Machinedrum is the recording name of Travis Stewart, a producer from Eden, United States, born in 1982. He begins releasing music independently in 1999 and works across a range of aliases and collaborations, with production and composition credits spread across several albums and EPs.

Early releases and style

Machinedrum’s debut album, Now You Know, appears in 2001 on Merck Records, a Miami-based label associated with IDM. The record draws attention within that scene and is noted for the way it sits alongside the work of later imitators. Stewart’s music reflects a background in both acoustic and electronic instrumentation, and his releases often combine field recordings, vintage synthesisers and programming.

Albums and key tracks

In 2009 he releases Want to 1 2?, described as a significant point in his production work. The album includes Let It, which later appears as a single on Innovative Leisure. Another release from this period is Urban Biology, which uses field recordings and vintage synth sounds.

Other releases and collaborations

In 2010 Machinedrum issues the Many Faces EP on the Scottish label LuckyMe. He also works with Theophilus London on This Charming Mixtape, handling production and mixing. Under the name Sepalcure, he records with Praveen Sharma, issuing the Love Pressure EP and Fleur EP on Hotflush. Their project focuses on chopped-up 1990s diva house vocals and snares influenced by UK funky and dubstep. Stewart and Sharma also write Outside the Lines with Angelica Bess for the film Black Swan; it is recorded as Sepalcure featuring Angelica Bess, though it does not appear on the film’s official soundtrack.

Genres

His work is associated with IDM, electronic music, glitch, footwork, juke, drum and bass, glitch hop, hip hop and jungle.