Interview: R Ü Shaw

The EDM, and more specifically the future bounce, world is still somewhat of a mystery, especially for those who have grown up only listening to ‘real’ instruments. But what defines a ‘real’ instrument, and why is it so important to some people? Not only that, but what is it like for an EDM artist to walk among people with no understanding or respect for the genre as a whole? Max Shaw, who produces under the pseudonym ‘R Ü Shaw’, has been listening to EDM music for eight years and producing it himself for six. He grew up only knowing old rock songs and the occasional radio pop track, so when he first heard EDM, it opened his perspective to a whole new world of music, a world that he was intrigued by and eventually, very passionate about. He very kindly answered some pressing questions that I, a ‘real’ instrument player, was burning to ask. 

Max began making EDM music out of pure curiosity. He wanted to know how unique and mesmerising sounds were made, so, like many people in the pursuit of musical knowledge, he turned to YouTube. Six years ago, YouTube channels such as ‘Seamlessr’ and ‘FLP Nation’ were at the forefront of EDM tutorials. Now, however, there are countless electronic production-based channels that seek to entertain and inform. Max immersed himself in this corner of the internet and became fueled with more inspiration and curiosity. He puts it down to “trying things and seeing what happens” and “picking up tips and tricks along the way, whether that’s from myself or other producers online”.

It appears to be a very trial-and-error based craft, and YouTube videos, along with the occasional online reading, serve as starting platforms for production techniques and ideas. Even watching videos of amateur – and often comedic – producers such as Cody Ko and Noel Miller inspires Max to create.

“It’s good that they’re trying and that they’re improving,” he said. “These days, anyone can do it … it’s fun to see the start of people’s journeys”.

The creative aspect of EDM that Max likes most is the constant opportunities for creative and intellectual growth. Knowing what work goes into a track increases his appreciation and enjoyment as a listener. He gets sucked in by the catchy melodies and then is most intrigued by the sounds “creating stories”. It’s important to note that EDM is an exponentially growing umbrella of sub-genres. In fact, the breadth and depth of the form is what keeps Max inspired to create more unique music. While his favourite EDM sub-genres consist of future-bounce, future-house and standard ‘clubbing’ music in general, Max stretches himself across all genres, including those on the outskirts of EDM. He collaborates, mixes, and masters many contemporary or singer-songwriter tracks for other artists in his musical circles, and he does a great job of it too. Although EDM is by far the genre he listens to most prominently, other genres of music are “scattered throughout his playlists” and he can appreciate them just as much as he appreciates songs within his own musical field. 

In order to have a better understanding of the genre, I asked Max what it is about EDM that makes people want to dance and let loose. A word that Max used in excess was “vibe”, referring to the melodies and rhythm of the song that create a certain musical atmosphere. The repetitive nature is particularly geared towards the clubbing and dance scene, as that music is “not often a genre made to sit and listen to and appreciate”, he says, but instead made to be danced to.

There are, however, other avenues of EDM with different purposes and “emotional roles”. Artists like Flume try to provoke more reflective and sometimes haunting vibes. Whereas artists like Marshmello and Martin Garrix have melancholy undertones and strive for relatability.

Relating to the “atmospheres” created by EDM music, I asked Max if the hallucinogenic and drug-related publicity surrounding big EDM festivals is fueled by the music. Max believes “it doesn’t paint a good image of what EDM is about” and it “re-enforces what old, angry people want to do: shut down the festivals”.

What is EDM about, then?

“It’s about having fun and having a good time”, he said.. It’s about “feeling good and enjoying yourself”. 

I couldn’t help but notice parallels between the cultural surroundings of early rock and roll music and EDM, I wondered if EDM is the new rock. He immediately knew what I was referring to and answered with a strong “Yes”. On last year’s Spotify statistics, he told me, rap was the most popular genre, followed by EDM and pop. Most people who don’t try to understand the genre are from older generations (as it’s so different to the music they grew up with), while the youth embrace it with open arms. Like rock and roll, there is a sense of rebellion, as Max says it’s a genre used to “stick it to the man”. However, the genre is now a part of society and culture and is growingly being accepted by people from all walks of life.

Another parallel to rock, I brought up, was EDM being being a similarly male-dominated genre. Max seemed caught off-guard by this comparison. He struggled to think of his favourite female artists. In his experience, he concluded, “more women play real instruments more so than producing” but “it doesn’t have to be that way”. He pointed out that among the attendees of major EDM festivals is a fairly even split of males and females. Gender stereotypes, he says, “don’t really apply to EDM anymore,” and that “it doesn’t discriminate”. But perhaps that is wishful thinking. 

Setting gender aside, I asked Max if the EDM world is alienated from the rest of the music industry. He expressed his frustration at the old fashioned philosophies.

“If you put someone who’s been playing guitar exclusively for their whole life in front of a screen and say make a track, they’d have no idea”.

A lot of musicians “assume it’s just turning some nobs and pushing some buttons”, but there’s “a different type of skill and a different type of musical ability that goes into it [making EDM]”. And while EDM is gradually being accepted, Max knows there’s still a barrier between it and other popular music genres.

Max believes that cross-genre collaborations can lead to new experimentations and new music.

“It’s a very inclusive artform that is a way to connect people”.

At the end of the day, Max (R Ü Shaw) is like any musician: he just wants to be able to make a living off of music because he loves it.

“There’s so much to it, it’s too hard to label EDM as one thing. There’s probably a genre amongst it that you may resonate with. I think just give it a chance. It’s a good time.”

Max’s music under R Ü Shaw can be found on Soundcloud or Facebook. His new single ‘Closure’ is out now.