Statik Link

Statik Link
Born Joshua Andres
Josh Andres (1987-01-03) January 3, 1987
Josh Andres Zanesville, Ohio, United States
Other names Statik Link
Occupation DJ, Producer, Songwriter
Years active 2011 – Present


Josh Andres, better known by his stage name Statik Link, is an American DJ, music producer, and songwriter. Statik Link writes songs in the EDM subgenre of Bass Music (Future Bass, Trap, Dubstep, and Twerk). The music has been classified as an electro-funk sound.

Statik Link was a electronic duo, until recently. On December 2nd, 2016, Statik Link announced via their Facebook page that long time member Dan Dwyer was leaving the group.

Early career

Josh Andres, originally a hip-hop producer under the moniker Avalanche, made the change to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) in 2011. During his career in hip-hop, he produced for notable artists such as Emilio Rojas, D-Black, Big J Tha White Wonder, and worked closely with Grammy nominated engineer Ariel Borujow. During his career in hip-hop, Josh meant EDM DJ/Producer MING (DIM MAK/Mau5trap/Hood Famous) through a mutual producer while working on a project at New York City recording studio Stadium Red. Josh developed a business partnership with Ming (DJ), which involved shopping musical works to commercial television companies. It was during a meeting in 2011 that MING introduced Josh to EDM Bass Music. In an interview with Urban Hit Promotions Magazine Josh is quoted “I thought Electronic Music was only Techno and House, which I respected, but was never a big fan of.” [2] Josh goes on to say that MING's introduction to Dubstep was the moment that Josh made the switch from hip-hop production to EDM resulting in the creation of Statik Link.

Career in EDM: The beginning of dubstep

Beginning in 2012, Josh began work on Statik Link’s first project “Statik Link The EP.” The album, primarily a Dubstep production, was an experimental album fusing Josh’s hip-hop background with the new found Statik Link electronic bass music sound. The album posted sales numbers that resulted in an iTunes top 200 [3]. Josh continued on the success of the EP releasing two successful underground Dubstep remixes of Stafford Brothers hit single “Hello” Ft Lil Wayne and Christina Milian and Zedd single “Spectrum.” Each of these singles were successful, charting on DJ pools throughout the world. While beginning to build his successful Dubstep career, he wouldn’t developed the known Statik Link sound until a trip to Chicago that would result in the movement from Dubstep to Trap/Moombahton that would define his career.

Career in EDM: Trap music

In 2012 during a tour stop in Chicago promoting “Statik Link The EP,” Josh was introduced to Trap Music. Trap Music, primarily known for its hip-hop roots, consists of Electro sounding instruments, vocal samples and hip-hop drums. Fascinated with the sound of Trap Music, Josh began work on Statik Link’s new project concentrating primarily on the growing EDM trend of Trap Music. Using the hip-hop sound that he was well respected for during his hip-hop days, Josh would string together a hit of Trap Music remixes leading up to his debut release. While working on Statik Link’s debut Trap EP, Josh released tracks that experienced major success. His first trap remix of Zomboy’s “Here To Stay” was critically acclaimed. The remix resulted in a top Trap Remix title being award to Statik Link for May 2013 by DJCity.com, the most popular DJ Pool in the USA [4]. The remix of "Here To Stay" was followed up with the success of Statik Link's remix of Kaskade's single "Atmosphere" which went viral over the internet resulting in a top hit among Kaskade Trap Remixes across the Internet. Josh continued to work on Statik Link’s debut Trap EP while touring the US. While working on his debut EP, Josh stayed in contact with MING. Upon completion of the EP, Josh submitted the work to Hood Famous Music, MING’s label imprint. During this time, MING had been experiencing major success with his debut release on DIM MAK, King Kong The EP. MING had also begun production in Trap Music. His work resulted in two Top 10 Beatport charting singles (“Rock”, by Paul Mendez at #2 and “Colossal” by Fortune Cookie at #5 on the Beatport Hip Hop charts). Impressed by one of the productions on the album Josh had submitted, MING partnered with Statik Link to produce the anthem “Block Party” ft Moxiie. The critically acclaimed single experienced much success resulting in a Top 100 post on iTunes and a top 10 post on Beatport.

