Jamie Stevens, a name synonymous with electronic music excellence, emerges as the inaugural Artist of the Month at Electronic Groove. His sonic adventures, spanning over two decades (both with legendary live outfit Infusion and as a solo act), have carved an indelible mark on the world of house and techno. Beyond the beats and melodies, Jamie’s music serves as a vessel, carrying listeners to highly detailed soundscapes that provide the perfect getaway.
Photo Credit: Jamie Stevens – Facebook
In an industry where consistency, quality, and humility often play hide-and-seek, Jamie Stevens stands as a beacon of all three virtues. His unwavering commitment to delivering a unique auditory experience is at the heart of his creative ethos. It’s this very attribute that has propelled him to the forefront of the global progressive house and techno community, making him not just a contributor but a revered role model for aspiring artists.
Jamie’s musical journey traces back to his early days, tinkering with Music Studio and the Amiga. His fascination with a remix of Duran Duran’s ‘Wild Boys’ served as the spark that ignited his passion for club music. As he delved deeper, influences from New Wave, Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis, acid house, and Chicago house shaped his sonic landscape. For Jamie, making music is an art form akin to visual art, where time becomes an additional canvas to explore.
A seminal live act, Infusion embraced Sydney’s thriving early ’90s rave scene, where they gained recognition and secured regular gigs. Their debut single ‘Smokescreen’ earned an ARIA dance award nomination. Joining Thunk Recordings, their 12″ releases like ‘Weekend Favourites’ and ‘Flinch’ EPs’ received international acclaim. Their defining moment came with ‘Spike’, a 12″ release that defined their atmospheric and genre-blending sound, earning praise from DJs like Pete Tong and Sasha.
Subsequent releases like ‘ISBN/On the Outside’ found success on John Digweed’s Radio One show, and their debut album, ‘Phrases & Numbers’ (2000), showcased their diverse talents. In 2004, Infusion released the single ‘Girls Can Be Cruel’ and their second studio album ‘Six Feet Above Yesterday’, which earned them ARIA Awards for Best Dance Release. The band performed their last show back in 2013 alongside Leftfield, with a subsequent “reunion” show in 2019.
Amidst the constant spotlight and allure of stardom, Jamie finds solace in the middle ground. He values the connection between an artist and their audience while retaining an aura of mystique. In a world where the artist often seeks to take center stage as a pop star, Jamie’s focus remains steadfastly on the music and the art it represents. He understands that true art is meant to be felt and interpreted without the need for “plastic” additives, a sentiment that permeates his creations and the way they are presented.
Jamie’s creative process is a delicate dance between inspiration and instinct. While it may not always be an “easy” journey within the realm of creativity, he seeks to harness the elusive state where overthinking gives way to pure instinct. It’s in this pocket of creative freedom that something magical happens, an almost out-of-body experience where the music takes on a life of its own.
Standout solo releases, such as ‘With You’ and ‘The Wonder of You’, and the recent ‘Kanlan’, serve as a testament to Jamie Stevens’ evolution as a sophisticated artist. These compositions, brimming with depth and consistency, showcase his matured musical sensibilities. Collaborations and remixes with the industry’s luminaries have further solidified his status as a musical luminary.
As Jamie Stevens takes the stage as EG’s Artist of the Month, we invite you to immerse yourself in his musical universe. Through his compositions, he invites you on a journey, not just through sound, but through the labyrinth of human emotions and experiences. In a world where music is often a mere backdrop, Jamie’s work stands as a powerful narrative, evidence of the enduring magic of electronic music.
Follow Jamie Stevens: Soundcloud | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram
