All artists at every level go through a variety of struggles. Some challenges are easier than others, some harder for others. Artistmap by 6AM Presents: The Struggle Is Real, covers how Artistmap Game Changer members deal with everything that comes with an artist's journey from creative blocks to networking struggles and how they overcome or work on them. These artists come from all walks of life and want to let you know that you are not alone and that "the struggle is real". This installment features Spencer Hardwick
A lifelong fascination with how human beings respond to sound inevitably led Spencer Hardwick to techno. After studying it for many years, the Portland DJ and producer now offers his own compelling interpretation of its artistic philosophy.
Experimental yet true to form, Spencer’s style of electronic music teases out a cerebral tangent between lush, progressive atmosphere layers and artful, atonal noise. Groove remains paramount throughout, however. This keen balance between what techno is and what it can be serves as a north star — not only for his output as a producer, but also for his record label and event banner, VAST.
Artistmap by 6AM asks Spencer to share his story and how he deals with a variety of necessary challenges for the artist journey.
If you’re ready to master the discipline, focus, and strategies to level up in your artist journey, enroll in #ArtistMapby6AM, a roadmap program for house and techno artists supporting them in their quest to turn pro 🔊
How Do You Overcome Creative Blocks?
Great question! I think for me, I don't really get creative blocks as much as I just tend to go through stretches where I don't feel like making music or spinning records. For a long time, I took the approach of always feeling like I "had" to work on something every day, even if it's small in order to keep the momentum going. Unfortunately, that resulted in me getting super burnt out, to the point where I took like four years off because I just wasn't having fun anymore - it was feeling like work and I wasn't really happy with anything I was making or doing. When I came back to it last year, I decided the only way I'd pick it back up again was if I was focused on having fun first and foremost. If I'm not feeling it or having fun, I step away for a bit and come back - and I try not to put too much pressure on myself to keep to a timeline on that. The result has shown itself in the quality of the music I'm making and I don't regret it for a second. Finding balance between giving myself some space and still sticking to long-term and short-term goals, which is something the ArtistMap program has helped with a ton. So, ya if I could offer any advice I would definitely say make sure you're having fun, and if you're not having fun don't force it. Step away, go do something else, clear your head for a bit. So many people treat this business like a race or a competition, but really if you're having fun and you're smart about making moves, you'll get where you want to be eventually.
Some things I'll do to find some inspiration or some focus is to listen through artists who I'm digging or listen through a label's back catalog and try to make something along those lines. Use those tracks as a starting point, but also experiment a bit. Maybe watch some youtube videos about different patterns or cool stuff to do with Ableton Suite plugins or Max for Live devices that I didn't kow about. It's wild how easy it is to stay in the box these days with Ableton Suite. I'm still learning something new every time I open it up to work on something.
How Are You Finding Your Voice as an Artist?
It's weird, actually. One of the big reasons took a big break was because I just wasn't happy with the music I was making so I just stepped away entirely for a while to give myself some space to refocus. I can't really pinpoint to the specific moment in time when it happened - I think it's just the sort of thing that kind of happens naturally over time. I don't think it's something you can specifically focus on - just make a bunch of music, try different genres and styles and sounds and eventually you'll settle into something that feels "like you". For me, it was that I really wanted to do something different, and I turned to techno because not only is it a genre that allows for a ton of experimentation, but also because it has become a bit stale in some ways. I saw it as an opportunity to really express myself as an artist in an authentic way by marrying my passion for groove and polyrhythms with the Vangelis-style scifi soundtracks I've loved all my life.
My sound is like a sci-fi movie soundtrack with a hypnotic groove. Less "2001", more Blade Runner. Big, atmospheric pads drifting around layered with artful, atonal noise.
There were a few moments that really helped me feel confident in the sound. The first one was when Declan James gave me some positive feedback on some tunes I was making last year - at that time he was still sort of solidifying his sound as a techno artist and taking a similar approach, except in a more industrial, atonal Aphex Twin-style direction. This was around the time he was starting to tour with Richie Hawtin, who called him one of the main new faces of American techno. That was super validating. Then, more recently, I sent him some music which he loved - wound up signing an EP with a remix from him and another high profile artist, and a single for an upcoming VA which he played at the Watergate club in Berlin and said it sounded great. Another single was picked up by a newer scifi label who has released music from some really talented artists. The most recent moment was finally feeling confident enough to play tunes at a gig with Declan and Elias Garcia (something I've never felt comfortable doing, ever, in 15 years) and seeing people smiling and dancing - seriously the best feeling. Putting yourself out there as an artist and seeing people vibe with you is really the best feeling in the world.
How Do You Work Towards Self Promotion?
This is really where I struggle. It often surfaces my social anxiety, so I often find myself avoiding it. But, ignoring it is basically impossible these days if you want to get anywhere as an artist. This is actually one of the main reasons I signed up for the ArtistMap program - to find some help in breaking some bad habits and join a community of artists who feel a similar way. It's helped me realize that most artists are introverted and the struggle is way more common than I would have thought.
How Do You Network With Others?
Jeez, the answer to this one is so similar to the last one. I really don't like socializing - one of my favorite things about DJing house parties used to be because I could socialize without having to actually talk to anyone. I prefer to connect with people via my art - navigating social situations is just awful. Fortunately though moving to Portland has been great because it's a city full of introverts generally seem to feel the same way.
Having Declan James as my mentor last year was really fantastic. He helped guide me towards my current sound, helped introduce me to this style of techno, and has been super supportive. I respect him quite a bit as an artist and as a human, and he's just an excellent human. He's definitely been essential to my growth as an artist and I'm thankful to be able to call him a friend.
Another person I've found recently has been Jack Coleman, aka JAK here in Portland. Jack has been a mainstay in the Pacific Northwest techno scene for the better part of three decades with tons of experience running a label, making techno, and throwing excellent events. I've had the pleasure of making music with him in his studio where he introduced me to modular and semi-modular jamming. He's also one of those people who always offers great advice and isn't afraid to help me stay in a positive headspace. I'm very thankful to call Jack a friend and I can always count on him to offer the perspective I need to hear. One of the best humans I know.
The ArtistMap program has been a big part of helping me branch out and feel more comfortable connecting with other people
Also, Mattias Fridell! One of the best, and kindest people in the business. Fantastic mix/master engineer, incredibly talented artist. I can't say enough about how much working with him has impacted me as an artist. I started working with him last year on helping me master my tunes and help guide me in starting my label. He's been essential in helping me dial in my mixes, and always has positive things to say about the music I sent over. He's always genuinely excited to master my tunes and goes out of his way to help encourage me to keep going. He's helped connect me with other artists, helped me hone in my sound, and is really wonderful to work with.
