COVERAGE
In Their OwnWords
Conversations with artists on the road, backstage, and between sets. From Texas dance halls to festival stages unfiltered and up close.
Tanner: From Skip Tracing to Selling Out Billy Bob's
A Birthday Bash conversation at the world's largest honky-tonk
Interview by Bryan Atkinson · Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth · Texas Country
Tanner has been a fixture on the Texas country circuit for years — the kind of artist whose energy in a small bar room is the same energy he brings to a stage like Billy Bob's. We caught up with him on his birthday, right before his Birthday Bash performance, for a conversation that covered everything from his days as a skip tracer tracking down delinquent car notes, to the mentor whose advice has shaped every song he's written since high school. Equal parts grounded and fired up, Tanner is an artist who knows exactly who he is and exactly where he's going.
"If you can't make 'em laugh, make 'em cry." — the line from his high school English teacher that has shaped every song he's written since.
KEY MOMENTS
Career before music
Skip tracer - tracking down delinquent car notes
Mentor's advice
"If you can't make 'em laugh, make 'em cry"
On the business side
"It's supposed to be fun - I'm gonna get back to that"
In the blind bag
Alani, chi worms, TKI Jerky
H&RRY: No Festival Quite Like Electric Forest
A conversation at the gates of Rothbury with Chicago producer Harry Morelli
Interview by Bryan Atkinson · Electric Forest, Rothbury MI · EDM / Electronic
Harry Morelli performs as H&RRY - a Chicago-born electronic producer whose sound sits at the intersection of deep house, groove, and that specific kind of energy that fills a festival stage at 2 in the afternoon when the crowd is already fully in it. We caught him at Electric Forest, his second time performing at the festival, right after what he described as his biggest festival show to date. The conversation covered tailored setlists, dream stage builds, the artists who shaped him in middle school when nobody else was listening, and why deep dish pizza is a non-negotiable.
"I was that weird kid in middle school who liked EDM when no one else did. Seeing them create stuff nobody else was listening to — that was groundbreaking for me."
KEY MOMENTS
On Forest
"No other festival has this vibe - the gate opens and everyone's already there"
Dream stage
A giant ampersand stage with the crowd surrounding him
Influences
Skrillex, Jamie xx, Khruangbin, Barry Can Swim
Comfort food
Chicago deep dish pizza - no contest
SPOONE: Finding Connection Through Bass Music
Finding Connection Through Bass Music
Electric Forest · Rothbury, MI · Bass Music / Dubstep
Spoone is a rising bass music artist whose sound blends old-school dubstep influences with modern production and emotional energy. Still early in his journey as a producer, he's carving out a style that focuses on powerful drums, memorable moments, and creating connections through music. We caught up with him at Electric Forest after a weekend that he described as one of the best experiences of his life.
It feels more like a vacation than a festival.
KEY MOMENTS
On His Sound
"I like to keep a high energy, almost emotional dubstep vibe."
Production Process
Drums come first - they're the foundation that guides every track.
Forest Magic
"It feels more like a vacation than a festival."
Career Milestone
Hearing one of his remixes played live by another artist for the first time.
The Free Label
Disco, Soul, and the Art of Making People Dance
Electric Forest · Rothbury, MI · Disco / Funk / R&B
The Free Label is a groove-driven collective blending disco, funk, soul, and R&B into a sound designed to move both hearts and dance floors. Drawing inspiration from the music of the '60s, '70s, and '80s, the band has spent years refining a style that pairs infectious rhythms with soulful melodies and sing-along hooks. We caught up with them at Electric Forest following their Sherwood Court performance, where they shared their first impressions of the Forest, their dream collaborations, and the philosophy behind creating music that keeps people dancing all night long.
Anything that's going to make people dance is what we're all about.
KEY MOMENTS
On Electric Forest
"It's the most welcoming place ever."
Musical Identity
Disco-inspired grooves paired with soulful R&B melodies.
Justice Inspiration
Watching Justice perform reinforced many of the same principles The Free Label uses to get crowds moving.
Festival Essential
Leopard print, good vibes, and plenty of bug spray.
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