ISOxo: 我还只是个孩子，不比任何人出色

ISOxo 是谁？
Who is ISOxo?

对于熟悉他的听众来说，想必无需赘述，这个代号就意味着大写的MAD
For those familiar with him, there is no need for elaboration; this alias simply signifies uppercase MAD

不过，这“疯狂”俨然有别于过去十来年EDM的时代风景，透过它，我们能从中洞察到主流电子舞曲新的风暴，并与当下这个同样不可轻易规范的时代齐头并进。
However, this “madness” is evidently distinct from the EDM landscape of the past decade. Through it, we can gain insight into the new storm of mainstream electronic dance music and advance alongside the current era, which is equally challenging to easily define.

而对于尚未听过其音乐和领略过现场的朋友来说，ISO也绝对值得你即刻列入重点关注对象，我们完全有理由相信两三年间他便会成为巨星。不论是今年实现又一次进化的Skrillex，还是Porter Robinson、Madeon、San Holo、RL Grime、Alison Wonderland、G Jones等一众才华超群的电音明星，都无不赞叹于他的潜能爆发。
For friends who have not yet heard his music or experienced his live performances, ISO is definitely worth your immediate attention. We have every reason to believe that within two or three years, he will become a superstar. Whether it’s Skrillex, who has achieved another evolution this year, or the immensely talented electronic music stars like Porter Robinson, Madeon, San Holo, RL Grime, Alison Wonderland, G Jones, and others, all of them can’t help but admire his explosive potential.

这位圣地亚哥男孩在88rising推出的个人首张专辑《kidsgonemad!》好评如潮，他正在成为另一种现象，引发远超主流视野陷入疯狂，也让某些希望的火种在黑夜中燃起。
The San Diego native’s debut album, ‘kidsgonemad!’, released by 88rising, has received widespread acclaim. He is becoming a phenomenon in his own right, causing a frenzy that transcends mainstream perspectives and igniting sparks of hope in the darkness for some.

▎Mixmag China = M

▎ISOxo = I

M：我们知道过去两个月你除了发布了备受好评个人的首张专辑《kidsgonemad!》，还与Knock 2在Shrine创造了4个无与伦比的夜晚，这一系列的成功会影响着你的音乐策略的走向吗，如何保持在音乐上的个人特色和观众之间连接的平衡？
We are aware that in the past two months, you not only released your highly acclaimed debut album ‘kidsgonemad!’ but also, alongside Knock 2, created four unparalleled nights at the Shrine. Will this series of successes influence the direction of your music strategy, and how do you maintain a balance between your personal musical style and the connection with the audience?

I：最近俩月确实很疯狂。我的专辑《kidsgonemad!》终于实现发行，最终创作成果也令我感到满意，因而获得一阵解脱感，但我不知道业界会有怎样的反应。真的，我很惊讶听众们和我一样热爱这张专辑，毕竟它对我意义非凡。在The Shrine首次将整张专辑演完的感觉很爽，现场观众统统陷入了疯狂。我将永远铭记这一切，但同时我不希望这种暂时的“膨胀”改变我未来的创作方式。说到底，我觉得自己并不比任何人更出色，我也只是个孩子，你懂的。而且，我认为其实这就是平衡我个人追求和观众链接之间的原因。
These last two months were definitely crazy. Finally dropping my album kidsgonemad! felt very relieving to me and I was very in love with what I created, but I didn’t know how the community would feel about it. Genuinely, I was very surprised to see that everyone else shared the same love for the album as much as I did, and that meant so much to me. And playing the album in full for the first time ever at The Shrine felt amazing too, seeing everyone go crazy together. I’ll cherish all of these wins deeply in my heart forever but at the same time I don’t want this temporary ego boost to change the way I make my art. At the end of the day, I see myself no better than anyone else, I’m just a kid ya know. And truthfully, I think that is what balances my personal music style and the connection I have with the audience.

M：你从刚出道时就认识了Knock2，并且结为了音乐上的长期合作伙伴，在音乐上找到品味契合的搭子并不容易，你认为是哪些方面的原因促成你们成为大家眼中的“最佳拍档”？
You’ve met Knock2 since the early days of your career, and you’ve formed a long-term musical partnership. Finding a compatible musical partner isn’t easy. In your opinion, what factors have led to you two being regarded as the ‘perfect duo’ in the eyes of many?

I：我认为人们喜欢的是我与Knock2之间的协同效应，因为我们原本走在两条不同的路径上，但当我们选择合并时，我们的风格却能如此无缝地融合。此外，我认识Richard（Knock2）已经快10年了，我们一起走过了漫长的成长之路，我觉得人们不难发现我们之间胜似兄弟的情谊。ISOKNOCK从来不是一些经过深思熟虑和精心计划的打法套路，只是两个挚友能一起做喜欢的事情。
I think people love the synergy between me and Knock2 because we’re in two different lanes, but when we merge together our styles blend so seamlessly. Also, I’ve known Richard (Knock2) for almost 10 years now, we’ve seen and grown a lot together and I think people can see the genuine brotherhood between us. ISOKNOCK was never some super thought out and calculated industry shit, it’s just two best friends doing what they love.

