Techno London 2014
When I was asked to write this article I was sceptical if I was best person for the job, do I know enough about it all? Well anyway I decided to give it a shot. To keep things simple I’m going to talk about the type of Techno London has seen a resurgence of over the last few years. 128-135 BPM not the harder 250-350 BPM Hardcore Techno. To cover the harder stuff is a whole different story.
I’m going to touch on how I view things now and from when I actively started getting involved.
London has always been well known for its progressive and constantly evolving underground dance scene. Over the years England has more and more become a country of mainstream commercialism, its prevalent now more then ever. In defiance to being told what watered down, money making music to listen to and like is why our underground has always been so strong.
It has to be said that Techno has always been here, rolling along in the UK’s depths from the late 80’s early 90’s from such, still very influential figures as James Ruskin, Luke Slater and Ben Sims, out of London, Regis, Female and Surgeon. Overseas in Europe around 2005 was when you started to see influential figures such as Marcell Dettmann and Ben Klock breaking through. They started performing in London soon after but were no where near in demand here as they are nowadays.
In 2011 when my colleagues and I decided to start putting on events we felt the scene in London needed something adding to it. Back then you had the likes of Lost and Plex doing great stuff and the occasional big name appearing at the bigger clubs but there was still a lot more to be done. A lot of new home grown and international talent were on the rise and needed to be known about in London to help progression and add new interest to the genre. I’m not saying we are solely to thank for the recent resurgence its been an over all progression from all angles. But we like to think we have defiantly played our part.
I guess you could say the recent resurgence started around 2010-11 (some may argue this but as I mentioned at the beginning, this is all from my own personal perspective) and from then until today it has been growing very steadily. Right now there are loads more parties going on with new and interesting acts being booked all the time. Some parties are a success some aren’t. But generally speaking I think its safe to say right now our Techno scene is in a good strong state. It’s still not perfect though and I think more could be done by some to support and push the home grown talent we currently have.
I think a lot of the people new to London’s Underground want more pace, technical diversity and progression from their music which is why Techno is becoming more and more popular.
Pretty much every weekend now, between them, the capitol’s Techno events are attracting well over 2000+ people. You can stomp away all weekend till 3pm on a Sunday afternoon. Is it sustainable? Yes I think it is . As the scene carries on growing more people will be attracted in the search for something more substantial and different to what they may have been used to in the past. The exact same thing is happening right now in Malta, Paris and I’m sure a whole load of other places too.
Techno is purely about the music it doesn’t matter if your ugly, beautiful, black, white, young, old, gay, straight, fat, skinny or dressed like a tramp. All are welcome. You could say Techno is just today’s fashion but I wouldn’t be so sure. It’s music of great substance and depth it can be sometimes dark, light and very emotive. It constantly changes and evolves, that’s beauty of it. Total freedom of expression.
Its very true to say that some people have been jumping on the band wagon, using the word “Techno” in their event or track blurb to look cool and current but its always very obvious and their said material usually has absolutely nothing to do with the genre. But that’s their problem and all they are doing is confusing people and making themselves look confused. A few of the larger promoters have questionably jumped on the resurgence but as long as there educating the crowd correctly and doing the genre proud then it’s all good.
What ever music your into just be true to it and yourself.
I asked a few Techno artists local and abroad… “What’s the your most favourite thing about playing or visiting London?” and they replied…
Truss (Perc Trax / OCS / Avian / R&S)
“The diversity of the musical landscape in London is almost unparalleled. As such, I often find an acceptance and willingness amongst the crowds here to allow me to play new or unexpected music within the context of a techno set.”
DVS1 (HUSH/Klockworks)
“Best thing. Customs.. Wait, that’s the worst thing… Best thing is vibe of the city and seeing friends!”
Rebekah (CLR/Decoy)
The last time I played took me by surprise. People literally hanging off the barriers, the atmosphere rivaling some of the best parties across Europe. A very knowledgeable and party-hardy rowdy bunch of people!
Dave Flores (Truncate/Audio Injection)
“Favorite thing about playing in London for me is the fact that the crowds are really up for anything. You can go as hard as you want or as deep! They’re up for it! Also the fact that I’m playing in a country where a lot of my earlier influences come from… lots of techno history!”
DJ Deep (Deeply Rooted)
“In my youth London was the place we were travelling (car, boat, no eurostar yet, and sometimes fly) to get a hold of treasures such as US imports or of course British House and Techno, we had great stores in Paris, but they would only have a limited amount of copies per record, so it was often we’d miss stuff. And now every time I get a chance to play in London I remember how much of an important role the city had in my life as a young DJ, not only the record stores, but the whole culture around Music.”
Mike Parker (Prologue/Mote Evolver/MLTrd)
“The best thing about playing in London is the enthusiasm of the fans there. The recent party at Corsica Studios recently was top notch.”
Time for a bit of shameless plugging… As you may of noticed, as ever we have some great stuff out and coming up on EarToGround. Recently you saw Dax J’s excellent Sephora EP and November 3rd sees the release of Cleric’s debut EP on the label, ETG011, Synthetic tails. Soon after German duet, dualit will also be stepping up for their first.
