Unbeknownst to the average American EDM admirer, Australia has made for itself a strong presence in the genre. Sure, everyone’s aware of Flume and the stamp he’s placed on the scene at large, but there are more hidden gems to be found from the continent down-under, if one should decide to conduct a little research. Thomas Purcell, a Sydney-based producer who performs under the name Wave Racer, is one of those gems, although he may not stay hidden from the mainstream music world for long.
Unbeknownst to the average American EDM admirer, Australia has made for itself a strong presence in the genre. Sure, everyone’s aware of Flume and the stamp he’s placed on the scene at large, but there are more hidden gems to be found from the continent down-under, if one should decide to conduct a little research. Thomas Purcell, a Sydney-based producer who performs under the name Wave Racer, is one of those gems, although he may not stay hidden from the mainstream music world for long.
“I was just kind of touring around the States, SXSW and Miami and stuff like that,” Purcell said in reference to his recent tour of the United States during March and April. He made his second run-through of the States in July and August, including several dates on the Mad Decent Summer Block Party in D.C., Norfolk, and Boston. We caught up with him at the Norfolk date, and given his increase in popularity back home, it’s little wonder Mad Decent took notice of him.
“Paul Devro from Mad Decent was one of the first to email me, and that was before I signed with a label or anything like that,” Purcell said. “Mad Decent has been on my tail… since the beginning. [T]hey’ve known about me, so that’s kind of cool, and its good that they are so supportive.”
With more popularity comes more touring requests from outside Australia, but Purcell has enjoyed every moment, particularly the acclaim he has received here in the States. “I’m still blown away by the positive response I get here over here in America,” said Purcell. “For doing such a small amount of shows here and not ever being from here, it’s amazing that so many people respond so positively when I come here and play.”
What also stands out to Purcell in America is the amount of artistic diversity among music festivals, giving audiences access to multiple musicians and producers from the around the world, including his fellow Australian counterparts. Amidst all of these sounds and musical communities, it may seem easier to find success in one area of the world than another, but so far Purcell has yet to encounter such a problem. If anything, he sees sounds transcending global and spatial differences.
“In Australia… you’ve heard of artists like Flume and stuff,” Purcell said. “He’s like the biggest thing in Australia, so people are kind of chasing that sound like Australian-made electronic music. [T]hey love it back home and I think they love it here, too.”
Purcell could be categorized under “Australian-made electronic music.” After all, he is from Australia, and he certainly does bear a resemblance to the likes of Flume from a musical standpoint. But his sonical repertoire expands across all geographical borders. The synth riffs on almost ever Wave Racer song harken back to the early days of Nintendo’s 8-bit era. In the song “Stoopid,” he samples a line from Adventure Time; several of his songs have reached over one million views on Soundcloud alone. With these given examples, it becomes harder and harder to corner his music as Australian. He showcases a love for pop-culture references that expand across the globe, attracting those who comprehend and enjoy the nuances he throws into the mix.
As popularity grows for an artist, there is the occasionally the temptation to prop themselves on their high horse and look down of those they deem inferior or less capable. Then there are those who keep a level head, those that remember that they are grateful to be in such a position. Thankfully, Purcell falls into the latter category.
“I’m still the same person, I think,” Purcell said. “I just get to meet a lot more people and go to a lot more places now; I’m lucky to be able to do that.”
Photo by D. Jacob Miller
Not only has he made the trip to America, but he has performed in Europe as well. For Purcell, Europe was a place he once dreamed of traveling. Now it has become a reality, a place where he can share his music even further than before. These expansions are what keep him humble. “I’m lucky to have a job I love so much,” said Purcell. “And so naturally I can’t picture myself doing anything else as a job. I’ve always been into music and always wanted to work in music.”
While Purcell has held other jobs outside of music, none of them brought him any satisfaction or enjoyment the way music did. He continues to work on more material for an EP, although it is still in the early stages of composition and concept. He tries to to produce while on tour, but admits that finding enough time to focus and do so is rare. “It’s not easy,” Purcell said. “Cause it’s a lot of work to concentrate on, where I am going next and the shows I’m playing that night and also producing on top of that.”
All in all, it’s clear to see that Purcell is enjoying his ride around the globe thus far. But what he is really anticipating next, however, is his return home. “I am looking forward to being able to going home and chilling in my bedroom and making music again,” Purcell said.
Get Wave Racer’s music from Future Classic.
