Image via Complex Original
1.
All photographs by Jason Ano.
This Feature is Part of Complex's Skrillex "Alien Nation" Week
Most music artists have a photographer who's been with them since the beginning, documenting the days when no one knew who they were, when they got signed to a label, when they had their first shows, and what they do in their downtime. For Skrillex, that photographer is Jason Ano, who's seen his friend go from the offices of Atlantic to getting on MTV for the first time, chillin' with A$AP Rocky, and having a massive residency in Las Vegas.
As part of Complex's Skrillex "Alien Nation" Week, enjoy a photo tour of Skrillex's come-up.
2.
Year taken: 2010
“This was the first day I met Sonny. It was his first performance in NYC as Skrillex. He was opening up for Atari Teenage Riot at Gramercy Theater, and his sound was so monstrous. Nobody knew how to ingest it. After the show, we hung out backstage, he played me his Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites album, and we talked about Beatport rankings and such. A week or two later, he reaches #1, completely fills up the top 10 chart on Beatport, and signs to Atlantic Records.”
3.
Year taken: 2010
“This is Sonny riding the NYC subway on his way to Ultra Music Records, where he hears Benassi's Cinema played for the first time. After a few minutes, Sonny agrees to remix it, which lead him to a Grammy for best remix.”
4.
Year taken: 2010
“This is Sonny's iconic first performance at Webster Hall. It was easily one of the best nights of my life, and in my honest opinion, the catalyst for NYC's love of EDM. After Skrillex played Webster Hall, everybody wanted to play there.”
5.
Year taken: 2010
“Chris Morris, A&R for Atlantic/Big Beat, shows Tim Smith and Sonny around the Atlantic offices. As a huge supporter of Sonny, Chris was pushing hard for Big Beat to recognize the potential and talent that Skrillex brings to the world.”
6.
Year taken: 2011
“This is Sonny being interviewed at MTV for the first time as Skrillex. He was asked about this Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites album breaking Beatport charts and how his background as a rock musician/singer was vastly different than your typical DJ.”
7.
Year taken: 2011
“Before his groundbreaking Mothership tour, Sonny practices with his projected virtual avatar in a secret warehouse, just north of L.A. The engineers worked hard to figure out the best way for Sonny to wear the suit, DJ, and control the 3D mapping for his live stage performance.”
8.
Year taken: 2011
“This is Sonny during the first Mothership tour. There was so much technology and thought that went into this tour, and I have yet to see anything that could top it since. Sonny poured all his earnings into this production, which shows you just how much he really cares about his work. He's not an over-the-top rockstar DJ. He truly lives for the music.”
9.
Year taken: 2011
“Sonny and Ray Manzarek (RIP) of the Doors during filming of Re:Generation in Venice Beach, Calif. We were visiting the house where Jim Morrison stayed when he wrote most of his songs. We caused such a big scene on the beach, with hundreds of fans swarming to follow us that we had to create a diversion with a secondary crew to lead the crowd away from the actual filming.”
10.
Year taken: 2011
“This was taken at a restaurant in Chicago where the idea of the OWSLA label was discussed and formed. Here you see Tim Smith, Kathryn Frazier, and Clayton Blaha. It was such an honest and humble experience to see something as impactful as the OWSLA label start over a friendly dinner with good people.”
11.
Year taken: 2011
“This is Sonny hanging out with Tommy Lee in his house and home studio with SOFI. We stopped by right after the Coachella show in 2011. Tommy and Sonny were exchanging stories about Coachella encounters, and later on, he gets to play with Tommy's studio and showed him a few tricks.”
12.
Year taken: 2011
“On our way to a Webster Hall show, Sonny meets an old friend in Trash and Vaudeville on St. Marks by the Continental Bar. The Continental Bar was the first venue Sonny played at with his old band, From First to Last.”
13.
Year taken: 2012
“After playing a set for his residency in Las Vegas, Sonny hosts a party in his hotel room with a few guests. Reverend Pariah and Ethan from Crystal Castles join in for this pic.”
14.
Year taken: 2012
“This is Skrillex bringing the heat for his Las Vegas residency. This was certainly the start of the Vegas EDM scene. Right behind the stage is a massive pool party.”