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What So Not

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What So Not
What So Not performing at the stage of the North Coast Music Festival, with his artist name displayed on the front screen.
What So Not performing at the North Coast Music Festival, Chicago in August 2014
Background information
OriginSydney
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active2010–present
Labels
MembersChristopher Emerson
Past membersHarley Streten
Websitewhatsonot.com

What So Not is an electronic music project by Australian record producer Emoh Instead (stage name of Christopher John Emerson). What So Not has toured the world, playing in various festivals, including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Pukkelpop, Ultra Music Festival and Lollapalooza. What So Not is best known for his hits such as Innerbloom (What So Not Remix) (by RÜFÜS DU SOL),"Gemini" (featuring George Maple), "Jaguar", "High You Are" and "Tell Me" (with RL Grime). He has featured on charts such as the Australian Singles Chart, Triple J Hottest 100, and USA iTunes Dance Album chart. He released his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things on 9 March 2018.

History

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2010–2017: Career beginnings

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What So Not started as a project between record producer Emoh Instead and Flume.[1] On 13 November 2011, What So Not released their debut EP, 7 Dollar Bill.[2] During this time, they had released several remixes of artists such as Peking Duk, Tom Piper, and Major Lazer,.[3][4] In early 2013, they embarked on the Massive Universe Tour, in several venues across Australia.[5] On 28 May 2013, they released their second EP, The Quack, featuring a collaboration with Action Bronson on label Owsla.[6]

The duo released the song, "Jaguar" on 6 December 2013.[7][8]

On 24 June 2014, What So Not and RL Grime released their single, "Tell Me", with Chris Martins from Spin describing the track as "of both melodic might and percussive ferocity".[9]

In February 2015, Flume announced his departure from What So Not, citing that he and Emoh Instead had been moving in different creative directions, and stated that the upcoming Gemini EP would be What So Not's last release as a duo.[10] "Gemini" featuring George Maple, the first track from the EP, debuted on 9 May 2015.[11] The track was named on Triple J Hottest 100 later that year and peaked at number 52 on the Australian Singles Chart.[12]

Gemini was released as a free download on 18 December 2015, which featured collaborations with artists Dillon Francis, Tunji Ige and KLP (musician).[13][14] The EP was downloaded over 800,000 times, charted globally on iTunes Electronic EP chart and was named to various year-end "best of" lists.[citation needed]

In November 2015, What So Not, Baauer and George Maple co-produced a track for Australian rapper Tkay Maidza, titled "Ghost".[15] The song was premiered on Triple J. On 9 September 2016, What So Not released his first EP as a solo artist, Divide & Conquer, which included previously released track "Lone".[16]

In October 2016, What So Not, George Maple and Djemba Djemba co-produced a track on Australian rapper Tkay Maidza's debut album, titled "Afterglow".[17]

On 3 November 2016, RL Grime released the single "Waiting" in collaboration with What So Not and Skrillex which was in production since 2013.[18] The track's release was teased through a promotional video which parodied chat-line advertisements and featured footage of 1980-era-influenced vixens with a phone number flashing across the screen, where by calling the number listeners can hear the song in full.[19]

A collaboration between What So Not and New York artist LPX, "Better", was released on 8 September 2017;[20] and was debuted on Australian Radio Station Triple J on 7 September 2017. "I had a few productions I'd been working on in this sonic field but struggled to find a vocalist with the right attitude and tone to fit. Lizzy and I clicked instantly on this trajectory & began jamming on the tune," stated What So Not about the track's production.[20] He released "Be Ok Again" which featured Australian musician Daniel Johns on 28 November 2017.[21] The track was produced after Johns noticed What So Not working with Slumberjack as he walked by the studio, which prompted him to invite What So Not to work together at his Newcastle studio.[21]

2018–2020: Not All the Beautiful Things

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On 31 January 2018, What So Not announced the arrival of his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things which was released on 9 March 2018.[22][23][24] The album featured collaborations with several artists, including Skrillex, Slumberjack, San Holo, and American rock band Toto.[25] Together with the announcement, he released lead album single "Stuck In Orbit" which was co-produced with Jono Ma from Australian psychedelic dance band Jagwar Ma.[26] What So Not released a third album single titled "Beautiful", a collaboration with Swedish singer/songwriter Winona Oak,[27] on 27 February 2018 and announced a national Australia tour for his "Beautiful Things' World Tour" where he visited cities Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in June 2018.[28]

What So Not's first single of 2019, "We Can Be Friends" featuring American singer Herizen, was released on 22 January 2019.[29] He previously met the singer at a songwriting workshop in Nicaragua, while citing American record producer and rapper J Dilla as the track's main inspiration.[30]

On 6 February 2020, What So Not announced he was "taking a break", stating "I want to pull myself out of the 'routine' of it all and make sure everything I do is 110%."[31] followed by radio silence on his social media.

