Seth Troxler & Jaden Thompson Q&A: “It’s important that people bring forward the next generation…”

“Even now I’m having the same relationship with Carl Craig” says Troxler…

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle… Anakin, Luke, Rey… Carl Craig, Seth Troxler, Jaden Thompson. As is the way in dance music, the torch is inevitably intergenerationally passed, moving swiftly from one key player to the next.

The eccentric Seth Troxler has ignited dancefloors and festival cavities the world over with his special brand of house production and DJing, not to mention his side stints as a comedian and restaurateur. Such a dazzling career so far might lead some to think he’s keen to cling to his fame, but given his recent movements – b2b-ing with and putting on super young newcomer Jaden Thompson – we’re now not so sure. 

Thompson himself is a fierce new upstart, taking after Troxler’s production and DJing chops and perhaps even showing the glimmering promise to outdo him. Together, they’ve just released a new EP, ‘Talking Walls’, charting originally sultry vocals, swirling basses… and, of course – the techy, house-driven sound both artists vehemently push. 

We caught up with the duo for a two-way chat.

How did you first come across each other’s music?

SETH: Well I met Jaden with his parents when he was like 17. My parents used to take me to shows so it reminded me of myself. I followed him ever after.

JADEN: Seth was one of the first DJs that really inspired me growing up. Before even seeing him live, it was the sets on YouTube that I’d be watching as a kid, thinking ‘I wanna do that one day’.

We get the sense that there’s a lot of mutual respect between you two. You’ve held down parallel DJ residencies of late at both Circoloco and Fabric, for example. Seth, what do you see in Jaden? Jaden, what do you see in Seth?

SETH: Jaden, like the Martinez Brothers or Jamie (Jones), or myself, is a kind of prodigy, starting out very young, producing very young. Incredibly supportive family, and drive. Shared background. Everything aligns.

JADEN: For sure, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Seth. His willingness to collaborate on this record and support upcoming artists like myself just reflects his stance on pushing the next generation forward.

On that note, why is the notion of two artists from different musical generations working together important?

SETH: I think it’s very important that people in my position help bring forward the next generation, teach them what we were taught by the generations before. At the end it pushes this culture forward. Even now I’m having the same relationship with Carl Craig. It’s about learning and sharing first hand.

JADEN: It’s important because we’re both influenced by music and events from different decades. The result is being able to make something fresh, while still keeping the roots.

Where are the ‘Freak-A-Pella’ vocal samples lifted from? Or did you guys record them

yourselves?

SETH: I made that. I’m a crazy person.

JADEN: It’s all our original vocals!

What music were you both listening to and/or inspired by at the time of the track’s

making?

SETH: I don’t listen to music for ideas. I find them in books and magazines or watching the news.

JADEN: I was listening to a lot of Gemini around the time I made the beat. He’s one of my favourite producers and his records are timeless. When Seth heard the beat, he was like ‘you really got that Gemini swing on this’.

“If these walls could talk”… are you referencing Kendrick or the Nancy Savoca and Cher-directed classic TV film? Or both?

JADEN: Honestly, I didn’t have either of these in mind when writing my lyrics. I’ve heard the Kendrick record before but that wasn’t the reference here.

Seth, how’s the summer ahead looking? Post-COVID and amid all the malarkey, is it still a good vibe?

SETH: Fun is back. Let’s enjoy it while we can.

Are there plans for a b2b at any point? At the Fabric launch, maybe?

JADEN: We played at Fabric last month and also have some more b2b’s to announce very soon..

Pre-order your vinyl copy of the ‘Talking Walls’ EP, out on Crosstown Rebels on May 6, here