Based in America, Julien Earle is known for being a YouTube content creator who makes videos that share production tips and tricks with aspiring music creators. Showcasing his talents in the studio, Julien Earle’s style is mainly orientated around Techno, but he takes influence from other electronic music genres as well. Now, Julien is back on his record label REFLECTION with a brand-new peak time Techno release, the same Techno style that has also been released on other imprints including UMEK‘s 1605, Spektre‘s Respekt, Pleasurekraft‘s Kraftek, and Ramon Tapia‘s Say What?, as well as earning him collaborative projects alongside The YellowHeads and Beico. Julien’s recent peak-time project features two versions of Close Your Eyes, both produced by himself, as well as an extended mix with fast and furious grooves of electrifying synths and thundering percussion. From pulsating energy, flickering acid soundscapes, stabbing melodies, and throbbing basslines, Close Your Eyes is a ride full of enthralling energy — a rollercoaster ride of elements that Julien intends to carry into 2023.
Joining 6AM once again, Julien gets candid about new endeavors involving his imprint REFLECTION, the new flow behind his latest single Close Your Eyes, creating a vibrant track energy alongside the artist UNFORG1VEN on the previous Daydream EP, sharing his anticipated collaboration with FØREHAND and other artists, where he intends to take his imprint into 2023, and lastly sharing his best advice on running a content platform with a humbling attitude. The single Close Your Eyes is now available to purchase on Beatport.
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Welcome back to 6AM Julien. Glad to have you on again since we last spoke about your EP Daydream. As we’re in the new year, tell us what’s been new with you and your imprint REFLECTION.
Good to be back! I’ve got a lot planned for the new year. A few really special records releasing, and some collaborations I’ve been working on with other big producers that I know are going to hit. The visual aspect of REFLECTION is really coming together — shoutout to SINKORSWIM aka Rory who has been killing it on the videos and helping me evolve this aesthetic into something unique.
Speaking of your last EP and your imprint, you’ve just released your next creative project Close Your Eyes which was released on REFLECTION on February 17th. From listening to the track, it definitely does make you close your eyes and sway to the beat, especially with the melodic synths. Please walk us through how you went into this project, and what inspired you to create it with this vibrant energy.
I wanted to make something that you can instantly tell is me, and that you’ve never quite heard before. That’s really the goal with those stabs — take the classic rave stab sound, but flip it on its head in a way never done before. I want to make my mark and that’s how you do it. Then, it expands into an odyssey of pads and reese basses that contrasts what you just heard and this contrast really pulls the listener in. When you can switch up the vibe SO intensely, and have it still work, the listener is going to say: “Okay, I’m here for this ride, wherever it goes”, and you get this epic track. Then, it has to all come together again on the drop with the reeses and rave stabs, blending and dropping that tension that’s been building.
Honestly, saying this is making me realize how complicated it all actually is! While producing, I just follow my feelings and trust that the right listeners will follow me as well. I really just want to make something different within Techno, I’m tired of the same old, same old every Friday when new tracks drop.
“I just follow my feelings while producing, and trust that the right listeners will follow me as well. I’m tired of the same old, same old and I really just want to make something different within Techno.”
Julien never strays from following his intuition and what feels right in the moment.
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On the topic of vibrant energy, when you and UNFORG1VEN worked together on your last EP Daydream, his remixed version of the track also conveyed that rollercoaster ride feeling as well. Do you see yourself working alongside UNFORG1VEN again or any other vibrant-styled DJs for remixes or collabs?
UNFORG1VEN is so dope, and he’s grinding too — that’s why I wanted to work with him, to begin with. I meet a lot of great producers, but I can tell they aren’t really putting that time in. I’ve watched this guy come a long way and that’s the type of person I want to work with. It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s how hard you work to get to the finish line. Other than that, I’m working on some collabs with another guy who has remixed my tracks before named FØREHAND. He’s really come up in the past year and is grinding super hard as well. I have some other collabs in the work but those are secret, haha.
“I meet a lot of great producers, but I can tell they aren’t really putting that time in — that’s why I wanted to work with him [UNFORG1VEN]. I’ve watched this guy come a long way and that’s the type of person I want to work with.”
Julien found UNFORG1VEN to be a great fit when it came to authentic artistry.
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With your music and imprint, it’s clear as day that you’re on a roll. As far as your label REFLECTION goes, we’d love to know more about the goals you have for the label moving forward into 2023.
Just to get good music out there. I’m not aiming to release every single week like some labels. I want people to be able to go through the REFLECTION catalog and have each record be like a moment in time, and all these moments in time come together to create one unified story of our journey through this sound. I have some releases on other labels lined up for the next month or so, then I’ll be back with another really different-sounding track. It’s almost done now, and I promise there’s no other Techno like this on the market. Also, I’m going to do some stuff on there this year that’s maybe more “rave-meets-techno-meets-house” rather than just straight 130 bpm peak time Beatport Techno.
“I want people to be able to go through the REFLECTION catalog and have each record be like a moment in time, and all these moments in time come together to create one unified story of our journey through this sound.”
Julien intends to center his label that evokes memorable feelings.
Photo by: @julienearle (Via Instagram)
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Ok, before we wrap up, we can’t forget about your staple Youtube channel which aids as a great tool and guide in DJ production. Last time we spoke, your channel had 86.5K subscribers, now, you’ve amassed 89.6K subscribers. In terms of organic growth and artist authenticity, this is an amazing accomplishment. Are there any other goals you have planned for your Youtube platform? Any advice you’d give to someone who’s interested in creating a Youtube channel that centers around educating others?
Be selfless. This kind of platform is not about making yourself look good, or being a narcissist. It’s about helping the community and putting your knowledge out there so that the whole scene can improve their music. I love that. Also, you can’t hide your secrets. If you do it from this place, you will succeed.
“I love that this kind of platform is about helping the community and putting your knowledge out there so that the whole scene can improve their music. Be selfless — if you do it from this place, you will succeed.”
Julien approaches his craft in content creation with authenticity and growth.
Thanks again Julien for wanting to share with us your latest endeavors. For any upcoming endeavors, is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thanks to 6AM for having me and thanks to everyone who has supported Close Your Eyes and all of my other music and content.
Connect with Julien Earle: SoundCloud丨Facebook丨Twitter丨Beatport丨Instagram
