Big Wild - Superdream (2019)

merican producer Big Wild has announced the release of his highly-anticipated debut album, Superdream. Set for release 1st February 2019 via Counter Records, Superdream includes brand-new singles “Joypunks” and “Maker”.

With “Joypunks” showcasing Big Wild’s cinematic blend of rich electronica, “Maker” focuses on slick retro synths to give the piece a deep 80’s-wave sound. “‘Maker’ is about facing a near death or life-threatening experience but making it out alive,” adds Big Wild. “It is ultimately a celebration of being alive which is based off a personal experience.”

Both tracks demonstrate Big Wild’s, AKA Jackson Stell’s, craft for lush soundscapes and sweeping melodies and “Maker”, which features Stell at the fore on lead vocals, further showcases his superb vocal ability. In addition to Stell providing lead vocals for many of the other tracks on Superdream, the likes of Rationale (London, UK) and iDA Hawk (Brooklyn, US) make guest appearances on the album.

The process of making his first album pushed the artist to his creative limits, with Stell adding: “The writing process felt like tapping into a subconscious well in which I would find words and phrases without much intention and later understand the meaning. This process reminded me of dreams and their ability to reveal deeper thoughts and was the inspiration behind the album title”

“‘Superdream’ is something I needed to do - albeit the most difficult project I’ve pursued. It felt like all the creative roads I had taken in music led me to deciding I want to sing and write. This decision gave me the voice and musical identity I had been searching for all along. It marks a new chapter in my music, one that is more ‘me’ than anything else I’ve released. I’ve realized that might have been my goal all along.”

Making hip-hop-influenced beats as a teenager, Stell soon branched out, starting to produce distinctively atmospheric, and groove-oriented tracks, soon catching the attention of electronic duo ODESZA, who invited him on tour. Big Wild went on to release an official remix of the ODESZA track “Say My Name”, and runaway single “Aftergold” featuring Swedish singer, Tove Styrke. Released on ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective label, “Aftergold” topped the Spotify Global Viral Chart, was supported by BBC Radio 1’s Phil Taggart and has surpassed 33 million Spotify streams to date. Not stopping there, the track was featured in a US TV advert for Apple Watch.

Additionally, Big Wild has collaborated with Hundred Waters, TroyBoi, and Khary Durgans among others, and remixed indie and electronic artists like CHVRCHES, ZHU, Gallant, GRiZ and more. The American producer has received strong support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, Diplo & Friends, BBC 1Xtra and Rinse FM to name a few. Over the course of his career so far, Big Wild has garnered hundreds of millions of streams across all platforms: 130+ million on Spotify, 30+ million on SoundCloud and 11+ million on Apple Music.

Over the course of 2018 so far, Stell has sold out the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, performed at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, EDC Las Vegas and made his mark on the main stage at San Diego’s CRSSD Festival. This December, Big Wild will co-headline Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco and WaMu Theater in Seattle alongside Louis the Child. Coinciding with the release of Superdream, Big Wild will kick off a 16-date headline tour across the US next year, which will bring the Superdream album experience to the stage via a brand-new live show.

As a performer, Big Wild is one of the freshest & most innovative live acts on the electronic circuit today. His live show sees Stell switching between multiple instruments — including drum pads, synths and keyboards, in addition to live vocals — throughout his sets for an energetic performance that’s as infectious as his music.