist.
Torture the Artist: Lastly, If you could own anyone’s record collection, whose one would you go for, and why?
Julian Anthony: Probably the record collection of ZIP. I’ve seen him play so many times and he never misses for me personally. Even though I’d never have the same knowledge and experience he does I would love to see what’s in his collection.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 