OUT NOW VIA BIBIRD
After wetting our appetites with a batch of captivating offerings including "THIEF" and "WISH YOU WELL", Los Angeles-based DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist OddKidOut finally unveils his eagerly awaited 4-track EP, ‘WEIGHTLESS’. The compelling collection boasts a plethora of features including the likes of Young Viridii, ellie d., Cecilia Gault, and artemis orion, not to mention a special feature from the bitbird label maestro, San Holo. With standout originals "APOLOGIZE" and "CLOUDY STORIES", ‘WEIGHTLESS’ showcases the depth of OddKidOut's musical virtuosity — a testament to his innate ability to craft songs that resonate deeply with his listeners. ‘WEIGHTLESS’ EP is out now and available to stream across all platforms via bitbird.
Characterized by OddKidOut as a “weird combination of a few things”, “THIEF” instantly captivates the listeners attentions, artfully merging a dissonant beat with the evocative narrative of a fervent yet perilous relationship. With Young Viridii lending both the topline and profound lyrics, and OddKidOut interweaving intricate melancholic melodies, "THIEF" emerges as the thrilling electropop anthem that inaugurates the ‘WEIGHTLESS’ EP with undeniable flair.
"The best part about making this song with San and Artemis was that it just came organically. San and I were hanging one night at my crib and we came up with the demo for the track after just jamming, no intention of even making a full song together. But when we brought Artemis into it, she rounded the idea out and CLOUDY STORIES was born. We recorded almost all of the track in my house, and we tried to capture what some of our introspective thoughts looked like. It’s a true representation of how our surroundings inspired us”.
- ODDKIDOUT
With “WISH YOU WELL”, OddKidOut joins forces with ellie d., creating a mesmerizing auditory experience that spotlights the distinct talents and creative verve of both artists. Every beat resonates with rhythmic allure, while each crescendo emanates sheer euphoria. ellie d.'s evocative vocals intertwine seamlessly with contemplative lyrics, delving into the intricate tapestry of love, yearning, and self-evolution. "WISH YOU WELL" beckons listeners into a realm where passions flare and music serves as a poignant conduit to traverse the profound corridors of the human spirit.
Delving deeper into the nuanced spectrum of human emotions, "APOLOGIZE" emerges as an irresistibly replayable track. Characterized by powerful kicks and escalating synths, the composition unfolds into a poignant sonic tapestry. Cecilia Gault graces the track with her vocal prowess, introducing a delicate yet potent resonance to the piece.
Rounding out the EP with a resounding crescendo is "CLOUDY STORIES," the EP's spotlight track, featuring artemis orion and bitbird label head himself, San Holo. The track brilliantly amalgamates the unique songwriting finesse of each artist, manifesting as an unparalleled anthem that ensnares listeners with its luminous synths and entrancing aura. The centerpiece of the track is undoubtedly OddKidOut's formidable percussive talent, where commanding drum beats create a tidal wave of rhythmic fervor. The ethereal tones of artemis orion elevate the composition, guiding listeners on a transcendent journey through celestial euphoria. San Holo's quintessential touch adorns the production, weaving in a kaleidoscope of dance-driven rhythms that are both vibrant and exhilarating.
“Cloudy Stories is like a plethora of clouds that finally lets the rain fall. The song has multiple meanings, but for me it’s metaphorical to all the stories and emotions that make up who we are as humans. We all have an introspective and outrospective composition that defines ourselves, our lives, and how our experiences have shaped us furthermore. It’s beautiful how we’re able to share these stories or watch them collide with others, continuing to write the pages. Being a part of OKO’s journey and the creative process of finishing this record with him & San is the epitome of that.
Everything is so inspiring. I’m constantly conveying the meaning of (my) life into music, letting it out into the world, and finding reflections and empathy of what I create in others. This song is the tip of the iceberg.”
- ARTEMIS ORION
‘WEIGHTLESS’ epitomizes OddKidOut's unparalleled artistry, highlighting his deft knack for elevating the electronic music landscape. In tandem with the release, OddKidOut is set to showcase his prodigious talents on the road, joining forces with San Holo for his expansive "Existential Dance" tour, spanning iconic cities including New York City, Austin, Raleigh, Tempe, and pinnacle performances at Los Angeles's esteemed Kia Forum and Morrison, Colorado's renowned Red Rocks Amphitheater. Furthermore, the city that never sleeps will be treated to OddKidOut’s electrifying presence at Electric Zoo festival this September. While ‘WEIGHTLESS’ marks a pivotal moment in OddKidOut's evolving sonic narrative, it's merely the prologue. The future gleams with promise, with a handful of sonically diverse offerings on the horizon and an ascending trajectory for the prodigious artist. For OddKidOut, the future is not just bright; —it's stratospheric.