Cover art and released audio links can be found below…
Cleric – Synthetic Tails – ETG011 (out Nov 3rd)
dualit – Raw Material – ETG012 (release date TBA)
Hopefully now after reading this reading this have new interest towards to genre or if you are already a devoted fan and will be rushing out this weekend to rave.
Shouts to: All the EarToGround crew and friends including artists and remix artists, Krista and Ray and all at Jaded, Children Of Tomorrow, Individual Collective, Void, Plex, The Hydra, Corsica Studios, fabric, Nina at Apelago, Veto Music, EPM, Matt at Alchemy, BM Soho, Hardwax, egg and more importantly everyone who buys Techno and comes to the parties. Loads coming up. Do not miss a beat!
Dualit Interview
EarToGround will soon be welcoming onboard to an exciting, raw Techno duet from Germany. Singularly they are know as Oliver Rosemann and MasCon. Little is known about these guys so before their what is an excellent debut release on ETG, we thought it fitting to find out a bit more about them…
-Hi guys thanks for taking the time out to answer a few questions. Firstly where in the world are you right now?
M: I live in Freiburg (Germany)
O: I am based in Leipzig (Germany)
-How is the weather?
M: The weather is okay, but I’d rather have more snow since I live in the mountains.
O: It’s too cold for me – I love the summer. 2 weeks of snow a year would be alright though.
-You seem to of come out of nowhere. Can you tell us a bit about your individual back grounds? Where do you hail from and how have you ended up coming together to produce as dualit?
M: I started DJ’ing and making music in the middle of the 90‘s. After moving to Berlin I primarily played in Germany, but I also played live and as a DJ in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, UK and Belgium. Aside of these gigs and productions I contributed to the labels Antikonsum, Klangnet and Zinch. At a gig in Leipzig I saw Oliver playing live for the very first time and I was instantly amazed by his style. Prior to moving away from Berlin, I was a resident DJ (Headquater) at Tresor for 2 years.
O: Before dualit I was living in a basement, without any human contact whatsoever – just kidding, haha. I’ve had a couple of solo releases, among others on Mindcut, which released our track Martian at the end of last year. I also played a lot of live sets in Germanys clubs, including the 1040 and the Distillery in Leipzig, Germany’s oldest club!
-Can you try and explain your sound and how you come about making a track. Is it fair to say a lot of hardware is involved? If so would you like to tell us what your favorite bits of kit are?
M: dualit has several meanings, one of them is uniting the sounds made on a computer with music and analogue devices. I am representing the analogue world, while Oliver mostly uses digital components. I’m in love with the Korg MS10 and MS20, but I also utilize devices made by Moog, Roland, MFB and others – it needs to be analogue!
O: It’s important to me to experiment and get life into the sounds, for example through modulations – various synthesizers and effects help me with that.
-You seem to produce quite a lot of tracks. What is your production rate. How many and what time scale?
O: We forced ourselves only to eat when we finished recording a new song, enabling us to produce about 3 tracks each day! Joke
M: Haha, at the end of 2012 we decided to work together and 2013 was a very productive year for us.
O: It’s just working out really well, “the ass matches the bucket”, as we would say in Germany.
-Do you perform LIVE/Dj or both ? What do you prefer?
M: I started out as a DJ, later we would play live sets as a duo, usually I was solo though.
O: I’ve also played by myself and live as a duo, I really enjoy playing DJ sets. We’re currently working on a dualit live set!
-Apart from your forthcoming release on ETG, what do we have to look forward to from you guys in 2014?
M&O: We’re really looking forward to the ETG release, that’s a good start for 2014! At the moment we’re discussing having EP’s released on 5th Wall (middle of this year) and Mindcut (end of this year).
-Any message for what will no doubt, soon to be, your new followers here in the UK?
O: I really enjoy Techno from the UK! Good tracks were and are being produced and different styles created, unfortunately I’ve never been to the island. In case dualit spills over, I’d at least be with you in my mind, hehe.
M: The UK and the local techno is great, I once played in Edinburgh – that was a very different but amazing feeling. I’m really looking forward to people from the UK recognizing and enjoying our music!
So there you go! dualit’s release has been booked in for mastering on March the 7th. Expect to see out on black gold a month or so after.
For some more information and sounds please follow the links below:
Markus Suckut Interview
On Friday 25th October (Halloween weekend) at Cruciix Lane, EarToGround will throw its first party in London since 2011. We took a break for a while to focus on building our label, into something we would be able to look upon and feed with our passion for techno for many years to come.
Now we are back to give you some great nights of music in LDN again, so as we did before, we’ll be bringing you in demand artists and some friends we’ve picked up along way to display their talent to the London techno faithful.
So we are proud to have announced that the three main acts on the night of our EarToGround : Dark Sessions will be Jonas Kopp (UK debut), Markus Suckut and Reeko (London debut)!! With our resident label crew Gareth Wild, Dax J and Chris Stanford also featuring.