M：你也曾说过新专辑中与 Ninajirachi 的合作曲《SHYPOP》是与你之前音乐完全不同的作品，你怎样看待和 Ninajirachi 这种前卫流行电子音乐人的合作尝试，以后还会有更多类似的合作吗？
You’ve mentioned before that the track ‘SHYPOP’ with Ninajirachi in your new album is a departure from your previous musical style. How do you perceive collaborations with avant-Pop Electronic musicians like Ninajirachi, and can we expect more similar collaborations in the future?

I：我不会说这是我对自身原有风格的远离，而更像是ISOxo音乐的一种延伸。我一直热爱流行音乐和新时代的前卫流行音乐，感觉Ninajirachi是将流行元素与舞曲融合的领衔艺术家之一。我一直都是她的忠实听众，所以有机会与她合作并向她请教制作方面的问题感觉非常棒。我肯定想要借此机会丰富自己的音乐调色板。
I wouldn’t say departure from my previous music style, but rather an extension of the ISOxo sound. I’ve always loved pop music and the new age avant-Pop and I feel like Ninajirachi is one of the pioneers of artists thats blending that style of music with dance music. I’ve been a fan of her work for a long time so getting to work with her and pick her brain about producing was so sick. I definitely want to expand upon that side of my palette 

M：风格的多样性是你新专辑的特点，你一般会在哪些音乐风格汲取灵感以及哪些音乐人影响了你的音乐制作生涯?
The diversity of styles is a characteristic of your new album. In which music genres do you usually draw inspiration, and which musicians have influenced your music production career?

I：正如我之前提到的，我确实从前卫流行音乐(Avant-pop/Hyperpop)中获得了很多灵感，但最近嘻哈对我的音乐产生了巨大的影响，尤其是新时代的地下嘻哈音乐。像Ken Carson、Destroy Lonely和Bladee这样的艺术家一直是我tracklist中的常客; 而像f1lthy、Starboy、Art Dealer、White Armor等制作人在这个领域都是天才。我特别喜欢在嘻哈制作中融入电子舞曲风格的合成器。
Like I mentioned earlier I do take a lot of inspiration from avant-pop, but recently hip hop has been a huge inspiration on my sound, especially the new age underground of hip hop. Artists like Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and Bladee have been on rotation for me for a while. Producers like f1lthy, Starboy, Art Dealer, White Armor, etc are geniuses in that lane. I just love the incorporation of EDM style synths in hip hop production.

M：所以多样性就是正解么，如何做到让自己的音乐真正避免同质化？
How to keep your music consistently fresh and avoid homogeneous?

I：实话说，我尽量不过于深思熟虑这个问题。当然，我希望能够保持创新，但我觉得过于强调这一点也会阻碍创造力。对我最有帮助的是纯粹出于乐趣随心创作的音乐，我觉得创造力的魔力在于激情，而不是过于算计什么以图标新立异。
Honestly, I try not to think too hard about that. Of course I want to be innovative and fresh but I feel like having that mindset blocks a lot of creativity. What helps me the most is just freely making music out of pure fun. I feel like the magic of creativity lies in the passion, not heavily calculating what will sound the most different.

M：你曾形容自己作为DJ演出时就像一个在施法的巫师，想必不少注重SET个性和创意的DJ都对你的比喻颇有感触。想借这个话题问问你觉得如今DJ这个角色是否已随时代发展产生了巨大变化？
You’ve described yourself as a wizard casting spells when performing as a DJ, and I imagine many DJs who emphasize individuality and creativity resonate with your metaphor. So do you believe that the role of a DJ has undergone significant changes with the evolution of the times?

I：那是我当时突发奇想的一种对我来说很形象的描述，看到其他人对此也有共鸣的感觉很棒。我正在阅读Rick Ruben的有关创意的书，他提到艺术和思想来源于超自然，就像魔法一样。我觉得这说得很有道理，这样思考很有趣。如今DJ这一角色属性的确正在发生着显著的变化。
It’s funny you mention that because that was just a random thought I had that made a lot of sense for me, it’s cool to see others feel the same way. I was reading Rick Ruben’s book about creativity and he mentions that art and ideas are derived from the supernatural, like magic. And I think that makes so much sense, it’s cool to think about.
I could honestly write a whole essay about that question, but yes I do think that the role of a DJ is definitely changing.

