WRITTEN BY FATIMA HASAN
Jackson Stell, a native of Lancaster, Massachusetts, has gained tremendous popularity under his stage name: Big Wild. With his determined desire to create something new and unique, Stell has helped us uncover our natural curiosity to explore beyond conventional boundaries within electronic music. He is an extremely talented DJ, producer, composer, and instrumentalist…clearly, he knows how to make you dance…
Music has been a long time passion for Stell, as he first began producing hip-hop-influenced beats as a teenager. He also attended Northeastern University in Boston, where he created music under the name JBeatz. During his twenties, he relocated to California and began using the stage name Big Wild. He loved the natural landscape in the Bay Area and the magnificent beauty of Big Sur. These experiences inspired Stell to start producing distinct, groovy tracks.
I witnessed Big Wild’s versatility for the first time at Concord Music Hall in Chicago on April 7th, 2017. What sets Stell apart from most other electronic music producers is that he mixes his computer-based recordings with live instrumentals as he switches between playing the piano, synths, and drums, among others. At one point during the show, he even got on mic and impressively whistled on top of a background beat. He set the perfect vibe, flowing through different styles of music as his set progressed. This sold out show was definitely one for the books.
In 2015, Stell caught the attention of Odesza, a prominent electronic duo from Seattle. They invited Big Wild on tour, and that same year, he released an official remix of the Odesza hit “Say My Name.” He continued to release great music and, shortly after, Big Wild toured with other esteemed producers like GRiZ, Tycho, Pretty Lights, and Bassnectar. His most recent EP, Invincible, released in early 2017 through the Foreign Family Collective label, which was curated by Odesza. This spring, Big Wild is set to perform around America, totaling to 27 dates. One thing is for sure: after seeing his performance, we are excited to see what Big Wild has in store for the future since his diverse approach to music has allowed him to continue to rapidly grow in popularity.
Check out some of my favorite Big Wild tracks, some of which are featured on his Invincible EP:
Photography by Cynthia Garcia. The Good Music Collectiv does not own the rights to any of these tracks.
No Comment