What So Not Explained

What So Not
Landscape:yes
Origin:Sydney
Years Active:2010–present
Current Members:Christopher Emerson
Past Members:Harley Streten

What So Not is an electronic music project by Australian record producer Emoh Instead (stage name of Christopher John Emerson). What So Not has toured the world, playing in various festivals, including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Pukkelpop, Ultra Music Festival and Lollapalooza. What So Not is best known for his hits such as Innerbloom (What So Not Remix) (by RÜFÜS DU SOL),"Gemini" (featuring George Maple), "Jaguar", "High You Are" and "Tell Me" (with RL Grime). He has featured on charts such as the Australian Singles Chart, Triple J Hottest 100, and USA iTunes Dance Album chart. He released his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things on 9 March 2018.

History

2010–2017: Career beginnings

What So Not started as a project between record producer Emoh Instead and Flume.[1] On 13 November 2011, What So Not released their debut EP, 7 Dollar Bill.[2] During this time, they had released several remixes of artists such as Peking Duk, Tom Piper, and Major Lazer,.[3] [4] In early 2013, they embarked on the Massive Universe Tour, in several venues across Australia.[5] On 28 May 2013, they released their second EP, The Quack, featuring a collaboration with Action Bronson on label Owsla.[6]

The duo released the song, "Jaguar" on 6 December 2013.[7] [8]

On 24 June 2014, What So Not and RL Grime released their single, "Tell Me", with Chris Martins from Spin describing the track as "of both melodic might and percussive ferocity".[9]

In February 2015, Flume announced his departure from What So Not, citing that he and Emoh Instead had been moving in different creative directions, and stated that the upcoming Gemini EP would be What So Not's last release as a duo.[10] "Gemini" featuring George Maple, the first track from the EP, debuted on 9 May 2015.[11] The track was named on Triple J Hottest 100 later that year and peaked at number 52 on the Australian Singles Chart.[12]

Gemini was released as a free download on 18 December 2015, which featured collaborations with artists Dillon Francis, Tunji Ige and KLP (musician).[13] [14] The EP was downloaded over 800,000 times, charted globally on iTunes Electronic EP chart and was named to various year-end "best of" lists.

In November 2015, What So Not, Baauer and George Maple co-produced a track for Australian rapper Tkay Maidza, titled "Ghost".[15] The song was premiered on Triple J. On 9 September 2016, What So Not released his first EP as a solo artist, Divide & Conquer, which included previously released track "Lone".[16]

In October 2016, What So Not, George Maple and Djemba Djemba co-produced a track on Australian rapper Tkay Maidza's debut album, titled "Afterglow".[17]

On 3 November 2016, RL Grime released the single "Waiting" in collaboration with What So Not and Skrillex which was in production since 2013.[18] The track's release was teased through a promotional video which parodied chat-line advertisements and featured footage of 1980-era-influenced vixens with a phone number flashing across the screen, where by calling the number listeners can hear the song in full.[19]

A collaboration between What So Not and New York artist LPX, "Better", was released on 8 September 2017;[20] and was debuted on Australian Radio Station Triple J on 7 September 2017. "I had a few productions I'd been working on in this sonic field but struggled to find a vocalist with the right attitude and tone to fit. Lizzy and I clicked instantly on this trajectory & began jamming on the tune," stated What So Not about the track's production. He released "Be Ok Again" which featured Australian musician Daniel Johns on 28 November 2017.[21] The track was produced after Johns noticed What So Not working with Slumberjack as he walked by the studio, which prompted him to invite What So Not to work together at his Newcastle studio.

2018–2020: Not All the Beautiful Things

On 31 January 2018, What So Not announced the arrival of his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things which was released on 9 March 2018.[22] [23] [24] The album featured collaborations with several artists, including Skrillex, Slumberjack, San Holo, and American rock band Toto.[25] Together with the announcement, he released lead album single "Stuck In Orbit" which was co-produced with Jono Ma from Australian psychedelic dance band Jagwar Ma.[26] What So Not released a third album single titled "Beautiful", a collaboration with Swedish singer/songwriter Winona Oak,[27] on 27 February 2018 and announced a national Australia tour for his "Beautiful Things' World Tour" where he visited cities Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in June 2018.[28]

What So Not's first single of 2019, "We Can Be Friends" featuring American singer Herizen, was released on 22 January 2019.[29] He previously met the singer at a songwriting workshop in Nicaragua, while citing American record producer and rapper J Dilla as the track's main inspiration.[30]

On 6 February 2020, What So Not announced he was "taking a break", stating "I want to pull myself out of the 'routine' of it all and make sure everything I do is 110%."[31] followed by radio silence on his social media.

