Porter Robinson is a multi-talented artist. He put out an album called “Worlds” in 2014, which topped both EDM and general techno charts, for weeks on end. But why are we talking about Porter now?

Surprise! Porter Robinson is also Virtual Self. It’s his alter-ego, or at least a partial alter-ego, as they produce similar music. No one quite knows why Porter decided to create this “virtual” version of himself, but we’re glad he did. Maybe Porter was tired of the way his career was going, as in he needed a new niche of EDM music to produce in. Whatever the reason, here’s how Virtual Self came to be.

The Birth of Virtual Self

The year was 2017 when Virtual Self popped up on the scene, with the single “EON Break” and “Ghost Voices.” At the time those singles came out, no one knew who was behind this project. That held true through Virtual Self’s first EP, which came out at the end of November that year.

It was until Porter/Virtual Self played a show in Brooklyn that the public made the connection. Unlike Porter-only shows, though, Virtual Self played with lighting and put on their own light show. It was an all-around hit.

The Difference Between the Two

So, what’s that different between Porter and his alter ego Virtual Self? Some would say, sci-fi and Japanese influences. That must be why VS songs have an energy that makes it almost impossible not to dance to, in person at his shows or at home, listening to them on Spotify. Going to a VS show is a different experience than seeing Porter Robinson play, even though they’re the same person. If you’re an EDM fan, you should experience both!