Jackson Stell (born August 31, 1990), known by his stage name Big Wild, is an American electronic producer, songwriter, vocalist and sound engineer.[1]

Big Wild
Background information
Birth nameJackson Stell
Born (1990-08-31) August 31, 1990 (age 34)
OriginWorcester, Massachusetts, United States
GenresElectronic
Occupation(s)Producer, songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist
Instrument(s)Vocals, drum pads, keyboards, synths
Years active2012–present
LabelsForeign Family Collective, Counter Records
Websitebigwildmusic.com

As a performer, his live shows often consist of switching between multiple instruments (drum pads, synths, keyboards and live vocals).[2] Coinciding with the release of his debut album, Superdream, Big Wild kicked off a world tour in the Spring of 2019.[3]

Career

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Stell began his music career as a hip-hop beat producer, known as J Beatz, in his native Massachusetts at the age of 14.[4] Stell graduated from Northeastern University and worked as a composer for an advertising agency before moving to Los Angeles, where he switched his focus to producing electronic music and singing under the moniker Big Wild.[4][5]

In 2015, Big Wild began touring with electronic duo Odesza; later that year, he collaborated with the duo on a remix of their track "Say My Name".[6] Big Wild's first breakout track, "Aftergold" featuring Tove Styrke, was released in April 2015, topping the Spotify Global Viral chart upon release.[5] He released his debut EP, Invincible, in February 2017.[7]

In February 2019, after signing with Counter Records,[6] Big Wild released his debut album, Superdream. The new album debuted Big Wild as the primary vocalist, lyricist, and songwriter for the first time. Rooted in electronica, the album also features elements of energetic pop, indie and disco.[8]

In September 2022, Big Wild released his second album, The Efferusphere.[9]

Personal life

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Stell lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon.[10] Many members of Stell's family are also musicians; his father played guitar and participated in a few bands throughout college, his mother was a life long choir singer, and his grandmother was a big band vocalist in the 1930s and 1940s.[11]

In late September 2013, Stell was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.[12] He announced he was "healthy and cured" in an Instagram post, in which he also shared his struggles with depression.[12] His experience battling and recovering from thyroid cancer inspired the song "Maker" on his album Superdream.[12]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Dance

[13]
US
Heat

[14]
Superdream
  • Released: February 1, 2019
  • Label: Counter
16 23
The Efferusphere
  • Released: September 9, 2022
  • Label: Opposition

Extended plays

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Title Details
Empty Room
(featuring Yena)
  • Released: April 21, 2017
  • Label: Foreign Family Collective
Invincible EP
  • Released: February 10, 2017
  • Label: Foreign Family Collective

Singles

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Title Details Album
"Ayahuasca at Night"
  • Released: December 15, 2013
  • Label: Self-released
"La Brisa"
  • Released: January 2, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
"Venice Venture"
  • Released: July 15, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
"Shadows"
  • Released: September 15, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
"Jubilee"
  • Released: January 1, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
"Aftergold"
  • Released: March 25, 2016
  • Label: Foreign Family Collective
"I Just Wanna"
  • Released: January 13, 2017
  • Label: Foreign Family Collective
"Show Me"
(featuring Hundred Waters)
  • Released: October 9, 2017
  • Label: Foreign Family Collective
"Ascension"
  • Released: May 23, 2018
  • Label: Foreign Family Collective
"Joypunks / Maker"
  • Released: October 31, 2018
  • Label: Counter
Superdream
"Heaven"
  • Released: December 4, 2018
  • Label: Counter
"City of Sound"
  • Released: January 10, 2019
  • Label: Counter
"Awaken (Feel Alive)"
(with Surfaces)[15]
"Feel Good"
  • Released: June 1, 2022
  • Label: Opposition
The Efferusphere
"Red Sun"
  • Released: July 7, 2022
  • Label: Opposition
"OMGarden"
  • Released: July 27, 2022
  • Label: Opposition
"Blue"
  • Released: August 24, 2022
  • Label: Opposition

Remixes

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Title Artist
"Say My Name" Odesza
"Talking to Myself" Gallant
"Generationwhy" Zhu
"Empty Threat" Chvrches
"Show Me Love" Hundred Waters
"For the Love" GRiZ featuring Talib Kweli
"Hey Mami" Sylvan Esso
"Hello" Grouplove

References

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  1. ^ Porkoney, Therese (February 15, 2018). "Big Wild is on the rise". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24.
  2. ^ "About". bigwildmusic.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Big Wild". pollstar.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b Lindner, Emilee (May 13, 2016). "Eating Ice Cream with Electronica's Latest Wiz Kid, Big Wild". Vice. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Evstatieva, Monika (April 7, 2019). "Big Wild Bottles His Challenges And Curiosities Into Debut Album". NPR. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Big Wild | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  7. ^ "Artist — Foreign Family Collective". foreignfamilycollective.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Big Wild Releases Beautiful Debut Album, Superdream". edm.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Big Wild Announces New Album With Release Of New Single, 'Red Sun'". This Song Is Sick. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  10. ^ "Interview: Big Wild's Jackson Stell expands into a new frontier". RIFF Magazine. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  11. ^ "Big Wild on the risks and challenges of his debut album, Superdream". PILERATS. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  12. ^ a b c Schmidt, Sean (2018-11-08). "Big Wild Opens Up About Former Bout With Cancer & His Debut Album 'Superdream'". RIVER BEATS. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  13. ^ "Big Wild Chart History: Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  14. ^ "Big Wild Chart History: Heatseeker Albums". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  15. ^ "Awaken (Feel Alive) – Single by Big Wild and Surfaces on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
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