Metronome #143: Godlands

Insomniac’s Metronome series features mixes from some of today’s fastest-rising electronic stars, as well as championed legends. It takes listeners deep across a wide range of genres, movements, cultures, producers, artists, and sounds that make up the diverse world of electronic music.

Every now and again, artists tend to reach a point in the road where it makes sense to shed a part of themselves that they no longer connect with and go through a rebrand. Such was the case for Adelaide, Australia’s Annabel Hartlett. Her journey through radio, and cutting her teeth as a local selector, eventually led her to re-emerge as Godlands, a new project that sits at the intersection of fashion and forward-thinking bottom-end bombs.

In the six months since she premiered her newfound sound through her debut single “Finally,” her filthy sub-smashing beats have garnered heavy support from headbangers and DJs alike. She’s upping her stock even more now with her debut tour—named after her latest single, “Pleasure”—hitting the road in Australia alongside Jauz, Brohug, Excision, Habstrakt, and Getter.

For a taste of the kind of the nasty beats she’ll bring to the decks, the emerging bass queen offers a high-intensity mix. She floats effortlessly through 30 minutes’ worth of rail-breaking trap and slices of experimental, neck-snapping bass. It’s clear she’s operating with nearly a decade of experience under her belt, so just know this isn’t Godlands’ first rodeo—but we’ll let her tell that story.

The Godlands project is fairly new, but you’ve definitely been doing the damn thang for a minute now. Can you talk about what you were doing prior?
Prior to the Godlands project, I was known as TXNK (pronounced “Tink”). It was actually my nickname in high school. I also host a weekly hip-hop night called SO FAR GONE at my resident club Mr Kim’s and have been doing that for three years, as well as playing local clubs for seven years. So, I’ve been around!

What inspired the change in branding and direction?
To be honest, I just knew that I needed a full rebrand. I had that old name for something like 10 years, but I’ve changed so much from when I first got into music. I’d just progressed further than I felt that represented, so I really wanted a clean slate. It was really liberating and daunting at the same time, but it gave me a chance to home in on what I really liked, visually and sonically.

You spent two years as a radio DJ. How did that experience help build you up as an artist?
Yeah, that was super cool! It really gave me a chance to know the back end of radio and become way more confident when talking into a microphone. It’s a weird thing being cooped up in a small room and talking into a microphone. It feels like you aren’t talking to anyone, but in reality, you’re talking to thousands of people through their car radio, computer, construction site, or wherever they might be. It also gave me a chance to express myself and educate people on what they don’t usually hear on a commercial radio station.

Australia seems to be a mecca for bass music. What is it about living in that region that allows so many incredibly talented artists to flourish?
I think maybe because the scene isn’t as big here as we want it, so Australian artists really push themselves to be heard. There are so many talented producers out there pushing boundaries and reshaping the wheel, which is incredible for up-and-comers. We have a very different scene [compared to] places like the US or UK, and everyone is inspired and motivated by different things, so they all have their own unique sound. As a producer, I think we see how diverse things are here, and we then take that diversity and make it our own.

We heard Diplo once compared you to a certain pop star?
Haha, oh lord. Yeah, look, it was probably a career highlight, to be honest. He came down to the club, and I was looking after him and the Major Lazer guys, and I happened to have been wearing a Justin Bieber shirt (as one does). At the time, I had a shaved head, too, and he told me I sort of looked like the Biebs. Still true? I don’t think so. But yeah, that happened.

How does it feel to be embarking on your debut solo tour?
It’s so dope! I feel extremely lucky to have such an amazing team pushing me and believing in what I do. To have blogs, radio stations, and clubs supporting me is a trip, as well. So, thank you! I’m genuinely stoked to be able to do what I love.

When are we going to see you in the States?
Shouldn’t I be asking you that? No, but seriously, I’m hoping soon. It’s crazy to think I could be in a position where I can even consider that as an option, but I have heard that maybe there’s something in the works… watch this space.

Godlands Metronome Mix Track List:: Godlands “Everybody Knows”
Jon Casey “Chucked”
Tuslo “Backseat Freestyle”
razat “D_worry”
leet x BONNEMA “tsk”
What So Not “Bottom End”
Godlands “Pleasures”
Godlands “Finally”
Young Butter “Pull Up”
QUIX “Storm” (Hyrdaulix Remix)
great dane “really been sleeping on this one”
Ian Munro “Yours”
AVANCE “Sour”
Valentino Khan “Deep Down Low” (TYNAN & G-Rex Flip)
Dabow “Ole?” (Gladez Remix)