House shows serve as a great alternative to those seeking a different crowd and energy than the typical college scene; but Athens has a bit of an imbalance in the size, frequency and styles that the DIY music scene delivers. There is an abundance of alternative bands such as In Flow and Rent Free, as well as some hardcore groups. However, fans of electronic music might struggle to find their niche.
Some bars like The Pigskin and Stephen’s On Court have been attempting to take advantage of this void by hosting designated punk and rave nights, but they rarely draw a different crowd than the usual clientele, and the music doesn’t appeal to fans who are truly invested in these genres. One person who is set on establishing a dedicated electronic scene through his passion for music and culture is Ohio University student Jack Wire, a senior studying recording industry music production and communication science.
Known professionally as DJ Brinkstruck, Wire is one of the most committed and unorthodox artists in the local music scene. The music he plays isn’t exactly like the David Guetta remixes heard at most parties.
“I’m probably more into eccentric genres of electronic music, whereas the popular stuff is festival EDM and house,” Wire said. “A lot of the DJ’ing I’ve done is more inspired by the ‘90s rave scene. I’ve been into Eurodance stuff, like donk and happy hardcore.”
While some bars might be dipping their toes in electronic, they might be even better served by artists with such a vested interest in the music. Wire, for example, says he has been doing entire sets of footwork jungle and ‘90s hardcore gabber. If these genre names sound a bit out there or underground, it’s because they truly are.
“I definitely made a jump into this kind of music and skipped the more accessible stuff,” Wire said. “Like I used to be into Skrillex when I was younger, but dubstep isn’t much of a thing anymore. I think what kind of got me into electronic is Death Grips because they’re so weird and genre-bending, but a lot of their stuff really is electronic influenced.”
According to Wire, the electronic and rave scene in Athens has fallen apart in the wake of COVID-19, with many DJs having graduated and moved away, and nobody stepping up in their place. That being said, Wire does think there is room for the genre among students in town.
“Right now it feels like I’m carrying it on my back, honestly. It feels like no one’s DJing this stuff and that’s why I wanted to; it’s the music I wanted to hear so that’s why I do it,” Wire said.
Regarding demand, he does think there is interest from other fans.
“It’s just hard when there isn’t anybody else to play it for them, and I don’t even get to play as much as I would like to. Judging by the last show I did at The Union (on February 2),” Wire said. “It seems like there’s a pretty lively crowd ready for it.”
Promotion has been a major obstacle and frustration for both Wire and the scene as a whole.
“A lot of the bars seem to only know rock music like most of the local bands, so they don’t fully understand what electronic music is,” Wire said. But he acknowledges that rave music has always been rooted in DIY venues as he seeks out more house party hosts for his sets.
As for fans, any electronic DJ just hopes to see them return high energy.
“If the crowd’s getting lit then it’s great to see. I feel like a lot of it is how you yourself look while DJing. because I only learned recently that that’s so important to get people dancing,” said Wire. “Stage presence and song selection are more important than anything because if you’re just playing something off Spotify they might still like that more than even the best, most technical board work.” Wire believes the greatest appeal of any show should be the shared excitement of a crowd, and there is a whole demographic of students who might find that in a rejuvenated electronic scene.
Outside of his own shows, Wire is currently working on a senior project with Brick City Records where each student finds and signs an artist, collaborating on a full project with them. Wire and his partner, Michael Wells, are working with Columbus rapper Kvng Shad. Shvd is best known for his song “F— the Other Side” with fellow Ohioan Trippie Redd, and he was already a crowd pleaser as part of Brick City’s showcase concert at the 2022 Halloween Block Party. Shad might not have a major following yet, but his style is what hits are made of and the right artistic push might launch him to new heights.
Wire thinks a new production style could help Shad to stand out in the vast sea of melodic trap artists.
“The rap beats I make are more out of the box - synthy - giving him a unique style that pushes him outside of what he normally does, which is more typical trap,” Wire said.
While Shad’s brand of mainstream hip-hop might be outside of Wire’s own taste and specialties, their approach to energetic performance could make them strong collaborators as we await their new project.
Throughout the entire creative process, though, Wire’s favorite part has been the connections he makes. Between Shad, the promoters, the fans and his own friends - Dr. Coop, J Redacted and even Wire’s own girlfriend, DJ R1vffwiz — who have gotten into the scene alongside him — electronic remains a social art form.
“We all try playing different genres a lot and sharing music we find. It’s almost like we’re a collective even if we don’t have anything official,” he said.
All of this is laying a great foundation of experience and professional connections as Wire works towards graduation this summer. He wants to work in music, having looked at different companies for both live and studio sound production.
“I like working best with hip-hop and maybe pop artists. It would be cool if I produced for a rapper and could in-house DJ for them on tour,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to be a legit studio producer and engineer though.”
For now, Wire wants to find somebody who can MC, preferably somebody with a British accent, he adds.
“I’ve been into Eurodance and think that would be fun to try out.” Additionally, Wire said he wants to try playing another show at The Union this semester and to keep an eye out for event details.
