Metronome #002: Slice N Dice
Insomniac’s new 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.
The electronic music scene has set its crosshairs on Australia, and Melbourne’s Slice N Dice embodies exactly why fans need to keep their eyes and ears on the land Down Under. The duo is known for their high-energy performances, frenetic onstage antics—which include crazy stage dives and in-your-face blasts from hand-held CO2 guns—and of course, their mysterious masks. Slice N Dice have risen to the top of the Australian music scene at meteoric speeds, in addition to touring across the world, gaining support from major artists like Chuckie, Lazy Rich, TJR, DVBBS and more, along with releases on revered labels Dim Mak, Ministry of Sound and ONELOVE.
While Slice N Dice agree there is no one sound that defines Australia, their assorted sets and style reflect the musical diversity and cultural variety of their home country. Their Metronome mix is testament to that belief, taking the sounds of hard electro house, big-room bangers, and their native Melbourne bounce and meshing them into one wild ride. Slice N Dice welcome you to the Masklife.
What’s something the Australian music scene is doing now that the American scene is not?
The Australian scene is really focused on guys working together, regardless of genre or style. Everyone here is super cool with each other, and in turn we see some really cool collaborations coming out. It’s helping push genres like Melbourne bounce, or that cool Flume [or] Wave Racer into a wider audience. We’re all about sharing cool music. Not that the US scene isn’t like that, not at all. But from our time over there and back home, we see more of it here in Australia.
Is there a sound that represents Australian electronic music?
We wouldn’t say there’s one particular sound that defines or represents Australia. We have super talented dudes and girls putting out some really cool tunes. Some of our biggest EDM exports are guys like Tommy Trash and Flume, but then you’ve also got guys like Will Sparks and Dirty South. It’s hard to just pin one sound down. Melbourne bounce is definitely one of the strongest sounds coming out of the country at the moment, though.
Lots of your Aussie friends are making a big splash here in America: Anna Lunoe, Flight Facilities, Motez. Why do you think that is?
(Laughs) Australians are awesome! To be honest, I’m not really sure. The artists you mentioned are all super talented. We’d guess maybe our accents have something to do with it!
Who are some Aussie artists we should be listening to now?
Our homie J-Trick is one to watch; he’s killing it already at the moment. Krunk is another fast-rising star worth checking out, along with our buddy Matt Watkins, who’s pushing some sick tunes out right now.
You wear masks to hide your identities. Is that your attempt to keep things focused on the music instead of the dudes behind the decks? In turn, does that masked notoriety add to your fame and appeal?
Initially, it was just for a novelty aspect. But as time grew, we decided it was more about the act and the music rather than who we are as people. The hidden identity aspect does add to the whole character and theatrics of it all, though.
The masks are obviously a part of your show, but so are the stage dives and hand-held CO2 guns. Is that all important to your live stage presence?
Stage presence is just as important as being able to DJ or produce. You need to be able to relay the energy from the music into the crowd, and a great way to do that is to show that you’re having fun. There’s nothing worse than watching a super serious DJ just standing there.
Will the world stop if/when the masks come off?
(Laughs) Probably not! But for now, they’re staying on nice and tight.
What’s next for Slice N Dice?
We’re working on a few tunes with some friends at the moment. We’ve got two going with our buddy J-Trick we mentioned earlier, along with a few others we’ve started with some other local guys. We’re also working with a super talented vocalist, so expect to hear something pretty come out of the Slice N Dice camp sooner rather than later. Music aside, we’re in the middle of a massive national tour that’s been awesome, and we’re playing over in America for New Year’s Eve, which will be dope, too. We can’t wait to be back!
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