M：预测一下短期未来呗，DJ是否会对乐坛潮流风向产生更强的影响力？
In the short-term future, will DJs have a stronger influence on the trends and direction of the music scene?

I：我坚信是的！尤其随着社交媒体指数级增长这影响就更强且更深了。说实话，我可以写一篇文章来探讨这个问题哈哈
100% yes, especially with the exponential rise of social media. That could relate back to the previous question, I could write a whole essay about it hahaha.

M：怎么想到 NIGHTREALM 这个巡演名称的，它代表什么意思？
How did you come up with the tour name NIGHTREALM, and what does it signify？

I：Nightrealm was the name of my first EP and at that time I was really inspired by escapism and fantasy, and I feel like the word “Nightrealm” encapsulates that feeling.

M：《kidsgonemad!》是你与 88rising 合作的第一张专辑，这个专注亚裔音乐人的厂牌在东亚和东南亚有着巨大影响力，有没有认识的中国电子音乐人呢？
<kidsgonemad!> is your first collab with 88rising, this label focuses on Asian musicians and has a significant influence in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It includes artists from China, such as Akini Jing and LimboLimbs. Have you been paying attention to electronic musicians from China?

I：我相当确信在我关注和了解的音乐艺术家中有一部分来自中国，不过突然问起来一时想不出具体的名字。不过我希望有人能向我介绍更多值得关注的中国艺术家
I’m pretty sure I know a handful of artists that are Chinese, but off the top of my head I can’t name any right now. But please put me on to more Chinese artists.

M：电子音乐方面，比如朱婧汐和LimboLimbs 就是同样签约于88rising的华人音乐人哦~未来会尝试和中国的艺术家们一起合作吗？
Will you consider collaborating with artists from China in the future?

I：只要有机会和对方碰撞出灵感的共鸣，我想一定会的！
Of course, as long as I have a genuine connection with the other person.

M：今年 Madeon 和 San Holo共同来到中国演出，并在中国本土电音节VAC第二天的B2B中，打出多首来自你的作品，这事儿你知道吗？有什么感想？(其实中国应该有很多你的潜在受众)
Did you know that Madeon and San Holo played several of your tracks during their B2B performance on Day 2 of the VAC electronic music festival this year? What are your thoughts on this? (We guess there should be many potential fans of yours in China, actually.)

I：哦是嘛，很惊喜！我知道他们在中国B2B了，但我不知道他们也放了我的音乐，真是太酷了。在我十几岁的时候，我非常仰慕他们两位，他们对我如此支持感觉有点超乎想象。
Oh sick! I saw that they did that but I didn’t know they played my music, that’s so cool. I’ve looked up to both of them a lot when I was a teenager and it’s so cool to see the support, it feels surreal.

@魔法猫咪: 2023年对全球电子音乐可能是具有意义特殊的一年，可以从你个人角度推荐几张最能打动你的专辑吗？

In 2023, it could be a particularly significant year for global electronic
music scene. From your personal perspective, can you recommend
several albums that have impressed you the most?

I：

Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You
Skrillex – Quest For Fire
Ken Carson – A Great Chaos
Troye Sivan – Something To Give Each Other

@魔法猫咪: 你觉得目前哪些艺人暂时被严重低估了 (指实力远大于名气)？
Which artists do you think are currently seriously underrated? (which
means their skill level surpasses their level of fame)

I：毫无疑问，我要首推RemK、FrostTop、Aleko和Dryden这几位老伙计，并向他们致敬。他们都凭借自己独特的音乐为自己铺平道路。我也从他们身上学到很多，如果没有他们的友谊，我真的无法走到今天。
I gotta put on my boys RemK, Frosttop, Aleko, and Dryden. They’re paving their own lanes with their music and have their own unique sounds. I learn a lot from them too and I really wouldn’t be there without their friendship.

@柳夜幸音: 给 Skrillex 的歌做母带工程这桩合作体验如何？
How was the experience of mastering Skrillex’s song ‘Good Space’?

I：说实话，一开始接到《Good Space》这首歌的合作确实具有挑战性，因为我怎么可能让一首Skrillex的歌听起来比Skrillex自己的版本更好呢？他发给我的未经母带处理的版本已经听起来令人难以置信了。在我进行母带的过程中，他告诉我要按照我自己制作音乐的方式来混音和母带处理这首歌。这让我充满信心，毕竟他找我合作母带肯定是看重我自己的混母方式和风格。
Honestly, at first it was pretty challenging at first because how was I supposed to make a Skrillex song sound better than Skrillex himself. The version he sent me that wasn’t mastered sounded incredible already. And as I was working on it we had and he told me to mix and master the song how I would do my own music. That gave me a lot of confidence in working on the mix, I mean after all he did approach me to master the song, it would make sense for him wanting me to mix and master Good Space in my own style.