WAV Artist of the Month — The Widdler
When it comes to the dubstep scene, there are very few names that resonate as deeply as The Widdler.
Known for his deep bass, experimental sounds, and unique approach to production, The Widdler has been a key figure in shaping the genre’s sound over the years. MP3 MAG recently caught up with The Widdler for an exclusive interview as part of our WAV awards segment, where our team spotlight’s artists who are making waves in the North American Festival scene.
Jonathan (Yoni) Oron, better known as The Widdler, opened up about his observations on the evolution of dubstep, the creative process behind his massive new album Zero G, and his plans for a visually immersive tour.
The Widdler’s creative journey into dubstep wasn’t a direct path. In fact, he initially had no intention of becoming an electronic music producer. Like many musicians, he started with piano lessons as a child and later moved on to guitar in his teens where he formed Metallica cover bands and experimented with his own original music.
However, his introduction to the world of electronic music came when his uncle introduced him to Reason, a digital audio workstation (DAW). This sparked his curiosity and soon he found himself producing house music and even some hip-hop.
The turning point came in the mid 2000’s — while browsing LimeWire for bass heavy tracks to play on his friend’s newly installed car subwoofer, The Widdler stumbled upon a dubstep compilation.
“This is the sound I like,” Yoni remembers thinking. “It’s slow, but it’s fast. It’s kind of heavy. It’s got a lot of bass, but there is so much room to do stuff with it.”
This discovery set the course for what would become his signature sound.
Over a decade later, he is one of the most well known dubstep producers in the North American dubstep scene. When asked how he would describe his project to those unfamiliar, Yoni emphasized the experimental nature of his music, saying “My project is essentially an experiment in the different places that dubstep can go.”
He elaborated on how artists tend to find their niche within sub-genres, whether it’s the darker, more dungeon-y side, or the more energetic, party-oriented aspect. Yet for Yoni, the goal with his project has always been to bring every facet of the genre together in one cohesive experience.
— The Widdler (@The_Widdler) September 6, 2024
Having been in the game for over a decade now, Yoni has witnessed dubsteps transformation firsthand. When asked how the genre has evolved since he first began producing, he noted a massive improvement in production across the board. “Production has definitely gone up from the entire scene, both the heavier and the lighter stuff,” he said. Specifically, the biggest change Yoni has noticed has been the cleaner, crisper and tighter sound.
“There’s less over-reverbing, less random sounds, and instead I’ve heard drums become more focused, with tighter hi-hats and snares, almost drawing the influence of trap music.“
A great example of the evolution of dubstep is The Widdler’s most recent 43 track album, Zero G that was released on September 6th. While the sheer volume of music is impressive on its own, Yoni explained that this wasn’t just about creating a large body of work for the sake of it.
The decision to release over 40 tracks came after years of holding back music, navigating label complications, and realizing that he needed to give his audience what they had been waiting for. “I just really had to get this music out there, especially the ones my fans have been asking for for years,” Yoni said.
Initially, he considered splitting the tracks into three albums, but with an ever-evolving sound that will only continue to change, he decided to release everything at once, creating a way to start fresh with new ideas.
Among the 43 track album, there are a few standouts for The Widdler himself.
The title track “Zero G” comes in two versions, one album version that opens with a skit to set the tone for the whole album, the other version is a DJ version that skips the skit, making it easier for dj’s to mix the track live.
Some of the tracks on Zero G are much older, such as the song “Elements” which has undergone several versions since its inception in 2019, just before the pandemic. This track represents a significant portion of The Widdler’s creative evolution over the years.
Another notable song on this album is called, “Tell Ya” and is heavily influenced by retro and darkwave sounds, which draws inspiration from artists like Nero and Kavinsky. Yoni mentioned that this song was his attempt to blend dubstep with retro synthwave sounds to create a unique atmosphere within the dubstep space.
With a massive album comes an even bigger tour, and The Widdler is set to hit 30+ cities in the next few months to showcase everything Zero G. Yoni has already tested about 90% of the album in live performances, and he has received positive feedback from crowds without evening announcing that they were hearing new material. This speaks to the album’s authenticity and its ability to resonate with listeners without any preconceived notions.
For this tour, Yoni has created visuals to complement the music, specifically incorporating UFO’s, beams of light, and other sci-fi elements. After finishing the album, he spent over a month learning how to create this visual aspect so he could add an extra layer to this live experience.
“Not all of the shows will be an audio-visual experience, but I think the ones that are will not only be more fun for me, but more fun for the audience to have something to tell the story of the songs a little more. “
When it comes to crafting his setlists for the Zero G tour, he is more focused on creating “moods” rather than planning out every song in detail. He describes how he builds runs of three to four tracks that flow seamlessly together, giving him the flexibility to shift the energy of the set while still maintaining cohesiveness.
Whether you are a newcomer to his project or have been around for over a decade, it’s clear that Yoni’s creative vision — both musically and visually — will make this tour one for the books.
The Zero G project is The Widdler’s bold statement of creative freedom and it promises to leave a lasting impact on both his fans and the broader electronic music scene.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about the music being heard and enjoyed.”
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