Premiere: Anakim 'The Oracle' EP
Anakim is on a journey and that journey is starting to get real good.
His latest step forward on that journey? His new EP out on EIN2, The Oracle. These two tracks embody growth and decay with dastardly synths and heaving kicks. Like any journey that’s worth it in the end, both tracks keep listeners guessing, filling them with excitement surrounding what will happen next.
Anakim’s quest as a DJ and producer is a concrete example of how the music industry rewards artists who focus on doing things right rather than quick; full of favorable encounters, hard work, and refreshing achievements.
In the culture of Soundcloud and Ableton Lite, many producers adopt the “get rich quick” mentality, hoping that a formulaic mindset will lead to a hit record. Not Anakim though. Like other revered producers such as Jauz and Slander, he attended Icon Collective in Los Angeles, receiving a traditional education in music production. While he was there, he spent his time networking with other artists around his hometown of L.A., making real connections and becoming a staple in the scene.
Now after a few years of this prudent approach, Anakim’s getting booked at Coachella, he’s winning Insomniac‘s Discovery Project, and Above & Beyond are playing his tracks on AGBT. Yet after all this success, he hasn’t forgotten his roots as he just released a remix on one of his earliest labels, Understated Recordings, alongside impressive newcomers SOHMI and ASHE, lending his rising name to those who may be a few steps behind him on their own journey.
A class act through and through, we were able to speak with Anakim about his journey as an artist in addition to premiering The Oracle in full. Stream the EP and read his answers below:
1. What was the intention behind ‘The Oracle’ EP?
A few months ago I happened to watch two movies in the span of three days: The Never Ending Story and The Matrix. In both those films the lead characters, Atreyu and Neo, are both looking for the oracle in their respective worlds. To be clear, an oracle is a person considered to be able to make prophetic predictions or have precognition of the future. That search for answers those characters embarked on about the world around them fully inspired me to create this concept EP called “The Oracle”. I think everyone can relate to searching for meaning in their own life at a certain point, so in a sense, this EP is a mini-soundtrack to various stages in that journey.
2. How did it feel to have Above & Beyond play one of these tracks on ABGT?
That was such a crazy moment for me. I saw Above & Beyond perform at my very first rave back in 2010. I’ve seen them about six times since. Their Trance Around The World and Group Therapy Radio shows have had such a huge impact on me over the years, they’re such iconic radio shows. I literally teared up with joy when I found out they supported The Oracle on ABGT 340. Could I have ever imagined as a raver in the crowd at their shows they’d one day be supporting my music? Not at all. It’s a milestone for me and definitely a feeling I’ll never forget.
3. What was it like for you winning the Discovery Project? How has winning enhanced your career as an artist?
Because I have such a long-standing history with Insomniac Events, winning the Discovery Project was always a major goal of mine. It’s completed a full circle for me, one that began as a raver attending literally every Insomniac event for about six years straight, from their massives to their shows at local clubs, to now having performed at Beyond Wonderland and EDC this year. Thanks to the Discovery Project I now have a good relationship with the biggest dance music promoter in North America and it’s given me an opportunity to not only play their events, but to release my music to their ever-growing fan base.
4. You just put out another remix on one of your first labels, Understated Recordings. How has it been for you to watch them grow recently?
Understated is family. Without them taking a chance on my Veins EP two years ago I’m not sure where I’d be. I’m so proud of how far they’ve come. Seeing them partner with labels like Astralwerks, they deserve all the success that has come their way and so much more.
5. What is one of your dream labels to release music on?
Anjunadeep, Last Night on Earth, Bedrock, and Outta Limits are my top labels I want to release on. It may take a little time, but we’re going to manifest this.
6. You are one among many graduates from Icon collective who has found real success in music. What is it about that program that you think is so effective in advancing artists’ careers?
It’s the tap water in that building, I swear. Really though, the instructors and mentors do such a great job at teaching the students not only the technical aspects of Logic and Ableton, but also intangible things like how to get into a creative state of flow, how to break through writer’s block, how to navigate the music industry, etc. Mix that in with a student body that eats, sleeps, and breathes music production, that is unconditionally supportive of their peers, and you have quite the recipe for success. Icon builds stars of the future and it shows.
7. What do you have coming up for the rest of 2019? Any tour plans to coincide with your impressive release schedule?
August 9th you can catch me performing at Sound Nightclub with Drumcode star Julian Jeweil and my good friend, as well as rising techno star, Sara Landry. I’m not at liberty to fully discuss what else I have going on for the rest of the year, but it definitely is something worth keeping your eyes on.
