CM
Palm Springs DJ Makes Splash House Debut
Interview by Jorge Perezchica
Now that the dust has settled down in Palm Springs after Splash House June edition, the festival is set to kick off once again with a double weekender in August 12-14 and 19-21. Celebrating its ninth edition, Splash House has established itself as a favorite summer festival, fusing forward-thinking electronic music, poolside partying, and resort amenities with the desert landscapes.
For one local DJ, it was a life-changing experience that felt like a hometown reunion. After staying silent for the past two years due to Covid-19 pandemic, Talon Gillespie also known by his stage name Aura Orange, was busy working on over 300 music tracks. In June, Aura Orange finally made his festival debut at Splash House on the Margaritaville stage. Friends and family gathered to watch the up and coming 24-year-old artist play a set, express everything he’s got and leave nothing behind. That passion for music was heard all across the stage at Splash House and transcended into pure joy. In person, there’s also an aura of mystic that shines off the artist. From his signature bright, neon-orange vest, to the pulsing EDM beats — it’s a unique brand that comes to life.
Coachella Magazine linked up with Aura Orange to talk more about Splash House, growing up in Palm Springs, new summer track releases, ultimate goals that delve beyond record deals or awards. Read on for the CM interview.
Coachella Magazine: Fill us in and tell us more about yourself. What was it like growing up in Palm Springs?
Aura Orange: Growing up in one of the hottest cities in the world was far from torture, I must say! The Coachella Valley is quite the destination, if you ask me. I grew up hitting the local waterpark almost daily during the summers. My friends and I ran muck – exploring some of our city’s desolate desert areas.
We started exploring them on foot and bicycles and eventually our 4×4 trucks as we got older. In high school, my friends and I were the group that threw the parties and they were massive! Needless to say, we had an epic childhood and it has been incredible seeing all the new infrastructure go up. It has brought a younger crowd to the desert and is partly why I continue to reside here in this hot, sunny oasis!
CM: What were some of your biggest musical influences as a youth?
AO: If I had to think back and recall who really inspired me to have a love for music, I’d have to start with Eminem – which is the polar opposite of what I’m into now. But as a child, rap was definitely something that positively impacted the way I grew up. After that, I remember getting into more underground pop/hip-hop styles with artists like Sammy Admas, Radical Something, Songreal and more than a handful of others.
High School was all about who had the “hardest” rap song and that’s a phase I really didn’t get into. I started to find my music taste transitioning to EDM. Early on, I found artists like Marshmello, Jauz, DotCom, Skrillex, Deadmau5 and so many others. That’s when EDM became a focus for me. Never did I think I’d want to produce and play it one day though.
CM: What was the inspiration to your stage name and orange vest?
AO: This is a funny story. I used to go by the name STATIK long before Aura Orange was even a concept or figment of my imagination. It was about two years ago when myself and a few buddies were having a guys day poolside at this hotel called The V. We were talking about music and what I wanted to do with it in the future. That day, I realized in order for something bigger to happen a more unique image, name and brand needed to come to life. After a few drinks and more conversation, the topic of a new name came up and that’s when ideas from half-drunk guys in a pool started flying around. Long story short, someone asked me what my favorite color was and I responded with “orange.”
Simultaneously, someone else said “aura.” Everyone looked at each other and we instantly knew something was there. We all were jaded in the moment and then we decided to flip it a bit and that’s where “Aura Orange” stemmed from. A true drunken conversation with some of my truest, closest friends. It’s also humbling to know they have a part in the creation of AO (Aura Orange). I’ll never forget that. Every artist needs that iconic piece of their look. Marshmello has his helmet, Malaa has his ski mask, even DJ Snake has sunglasses. Aura Orange needs his neon vest. To be honest, I saw it and just thought it would be sick! This is only the beginning for the vest though. There are major upgrades to come. Stay tuned!
“I stopped trying to make music and let the music make itself. I really look at my mind as a vessel to share what the music is asking me to share. We all have a story and a purpose to which we should want to share and music is how I’m planning to share mine.”
CM: Describe your creative process and approach to music?
AO: This is something that is ever-changing for me. The process I try to follow is nonexistent in my book. If we’re talking in a sense as to how a track is made there is a process you should use as a producer that creates song structure and what not and then there’s the post-processing side of things that requires knowledge of a process to mix and master your song to its own perfection. But creatively, my process is “no process.” My approach is what I think gives me the best opportunity to make something that resonates with whoever wants to listen. Most people try to hone in on a memory or feeling and that’s a wonderful thing! Lots of great music has come from artists doing just that to portray what they feel to others. For me, I don’t leave anything out – any memory, any feeling, any experience, any hardship etc.
I put everything that I am and everything that I have ever experienced into each and every one of my tracks. I open FL Studio and let it all pour out of me – unafraid to try anything and everything. It helps to keep my mind flowing full of ideas that maybe I wouldn’t have thought of if I had left a creative stone unturned. My daily life really helps guide my creativity as each day carries a different reality to it. Every day our feelings and emotions are different, but they always dictate what we say and or do for that time being. I let my daily emotions help guide my creativity.
I really believe the best comes from what you don’t know you had in you. So I stopped trying to make music and let the music make itself. I really look at my mind as a vessel to share what the music is asking me to share. We all have a story and a purpose to which we should want to share and music is how I’m planning to share mine.
