Headroom on his Earthdance CT 2019 Retro Set this weekend
Headroom will be playing a special retro set this weekend at Earthdance CT 2019.
Adam Metcalfe, known worldwide as Headroom, has been headlining festivals both local and international since the release of his debut album Artelligent in 2005.
A follower of the sentiment ‘don’t blend in if you wish to stand out,’ this Nano Records artist’s funky, forward-thinking and unique sound shines through top class production.
This weekend attendees of Earthdance Cape Town will be privy to experiencing a retro Headroom set where he will take fans on a trip down memory lane, playing tracks that have been responsible for serious dance floor moments and listening pleasure.
We quickly caught up with Adam to pick his brain regarding this set, which is guaranteed to be one for the books.
I’m excited to be performing these tracks for sure. They’re what set me up with a career in the psy-trance scene…”
For one of the most talked about and hyped features of Earthdance Cape Town next weekend, attendees will be treated to a HEADROOM live retro set. It’s the talk of the town and truly brings FOMO to fruition.
How did this come to be and how are you feeling about this monumental moment?
Headroom: The set came about after chatting to the ED team and seeing what was going to best suit the vibe they’re after at this year’s edition. I believe it was they’re idea in the end and I was happy to oblige as I almost never play the older material now days.
I’m excited to be performing these tracks for sure. They’re what set me up with a career in the psy-trance scene and therefore will always be dear to me. Stoked to see people feel the same. I did laugh though, as a ‘retro set’ makes me feel ancient.
Everyone’s thinking ‘Artelligent,’ but will you feature tracks from years after?
Headroom: Definitely featuring a good selection from my ARTELLIGENT album and certainly a couple from just after. Maybe even the first release I ever put out. 😉
Your production has always been top class, however production with the software and gear of today has made quality next level.
Have you reworked or ‘buffed’ up any of your old tracks in preparation for this set (or in general) or will it be pure retro?
Headroom: I’m tackling this issue over this next week. Mainly trying to get a little more ‘head room’ out of the old tracks (😜) but ultimately, they’ll be as they were. Think it defeats the purpose if I change them.
Your debut album Artelligent put you on the map and instantly catapulted your career to the stratosphere where you have been nurturing it ever since.
Now that you are working on your second album, do you feel a sense of ‘chasing the dragon’ and delivering an album that will create a similar craze?
Headroom: I think it’s fair to say that.
It’s daunting to try reproducing an album like that. I am more asking what it was about that album that made it popular and long lasting.
From my perspective it more the unique factor that made it stand out. We all know this about life. Don’t blend in if you wish to stand out .
So that’s my focus and always will be. Whether people love or hate the next album, it would have still been from the heart and not curated for what I think people want to hear.
Looking back at your first releases, how has your relationship with making music evolved throughout the years?
Headroom: Weirdly, even though it’s proven to be slow and inefficient, I still make music much the same way. Following sound to sound, groove to groove and letting the song direct me as it develops.
One of the reasons I don’t like doing RMX’s is that you lose that freedom slightly. It’s harder to focus today compared to when I started and had minimal responsibilities.
For Artelligent, I worked all night till 9am, slept till 3pm and repeated this for 6 months! Today my dogs wake me up at 6:45am every day.
Bonus Question: What track are you looking most forward to play based on crowd reaction, or is that a secret?
Headroom: Funnily enough the crowd favorite is not mine, so think I’ll keep this all a secret.
Catch Headroom’s first ever retro set at 8pm Saturday night at Earthdance Cape Town 2019.
Full Earthdance CT 2019 Lineup Times
09h00 – Opening Ceremony
09h30 – Dave Irish
12h00 – Vox Libre
13h30 – Dj Dolph – Crushharder
15h00 – DAN SCOT
16h30 – Clockwise
18h00 – Dynamic Range
20h00 – HEADROOM {RETRO LIVE SET}
21h30 – The Commercial Hippies (LIVE)
22h30 – Neuroplasm (UK)
00h00 – SmallTownFreakz (Ger)
02h00 – *** Prayer For Peace ***
02h10 – Josh Mac
04h00 – ScamAntrix
06h00 – Dj Bernz – Blacklite Records
08h00 – DJ Absynth
10h00 – Deliriant
11h30 – DJ Mark
13h00 – Dave Mac
14h30 – Phanatic (LIVE)
15h30 – Itone
17h00 – Off
Buy Tickets
[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/kszV9cqDMUI?list=RDkszV9cqDMUI”]
