HEADS KNOW TAPE 020: Daedelus
An interview and DJ mix from the Providence-based performer, producer, and overthinker.
Photo by Valeria Cherci
HEADS KNOW TAPES is our mix and interview series, curated to introduce you to the most exciting tastemakers, selectors, and artists from New York City and beyond.
The name Daedalus is first recorded about 1400 BC on the Knossian Linear B tablets. In Greek mythology, he's an acclaimed architect, artist, and originator who's credited for inventing carpentry, sails, and other tools—Homer even merits him for creating the dancefloor. Craftsmen and contraptions that embody the inventor's ingenious skill are also given the name Daedalus, a title prophetically designed for an artist who would be born almost 3,500 years later.
Daedelus (spelled with an e) is a musician, producer, composer, and artist from Los Angeles, California. Sprung from an artist mother and professor father, they followed in both of their parents' footsteps. They were classically and jazz-trained in several instruments as a child and continued to make music ever since. In 2019, they joined Berklee College of Music's Electronic Production and Design Department as a founding faculty member. Their limitations are boundless, only further proven by their previous position as an Artist in Residence at the SETI Institute, a nonprofit aimed at searching for extraterrestrial civilization.
People may widely recognize Daedelus as the sample source for Madvillain's "Accordion"—which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year—but their extensive catalog speaks for itself. An innovator who bridges the gap between hip-hop and electronic music, Daedelus continues to find new ways to supply sonic surprises. In this tape, they talk about the meaning of milestones, why DJs should learn production, and their upcoming show at Public Records on September 29th.
This year is filled with anniversaries for you. From 20 years of "Experience" being sampled on MF DOOM and Madlib's Madvillainy (Stones Throw) to a decade of The Light Brigade (Brainfeeder). Your social media suggests that milestones like these are usually a reflective time for you. How does nostalgia affect your present-day creative processes, if at all?
So very grateful to have this long span in music, some of which has proven lasting. I began my own production adventures as a sampling artist plumbing record bins searching for the ephemeral castoffs that weren’t so prized as to not be discarded. Nostalgia is too sensible then, I’d rather just hope to be part of a similar life cycle of created, buried, then unearthed. I still am making new with the intention of being heard, but these waves of anniversary are tidal.
MF DOOM, Madlib, Flying Lotus, Daedelus… the grouping here makes sense to me; everyone is recognized for their evocative, innovative, and uncomparable artistry. You were once asked about your inspirations and you kind of dodged the question (Later, you even said, "Inspiration is overrated"). It reminded me of a conversation I had with Hudson Mohawke—another person I'd add to that list—in 2022. He said the only thing he tries to do is make something he hasn't heard before, which Lunice echoed in his HEADS KNOW TAPE. Does that resonate with you at all?
I do actually have an answer brought forward too often; my ur is in rave records of the 1992 ilk, specifically Acen, who flipped my wig so hard that nothing sounded the same thereafter. However so few know that rave, much less the shining bright UK hardcore scene that practically disappeared before it began. I never sounded much like those 12 inches anyways. It makes far more sense to just eschew inspiration as motivational force and demur towards more esoteric sourcing.
If the urge to create doesn't come from inspiration, is there an internal—or even physical—prompt that tells you to get started? RamonPang told me he feels physically sick when he doesn't make music for a week.
That tracks for Ramon who does seem elemental in his not-not-IDM. Physical is a wonderful way to put it. There is no not endlessly musicing, or at least thinking about, so much better to embody… sorry, now truly into the spiritual (esoteric too weak a word) aspect of this work. Is it an impulse we are born into or something invited later in the growth of purpose? Doesn’t much matter this far off into the deep end.
Photo by Nico Antonazzo
I've been recently feeling the pull to start producing, so I guess I'm also wondering when I'll know it's time…
It’s quite a writerly pursuit! You don’t need something to say first, but really difficult to string together a sentence without having an overarching conceit. I’d fair that every good DJ should be a producer (and not always the other way ‘round). Once you’ve made a blend that’s never been before, there’s your perfect paragraph. And you must produce, Arielle! We’d all be better for your pen to page.
On Labor day, you tweeted: "Remember your work as artists isn’t some frivolous throw away. It enriches lives (and often adds riches to platforms)." I've seen a lot of DJs and producers express how their work feels pointless with everything going on in Palestine, Congo, and other parts of the world. It's kind of insane to me that artists don't find the importance of art as a cultural record at a time like this. What do you hope for your archive as it stands the test of time?
I’m not sure mine should stand the test of time. There are a lot of new voices being crowded out by persistent platforming of the same old guard. No mistake that we have not only been demonetized, but also demotivated. Our central role of rambler rousers now just dreamers with no good dreamings. Blaming pop currents and lazy countercultures, but I’m just as much at fault. Too brain rotten to know where to direct the sentiments. Every platform that’s come along and built the scene has eroded away without barely a whimper. When it comes time to call truth to power it feels just as hollow as autotuned mumbles. Not to sound gloomy, in fact there is incredible music being made in greater amounts than in the history of ever—just seething under the surface. If only it could be made cogent.
