by Today’s guest mix is a wild ride from Columbus-based producer Subtle. I often find myself writing about minimalist producers but today is a different foray into gritty, grungy beats inspired by drum and bass and hip-hop. Perhaps the best word for his style is “crunchy,” a la Noisia or tsuruda. With support from Wavecraft Collective, WTF’s That Sound, and Conscious Electronic (among others), Subtle has been steadily making waves in the Great Lakes region for the last five years as his popularity continues to grow.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Subtle in person. Trust me when I say that he’s a real treat with a deep passion for his music. It’s always neat to see someone from your area start to blow up and he’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Be sure to check him out live if you’re able, and now let’s hear what he has to say!
What’s your musical background like? Are you classically-trained or self-taught?
I’m self-taught mainly. In college, I was going to school for business. I started producing first and then DJing shortly after. Prior to that, I tried to rap in high school. It wasn’t any good, but I got experience with programs like audacity and was always a huge fan of hip-hop before getting into electronic music. Lots of hours on YouTube and a short run in the producer dojo during my first year of college. During that time I dropped out of school and continued to produce while I got involved with the local scene of Columbus, OH.
How did you decide on your producer name?
Subtle is kind of a description and contradiction of the art I create. While I love for my art to be thoughtful meticulous, and discrete. I love huge abrasive sounds that smack listeners in the face and fit when they sometimes shouldn’t. Precision, beauty and chaos.
While I love for my art to be thoughtful meticulous, and discrete. I love huge abrasive sounds that smack listeners in the face and fit when they sometimes shouldn’t.
I don’t think we often get to speak with producers from the Great Lakes region as it seems a lot of producers prefer to move to LA, Denver, NYC, etc. How do you feel about the scene around your area and its prospects for the future?
The Midwest doesn’t get that much love, but here in Columbus, Ohio we have a really dope community with groups like Sidestage Collective, Re:Charge, and many more putting on sick events every week. As Columbus grows, I see the music scene here prospering and only going up with it along with events like Lost Lands, and Secret Dreams doing wonders for our local scene.
Where does your free time go outside of music?
I work a day job, and try to stay as active as possible since many hours are spent in front of a computer. I like to spend as much time with my family as possible since we all live busy lives. Always played a lot of video games. Right now I play a lot of Valorant, but honestly I suck lmaoo. Will always be an Old School Runescape stan.
Do you prefer to freestyle your live sets or plan them out?
I typically plan sets out, but with room for improv. I love starting with a dark and eerie vibe and building anticipation and tension by raising the tempo throughout the set. There’s a certain sound of course that I like to keep, while hitting various music styles that have similar, but intricate harmonics and sound selection.
Who are some underground producers you think we should be listening to?
Aeded, and Pipe Leak are two Columbus based producers who I think are criminally underrated. Both are incredibly talented musicians. I also would be remiss not to mention everyone on the Wavecraft team which is a long list of insane tastemakers that deserve all the recognition in the world.
What’s your favorite track that you’ve ever released?
Easily ‘Watch This’ with my good friend Lavier. The track ended up doing so well, and created memories with a homie that I’ll never forget.
Tell us how you got involved with Wavecraft Collective.
Before joining the roster, I was a huge fan of them and artists involved like Fryar, and Houman. I had the opportunity of releasing my first EP with them just a few months prior to them taking on a new team of artists and just like that at the right place at the right time.
Any big plans in the works as far as new releases, festivals, etc.?
Definitely. I had to take a big hiatus due to health problems the last two years. Recently, I played support with Visages in my hometown which was so sick. I’m hoping to lock in and hit 2025 hard, releasing consistently and finishing some projects I have in the works. As for the next time someone can see me perform you can catch me at Building 6 in Detroit, MI December 14th playing support for Barclay Crenshaw.
I wasn’t really sure where my new roads were going to lead, but I know that’s for me to decide and I just want to put out music to the world and see where it leads while taking care of myself so I can be there for the people in my life.
Piggy-backing off the last question, where do you see yourself in five years?
Like I mentioned, the health issues were pretty scary at first. So I wasn’t really sure where my new roads were going to lead, but I know that’s for me to decide and I just want to put out music to the world and see where it leads while taking care of myself so I can be there for the people in my life.
If you could collab with any name of your choosing, who would it be?
ANY??? I don’t think I could choose one so I’ll give you three. Chee, The Caracal Project, and Imanu.
These three artists have been such a huge inspiration to my project and taste in music. All 3 provide such complex story writing within their composition it’s honestly incredible.
Tracklist
1. Nomer & Subtle – Encryption
2. Subtle – ID
3. Subtle – ID
4. Subtle – ID
5. The Caracal Project and skylark and lameduza – Quick of Breath
6. Nik P – Graveyard Shift
7. Subtle – ID
8. Phydra & Thew – ID
9. Sharks – watching everything burn right in front of me…
10. Lavier & Subtle – Watch This VIP
11. J.I.D – Raydar (Ewox Bootleg)
12. Subtle – ID
13. vex – tens
14. Subtle – ID x Lil Baby – U-Digg
15. Saka – Ichiban
16. Skrillex, Joker, and Sleepnet – Tears (Avante Remix)
17. Mirror Maze – Hold On
18. Subtle – ID
19. Current Value & Dauntless – Toyko Drift
20. Imanu – Reminiscing
