Metronome #037: Autoerotique

Insomniac’s Metronome series features mixes from some of today’s fastest-rising electronic stars, as well as championed legends. It takes listeners deep across a wide range of genres, movements, cultures, producers, artists and sounds that make up the diverse world of electronic music.

Something’s been up with Autoerotique lately. Known for his trademark style of electro bangers, the Toronto producer recently ditched the fist-in-the-air energy of the big room and has instead adopted the smoother, more refined sounds of house and deep house. We first heard it on “Flyaway” back in March. Since then, he’s explored deeper and funkier territories via “Woof” and “Be There.”

Compared to the old Autoerotique sound, this switch in creative direction is like learning a foreign language. Exhibit A: “Badman.” Exhibit B: “LZR BASS.” Exhibit C: “Play It Again.”

According to Autoerotique, née Keith Struan Robertson, his current wave of artistic juices is nothing new. Instead, he sees it as a return to the “classic vibes” of the early Autoerotique days. For those looking to point fingers and call Autoerotique a house/future house bandwagoner, one must simply dig back into Robertson’s discography and find the 2010 Lykke Li “Little Bit” bootleg, which predates the electro-heavy, big room days with a more melodic and vocal-based style of house. Whether this is a permanent sound for Autoerotique going forward or simply an experimental phase, it’s an exciting time for a sonic voyage either way.

For an immediate journey, peep Autoerotique’s newly minted Metronome mix. It’ll give you an idea of all the imaginative ideas bouncing around in his head. Trust us: There are many, and that’s a very good thing.

Keith, we need to talk. What’s with this new sound? I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.
I wouldn’t go so far to call anything a “new sound.” I mean… this is Autoerotique we’re talking about here. Nothing is off limits, and anything is possible. I think I’m revisiting the classic vibes that Autoerotique started out with and making some updates. And for the record, John, you don’t know me like that, but you seem like a nice guy, so I’ll take that as an invitation.

It’s such a drastic change from your previous, banger-heavy sound. What happened? Did something spark the change? Did you get bored with the bangers?
A little bit of column A and a little bit of column B. I think everyone is getting bored of big bangers—aside from Tiësto, who seems to absorb bangers like some sort of Lazarus Pit or fountain of youth. To answer your question, I stepped back and looked at what I was doing. In doing that, I had a moment of clarity. I had been approaching this all wrong. I was making bangers because it was what everyone expected of me, not because I was enjoying it. I realized I wasn’t happy. I’ve evolved and adapted many times since I started, but the electro bangers are what stuck at the time. But is this really what I wanted to do for the rest of my career? Where did my passion lie? I loved where Autoerotique started and wanted to take it back to its roots. Autoerotique has always been about fun and weird for me—playful and underground, not brain dead and banging.

Would you say your new sound is a “smarter” version of your music or a more “mature” aspect of electronic music?
I would say that’s a loaded question, and I’m not inherently smart enough to answer that without coming off as an ignorant dumbass or a pretentious music snob. I can tell you that I feel happier making music that makes me and others feel happy. Because it makes me happy, I think the fans can feel it in my productions and sets, and it also makes them happy. That’s all that counts at the end of the day. Anyone who says otherwise can go beat it.

I’m seeing fans and the media labeling your new sound under the future house genre. Do you agree with that?
No, and let me explain why: Future house isn’t from the future at all. If anything, it’s retro electro. All of these sounds have happened already in cycles and circles. They’ve come and gone in smaller increments with less popularity. There’s nothing wrong with people coining a term like “future house.” It’s just a way for people to identify a common/popular sound, like vomit step or Jersey club, which are really just rebrands of dubstep/complextro and Baltimore club/juke (Chicago), respectively. People mislabel techno, electro and house as future house; I think that’s where the main issue lies. Although I’ve heard other returning genres, like fidget house, receive much worse monikers lately, so I’m not too concerned with the future house label. Either way, I don’t think it’ll stick.

What’s been the genuine reaction to your new sound? Are you losing or gaining any fans?
It’s been super positive. The core fans are really excited to hear the return of classic Autoerotique. Honestly, I was worried it wouldn’t be well received, but the love has been consistently overwhelming from fans as well as peers. I can’t thank everyone enough. I truly feel I have the best fans, friends and team in the world.

I’m told you’re influential in the A&R for Dim Mak. Can you confirm or deny that?
I can confirm that I am only responsible for the good stuff (I hope)! Since A&Ring for Dim Mak, I’ve signed Botnek, Keys N Krates, Clockwork, Shaun Frank, Ghastly and more. Not everything on Dim Mak comes from my input, but I do play a sizeable role in determining what’s what. Dim Mak has come a long way in the last two years, and I’d like to think (hope, really) that I’ve contributed to the diversification and growth of the label.

Working in A&R, you comb through endless promos and unreleased songs. Did your direct hand in A&R influence your new sound?
I’m actually more hands-on. I hate mindlessly combing, and often it’s a waste of time. I tend to go out there and find artists that fit the brand and show tremendous potential. There’s nothing better than coming across something organically and spontaneously. I know that might sound frustrating to artists, but it’s the truth. I love finding gold on SoundCloud or when a friend tells me, “Hey, I played with this kid last night—check this out!” But no, A&R has no relation to Autoerotique. I don’t keep them in the same mindset. There is no reflection.

Track List:: Traumer “Cyclo”
Eyes Everywhere “No Wifey”
Bassment Jaxx “Never Say Never” (GotSome Remix)
Disclosure “Bang That”
XO “Old Skool”
Daft Punk “Voyager” (Wuki Slice)
Autoerotique “Be There”
Calvin Harris “Need Your Love” (Autoerotique Remix)
Club Cheval “From the Basement to the Roof” (Oliver Remix)
Zinc “Back 'n' Forth” (Original Mix)
Autoerotique “Count on You”
Fono “Real Joy” (Duke Dumont Re-edit)
Autoerotique “LYAOF”
Autoerotique “WOOF”

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