Wil Foster is a man of many talents. Although mostly known for his edgy photography via Rock Candy Photo,, Foster also has a vast background in music. From DJing in Australia to being involved in the Midwest rave scene, his specialty is electronic and underground music. This month, instead of a playlist, we’re showcasing an hour long, non-stop, dancing mix of Foster’s choices.
Tell us about your musical background.
I have been involved in the music industry since about 1988 when I started DJ-ing in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia. By 1990, I was a Resident DJ at some of the larger legendary Melbourne clubs like Chasers, and the Metro, which were the Early Rave scene of the early 90’s and I was heavily involved with the Acid house underground movement. After I moved to the US, I continued to be involved with the Rave and underground warhorse rave scene in the midwest. In the mid 1990’s, I moved my attention to the dark EBM (not EDM) Sound that was coming out of places like Chicago and the UK. During this time I was involved with several electronic projects spanning from Electro Industrial and Techno, the last 10 years have been mostly devoted to Remixes and a Synth Pop Project called the Echoing Green & Pristina.
Tell us about the mix you curated. Does it give off a type of mood? What should we be doing while listening in?
I listen to a wide variety of music, but I really wanted to take the listener to a place that they might not ever venture. I could have filled the mix with the latest Drop and Hip Hop tracks or trendy EDM Glitches..but I really wanted to transport you to a darker, hidden side of electronic music. Picture yourself in a Dark club nestled in the art district of a large city, you have to have a membership to even enter, dress-code black, no phones or pictures are allowed, it is as much about the experience as it is the music, dark halls vibrate with pulsating waves of minor key changes, and deep drowning vocals, it seems electronic but does not follow any of the rules. You are dancing to a strict tempo.
What groups are killing the game right now?
There are so many unknowns that are breaking into new territories, we never hear of them till one of the big 20 Pop Stars samples or extracts their sound, and then it becomes mainstream. In this culture, bands like “The Black Queen”, “Drab Majesty” and “MXMS”are pushing the boundaries of what dark music is.
Talk about your past and current music projects
I am working on a Dark Wave project called “Priest” with a longtime friend in LA, it is dark and has a moment to it, reminiscent to bands like Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb. I also have on the opposite end of the spectrum and electronic Synth Wave project called “Pristina” and “The Echoing Green” I also am in the works to collaborate locally with our very own Ester Boston on some Deep Electro Vocal tracks.
What are your interests outside of music?
I guess taking photos, and illustrating.
Follow Wil Foster on social media:
Instagram: @rockcandyphoto
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/vamp-jesus