Apart from producing, composing, and DJing, you're also a professor at the Berklee School of Music. Which room is harder to read: a classroom or a dancefloor?
CLASSROOM! Dancefloors are the easiest; get that one really passionate person moving and soon enough the whole club will be a music video from the 00s. Whereas professing you can’t simply present the facts like you entrain a bpm. You need to strategize how to entrap students through music theory, or navigating a DAW, into far bigger truths.
What's the most important thing you've learned from your students?
Can I say hope? I already knew persistence and passion is a requisite. Their hope that these years spent in serious introspection will be met by a caring audience. I’m such a fan of my students, and grateful to be dreaming up with them.
The first time I watched you perform, you played a set alongside violinist Vivek. I had never seen anything like it before. How does an experience like that get come into fruition?
It is all part of the plan(ing). No accident working with incredible studio musicians and discovering on-stage improv abilities. Vivek is such an incredible player and I’m looking for any excuse to work with again.
On September 29th, you're coming back to New York City for the 10-year anniversary of The Light Brigade with Beautiful Machines at Public Records. Attendees can expect "a night of modular synthesis and livecoding"—what exactly does that mean for your set?
I’m doing the unlikely of actually getting into The Light Brigade as a resource of music to be exhumed; by guest guitarist Dylan DelGiudice (no accident introduced by Vivek Menon) and vocalist / producer Cleo Reed (former student at that). Pulling the very acoustic album into digital spaces and letting it ring out a bit. I’ll also be attempting to do my favorite thing of bringing catharsis happy tears to Public Records speakers, much like I attempted in my mix for HEADS KNOW!
>> Purchase tickets here. <<
What can we expect from this mix?
The unlikely! That’s my dancefloor flavor. Catch you off guard? The wish is to give you something you didn’t know was medicine, cure you of what you wouldn’t suspect ailed you.
Which artists, DJs, labels, or collectives should heads know?
The too big music world is ever churning! I’m in awe lately of what NYC is doing with 4/4, trance, and electro. geovariance is the best group out of LA in a while. Bruxaria, epic collage, and the return of beats, all up next! You too! HEADS KNOW is perennially right on time.
Follow Daedelus on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky.
Find out when they'll be in your city next via Resident Advisor.
TRACKLIST
The Flashbulb - Arduino Hammer
KnightTheProducer! - I HAD a DREAM SAD HIPS
Daedelus - Impending DOOM (Rustie Remix)
MatthewDavid - HEROES_ accordian
DJ Sliink & Don Toliver - Attitude 2.0 Ft Charlie Wilson & Cash Cobain (Jersey Club)
shonci & Mc Magrinho - Chegou 3
Sønata - Trust U
Fellsius - Pink
sleepyeyes - throw it away
Sega Bodega - I Need Nothing from You (Oliver Coates Version)
Shopan - Lush Poutine (feat. Rob Araujo)
HomeSick - Hardcore!
5k HD - Don’t Die
The Horn - Quandom
Alizzz - Flex
TToten - Melhor
God.Damn.Chan - lalala (doink)
Daedelus - Baba Yaga
Shut Up & Dance - The Green Man
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Rain (I want a divorce)
JB3 - Forklift
RoddOnnaBeat - Stick Em 2k20
Hamdi & Sammy Virji - Show Me (VIP)
Knxwledge - torn
NOLIFE - UNWANTED
Trends & Boylan - Crack Ya Back
BLVNKSPVCE - Sqoopy
Dj Mariio - Pink Light
Stefan Ringer - VBBQ Fire Roasted
Daphni - Fly Away
Luciano Perrone - Escola de Samba (Pedindo Passagem)
Jimmy Pé - Elare
Exaveyur - Good Times
DJ DEEON - DANCE THE PAIN AWAY
Phonon - 1469
Daedelus & aNTOJE - slammedtacoma (rough)
xaev - DR PEPPER IS THE OLDEST MAJOR SOFT DRINK IN AMERICA
Dj Rashad - Only One (feat. Spinn & Taso)
RUBY - luvletter
illequal - 17
Mei Semones - Tegami
Cocktail Party Effect - Brutalism
Björk - Jóga (Strings & Vocal)
1011 - Scorching Ice
Daedelus - Like Clockwork (Renewed)
Dj Nate - You’re Gonna Love Me
Céilí - Chronic Desire (Bare Chest Remix)
TRAXMAN - FREE (2021) (feat. Robert armani
OBSES - Partir
Pixelord - FX Twin
Syzy - Take my energy!
ilham - uhm…ok
Dj Meredith - bust it back
Daedelus - A Considered Reply (Day 1)
CRZKNY - L
Melo-Zed - Her Winter
quinn - if your phone is leaking then by the time
Daedelus - Baba Yaga (The Breathing Effect Remix)
