Metronome #019: Craig Williams

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.

After a busy release schedule last year that included a feature on Green Velvet’s last album, Craig Williams is showing no signs of slowing down. His studio prowess and knowledge of analog gear makes him a true player in the techno scene, and with multiple releases slated for this spring, Craig is on a steady path to success.

The producer is now residing in L.A. after relocating from Australia, and he’s immersed in his work. He’s provided upcoming producers with hours of tutorials and sample packs, and his dedication to his craft has earned him respect. In this edition of the Metronome series, Craig Williams delivers a furious array of unreleased techno weapons that’ll leave you spinning.

You weren’t always making techno. What were you doing before you moved to L.A.?
I was a crew chief on Blackhawk Helicopters in the Australian Army before moving to L.A. It wasn’t a bad job, but flying around Sydney inserting Special Forces onto the tops of buildings takes its toll.

What made you want to pursue music?
I have always played music in one form or another. First, I was in really shitty bands when I played bass guitar, and then I moved onto DJiing. I really enjoyed it, but I wanted to create my own music and perform the tracks when I DJed. So I went down the rabbit hole into the world of production and engineering.

It’s no secret that you’re a gearhead. If you had to choose only three pieces of equipment to produce with for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
Definitely my Eurorack modular synth. It has grown and continues to grow, and I’m only scratching the surface. Next would be my Elektron Machinedrum. It may be digital, but its versatility is huge and it sounds great. I have been using this drum machine and one of their other machines (Octatrack) in my studio jam videos. Lastly, I just got a pair of Audeze headphones, and they are insane.

What track of yours have you had the most fun producing? Which has been the most trying?
It’s hard to say which track I’ve had the most fun producing. When I’m working on music, there are waves where I love what I’m working on, and then there are times where I feel like I’m pushing a boulder up a hill. But when I get to the top of that hill, the production just takes off. I definitely have loads of fun working on collaborations with people like Kaleena Zanders. She is super professional and comes in and nails the vocal every time.

What’s next in the world of Craig Williams?
The rest of the year is pretty stacked in terms of releases:
17 Feb: “Keep on Moving” ft. Kaleena Zanders [Relief Records]
17 Mar: Away EP [Nervous Records]
TBA Apr: Don’t Look Back EP [Relief Records]
TBA May: Worlds Collide EP [Sweat It Out]

Plus, I have a bunch of collaborations in the works, but they are still a little new to announce.

Track List:: Gesloten Cirkel “Submit X” (Craig Williams Intro Edit) [Murder Capital]
Disciples “They Don't Know” (Justin Jay Remix) [WB]
Röyksopp “Sordid Affair” (Maceo Plex Remix) [Dog Triumph]
Cochise “Com Surrogate” [GND Records]
Louisahhh!!! / Maelstrom “Cage” [Bromance]
BS1 “Delivery Tool” [BNR Trax]
Doorly “Boogaloo” [Cajual Records]
Gene Farris “US” [Cajual Records]
Craig Williams ft. Kaleena Zanders “Keep on Movin” [Cajual Records]
Ramiro Lopez “Spirit” [Suara]
Knox “Well” (Strip Steve Warehouse Dub) [Boysnoize Records]
Lil Louis “French Kiss” (Don Rimini in da House Remix) [White]
Sonny Fodera & Cajmere “Show You” [Cajual Records]
Craig Williams “Away” [Nervous Records]