How Sascha Rothchild Fell in Love with EDM
Sascha Rothchild’s career has the look of a versatile creative powerhouse; she’s an author (How to Get Divorced by 30), TV writer (The Carrie Diaries), personal essayist (This American Life; Mortified; LA Weekly) and screenwriter (DreamWorks’ Who Invited Her?, starring Reese Witherspoon). Due to the highly personal content in much of her work, she’s never afraid to get awkward or vulnerable in the line of duty; but when a recent screenwriting project promised to take her out of her comfort zone and into the world of EDM, the last thing she expected was that she’d become a giant fan.
Insomniac sat down with Sascha to talk about her new project with Diplo, the contrast between the ’90s Miami club scene and today’s EDM parties, and how a professional screenwriter in her thirties can go from zero-to-EDM enthusiast in just a few months.
Tell us about yourself. Who are you, and what do you do?
I love frozen yogurt. Snowboarding. And unicorns. I do not enjoy long walks on the beach. I’m a comedy writer (best known for my This American Life segment and my memoir How to Get Divorced by 30) who grew up on the crazy streets of South Beach, circa when Vanilla Ice hit it big, and Marilyn Manson was an unknown playing small Miami clubs. I’ve been living in L.A. for 16 years. Sixteen! Professionally, I am currently taking a new feature pitch out to studios, as well as developing half-hour comedies for TV.
Professionally, I am currently developing the half-hour comedy series Raised By Wolfs for HBO, and I”m taking a new feature pitch out to studios.
I knew that DJs had left the dark corners of clubs and become center-stage rock stars. And “e” was now called “molly.” That was the extent of my knowledge.
What happened in your life that introduced you to EDM?
I’ve been writing studio features for several years and was approached for a rewrite of a Fox comedy—produced by Diplo’s camp, among others—set in the world of EDM. The first thing I did when I got the call was to google “Diplo.” And “EDM.”
What did you know about EDM before the assignment?
I knew that DJs had left the dark corners of clubs and become center-stage rock stars. And “e” was now called “molly.” That was the extent of my knowledge.
How did you go about tackling your research?
I watched a ton of EDM festival videos online, and I listened to a lot of Diplo’s music and his radio show, Diplo and Friends. I also learned that DJing is no longer just mixing different songs together, but creating entirely new songs and sounds. Many EDM DJs have transcended to being not just players of music, but musicians themselves.
I responded to Diplo immediately, which is one of the reasons I was extremely excited to be a part of this movie. His music has unique infectious energy, intuitive timing, and often a sense of humor.
How did your EDM research pay off?
Once I landed the job, I met with Diplo and was invited to watch him play in Vegas, as well as get a behind-the-scenes tour of Hard Fest in Downtown Los Angeles. I got to experience the club vibe, as well as the festival vibe; and in both spots, although the attire could not have been more opposite—stiletto heels vs. Wookiee leg warmers—I was overwhelmed by the general friendliness of the fans. I thought I would need a ton of Red Bull to make it through the Vegas night (Diplo’s set lasted until 5 am), but the music kept me energized and pumped.
How was working with Diplo?
My first impression was, “OMG, he’s adorable!” But after I got past the obvious, the thing that struck me most was his extreme thoughtfulness when it comes to music. I was able to see him in many different settings and was impressed by his work ethic and incredibly diverse knowledge of music genres around the world. He’s super chill in person and electric onstage. The coolest moment for me was getting to stand directly behind him while he performed. I could watch the mesmerized audience watching him.
How does today’s EDM scene, as you experienced it, contrast with the Miami club scene of your teenage years?
The club scene in Miami always had a hint of danger—like a fight might break out at any moment. Each club (whether it be goth, drum & bass, hip-hop, whatever) was filled with people who looked and dressed exactly the same as one another. What I experienced with the EDM scene was an acceptance of all types of people; and I didn’t see any fights. EDM fans seem like a group of people who just want to enjoy themselves. I was horrified to hear about the issues at Ultra this year in Miami. Perhaps even PLUR can’t tame the beast that is that city.
How does EDM fit into your life now?
I often listen to music while I write, and I used to choose songs that fit the mood of what I was writing. When I was working on The Carrie Diaries, I would listen to ’80s pop. When I write romantic comedies, I listen to cheesy love songs, like “Look Away” by Chicago, and music wrought with emotion, like Journey ballads. For a breakup scene, Red House Painters was my go-to. But now, regardless of what I am writing, I am hooked on EDM. I play Diplo’s “Earthquake” on repeat. I can’t get enough of Skrillex and Nero’s “Promises” or Fatboy Slim’s “Eat Sleep Rave Repeat.”
Now that you’re a convert, have you turned anyone in your life onto EDM?
Yes! A few friends—who will remain nameless—have taken to dancing to “Bubble Butt.”
