Artist Profile: Radiant

Merging his dark industrial take on leftfield tempos with experimental sounds informed by hip hop and soul, Garrett Williard aka Radiant reimagines the listening experience for electronic newcomers and veterans alike. Hailing from Virginia Beach, Radiant’s discography spans a distinct set of tastes, revealing a standout formula.

As early as elementary school art class, Radiant recalls feeling a strong connection to creativity. “I was never the best in art classes,” says Radiant. “I never thought I would actually do something expressive with my life. But I truly enjoyed creating, and I admired a variety of artists.”

Growing up around rap music, Radiant developed his raw yet refined sound direction. Hip hop samples breathe life into the background of his leftfield style, bringing social issues to scale for listeners to explore.

Inspired by some experimental heavyweights in today’s electronic scene, Radiant’s signature glitchy soundscapes are teeming with industrial texture. Traces of Tsuruda, EPROM, Ivy Lab, G JONES, and Alix Perez show up in his work. He credits this eccentric ensemble for years spent dedicated to defining their eclectic sound designs.

“There’s still this public misconception that electronic music isn’t ‘real’ music,” explains Radiant. “I think electronic is the only genre where you can still truly push boundaries and produce sounds that are fresh and exciting. The main reason I began producing was to create music that people can enjoy in live settings.”

Beyond valuing originality, Radiant’s style reflects the magic he experienced at his first few festivals. Electric Forest, Counterpoint, and Camp Bisco hold special places in his heart. These immersive spaces ignited his passion for production and an initial curiosity for playing in front of crowds.

“I remember thinking anyone performing at festivals had the coolest job in the world,” says Radiant, who now engineers sound sessions in a renowned industry setting.

Working part-time at Virginia Beach Recording Arts, Radiant hones his audio engineering skills. He feels grateful to grow and evolve in such a sacred music space. Formerly known as Thomas Crown Studios, R&B legend and Norfolk native Timbaland originally launched the facility, producing projects with icons like Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Katy Perry. When father-son duo Bob and Josh Haddad bought the facility in 2018, Radiant became the reopened studio’s first intern. Now, he collaborates with seasoned artists and teaches students his craft.

“My favorite piece of gear in the studio is my Eurorack equipment. I’ve been learning modular synthesis for the last few years, and that’s where a portion of my sound design stems from,” shares Radiant, who lived in Florida for two years while enrolled in Full Sail University’s Recording Arts program.

As he acquires the tricks of the trade, Radiant remains outspoken about taking sustainable action at local and regional levels. If granted the opportunity, he would start a mission-driven nonprofit focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling.

“We would strive to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify communities,” Radiant imagines. “Sustainability is a ‘we’re-all-in-this-together’ initiative. Everyone needs to take the extra time to properly dispose of waste, separate items for recycling, and reuse materials when we can.”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic giving pause to most live music experiences, many electronic music communities are mirroring the mentality Radiant describes. Industry leaders and devoted listeners are navigating uncharted waters and discovering new ways to connect. And unity is at the core of Radiant’s passion for pursuing art and sound.

“I really love the way music brings people together. Before the pandemic, we lived for show days. And now more than ever, my friends and I are constantly sending each other new music to explore,” says Radiant. “I hope to pass these unifying experiences on to the next generation.”

This article was originally published through Background Noise.