Excited with the success of “Block Party” Josh formed his own label Imprint “Statik Link Music” in the summer of 2013. The 1st release, “Ounce Of Dat” was released as a Beatport exclusive on Sept 3rd 2013 [7]. The album was an experimental fusion of Hip-Hop and EDM. The album featured 3 original works with the return of Big J Tha White Wonder, one of the artists Josh had worked with in his earlier hip-hop career. This recording, titled Faded, posted a top 10 hit on DJCity.com as well as a Top 25 hit on Beatport. The title original work “Ounce Of Dat” also experience critically acclaimed success resulting in a Top 10 on Beatport’s Hip-Hop charts. The 3rd and final track on the EP, titled "Bam Bam!", experienced mainstream radio success receiving airplay on many radio stations across the US including historic Hip-Hop radio station "Power 106" located in LA [6].

Current career

Statik Link continues to grow the label “Statik Link Music” and work on their EP titled "Renaissance" scheduled for a first quarter 2016 release.

Major label dDebut: Sony Music Australia release

Statik Link released their 1st major label remix of Australian recording artist Bonny Anderson for Sony Music in 2014 [8]. The remix was featured on Australian artist Bonnie Anderson (singer)'s EP "Blackout."

Partnership with Dirty Duck Audio

In August 2014, Statik Link signed with Bass Music label "Dirty Duck Audio." Dirty Duck Audio, known for their work with UK Trap artist Gold Top, released Statik Link's 3 track EP on September 8, 2014 via Beatport exclusive. The EP contains 3 new original works titled "Clap When She Walkin," "Get Down (Dat Azz)," and "Xposed Ft Big J Tha White Wonder." The EP featured Big J Tha White Wonder who also frequents Statik Link's original productions. The EP was critically acclaimed and received support from EDM.com (9). The EP debuted at number 22 on the Beatport hip-hop charts (10).

On January 12, 2015, Statik Link and Dirty Duck Audio partnered to release the "100HRTZ (The Remixes)" EP on Beatport (11). The EP featured remixes from Grammy nominated producer Ming (DJ), Haterade (DJ), Instant Party! (DJ), Trentino (DJ), Jelo (DJ), Stuart Software (DJ), and a special VIP Mix from Statik Link. The EP was critically acclaimed and received support from EDM.com, Trapsounds, YourEDM, and many other prominent EDM sites and blogs.

Primitive the EP

In January 2015, Statik Link began to work on a new project concentrating on combining the sounds of ATL Hip-Hop with EDM Trap music. The group experimented with some of the more popular sounds of ATL Hip-Hop sounds and teamed up with artists Vyle, Mighty High Coup, and Big J Tha White Wonder as vocalists for the project. The project was released on June 30, 2015 and was met with excellent reviews from critics The EDM Network, ThisSongSlaps, TrapSounds, and OnlineRXD. The project debuted at #13 on the Beatport hip-hop charts (12).

Official remix release with ASAP Ferg

On Sept 17th, 2015, Statik Link and TJ Mizell partnered to produce and release an official remix of ASAP Ferg's "Jungle" originally released on the Ferg Forever Mixtape. The remix was greeted with critic praise and featured on Vibe Magazine (13). The track was released as a free download and available on Soundcloud and Audiomack streaming platforms.

Renaissance EP

On January 30, 2016, Statik Link announced a new EP titled "Renaissance" during an interview with website StopTheBreaks.com. In the interview, Statik Link talks about the creative process behind Renaissance stating "We used hardware gear, different forms of mixing and mastering, and worked with some incredibly talented artists this time around that helped us create the best project possible. This is honestly, in our opinion, is the best project we’ve ever done.[1]" The EP is also their biggest project to date featuring 5 new Statik Link original tracks. The first single, "Black Lotus", premiered on Thursday, February 4 on Earmilk.com featuring a limited time free download via their Soundcloud page.[2] The EP is scheduled for release on March 17, 2016 through the groups independent label "Statik Link Music."

On July 15th, 2016, Statik Link announced a new logo design, sound design, and single via their Facebook page. The group stated on their Facebook "After producing heavy Dance music for the past 4 years, we decided to go back to our roots and create something fresh and new. Dan and I are both instrumentalists. We wanted to get back to that. We wanted to implement analog synths, guitars, horns, bass, and groove into our live shows. Next Tuesday we unleash this beast of a track. We are super proud of this. Tomorrow, we reveal our brand new logo and mascot. We are super excited for it. This is the new direction. This is the new Statik Link!" Statik Link explains they will begin to focus on implementing live instruments into their live DJ sets (14).

Statik Link released their single "So Obvious" showcasing the new sound on July 25th via Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, Beatport and more. The track was greeted with many positive reviews.

