Through the incorporation of heavy industrial beats, glitchy abstract percussion, laced with evocative melodies; Charles Oliver‘s eclectic DJ style and dynamic production continues to turn heads from artists such as Jon Hopkins, Max Cooper, HAAi, Rebūke, Laurent Garnier, and more.
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Charles Oliver brings an evident commitment to producing big dance records, and 2023 sees this emerging artist celebrate the launch of his debut album ‘A Glimpse from the Other Side’ with multiple tour dates locked in. Expect big name remixes, collaborations and a brand new live show to follow.
Oliver’s DJ sets, like his productions, are filled with high energy, hypnotic progression and epic soundscapes, which has seen him perform in front of thousands at many Australian Festivals such as Rainbow Serpent Festival, Bohemian Beat Freaks, and Babylon Festival, along with performances at renowned Australia nightclubs such as Revolver Upstairs, My Aeon, and more.
Charles Oliver will launch his debut album ‘A Glimpse from the Other Side’ on Fri 19th May 2023 in Melbourne at ATET.
Balance Selections 247: Charles Oliver
Tracklisting:
1. Drumcell – Empathy Box (Hypoxia Mix)
2. Lurka – Rhythm Hi-Tek
3. Nathan Micay – Tuning The Strings
4. Cameo Blush – Don’t
5. Special Request – Shepperton Moon Landing
6. Kincaid – Entrance
7. Dave DK – Saida 222
8. SAVE! – The Light (Marc Pinol Remix)
9. Shed – Keep Time
10. Mariel Ito – Kepler 186B
11. Architectural – Life After Death (Alternative Version)
12. Mastiksoul – Calanga
13. Robag Wruhme – Wuzzelbud FF
14. Charles Oliver – Articulation
15. Charles Oliver – Formulate
16. Unknown Mobile – Clocktower
17. Agoria – Helice
18. Charles Oliver – Fortify
19. Max Cooper – Perpetual Motion (Charles Oliver Unofficial Remix)
20. WhoMadeWho – Never Alone (Patrice Bäumel Remix)
21. Peter Van Hoesen – Opal Balance
22. Jon Hopkins, ANNA – Deep In The Glowing Heart (Night Version)
23. Moderat – NEON RATS
24. Charles Oliver – A Glimpse From The Other Side
Balance Selections Q+A
Name: Trenton Smith
Location: Melbourne (Naarm), Australia
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Alias/Producer name: Charles Oliver
Labels affiliated with: Art vs Sound, Compatible Music, Stone Seed, Recovery Collective
My last 3 releases:
Charles Oliver – A Glimpse From The Other Side
Charles Oliver – Charisma
Charles Oliver – Street Fighter
What music did you listen to as a child?
When I was a kid I became super fascinated by all things rhythmic. I tried playing the drums, and even amateur-beatboxing at some point (a little embarrassing). Wasn’t the best at either of them to be honest but I had a tonne of ideas I needed to incorporate musically one day. I became a massive drum & bass head from about age 12. At that age, D’n’B was mainly associated in video games and movies for me, I loved the intensity and feeling it provoked, only later in my teens finding out it was music for the rave. It’s influenced my current techno/electronica sounds heavily.
When was the first time that you realised that you liked electronic music?
Definitely hearing drum & bass! More particularly a track called ‘Vault‘ by Pendulum. It hooked me immensely. Soon after I found Noisia, who were a big inspiration to me on crafting super intelligent sound design in complex dance music. I was/still am so impressed by their technicality and creativity!
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
Actually Noisia @ Melbourne’s Brown Alley believe it or not – though I will admit I may have snuck in underage pretending to be a ‘lighting’ guy. I had absolutely no idea about lights. But, I absolutely could not avoid seeing my favourite dance music trio perform live in Melbourne at the sweet age of 16. As you can imagine it was a pretty special first clubbing experience that was hard to compete with years to come!
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
Aside from those D’n’B artists – I’m a huge fan of Jon Hopkins, Max Cooper, Throwing Snow, Otik, Patrice Baumel. Some of those I’ve included in my mix. Any artist that confidently ‘breaks’ traditional genres utilizing their own unique artistic edge I have huge respect for.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
Aside from my debut album I just released 2 weeks ago – I came across Adult Art Club’s debut album around a similar time. My god is it good. Melbourne duo, making some really interesting alternative techno & electronica. Really love the sounds they’re bringing out. Feels refreshing, refined and super up my alley.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
Monitor wise I have Adam A77X’s; I’ve trusted these babies for 6yrs now. For synths I have a few Moogs – particularly my favourite is the DFAM. I don’t actually use the DFAM for its intention of percussion though, mainly for making wack basslines! Other things: Roland SE-02 (super underrated), DeepMind12 and a MicroFreak. I craft majority of my sounds in the box, but I like to add some weird unpredictable analog stuff for some elements here or there.
As for DJ’ing, 3 x CDJ’s do it for me. Though I’ve started curating my first ever live-electronic set which I’m excited to showcase soon…
What releases do you have on the horizon?
Over the next 6 months I’ll be releasing a few remixes from my debut LP incl. some from a few super talented Aussie locals, plus an amazing German trio. More info on that later. Otherwise, I’m working on a remix for quite a well-known prog-bush-tech artist at the moment, along with some drum-programming for a big inspiration of mine. Lots I can’t talk about just yet!
Where can we hear you perform?
Next week (Friday May 19th) I’m stoked to be celebrating my debut album launch party @ ATET, Docklands. ATET is one of my favourite new venues in Melbourne so it should be really fun. Free entry too!
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
I curated this mix taking inspiration from my recent debut album titled ‘A Glimpse From The Other Side’. The mix begins with some slower bass-heavy electronica sounds, later transporting into a more eclectic techno & house territory. I’ve included a few originals in here, along with an exclusive first play of an unofficial remix I made for a big inspiration of mine.
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
Micronaut – Archery (Nathan Fake Remix)
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
Daniel Joshua – Hivemind (Charles Oliver Remix)
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Pendulum – Vault
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
Tenet (literally anything Christopher Nolan)
My favourite TV show:
Video games for me – I’m just about to finish Quantum Break. Time-bending matrix mode. It’s class. It also features a ‘built in’ TV show. Highly recommend.
