EMBRZ swung by to chat about his life growing up in Dublin, how it impacted his artistic growth, where he’d take us on a pub crawl, and more.
Ireland might be a smaller island nation, but its electronic music scene has a rich history that dates back decades. From trance to house to progressive to bass, plenty of top-tier artists have called the country home. EMBRZ is one who is looking to shake up the scene with his signature style that’s filled with chill, soothing melodies.
EMBRZ grew up in Dunshaughlin, a small town outside Dublin, where “everyone knows everyone,” which, he laughed, could be “good and bad.” “I think no matter where you are in Ireland, we are people known for our love of music and art,” he shared. “My dad played the guitar, which made me want to learn. Our family would always have big gatherings, and everyone was expected to perform something on the day, which was at first terrifying, but looking back, I’m glad we did it.”
Early musical influences for EMBRZ weren’t strictly electronic. Instead, he listened to metal bands like Slipknot and Limp Bizkit, for which he still has a soft spot. That led to him joining an indie rock band as a teenager, ultimately introducing him to writing music for the first time. His immersion into electronic styles would come soon enough, though.
“I always enjoyed electronic artists like The Prodigy and Daft Punk, but it wasn’t until I heard deadmau5 at a random house party that I became obsessed with it,” EMBRZ recalled. “It was the first time I got to choose the music I wanted to listen to, if that makes sense. It was like my own little secret. I immediately started making not-so-good deadmau5-type music when I was a late teenager, purely for the fun of it.” As he began to hone his passion for electronic styles, it was ultimately the “atmospheric, chilled stuff” that called his name.
It was an Irish artist called MMOTHS who brought me down this rabbit hole after seeing him at an Irish festival. I think my music became a combination of both these two genres. I remember joking if progressive house and downtempo electronica had a baby it would sound like EMBRZ.
EMBRZ
As for the current state of the scene in Ireland, EMBRZ shared sentiments about the country’s smaller size but large impact. “We’ve always generated huge, talented artists because the Irish love their music,” he said. “I think the dance scene is small, but it’s growing. We have a handful of festivals that often see some big electronic artists come here. I do think that it differs from America.”
I’ve been living in the States, and I find that the more melodic and emotional side of electronic music is more appreciated, while I think in Ireland, they tend to prefer harder, uptempo music. It’s maybe why I’m playing more shows in America as it just seems to resonate more, but also there are just a lot more people here. A friend of mine Reuben Keeney, who goes by Rebuke, is absolutely crushing it, touring around the world, and he’s from LetterKenny. So, I’m always happy to see Irish artists break out of Ireland and succeed!
EMBRZ
Just because EMBRZ has been living in the States doesn’t mean he’s forgotten how to have a proper night out on the town in Dublin. The city has “around 770 pubs,” which plays into the stereotype of the Irish loving to drink. “Temple Bar is, of course, a big tourist spot, but it is worth seeing,” he said, naming the first place he’d take us. “It’s the most expensive place to get a pint of Guinness. I think a friend told me once they tried to charge him nine euros, which should be a criminal offense.”
That wouldn’t be where we’d start the pub crawl, though, as EMBRZ mentioned that starting in Phibsborough is the move as it’s just outside the city center and “has all the charm of old Dublin.” “Maybe the first pint would be in The Bohemian Bar, which has become my new local, and then onto the Back Page for a Pizza and a pint,” he said. “Then, we went on to StoneyBatter, and our third pint would be in Tommy O’ Garas, which is a pub my Dad and my Granddad would bring me to watch all the football matches as a kid. Don’t worry, I was just drinking Fanta; we’re not that bad as a country!”
When it comes to other spots, EMBRZ mentioned Walshes, which he says “has maybe one of the best pints of Guinness in Dublin,” and Gravediggers, which is the best. “If you’re not passed out yet, we’d go to Whelans to catch some live music and then end up in Workmans, a three-story venue with DJs and live music,” he said. “Then maybe get a chipper on the way home and hopefully not get sick in the taxi.”
Looking back at his artist work, EMBRZ put his unique style on display by spinning up a mix as an added treat. Found within its runtime are some tunes from his favorite artists who have been dropping albums lately, along with his new single with bailey, “Arrow.” “I absolutely love to make mashups of my own music, so I threw one in there for the craic, too,” he said.
I’m a big fan of making mixes, and I have been making my own ‘Endless Drive’ mixes for years now. I’m coming up to number 20 and will be dropping something special for that one on November 12! So stay tuned for that!
EMBRZ
Listen to this exclusive guest mix from EMBRZ and follow him on social media to stay up to date about his upcoming releases and shows.
