We caught up with the talented Blanke, as he takes us on a thrilling journey into the realm of his rising Drum & Bass project: ÆON:MODE. Unveiling the intricacies behind his latest single “Touch,” Blanke also shared insight into his evolving sound and the inspiration behind this electrifying track.
With “Touch” being released as the third single from Brownies & Lemonade and Deadbeats collaboration series, ÆON:MODE is quickly gaining momentum. Join us as we dive deep into the sonic landscape of ÆON:MODE, exploring the inner workings of his tracks and performances that are setting dance floors ablaze.
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Blanke, can you share the journey behind ÆON:MODE’s evolution into a distinct entity, and what inspired you to take this step?
Drum & Bass has always been part of my musical DNA since I was a teen. It just hasn’t found its way into my musical project until much later on. I distinctly recall trying to make it early on in my production years and failing miserably, not doing it the justice I felt it needed.
It was not until my song “Alchemy” that I thought ‘okay this sounds alright, maybe I can give this a crack now’. After a couple more drum & bass singles, I had the feeling this could actually have some legs, but felt the music too polarizing from my usual Blanke releases.
I decided to start branding anything that I did that was DnB, differently, to create a level of expectation for the audience, and to give myself a chance to create a new world for this new musical expression. ÆON:MODE had begun, and from it, I created an EP, and started playing live shows as that moniker.
It was not until recently that I announced the more deliberate separation of the project with my collaboration with Metrik. Separate social media, and streaming platforms. With ÆON:MODE having its own platforms now means I can fully invest in how it looks and sounds as a different entity from Blanke, while also using Blanke to push it and keep it connected in this ecosystem. Blanke = Earth, ÆON:MODE = stars.
How does ÆON:MODE reflect your personal growth as an artist, and what makes it stand apart from your work as Blanke?
I have always loved DnB and ÆON:MODE is a reflection of that finally getting its own voice. As a producer, the technicalities and skill set to produce that genre are different and fairly particular. The way that the drums sit, the grooves, what kinds of sounds to use and how to use them, all differs from genre to genre.
Drum & Bass is very fast-paced, so you often have to fit a lot into a small amount of space. But it can also be beautifully simple and straightforward once you find your feet. The genre itself is what makes it start apart from Blanke. ÆON:MODE is focused on Drum & Bass, whereas Blanke is more in the Dubstep and Melodic Bass realm.
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What was the creative process behind “Touch” and how does it represent the ÆON:MODE’s sound?
That darker, more liquidy style that “Touch” lives in came fairly naturally one day. I was feeling a vibe. It displays a little bit of the range that I want ÆON:MODE to express.
It is not overly demanding, and it lets you sit into the groove, like you could listen to it for hours. I want there to be space for that in the project, as well as dance floor heavy records.
What’s it like working with such impactful labels like Deadbeats and Brownies & Lemonade, who are releasing this track together as part of their ongoing partnership?
I am very blessed to have relationships with both of these brands. They have supported me from the early days of Blanke and I am so grateful to be part of their families. I remember living in Australia and hearing about both B&L and Deadbeats.
Knowing about their parties and their importance in the scene in the US, it is genuinely very surreal that I am where I am today. From starting across the world to now having released multiple records and played countless shows with both of them is amazing.
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How do you feel about the resurgence of Drum & Bass in North America, and what role do you see ÆON:MODE playing in it?
It is an exciting time for Drum & Bass in the states right now. I have been watching and feeling the bubbles rising for the past few years, and it has reached a bit of a boiling point now. In 2024, it seems as though it will continue to boil over and take a real position on the scene here.
Major European and UK based acts like the Worship Artists Crew and Chase & Status are doing big headline shows here now. Also, there are so many incredible up-and-coming artists from around the world, of whom much of the audience in the states will just be getting exposed to now as a result of this growth. It is going to be a wild ride.
ÆON:MODE’s role, in my mind, has been to bridge the gap. To educate as much of the crowd in America about Drum & Bass as possible. To expose them to the artists outside the US that have been pioneering the genre for years. And to expose them to the sound that they may not realize they love.
I often get the remark, ‘I didn’t like drum n bass til’ I saw your set! I didn’t realize that’s what it could be’. Which is always such a fascinating comment to me. People’s perception of DnB in the states is still fairly narrow. It is my job to widen that spectrum.
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What can fans expect from ÆON:MODE in the near future? Are there any specific directions or projects you are particularly excited about?
I have been traveling to the UK to collaborate with a lot of the artists making waves over there and soon to be making waves in the states. There are some really exciting releases in the works at the moment!
There will be lots of releases on that end as well as shows, particularly on my Emergence Tour, as I will be playing both ÆON:MODE and Blanke sets each night on tour.
Your music often blurs the lines between genres. How do you approach blending different styles within ÆON:MODE?
ÆON:MODE will be strictly drum and bass. It may waver inside that realm but I will be mostly holding true to the high energy form on DnB that I love.
Lastly, what message do you have for fans who have followed you from Blanke to ÆON:MODE and are excited about this new phase of your music journey?
Thank you to everyone who has been on this ride, old and new. There is always a ton going into both projects, and I am forever thankful for the open mindedness that my fans hold toward my musical expressions. I would not be here without them.
There is more exciting music, collabs and shows coming in 2024. A real evolution of both projects that I am excited to share with all of you.
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Raised in upstate New York, I was always a big fan of music but never really listened to electronic music. Within the first month of attending Florida State University and meeting some new friends, I was introduced to the rave scene. After seeing Ekali at my first show, I was instantly hooked. Since then, I have dived into every subgenre of electronic music, picked up DJing, and mixed for clubs and different entertainment events in Tallahassee. Once graduating with degrees in marketing and hospitality, I was hired for a sales position. However, I recently decided to leave my sales job to pursue my dream of working in the music industry. Currently, I run Magnetic Magazine's Melodic Techno Charts, along with my role as a PR and marketing specialist for different artists and labels. Some of my favorite artists are REZZ, Kyle Watson, TOBEHONEST, San Pacho, Josh Baker, HUGEL, ARTBAT, Vintage Culture, Ganja White Night, CamelPhat, Green Velvet, Jungle, Milky Chance, Paco Versailles, Franc Moody, and RÜFUS DU SOL. My favorite festivals are Hulaween (by far), EDC Orlando, and all the different venues during Miami Music Week. Outside of music, I love sports (especially hockey, soccer, tennis, basketball, and spike ball), going to the movies, working out, sushi, Chick-fil-A, food in general, and hanging with my dog Maui and my cat Loki. Feel free to reach out to me via my email or on IG, I love expanding my network of friends and business opportunities!