Statik Link announced via their Facebook page that long time member, Dan Dwyer, was leaving the group due to time restraints created by his growing live sound engineering business. The announcement made by now solo member Josh Andres was posted on Statik Link's Facebook page as follows:

After 4 years of incredible work, Dan will be leaving Statik Link. I will be taking over as the sole producer, writers, and member of Statik Link. Dan and I would like to thank you guys for the years of support. Back in 2012, when Dan joined forces with Statik Link, we weren’t sure how far our music would go. We both had a passion for bass music and Djing but had no idea that the future would allow us to be featured on radio shows and in magazines that we dreamed about when we were younger. The response to our music and performances has been amazing. We can’t thank all of you enough for your past and continued support. "We’d like you all to know that the split of Statik Link was completely mutual. Dan is running a live sound engineering business that has skyrocketed in popularity. Over the past few months, the demand for his expertise has been at an all time high. That, in addition to having a young daughter, requires 100% of his focus and time. Dan informed me that he would like to step down from Statik Link because he feels that he can’t be involved 100% in the process. Which I know was hard for him and was a very respectable thing to do. This doesn’t mean that Dan and I won’t work together in the future. It does however mean he will be featured on tracks as an independent artist and not as Statik Link. Dan and I are both great friends, family would best describe it. I’m excited to see what the future has for Dan and he is excited to see as I continue Statik Link’s pursuit of funkiness. We appreciate all of your support over the years. I look forward to continuing that crazy Statik Link sound and giving you the best music possible. Stay tuned for the new Statik Link project and more music, coming soon!"

According to the post, Statik Link will carry on as a solo act.

Solo albums and EPs

Singles

Remixes

References

  1. ↑ http://www.stopthebreaks.com/artist-showcase/interview-with-independent-bass-hop-duo-statik-link/
  2. ↑ http://earmilk.com/2016/02/04/statik-link-release-their-sexy-dark-bass-tune-black-lotus-premiere/

1. "Beatport DJs." Beatport. 22 Nov 2013. Beatport LLC. <http://dj.beatport.com/statiklink>.
2. Skilling, David. "Urban Hit Promotions." Interview With Statik Link. 22 Nov 2013.Urban Hit Promotions. <http://urbanhitpromotions.com/interview-with-statik-link/>.
3.Torres, Carla. "MusikBeats." Statik Link. 29 Apr 2013. MusikBeats LLC.<http://www.musikbeats.com/statik-link>.
4. DjCity DJs. "DjCity.com." Music Trends. 30 Jan 2013. DJCity, INC. <http://www.djcity.com/trends>.
5. Albano, Aaron. "Hood Famous Music." MING, Statik Link, Moxiie – Block Party (Original Mix) . 30 Sep 2013. Mings Music Enterprises, LLC. .
<http://hoodfamousmusic.com/2013/09/ming-statik-link-moxiie-block-party-original-mix/>.
6. Dj Gigahurtz. "Soundcloud.com." Gigahurtz - Power 106 Jump Off Mix September 2013. 27 Oct 2013. <https://soundcloud.com/djgigahurtz/gigahurtz-power-106-jump-off>.
7. Eat Sleep EDM. "EatSleepEDM.com." Statik Link-Ounce Of Dat. 30 Aug 2013. Eat Sleep EDM. <http://eatsleepedm.com/statik-link-ounce-dat/>.
8. Sony Music Australia Soundcloud. "Sony Music Australia." Blackout Remixes. 27 Jun 2014. Sony Music. <https://soundcloud.com/sony-music-australia/blackout-johnny-labs-statik-link-trap-club-mix-teaser>.
9. EDM.com. "Statik Link." "EDM.com." 8 Sept 2014. <www.trapmusic.net>, <www.moombahton.net>
10. Beatport. "100 HRTZ." Beatport.com. 8 Sept 2014. <http://www.beatport.com/release/100-hrtz/1366355>.
11. Beatport. "100 HRTZ (The Remixes)." Beatport.com. 12 Jan 2015. <http://www.beatport.com/release/100-hrtz-the-remixes/1444375>.
12. Beatport. "Primitive." Beatport.com. 30 Jun 2015. <https://pro.beatport.com/release/primitive/1553991>
13. Vibe Magazine. "A$AP Ferg And Marty Baller Find The Jungle Energy On Jungle (Remix)” Vibe.com. 18 Sept 2015. <http://www.vibe.com/2015/09/asap-ferg-mary-baller-jungle-remix/>.
14. Facebook. "Verified Page Post” facebook.com. 15 July 2016. <https://www.facebook.com/statik.link/posts/1499310876761007>.

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