Flume

Harley Edward Streten, known professionally as Flume, is an Australian musician, DJ, and record producer born on November 5, 1991, in Sydney. He is widely considered a pioneer of the future bass genre. Streten began making music at the age of 11 after discovering a basic music production software inside a cereal box. Before adopting the Flume moniker, inspired by a Bon Iver song, he produced house music under his initials, HEDS.

Career Beginnings and Debut Album

In 2011, Flume was signed to the Australian record label Future Classic after placing second in a competition with his tracks "Sleepless," "Over You," and "Paper Thin." This led to the release of his first EP, Sleepless. His self-titled debut studio album, Flume, was released on November 9, 2012. The album received positive reviews, topped the ARIA Albums Chart, and achieved double-platinum status in Australia. It featured collaborations with artists like Chet Faker, Moon Holiday, and T.Shirt. The album's success was bolstered by singles such as "Holdin On" and "Sleepless." In 2013, four of his songs were featured in the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown.

Rise to International Fame with 'Skin'

Flume's second studio album, Skin, released on May 27, 2016, marked his international breakthrough. The album, which also topped the ARIA charts, featured a wide range of guest vocalists including Kai, Tove Lo, Vince Staples, Beck, and Little Dragon. Skin was praised for its experimental and bold sound, blending pop sensibilities with complex production. Its lead single, "Never Be Like You," became a global hit and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. The album itself won the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2017. Following the album's success, Flume released two companion EPs, Skin Companion EP 1 and Skin Companion EP 2.

Later Work and Musical Evolution

Hi This Is Flume and Palaces

In March 2019, Flume released the mixtape Hi This Is Flume, an experimental and more abrasive project that earned him another Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album. This was followed by his third studio album, Palaces, on May 20, 2022. Inspired by his return to Australia's nature, the album merges hyperpop-inspired synths with organic sounds and features collaborations with artists like Damon Albarn and Caroline Polachek.

Recent Mixtapes

Continuing to release music, Flume shared two mixtapes in 2023: Things Don't Always Go the Way You Plan and Arrived Anxious, Left Bored. The former is a collection of unreleased tracks from the past decade, offering a look into his creative process over the years.

Musical Style and Influence

Flume is recognized for his innovative sound that blends elements of electronic music with hip-hop, creating a distinct, atmospheric and often euphoric style. He is credited with popularizing the future bass genre, characterized by its heavy basslines, detuned synths, and chopped vocal samples. His work has influenced a generation of electronic music producers. He has also been involved in a side project called What So Not with producer Emoh Instead, which he left in 2015 to focus on his solo career.