“The artists are amazing, the experience is incredible, and the vibes are immaculate. Being from Palm Springs, it always feels like a bit of a hometown reunion. Splash House just feels like home. It’s the best pool party in the world in my opinion.”
CM: Recently, you were a part of the Splash House lineup in June. What was your experience like when you hit the stage and throughout the weekend?
AO: Being a part of the Splash House lineup was tremendously life-changing in a couple aspects! First and foremost, it was a special time where I got to play a show, which I hadn’t done in about 3 years due to COVID, all my friends and even family came to watch so it was nerve-racking, but it was the best experience I could’ve asked for. On top of that, it’s been a big personal endeavor to play at such a high level of a festival. The festival itself is one of my favorites. I’ve been attending since 2018 and don’t think I’ve missed any of the weekends since. If you count all the hours I’ve DJ’ed in hotel rooms, I probably hold the record for most hours played at Splash House. The artists are amazing, the experience is incredible, and the vibes are immaculate.
Being from Palm Springs, it always feels like a bit of a hometown reunion. Splash House just feels like home. It’s the best pool party in the world in my opinion. And one day, I hope to be a headliner! Playing Splash House has opened so many doors and opportunities. It has been a big push into making this dream of doing this music thing professionally a reality. I feel like I’m so close to that point. I can taste it on my tongue like it’s jet fuel. I really have no stop button for music. I’m ready to take my career to the next level and to have more experiences like playing Splash House and other world-class festivals.
CM: Let’s talk about the new track releases. What vibe are you aiming to create?
AO: The past three track releases I’ve had are all somewhat different. My track “Miss Unforgettable” is probably my most popular track to date, it has gained about 7.5k plays in its three months since release. That track carries a more heavy sound to it where I tried to embody vocals you’d hear in future bass track. Followed by the deep, strong bass that really was the main sound of the track – giving it its own real unique sound and feel to it. The mood of it really starts as a somewhat sad song which I try to take away from by using different sounds as the song progresses to get that mood swing feel from sad to happy.
More recently, I released another original called “Midnight Hour” that’s supposed to be more of a song of the summer type feel. Slowing it down, the song runs at 122bpm and really focuses on the short stabby basses with drums that sit four on the floor and uses a ton of ear candy to keep the listeners interested.
Lastly, my most recent track release is a remix I did of the Chainsmokers song “IPAD.” This song really has a radio type feel, something really could see playing on the radio if it had the chance.
CM: What do you love most about EDM and where do you see yourself in the music landscape
AO: I think the biggest thing with EDM is the whole culture that comes with it. It’s only growing as well. It’s become its own real entity where people come together to vibe on the same level. It’s a place where everyone is accepted no matter what. On the flip side of things, being an artist in that community only comes with the best feelings like being supported by so many people and not just a certain fan base like what comes with being a rap artist per se.
Without a doubt or an ounce of cockiness, I really do see myself climbing pretty high on the scale of artistry and DJing as a whole. I mean playing the biggest festivals in the world, shows around the world, and one day arenas. I want to be a name that everyone knows in the best way.
CM: Do you have plans to explore other genres of music?
AO: As of right now, I don’t think so. I’m really trying to stay in the EDM community and my biggest thing right now is learning how to produce anything EDM. There are tons of major sub-genres to EDM music. I really sit in the Bass House/Future Bass realm of things. But right now, I’m trying to really learn some other styles of production in some different sub-genre categories like dubstep, Brohouse and even drum and bass.
I can’t express enough how much of a well-rounded EDM producer I hold myself to being one day. The ability to get on a laptop and make any genre or being able to cross genres of specific EDM music together into one song to make something that people have never heard before is a quality that any great producer/DJ has — and I want that.
CM: Which artists are you most excited to see at Splash House in August?
AO: I love all the artists that come and do their thing. All the artists at Splash House are always exceptional. The Goldenvoice talent buyers really kill it! With the love I have for music it’s crazy hearing all the different types of sounds that people come from all over to play for this show.
I will say though, John Summit is the dude I’M MOST looking forward to seeing! And perhaps maybe do a little bit of partying with if I get the chance. John if you see this, check your Instagram DM’s!
CM: What’s next for you this summer after Splash House – from shows to personal projects
AO: Working closely with the people I trust in this whole process to pretty much keep pushing out music regularly and effectively. I have a little over 300+ songs that I would say on average are all at least 60% done and about 30% of the 300+ are finished tracks themselves. That really is allowing me to have the inventory to make this sort of thing happen.
That’s why I was so silent the past couple years creating all this music and not sharing it. With that sort of catalog I’m really looking to try and put out a song every two weeks or so to have a constant flow of new music coming in, I hope to reach as many ears as possible. Aside from that, I’m booking more local/SoCal shows, some plans for out-of-state shows in places like Austin, TX and some bigger college towns to help push the AO and the brand to the next level.
”I really see music as a way for me to better my life and the lives of the people around me that I love and care for.”
CM: What’s your ultimate goal as an artist?
AO: I absolutely love music. With that being said, there is no true end goal for me. I really see music as a way for me to better my life and the lives of the people around me that I love and care for. As well as the people who haven’t heard my music that I hope to impact positively one day.
That’s the goal quite simply. I think being able to achieve that beats any record deal, beats any award you can get, beats anything pretty much. Who’s not to say all the deals, awards, money and whatever else won’t come with that achievement anyways, I’d rather keep my humbleness and be rich in my heart over rich in my pockets.