With an innovative sound that embodies darkness and grit through lush instrumentation, OddKidOut makes music for the underdog. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the 27-year-old multi-instrumentalist, DJ and producer has spent most of his life behind a drum kit, performing in a multitude of touring bands by the young age of 13. Having eventually swapped the drum kit for a finger drum controller and Ableton while still in his formative teenage years, OddKidOut’s unique brand of live, melancholy bass music was born. The 2017 release of OddKidOut’s breakthrough OWSLA EP, Solstice, cemented him as a standout act within the electronic music scene, garnering high praise from every corner of the industry. Since then, he has left an indelible mark on dance music, with a stellar discography that spans labels such as HARD Records, Bitbird, Fool’s Gold, and Monstercat, where his single “CINEMA” earned a coveted spot as the title track for the top-rated video game, Rocket League. OddKidOut is the amalgamation of his many influences, from metal to hip-hop to ambient, who’s fusing his penchant for percussion with moody electronic flare to create a sound uniquely his own. As he steps into the limelight, OddKidOut’s mesmerizing finger-drumming, bass-infused live show continues to captivate listeners across the globe.
For San Holo, everything is personal. Every note is a story and each lyric a memory, a hyper-real exploration of purpose, emotion, and shared experience. The Dutch producer lives in his own space, crafting a world of beauty and sentiment between the build-and-drop bombast of post-EDM and the intimate musings of ambient post-rock. Having produced EDM (existential dance music) since Soundcloud’s golden era, San’s unique style and honest approach to songwriting have earned him a loyal following that supported his independent debut album and cemented the artist as a star in a league all his own – earning the praise of critics and peers across a multitude of genres. While other artists in the dance music sphere and industry at large may shy away from the rawer aspects of the human experience, San Holo has established himself both as an individual and a brand that encourages listeners to embrace one another’s vulnerabilities.
Born in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, Artemis Orion delved into art and singing at the age of four. After a cross-country move, she spent the rest of her childhood and adolescence in rural Mississippi longing to find her way back to LA. At seven, she watched MTV, VH1, and fuse, developing a passion for music and entertainment. Growing up, she reveled in the arts in and out of school whether it be songwriting, composing, performing, acting, film-making, producing, and even studying literature. In 2019, Orion released her first lofi hip-hop collaborations “we said goodbye for the last time”, “I’m Tired” as well as her first self-produced single, “Venus" which helped her gain international attention through several Youtube Channels. In 2020, Artemis Orion’s sound continues to evolve in the realm of electronic, dark pop, and lofi hip-hop. She greeted the year with her first solo singles “I won’t be sleeping tonight” and “doyoueverwonder?”. Numerous lofi hip-hop collaborations were also released per month including “Sixteenth Summer” with Hevi, and “blue” with the bootleg boy. She wrapped up the year with the release of her debut EP “honey” which put her on the map of several publications including Wonderland., EDM.com, The Wild Honey Pie, Atwood Magazine, and more. In 2021 Orion further delved into the world of "honey", releasing the “HONEY” short film ( a music video series ) along with a companion remix EP "honey (reimagined)" by the end of summer to wrap up the era and introduce a new narrative.. Throughout the year she performed a couple shows in LA to introduce her live set. She ended the year with her first livestream DJ set with Femme House. In 2022, Orion continued to collaborate with her interests in an array of genres including the indie and dance scene with underground and well-known artists and producers. She plans to release several collaborations with no genre restriction, and continue to craft her live and DJ sets to prepare to connect with the world.
Founded by San Holo in 2014 out of a deep-routed urge to create freely, bitbird is a Dutch independent record label focused on exploring creativity on the fringe of electronic music. Determined to carve out a space for forward-thinking, expression-driven bass music, the label’s signature art bass brand offers an ever-expanding, borderless space aiming to release art from the creative constraints of existing music genres. From their highly-engaged community and international live events to their thoughtfully curated playlists and mix shows, bitbird collaborates closely with the artists they believe in to shine a light on the sounds of the future.