2021–present: Anomaly

On 8 January 2021, What So Not returned from hiatus with a remix for Run The Jewels featuring Pharrell Williams and Zack de la Rocha stating "I was honored to get the nod to put this record out, not only with RTJ, but also my childhood heroes Zack and Pharrell."[32]

In April 2021 What So Not announced a "new era" and subsequently release of "The Change" featuring DMA's.[33] NME said "The track channels the Manchester influences of DMA'S 2020 record 'The Glow', but flips the balance of rock and dance to the latter, aping an Underworld-style rave."[34]

Discography

See main article: What So Not discography.

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.|-| 2019|"Beautiful" (featuring Winona Oak)| Best Independent Dance, Electronica Or Club Single| | [35] |-

Environmental Music Prize

The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.[36] ! |-| 2022| "Messin' Me Up" (featuring Evan Giia)| Environmental Music Prize| | [37] |-

Queensland Music Awards

The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.

(wins only)! |-! scope="row"| 2022| "Every Single Time" Example featuring What So Not & Lucy Lucy| Video of the Year| | [38] |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What So Not - Biography & History . . 2018-02-22 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222102928/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/what-so-not-mn0002980109/biography . 2018-02-22 .
  2. Web site: 7 Dollar Bill EP by What So Not . . 17 December 2011 . 2018-02-22 .
  3. Web site: I Love to Rap - What So Not Remix by Peking DuK, Panama Black on Beatport . . 2018-02-22.
  4. Web site: Major Lazer – Get Free ft. Amber (What So Not Remix) . Howe . Dave . 2012-04-22 . inthemix . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222103631/http://inthemix.junkee.com/major-lazer-get-free-ft-amber-what-so-not-remix/16705 . 2018-02-22 . dead . 2018-02-22.
  5. Web site: What So Not: "When we started the project the scene was the absolute worst it got to" . Cunningham . Katie . 2013-08-29 . inthemix . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222104944/http://inthemix.junkee.com/what-so-not-when-we-started-the-project-the-scene-was-the-absolute-worst-it-got-to/20596 . 2018-02-22 . dead . 2018-02-22.
  6. Web site: The Quack - Single by What So Not on Apple Music . . 21 June 2013 . 2018-02-22 .
  7. Web site: What So Not Release New Song 'Jaguar'. moshtix. moshtix Pty Ltd. 9 February 2015. Sarah Bella. 29 November 2013.
  8. Web site: Flume's What So Not Returns with 'Jaguar'. TheMusic.com.au. Street Press Australia Pty Ltd. 9 February 2015. 28 November 2013.
  9. Web site: Destroy Your Speakers With RL Grime and What So Not's 'Tell Me' . Martins . Chris . 2014-03-07 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160416133154/https://www.spin.com/2014/03/rl-grime-what-so-not-tell-me-stream-flume-emoh/ . 2016-04-16 . live . 2018-02-22.
  10. Web site: Flume Has Officially Left What So Not . 23 February 2015 .
  11. Web site: "Gemini" Is the First of the Last From Flume & Emoh as What So Not . NestHQ . 2018-02-22 .
  12. Web site: ARIA Singles: Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth Are Still No 1. Noise11. Ryan. Gavin. 9 May 2015. 9 May 2015.
  13. Web site: What So Not give away long-awaited 'Gemini' EP, includes final selection of Flume production . Mccarthy . Wll . 2015-12-17 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20170515213610/http://www.dancingastronaut.com/2015/12/release-long-awaited-gemini-ep-includes-final-selection-flume-production/ . 2017-05-15 . live . 2018-02-22.
  14. Web site: What So Not's Gemini Ep Is Finally Here, and It Slays . Rubinstein . Peter . 2015-12-17 . Your EDM . https://web.archive.org/web/20170821185055/http://www.youredm.com/2015/12/17/what-so-nots-gemini-ep-is-finally-here-and-it-slays/ . 2017-08-21 . live . 2018-02-23.
  15. Web site: Hear Tkay Maidza's new track with Baauer, What So Not and George Maple . Jarvis . Nick . 2015-11-17 . inthemix . https://web.archive.org/web/20180223090908/http://inthemix.junkee.com/hear-tkay-maidzas-new-track-with-baauer-what-so-not-and-george-maple/133735 . 2018-02-23 . dead . 2018-02-23.
