Joshua Kierkegaard G. Steele, better known by his stage name Flux Pavilion, is a dub step producer and DJ from Towcester, England. After forming an independent label in 2008 alongside colleagues Doctor P, DJ Sawn-E, and Earl Falconer, his name spread rapidly with consistent releases of demos, EPs, breakthrough singles like “Bass Cannon,” and more.
His tracks have been featured in a collaboration by Jay Z and Kanye West, the Star Wars Rebels theme remix, The Great Gatsby film, and the 2013 film Rush starring Chris Hemsworth.
Continuing to make waves in the electro and dance scene, his live shows have been a one-of-a-kind experience.
Having wowed the crowd at Bogart’s in Cincinnati on Wednesday April 19th, Flux Pavilion continues his US tour over the coming weeks. Fans were ecstatic about his performance in the Queen City last week.
Cara Burwinkle of Fairfield, OH, said it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. “Flux was my first indoor EDM show. I've been to Bonnaroo, that was awesome. But this was totally different. The bass shook the building. The floor was literally shaking under my feet. The light display was amazing, lasers and strobes, fog machines and psychodelic patterns whirling around the backdrop. It was obvious that everyone was there for one thing: a great time. And that's exactly what we all had.”
We sat down with Flux Pavilion and his reps to get a feel for how his label, brand, music, and life have gotten him to this point in his music career!
What compelled you to form your own record label (Circus Records) in 2009? What, in your opinion, sets it apart from other record labels both in the UK and US for dubstep/electronic artists and producers?
I was getting tired of having other labels tell me what’s good and not good when it comes to my own music, so we wanted to build a place where the artists musical ideas are the foundation.
Your 2012 single “I Can’t Stop” was used in the Kony 2012 campaign as well as the video game SSX, The Great Gatsby (2013), and the trailer for Rush (2013). Were you expecting your single to reach this magnitude when it was released? What was your reaction to the single being used in such an array of media elements?
No, for me when I write a song, I put my all into it because that’s all that I can do. But when that song leaves my studio, I have no power to change what happens to it, so I put all of my energy into writing the best music that I can and then let the world do the rest.
How did you use your talent and production skills to remix the theme to Star Wars Rebels? How did you prepare for that?
I wanted to try and include as many Star Wars elements as possible; the kim drum was designed from a light sabre sample, and I used space ship noises for a lot of the effects.
You recently released “Pull the Trigger”/”Cut Me Out.” Was it planned to release this leading up to the tour as an energy build? How has this release been different than those such as “Bass Cannon” and “I Can’t Stop”?
We release music as soon as its ready, we don’t like to hold onto music for too long. It feels crazy to write a song and not let anyone listen to it. I have been working a lot recently and knew the tour was coming up, so I am happy that I got something new that I can jam on.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in the industry (or outside the industry) thus far and why?
My manager, he has been with me since day one and has constantly promoted and supported that I be myself, and I think without that I would have been in a really different space. He is Flux Pavilion like I am.
What would you say to other producers, label owners, and upcoming artists in the industry who are looking to seasoned professionals for advice and inspiration?
Be good at what you do and hold that as the most important thing at all times. I think people can get trapped into thinking they have to promote themselves all the time, but the best way to promote yourself as a good artist is to be a good artist.
When people say “Flux Pavilion” years from now, how do you wish to be remembered/what legacy do you wish to leave behind of yourself, your label, and your music?
An individual.