2021–present: Anomaly and Motions

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On 8 January 2021, What So Not returned from hiatus with a remix for Run The Jewels featuring Pharrell Williams and Zack de la Rocha stating "I was honored to get the nod to put this record out, not only with RTJ, but also my childhood heroes Zack and Pharrell."[32]

In April 2021, What So Not announced a "new era" and subsequently release of "The Change" featuring DMA's.[33] NME said "The track channels the Manchester influences of DMA'S 2020 record 'The Glow', but flips the balance of rock and dance to the latter, aping an Underworld-style rave."[34]

On 16 August 2024, Motions was released, collaborating with artists including Lucy Lucy, MNDR, IMANU, Habstrakt, and Maiah Manser across the four-track EP.[35]

Discography

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Main article: What So Not discography

Awards and nominations

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AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 "Beautiful" (featuring Winona Oak) Best Independent Dance, Electronica Or Club Single Won [36]

Environmental Music Prize

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The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.[37]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Messin' Me Up" (featuring Evan Giia) Environmental Music Prize Nominated [38]

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 What So Not Australian Album of the Year Nominated [39]

Queensland Music Awards

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The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) Ref.
2022 "Every Single Time" Example featuring What So Not & Lucy Lucy Video of the Year Won [40]

References

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  1. ^ "What So Not - Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  2. ^ "7 Dollar Bill EP by What So Not". iTunes Store. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  3. ^ "I Love to Rap - What So Not Remix by Peking DuK, Panama Black on Beatport". Beatport. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  4. ^ Howe, Dave (22 April 2012). "Major Lazer – Get Free ft. Amber (What So Not Remix)". inthemix. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  5. ^ Cunningham, Katie (29 August 2013). "What So Not: "When we started the project the scene was the absolute worst it got to"". inthemix. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  6. ^ "The Quack - Single by What So Not on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  7. ^ Sarah Bella (29 November 2013). "What So Not Release New Song 'Jaguar'". moshtix. moshtix Pty Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Flume's What So Not Returns with 'Jaguar'". TheMusic.com.au. Street Press Australia Pty Ltd. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  9. ^ Martins, Chris (7 March 2014). "Destroy Your Speakers With RL Grime and What So Not's 'Tell Me'". Spin. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Flume Has Officially Left What So Not". 23 February 2015.
  11. ^ ""Gemini" Is the First of the Last From Flume & Emoh as What So Not". NestHQ. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  12. ^ Ryan, Gavin (9 May 2015). "ARIA Singles: Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth Are Still No 1". Noise11. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  13. ^ Mccarthy, Wll (17 December 2015). "What So Not give away long-awaited 'Gemini' EP, includes final selection of Flume production". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  14. ^ Rubinstein, Peter (17 December 2015). "What So Not's Gemini Ep Is Finally Here, and It Slays". Your EDM. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  15. ^ Jarvis, Nick (17 November 2015). "Hear Tkay Maidza's new track with Baauer, What So Not and George Maple". inthemix. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  16. ^ Bein, Kat (9 September 2016). "Hear a Solo-Emoh Sound on What So Not's 'Divide and Conquer' EP". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Afterglow - Tkay Maidza | Song Info | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  18. ^ Buerger, Megan (3 November 2016). "Songs We Love: RL Grime, What So Not And Skrillex, 'Waiting'". NPR. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  19. ^ McCarthy, Will (1 November 2016). "RL Grime, What So Not and Skrillex share 'Waiting' teaser ahead of release this week". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  20. ^ a b Bonavoglia, Brian (8 September 2017). "What So Not Releases Powerful New Single, "Better" Featuring LPX". DJ Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  21. ^ a b Newstead, Al (28 November 2017). "First Spin: What So Not and Daniel Johns team up for 'Be Ok Again'". Triple J. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  22. ^ Lee, Valerie (31 January 2018). "What So Not Announces Debut Album 'Not All the Beautiful Things'". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  23. ^ Kocay, Lisa (9 March 2018). "What So Not Discusses New Album and Working with Toto and Skrillex". Forbes. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Not All the Beautiful Things by What So Not on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  25. ^ Wiedenman, Ian (9 March 2018). "What So Not's Debut Album Not All the Beautiful Things". SoundGrail. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  26. ^ Bein, Kat (30 January 2018). "What So Not Teases Debut Album With Single 'Stuck in Orbit': Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  27. ^ "What So Not Introduces Winona Oak With "Beautiful"". NYLON. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  28. ^ "What So Not Announces Aussie Leg Of 'Beautiful Things' World Tour". the music.au. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  29. ^ Bein, Kat (22 January 2019). "What So Not & Herizen Hit Lofty Future Moods On 'We Can Be Friends': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  30. ^ Powell, Karlie (22 January 2019). "What So Not drops new standout collab 'We Can Be Friends' with Herizen". Your EDM. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  31. ^ Ziwei, Puah (7 February 2020). "What So Not announces a slew of shows before indefinite hiatus". NME.
  32. ^ JENKE, TYLER (8 January 2021). "What So Not Shares Official Remix of Run The Jewels' 'JU$T'".
  33. ^ Meadow, Matthew (28 April 2021). "What So Not Enters A New Era With DMA'S Collaboration, "The Change" [LISTEN]". Your EDM. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  34. ^ Martin, Josh (28 April 2021). "Hear What So Not and DMA'S team up on rave single 'The Change'". NME.
  35. ^ "What So Not Drops New Track 'Slow Motion', Announces New EP". Rolling Stone Australia. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  36. ^ "2019 AIR Awards Nominees". 28 March 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  37. ^ "Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song". The Music Network. May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  38. ^ "Prize". Environmental Music Prize. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  39. ^ Varvaris, Mary (1 November 2024). "Amyl And The Sniffers, Speed, Emily Wurramara Lead 2024 J Award Nominees". The Music. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  40. ^ "2022 Queensland Music Awards Winners". Scenestr. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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