Preview: Big Wild
Showbox, Seattle, WA
03.18.17
Initially arriving on the dance/electronic music scene a mere four years ago, Big Wild – née Jackson Stell – has, with a little help from the guys in ODESZA, become a bright star of the genre. While he’s spent the last few years honing his craft and putting out solid remixes of everyone from Ludacris to Hundred Waters, Sylvan Esso to CHVRCHES, Stell has finally delivered is own debut EP.
Released on February 10th, Invincible is a shimmering five track introduction to the work of Big Wild, and he’s bringing it to the masses with a headlining tour, stopping at The Showbox in Seattle with support from special guests Phantoms & Imagined Herbal Flows.
Releasing material as part of Foreign Family Collective – an outlet for musicians and visual artists curated by ODESZA – Stell investigates the boundaries of mixing organic sound into skillful electronic compositions. The new EP features cameo vocals from Yuna and iDA HAWK, along with hand claps, wind chimes, and big brass. His influences are complex, from Caribbean and African beats to the majestic nature of his Santa Cruz surroundings, and that comes across in Stell’s live performances. Never one to play the DJ behind the turntable, Stell puts on high-energy shows that mix live instrumentation with his composed beats. His sets at the last two years of Capitol Hill Block Party have drawn noticeable, nonstop dancing, crowds.
Expect this rising star to deliver on his headlining appearance, with one-man-band appeal. This isn’t just hip hop instrumentals and glitchy, cerebral elements. You’re likely to catch Stell on stage playing live keyboards, drums, synths, and probably whistling. His unbridled enthusiasm and humble nature add icing to the cake of his innovative soundscape. Check out his latest video for the single “Invincible (feat. iDA HAWK)” below and then grab your tickets and get ready to dance away.
Preview by Stephanie Dore