  16. Hear a Solo-Emoh Sound on What So Not's 'Divide and Conquer' EP . Bein . Kat . 2016-09-09 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201045140/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7503508/what-so-not-divide-and-conquer-ep . 2016-12-01 . live . 2018-02-23.
  17. Web site: Afterglow - Tkay Maidza Song Info AllMusic. AllMusic. 2018-03-06.
  18. Web site: Songs We Love: RL Grime, What So Not And Skrillex, 'Waiting' . Buerger . Megan . 2016-11-03 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20170728214302/https://www.npr.org/2016/11/03/500501045/songs-we-love-rl-grime-what-so-not-and-skrillex-waiting . 2017-07-28 . live . 2018-02-23.
  19. Web site: RL Grime, What So Not and Skrillex share 'Waiting' teaser ahead of release this week . McCarthy . Will . 2016-11-01 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20161229020330/http://www.dancingastronaut.com/2016/11/skrillex-rl-grime-what-so-not-collaboration-teaser/ . 2016-12-29 . live . 2018-02-23.
  20. Web site: What So Not Releases Powerful New Single, "Better" Featuring LPX . Bonavoglia . Brian . 2017-09-08 . DJ Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20180223093334/http://djtimes.com/not-releases-powerful-new-better-featuring-lpx/ . 2018-02-23 . live . 2018-02-23.
  21. Web site: First Spin: What So Not and Daniel Johns team up for 'Be Ok Again' . Newstead . Al . 2017-11-28 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180227105620/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/first-spin-what-so-not-and-daniel-johns-team-up-on-be-ok-again/9200046 . 2018-02-27 . live . 2018-02-27.
  22. Web site: What So Not Announces Debut Album 'Not All the Beautiful Things' . Lee . Valerie . 2018-01-31 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206105155/http://mixmag.net/read/what-so-not-announces-debut-album-not-all-the-beautiful-things-news . 2018-02-06 . live . 2018-02-06.
  23. Web site: What So Not Discusses New Album and Working with Toto and Skrillex . Kocay . Lisa . 2018-03-09 . . 2018-03-10.
  24. Web site: Not All the Beautiful Things by What So Not on Apple Music . . 9 March 2018 . 2018-03-10 .
  25. Web site: What So Not's Debut Album Not All the Beautiful Things . Wiedenman . Ian . 2018-03-09 . SoundGrail . 2018-03-19.
  26. What So Not Teases Debut Album With Single 'Stuck in Orbit': Exclusive . Bein . Kat . 2018-01-30 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206110231/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8097254/what-so-not-stuck-in-orbit-album-exclusive . 2018-02-06 . live . 2018-02-27.
  27. Web site: What So Not Introduces Winona Oak With "Beautiful" . 2018-02-27 . NYLON . en . 27 August 2019.
  28. Web site: What So Not Announces Aussie Leg Of 'Beautiful Things' World Tour . the music.au . 2018-02-27.
  29. What So Not & Herizen Hit Lofty Future Moods On 'We Can Be Friends': Listen . Bein . Kat . 2019-01-22 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190123120700/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8494370/what-so-not-herizen-we-can-be-friends . 2019-01-23 . 2019-02-02.
  30. Web site: What So Not drops new standout collab 'We Can Be Friends' with Herizen . Powell . Karlie . 2019-01-22 . Your EDM . https://web.archive.org/web/20190202172520/https://www.youredm.com/2019/01/22/what-so-not-we-can-be-friends-herizen-listen/ . 2019-02-02 . 2019-02-03.
  31. Web site: What So Not announces a slew of shows before indefinite hiatus . Ziwei . Puah . . 7 February 2020 .
  32. Web site: What So Not Shares Official Remix of Run The Jewels' 'JU$T'. JENKE . TYLER . 8 January 2021 .
  33. Web site: Meadow . Matthew . 2021-04-28 . What So Not Enters A New Era With DMA'S Collaboration, "The Change" [LISTEN] ]. 2022-06-04 . Your EDM . en-US.
  34. Web site: Hear What So Not and DMA'S team up on rave single 'The Change' . Martin . Josh. . 28 April 2021 .
  35. Web site: 2019 AIR Awards Nominees. 28 March 2019 . 20 August 2020.
  36. Web site: Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song. The Music Network. May 2022. 22 June 2022.
  37. Web site: Prize. Environmental Music Prize. 22 June 2022.
  38. Web site: 2022 Queensland Music Awards Winners. Scenestr. 29 March 2022. 31 March 2022.

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