Spencer Brown has a span of well-executed tracks over labels such as Anjunadeep, mau5trap, Last Night on Earth and Factory 93. Now, Spencer has taken his career to the next level by launching his own label. Brown’s label, called diviine, will be home to tracks that are the products of inspiration from his wide range of techno, progressive, and deep sounds.
To promote the launch of diviine, Spencer Brown has released an incredible two-track EP; “Forbidden Flow” and “18 Min Loop”. “Forbidden Flow” starts off as a dark techno track, which later evolves into a softer minute-long interlude at its center. Clocking in at precisely 18 minutes, “18 Min Loop” is a nod to a time in club culture when DJs could focus on the journey of their music being played all night long, instead of the fast-paced industry standards. After feeling gently lifted up, riding a melodic wave, then slowly gliding to an soft landing, “18 Min Loop” is the definition of progressive house.
Spencer Brown explains the inspiration behind diviine, “Streaming has provided an incredibly convenient means to consume music; there’s no denying it. We artists have to make a “shorter version” or “streaming friendly version” for every track we make. I completely understand the principle if it’s a radio-friendly track. But some music isn’t necessarily designed for radio. With progressive music, it’s about the journey. I love to foreshadow, and elements come and go as the song progresses. It’s an art in itself to keep someone’s attention for an extended period of time. The art is the art. The track is the track. If it’s three minutes, great! If it’s eighteen minutes, great! That’s what it should be.
Since when should “the system” tell the artist how people should consume their art? Some of the most life-changing music for me was longer tracks (7+ minutes). Perhaps had I consumed this music in short-form edited versions, they wouldn’t have impacted me as heavily.
In about 2015 or 2016, the music industry became hyper-focused on making music “playlistable” – if I wrote a beautiful 8-minute track I’m proud of, I’d be forced to chop it down to 3 or 4 minutes. It feels like chopping off your baby’s arms and legs! I’ve released music in the past (many times) whose long versions actually streamed stronger than the edited version, which we had to make.
I’m very excited to start diviine to allow myself full creative freedom. Some tracks will be long. Some tracks will be short. Some radio-friendly tracks will have an edit. But that’s how it should be, at least in my mind. I currently feel artists coming together to give power back to the artists. I’m grateful to have a platform to help fight our battle!”
Spencer Brown’s new EP is available now via diviine!