Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?

G'day everyone! My name is Emmanuel. I go by the artist name Autoclaws and am based in Sydney Australia.
Since joining the club circuit approximately 9 years ago, I have been fortunate enough to play across the major cities in Australia, and hold residencies in several clubs including Chinese Laundry in which I've called home for almost 7 years!
I am beyond grateful and thankful that I can say 2017 marks my 6th performance at Defqon.1 Australia.
It's difficult to pigeon hole a 'genre' that I play, my sets cover most spectrum's of Bass Music and a stong influence of Hardstyle with a flair of Nostalgia.
Dubstep was the catalyst in my introduction to sets in clubs, from my 1st gig I was set to push boundaries and cross genres. (Back then most scenes knew what they liked and only wanted to hear that style, but I knew the so many elements among genres could be manipulated to compliment each other)
Quick mixes fusing the likes of Dubstep, Hardstyle, DnB, Electro and anything I feel is hard hitting and pure energy. Every performance I go in with a common goal, take everyone on a journey, let the crowd feel the biggest, dirtiest basslines, huge kicks, screaming synths, feel good melodies topped off with slices of well known older tracks hitting those Nostalgia feels.
It’s become a well-accepted reputation.

How would you describe your influences and how have they changed over the years? Do you feel that changing tastes over years as artistic growth? ?

My influences have definitely shifted over the years and they will continue to! The evolution of music is a beautiful thing, if we stay confined to set rules and parameters it's only a matter of time that things turn stale and the beauty in music is lost!
I've always been part of the "Bass crew". From the early days listening and mixing only fidget, electro, dubstep etc. I was a 'secret hard dance' fan until I met 2 close mates that dragged me to a Hardstyle event in which I realised how powerful and magical Hardstyle is and it's potential. That's when my mind, perception and influence expanded exponentially.

The main and most consistent influences for myself are Noisecontrollers, Noisia, Andy C & Brennan Heart.
Noisecontrollers and Noisia have the best sound design out, they're on another level.
Andy C mixing 3 vinyl decks simultaneously and effortlessly inspires me that I am here to put on a performance not just play some tunes.
Brennan Hearts Melodies are simple, effective, and catchy yet not cheesy – and I think that's a real fine line.

How do I discover new artists?

1. My biggest finds come from unplanned journeys through Soundcloud, spending hours getting lost in unfamiliar names, groups and countries. For example I'll go to Excision's page, click an artist he follows, then click an artist they liked a track of and start playing a few tracks on each page, I have a 3 chance rule – if the 1st track isn't up my alley then a quick scroll a few tracks down then again. If I'm not vibing then click away! It's amazing how close you could be discovering something amazing and not even know it.

2. Monthly Mixtapes and Sets either sent to me directly or on Soundcloud

What´s new right now?

UPCOMING GIGS
Sept 9 – Chinese Laundry (Launch of a new Day Party)
Sept 15 – Chinese Laundry (Graves & Akouo)
SEPT 16 – DEFQON.1 AUSTRALIA

This year has been slow with my music and online presence due to personal demands and responsibilities.
I don't want to force music out 'just cause', when inspiration hits and the creativity flows then it's studio time!
The good news is things are clearing up, so my time and mind are freeing up to get some material out there.
Just in time for preparation for my Defqon.1 set this year. This is my busiest time in the studio making tracks, edits, bootlegs, you name it, in order to provide the best possible performance I can give. I'm so Proud and Honoured to be Playing for my 6th year at Defqon.1 Australia in only a few weeks and as always plan to give everything to leave an impression on anyone infront of me and the decks.

In the mean time I will be putting up on my soundcloud some the edits I made for Defqon last year so stay posted!

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What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?

My biggest mistake is being my own biggest critic and never being happy with tracks..
I'd be scared to give a figure on the number of tracks 'finished' but never thrown out there.
Get as many people to listen and give feedback. I like going to people that aren't really into the genre as they tend to pick up little things that the 'usual' target audience may miss and I am also of the opinion that if my sounds get the feet and positive vibes moving on people that don't like it, then I'm doing something right.

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How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?

The biggest rule I set myself and still hold true to is – Support the nights that support me.
Show face, mingle and network. Keep fresh mix-tapes ready to go if the opportunity arises to pass it on. And most importantly, if it's not happening straight away, don't beat yourself up! Persistence and a positive mind set goes a long way.

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What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

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How do you promote yourself? Do you have any specific promotion tips for other musicians?

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We meet again in one year. What has changed?

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http://www.facebook.com/DJAutoclaws

http://www.facebook.com/DJAutoclaws

Tweets by autoclaws
http://www.instagram.com/autoclaws/

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Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
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