Big Wild
Jackson Stell, known by his stage name of Big Wild, is an electronic producer, composer, vocalist and sound engineer.[1]
Big Wild | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Jackson Stell |
Born | August 31, 1990 |
Origin | Lancaster, Massachusetts, United States |
Genres | Electronic |
Occupation(s) | Producer, composer, vocalist, instrumentalist |
Instruments | singing, drum pads, keyboard, synths |
Years active | 2012–present |
Labels | Foreign Family Collective, Counter Records |
Website | bigwildmusic |
As a performer, his live shows often consist of switching between multiple instruments (drum pads, synths, keyboards & live vocals).[2] Coinciding with the release of his debut album, Superdream, Big Wild kicked off a world tour in the Spring of 2019.[3]
Career
Stell began his music career as a hip-hop beat producer, known as J Beatz, in his native Massachusetts at the age of 14.[4] Stell graduated from Northeastern University and worked as a composer for an advertising agency before moving to Los Angeles, where he switched his focus to producing electronic music and singing under the moniker “Big Wild”.[4][5]
In 2015, Big Wild began touring with electronic duo Odesza; later that year, he collaborated with the duo on a remix of their track "Say My Name".[6] Big Wild’s first breakout track, “Aftergold” featuring Tove Styrke, was released in April 2015, topping the Spotify Global Viral chart upon release.[5] He released his debut EP, Invincible, in February 2017.[7]
In February 2019, after signing with Counter Records[6], Big Wild released his debut album, Superdream. The new album debuted Big Wild as the primary vocalist, lyricist, and songwriter for the first time ever. Though rooted in electronica, the album features elements of energetic pop, indie, disco, with subtle nods to his early influence from DJ Maul-IE.[8]
Personal life
Stell lives with his girlfriend in Portland, Oregon.[9] Many members of Stell's family are also musicians; father played guitar and participated in a few bands throughout college, his mother was a life long choir singer, and his grandmother was a big band vocalist in the 1930s and 1940s.[10]
In late September 2013, Stell was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.[11] He announced he was “healthy and cured” in an Instagram post, in which he also shared his struggles with depression.[11] His experience battling and recovering from thyroid cancer inspired the song on his Superdream album, “Maker”.[11]
Discography
Albums
Year | Details | Peak chart positions |
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US Dance [12] | ||
2019 |
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Extended plays
Year | Details | Peak chart positions |
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US Dance [13] | ||
2017 |
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2017 |
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Singles
Year | Details | Peak chart positions |
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US Dance [14] | ||
2019 |
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2018 |
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2018 |
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2018 |
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2017 |
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2017 |
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2016 |
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2015 |
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2014 |
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2014 |
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2014 |
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2013 |
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Remixes
Title | Artist |
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"Say My Name" | ODESZA |
"Talking to Myself" | Gallant |
"Generationwhy" | Zhu |
"Empty Threat" | CHVRCHΞS |
"Show Me Love" | Hundred Waters |
"For the Love" | GRiZ ft. Talib Kweli |
"Hey Mami" | Sylvan Esso |
References
- Porkoney, Therese (February 15, 2018). "Big Wild is on the rise".
- "About". bigwildmusic.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- "Big Wild". pollstar.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- Lindner, Emilee (May 13, 2016). "Eating Ice Cream with Electronica's Latest Wiz Kid, Big Wild". Vice. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- Evstatieva, Monika (April 7, 2019). "Big Wild Bottles His Challenges And Curiosities Into Debut Album". NPR. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- "Big Wild | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
- "Artist — Foreign Family Collective". foreignfamilycollective.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- "Big Wild Releases Beautiful Debut Album, Superdream". edm.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- "Interview: Big Wild's Jackson Stell expands into a new frontier". RIFF Magazine. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- "Big Wild on the risks and challenges of his debut album, Superdream". PILERATS. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- Schmidt, Sean (2018-11-08). "Big Wild Opens Up About Former Bout With Cancer & His Debut Album 'Superdream'". RIVER BEATS. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- "Top Dance/Electronic Albums". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
- "Top Dance/Electronic Albums". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
- "Top Dance/Electronic Albums". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-05-13.