Trust Johnny Marr & Richie Hawtin for Sound Advice — in Every Sense
In the history of the arts, many great visionaries were trained by even greater ones before them. From Dr. Dre and Eminem, to Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams, to Rei Kawakubo and Junya Watanabe — all of the formers' influence made the latter who they are today.
First-hand advice is an invaluable resource, and a privilege to have access to, when trying to understand the ropes of a trade. And anybody who's ever amounted to anything will attest to how there are few things as beneficial to refining one's craft as having a respected predecessor share their acquired wisdom.
With this sentiment in mind, licensing platform Epidemic Sound began hosting a recurring mentorship program titled "The Bridge," which aims to help musicians hone in on their talents under the guidance of industry legends — two such legends being Richie Hawtin and Johnny Marr.
Marr, the former The Smiths guitarist and speed-dial-contact to everyone from Billie Eilish to Pharrell to Hans Zimmer, knows a thing or two about music. With a resumé that reads like multiple lifetimes' worth of experience, the 61-year old's grasp of the medium of sound is just about unmatched.
A pop producer, film scorer, master instrumentalist, and university lecturer all in one, the Mancunian's left no path untrodden, making him a perfect fit to lead this first installment of Epidemic Sound's initiative, and a great role model for aspiring musicians of all kind.
As is Richie Hawtin, or as The New York Times calls him, "one of the electronic dance world’s intellectual forces." The British-Canadian DJ has been a techno fixture since the early '90s, and is a leading voice —pun intended— within the minimal scene.
The 55-year old's extensive catalog of world-class gigs and cross-disciplinary ventures has seen him headline major events, from club to stage to arena, as well as co-host avant-garde installations with likes of, say, Anish Kapoor or Raf Simons at Prada.
The Bridge is a space of open, constructive dialogue between artists of different genres and generations. Split into three dimensions of collaboration, Johnny Marr and Richie Hawtin's mentees each journey through stages of group work, heart-to-hearts, and ongoing follow-up reflections that center around there-written pieces of music.
But the impact of this project runs far deeper than jam sessions or demo feedback. It deals with mentees' personal philosophies and cultural relationship with music; how to monetize their art without abandoning their sense of self.
It's that exact notion of creative and financial sustainability that sits at the core of Epidemic Sound's endeavors, and why people like Hawtin and Marr stand behind it.
The Swedish company connects content creators with independent artists, composers, and producers, offering simple and effective ways to license, distribute, and mutually benefit from music — an act of defiance, almost, from within a cosmos that is perforated with disparities relating to music artists' recognition and compensation.
Nonetheless, with the state of things as is, the key to striking a balance between money, integrity, and productivity, to Marr, is accepting that there's not always going to be one.
Instead, he summons to cultivate and nurture a social environment that is both grounding and supportive whilst one navigates the high highs and low lows of creating for a living.
Similarly, Hawtin's lessons on restraint are to serve as a stabilizer of sorts, too. As much in terms of actual music production, as in an openness toward one's surrounding, rather than focus on single-handed upward pursuits. 30 years in, he remains open to being taught new things, from other musicians. So should his mentees.
Something of a full circle, syncing parting thought then, Hawtin's and Marr's number one piece of advice is to comprehend that any artist's efforts are only ever as potent as the human interactions that shape and inspire them.
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