i_o emerged out of nowhere in December 2017 with the slurry sleuther "Warning" on mau5trap's We Are Friends, Vol. 7 compilation, quickly following that up with the prog-infused Tommy Trash collaboration "Oxygen," and finally a Virtual Self remix for Jauz's Bite This Xmas Compilation. That all happened within three weeks of his artistic debut, so naturally we wondered what was going on, and started trying to make contact with the enigmatic i_o.

@i_oofficial
https://twitter.com/i_oofficial

Interview + Tracklist

NEST HQ Guest Mix: i_o

What is a Shadow Portal?

A place of wonder. Crying and dancing at the same time. Intimacy, connection, raw emotion, and visualization. A means of bringing people together to heal the darkest corners of themselves.

Breathe in, breathe out. This is my shadow portal. A gateway to my entire being.
What does yours look like? Euphoria? Sadness? Fear, worry, concern? Solicitude, laughter? This is your shadow portal, and it shifts with time and experience.

Shadow Portal teaches about the importance of shadow work with a unique, electronic twist.
The shadow self, first identified by the psychologist Carl Jung, is the part of our psyche that we push aside; the part that holds all our regrets, griefs, secrets, and deepest fears. By viewing your shadow self without judgement, you open the portal to consciousness and self recovery. This helps us find a unique purpose, fulfillment, and connection to a higher power.
Sometimes, we forget this. That's where the young artist found his purpose. Shadow Portal takes this concept and applies it to music, creating worlds and opening portals through sound. This gives a gentle reminder that everyone is going through something, and that we're all doing the best we can.

This is my Shadow Portal. What is yours like?

About The Producer:
Inspired by artists (both big and small) such as Au5, CloudNone, i_o, Akosmo, Loosid, Virtual Riot, Midnight Kitsune, Asteroid Afterparty, STRNGER,  deadmau5, & others, the young producer’s signature style incorporates emotional chord progressions, futuristic sounds, vowel-like basses, punchy/resonant snares, and experimental, ethereal sound design.

Born from the soul in a transformation phase of life, Shadow Portal sets his eyes towards labels such as “Lost In Dreams”, "Monstercat", "Mau5trap", and "Rushdown". He has been making music since he was 4 years old with his family's piano.

Shadow Portal first discovered electronic music at a young age through Pandora radio. After discovering the iconic "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" by Skrillex, he fell in love with the futuristic sound. A few years later, he heard “Flight” by Tristam & Braken, released on the Monstercat label, for the first time while coming home from a mountain biking ride. He later found that many young producers were doing the same thing the professionals were. This was the spark waiting to ignite his passion for electronic music, and challenged the question, "If they can do it, why can't I?"

Ever since then, Shadow Portal experiments with countless genres, embracing chances to try new sound design techniques and shape his signature sound. In the past years, he's participated in an official Monstercat remix competition, performed a live instrument show at his high school prom, assisted at a small 4th of July event, and bought a Roland System-500 modular synthesizer. About 4 years ago, he started learning to DJ on the Roland DJ-202. He is now adept at the skill, and aims to bring the Shadow Portal sound to venues where he can paint emotion with sound waves.

Shadow Portal's tracks sound identical to artists such as Porter Robinson (whom friends have said he looks strikingly similar to) the experimental Loosid, the legendary producer i_o who's influence has reached the far corners of the universe, the sound wizard Au5, and more familiar names such as Owl City, & Coldplay.

If you're looking for something to touch the heart, step into the universe of Shadow Portal. But be warned: this journey, will transform you.
The young artist uses Logic Pro as his choice DAW.

Artist's Note:
For use of my songs on media platforms, DJ mixes, streams, etc. please provide credits as show in the example below. Please also include the URL to my linktree if possible.
Example: “Track name” by Shadow Portal. Listen on SoundCloud: (track link). Open a Shadow Portal! (linktree URL)

Muzyka jest Moją wielką pasją oraz radością z którą chciałbym się dzielić w Moich setach. 
Mam nadzieję, że odkryjesz tutaj wiele fajnych brzmień od Muzyki Techno jaki też Melodic-Techno i Progressive House w moich setach.
It's my passion, it's my life ..! <3

Skrillex-owned media platform and free-release imprint. More info here -- http://nesthq.com/about/

Just sharing my love of music for everyone to enjoy with me.. Be real Be Safe & Be Respectful much 💚
#AMFFAMAMF  -619

Most known for not sugar-coating a piece of dog shit and always willing to tell the truth. MistyAnn is a no bullshitter that appreciates great bass lines and smooth transitions. It is not a rare occasion when a fellow musikteer of hers asks, “Hey you heard this banger yet?” and her response is “Yeah...a couple months ago...It's ok.. I guess.” A little annoying but alotta good beats in her music stash. MistyAnn has her musical foundation in jungle and old-skool DNB but, at times, favors a softer liquid track. She is always on the lookout for the unknown and up and coming artists. The extensive list is a constant ebb and flow of change. Follow her and if you meet the subversive guidelines of what she considers talent she will follow you back. Till then, bleed on ears.

Welcome to my curated collection of both trending hits and hidden gems in the music scene. Here, I spotlight true artist talent often overlooked by the evolving music industry and subjective A&R preferences.

For the past seven years, I've been dedicated to making a mark in the Florida EDM scene. From organizing shows at local clubs to contributing to talent acquisition for major festivals, my journey has been about promoting raw talent. Alongside these efforts, I've also managed tours and mentored local EDM artists, helping them grow within their community and connect with influential record labels, turning their aspirations into reality.

Join me as I continue to push boundaries and amplify deserving artists. #MyWeekendNeverEnds