Axwell /\ Ingrosso kicked up quite a storm after Sebastian Ingrosso’s statement ‘Underground dance music — in the nicest way possible — it’s amateur’ was taken out of context by New York Times, and now Axwell has taken to Twitter to clear their side of the story with an extended tweet.
Listen up! The amount of bashing we've been given throughout the years for being commercial has been on a (cont) http://t.co/0YhRTyg5kE
— Axwell (@Axwell) April 4, 2015
Listen up! The amount of bashing we’ve been given throughout the years for being commercial has been on a record level. and then a rather positive quote about “our” underground music gets put out of context – we are condemning underground music as a whole, and bashing where we come from ? seriously? We were merely answering the question – so what do you guys think of all the underground people bashing people like yourself for moving into the mainstream as opposed to our early music… which we answered from our standpoint – ie. underground music if that’s what people label our early releases as – for us – was our amateur stage – amateur the way we translate it from English to Swedish means when we were trying things out, as a hobby, a lovely hobby, a happy time, after a while we started moving into mainstream more as our music came more successful- or perhaps the mainstream crowd got to our music – which i guess took it from the underground to mainstream. And we were clear to say that if people liked our music great, and if they didn’t, that ok. This was about our own releases, not other genres as a whole or other artists. We had nothing bad to say about anyone, this is a super happy time for us right now. Anyways, we love all forms of music , underground or mainstream, and if you know anything about us you know very well we’ve paid our underground dues enough, and for us to be “bashing” and condemning where we come
from is just ridiculous. It’s a bit disheartening to see the amount of publicity this has gotten and the fact people seem to like to find something negative to focus on – when in fact nothing negative was meant.
The statement lead to some pretty negative reactions from underground dance music producers everywhere, from respected artists such as Sasha, Airwave, John 00 Fleming amongst many others, while quite a few resorted to name calling. The duo, however received support from Funkagenda, who supported the duo with an extended tweet, with his own thoughts on the whole issue.
https://twitter.com/Funkagenda/status/584572254782095360
I’ve remained silent about the whole @Axwell @Ingrosso thing until now because frankly I figured it would blow over by now. But much like @deadmau5‘s “button pushing” rant it has grown momentum. So let me state my belief, regardless of what follows. All you “underground” producers need to lay the fuck off because I can guarantee if I go through your social media feeds I will find you lashing out at EDM with some derogatory statement about it being for idiots or it being unintelligent. I am a producer. I know the difference between a good production and a shit one. I know the difference between a complicated idea, executed well and a brilliant idea executed badly. And BOTH can be successful.
Let’s take Sasha (who is my idol). He stated earlier that Axwell and Ingrosso were “total wankers”. Now Sasha is a master of the complex idea, executed perfectly. His music is a wonderful representation of what CAN be done if we are willing to try. Does that mean that it is better? Well, by the definition of the term “better” and working within the confines of DIGITAL PRODUCTION it does. But Axwell and Ingrosso’s music has touched millions. And that is not a fluke. Plus I’d have you rewind to Axwell’s early work on soulfuric etc. Full band. Live instruments. Amazing production. It’s not an acident he is where he is now.
But back to the case in hand. I have watched you higher than mighty “underground” DJs/producers slag off EDM for years. And nobody In EDM jumped up to tell you guys how you were wankers or cunts. They just carried on with their “shit” music and left you to it. I have an idea: just chill the fuck out and carry on. If you’re so awesome on the underground it shouldn’t matter what these guys say. It’s all opinions and much like assholes we all have one. I’ve known the swedes since before they were crazy famous and they have always been humble, kind, generous and charitable. I’m prepared to admit that the game could have gone to their heads, but no more prepared than I am to admit that the “underground” folks could be jealous…
It could be possible NY Times botched up the statement, since the interview happened at a crowded NYC Apple Store and it’s very possible that something could have been lost in translation. Before jumping on the Axwell /\ Ingrosso bashing bandwagon, perhaps waiting to hear their side of the story would have been a wise move.
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