Introducing: Flux Pavilion

Introducing: Flux Pavilion

2 September, 2010 | 6.54AM

• Written by: BeatportSean
• Filed under: Music News: flux pavillion, freestylers, introducing

In the narrow span of five years, dubstep has leapt from a sound that attracted a small circle of head-nodding audiophiles into anthems that command hands-in-the-air for a sea of club goers. One artist proving to be a leader in this metamorphosis is Josh Steele, who produces under the title Flux Pavilion, known for brutal, contorted basslines, and quickly becoming the go-to guy for remixes.

Just as Flux Pavilion’s remix of the Freestylers‘ ‘Cracks’ was taking the number one position in dubstep downloads, Steele told us, “The brand ‘electronic music’ is so diverse, I think most modern music falls into that bracket. What I love is the ability to create massive energy with it and keep tweaking and refining tunes for months. Whereas with a band, there’s only so much you can really do… without resorting to using some electronics of course. For me dance music is fun and is better suited to a live environment, but with my tracks I like to put something in there that you can listen to at home as well. I think it’s really interesting how you can turn a dance track into something that actually has real emotion to it.”

I’m sure the fans would agree that each Flux production swirls with power and emotion. He’s found a way to tap into that element of music that is most visceral and uses it to harvest a reaction. Between his touring, producing, and his booked schedule, we pestered the Flux man just enough for him to take the time to answer our questions. 

What is the concept behind your name?

It’s kind of a weird one really. Flux = the flow or rate of energy, and Pavilion = a place where entertainment takes place. So it’s referring to energy within entertainment, kind of.

How would you describe the music you produce?

Well, I compose and write quite a lot of music generally and I suppose my main interest is capturing physical feeling and giving the music the ability to make you move and give you goose bumps at the same time. I dunno how to describe it really, I kinda want to make dance music with the same character and feeling as you might get with a band or a composer.

Are you an early bird, night owl, or all-nighter?

Well to be honest I have to be all three at the minute, being a student as well I don’t really have much time to sleep.

How do you explain your music to your family members?

I don’t think I’ve ever had to, really, it’s just what I’ve always done and loved since I can remember. I bought my mum ‘Fabric 37’ for Christmas and she loves it.

Where do you produce?

Well I’d love to say in a massive studio, but it’s still just in my bedroom. I’ve written pretty much everything I’ve ever done in my bedrooms throughout the years though, so I feel like it’s always where I’m at my most creative.

Do you currently have a favorite piece of gear/software?

There isn’t really anything I jump to every time. I am getting a lot of love from Massive at the minute though.

What inspires you when you go into the studio?

I just mess about with various ideas until I inspire myself; the best tracks just come out of nowhere, really. Sometimes when I’m listening to music that I personally love and I get that warm tingling feeling when something is really moving, I try to hold onto that feeling and replicate when I’m making a track. To be honest, being able to hold onto that feeling is pretty important in general life, music is one of those crazy things that can change your whole perspective on things and at the same time make you forget about everything.

How long does a typical production take you?

Haha! Well, some tracks I can work on for a week and some tracks I can work on for a month.  Some I’ve had for years and I’m still not happy with them.

Which one record do you wish you had made?

I don’t think I can really say, there are so many tracks I love. If it was dance music it would be Fatboy Slim‘s ‘Soul Searching’—maybe, haha.

A zombie invasion finds its way to your neighborhood. If you could only grab one CD before running to safety, which would it be?

At this moment in time, the Strokes’ ‘Is This It’.

What was the best party/gig/festival you’ve ever attended, and why?

Super Furry Animals on New Years Eve 2007/8 was pretty good. It was on the South Bank and they stopped the show so we could all go out and watch the fireworks and we were the only people on the whole South Bank. The whole building was set up like a big art installation. It was amazing.

What was the best party/gig/festival you’ve ever played, and why

Circus Takeover in Manchester was a pretty good gig for me. The whole place was wild. Paris was amazing as well. They took me, Benga, Loefah, and Funtcase out for a meal first.  Probably the best steak I’ve ever had.

Musical genres: horrible and constricting categories, or needed definitions for avid fans to follow?

Well, both, really. Depends on how you look at it. They can be constricting to an extent when an artist wants to branch out, but their involvement in a scene can cause friction with the public. On the other hand, genres are what create scenes and the chance for the artist to get his music out there in the first place.

When you’re not listening to electronic music, what do you listen to?

I don’t listen to much electronic music, well not as a rule anyway. If it’s good then I’ll listen to it, can’t get any simpler that that!

When you’re not making or playing music, what’s your preferred pastime?

Well I just bought a remote control helicopter, but I can’t work out how to turn it on which is pretty annoying. I was hoping I could get into it.  Haha! I quite like just sitting about and doing nothing when I get a minute. Just started reading the Discworld books as well.

What’s the one location you’d like to stay and gig for a whole summer and why?

Well would have to be America really, a combination of junk food and sun would do me fine for a summer.

What’s the preferred beverage of Flux Pavilion?

Dark rum and Diet Coke

Tell us about your upcoming gigs and releases…

Well, I’m just about to embark on my first tour in Canada so that’s pretty exciting. My next big release is my new EP called ‘Lines in Wax’ due in October, I think it’s the best release I have ever put together personally, so I’m really excited about it.

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