Ahead of the forthcoming event we caught up with Markus Suckut for a brief insight into his world…
Hello Markus, first of all thanks for accepting our invite to join us on the night, we’re sure your going to give us a solid set. You’ve been a busy man over the past couple of years especially, there’s often a great new ep or first class remix from you in our bags. Dance floor ready stripped back raw techno, of course we’ve known this for sometime, its why we asked you remix for ETG002: Secluded – Confront EP.
So how’s things? What’s keeping you busy at the moment music wise?
– All is good at the moment for me, I am healthy and happy with how things are developing. I am focusing on original stuff at the moment. I’ve bought a couple of new things for my small studio. I am really happy what’s happening with these new tools.
You started your own label, SCKT not so long ago, vinyl only project too. What kind of satisfaction did you get from starting the label and can you give us any info on what’s coming up?
– Yes. That was a big step for me and definitely the right decision. I have all the freedom about the music and graphic design. That was the most important for me. There’s one more remix EP coming up with remixes from The Artist Formerly Known As 19.454.18.5.25.5.18, i guess he doesn’t need any introduction and also Albert van Abbe will be on this release. I really like his music since I’ve discovered his label No Comment. The series is just about the music, not about names or so. Also I have just finished SCKT03 which should be out early 2014 I guess.
Ok lets go back your early years, where did you grow up and what music was you into in your teens, any clubs or gigs in particular that hold strong memory?
– I grew up and still live near Essen/Duesseldorf in Germany. I’ve listened to a lot of rock music because of my father but I’ve discovered electronic music kind of early. I was hanging around a lot with classmates and I’ve played soccer in a local team for at least 10 years. I nearly never was going out to clubs here cause I think we have not that many cool clubs here.
And can you tell us some of your early inspirations that drew you into the sound that is techno?
– That’s difficult to say for me. It was more commercial dance and trance music as I just had a public radio and music TV as a source for this kind if music. I also was to young to go out or to know what’s happening around all that.
So your 27, music is your living and way of life, right? Can you tell us some of the defining moments that have kept you on your path to getting to where you are today?
– Actually I am 26 and I still have a day job as a graphic designer.
One of those moments where, when Len Faki came back to me and said that he wants’ to release the tracks I gave to him, The album process was also showing me that i am on a good way. It showed me that Len is trusting me 100% in what i do. It’s important to me to have this kind support. It’s my biggest passion to do music and djing but if no one would believe in what i am doing I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have to thank a lot of people out there, supporting me.
If its possible to ask this question to somebody who obviously has a determined commitment to both. What do you enjoy most, playing music or making music? What do they both mean to you?
– I like both of them. Making music is very special and intimate. I can do what I want to do, express feelings, but no one is there when my tracks are developing. No one says it’s good or not, as i don’t have any reaction. When I am djing I have reactions from a lot of people. It’s also great to share music, make them dance and having a good time together. It’s the best thing in the world for me when I see that the people are enjoying what I enjoy – playing out music.
You’ve played some heavyweight venues in recent times, but we’ve noticed you’ll be playing at Womb in Japan on the 28th September. A special place to play by all accounts, first time at the club? First time in Japan? What are you anticipating from your approaching trip?
– It will be my first time in Japan all in all. I wanted to play the Womb since i’ve listened to Chris Liebing’s live recording from there and i still can’t believe to go there, experiencing that culture and vibe on my own now. Also I will see my friend A. Mochi in Tokyo, as he will play also that night at the Womb.
So I am looking forward to some sightseeing, inspirational moments and hopefully a good vibe there.
Well Markus, its been an absolute pleasure speaking with you. We’ll be counting the days until Fri 25th October when you join us for EarToGround in London, for what will certainly be a long night of stomping!
Ryan Elliott Interview
Soon enough on EarToGround we’ll be embarking on another four-track vinyl only release with new collaborated material from label boss Gareth Wild, Chris Stanford and Dax J. The tracks on the Villains EP, “Moonraker” comes with a deep rework from Ryan Elliott, and “Engineers Revenge “ has a chugging remix from Luis Flores. Ahead of ETG007 we talked to Berghain & Panorama Bar resident Ryan Elliott.
Hey Ryan, hope your looking forward to a great summer in Berlin.
Perhaps we should start this interview with a little insight to your roots from back in the states. Tell us a bit about where you grew up and your early experiences of music back home in Detroit?
— I grew up just outside of Detroit. We had all the Detroit TV and radio stations so I would come home from school and watch “the scene” or “the new dance show”. I also really enjoyed listening to Detroit’s National Public Radio station (WDET) that play lots of exciting electronic music. Also on the radio were Jeff “The Wizard” Mills and “The Electrifying Mojo” – they really exposed me to these sounds as well.
When and how did things start moving in the direction that music could maybe a career for you one day?
— Upon finishing my university degrees, I came back to Detroit and started going out to clubs and studying the DJ’s. I knew then what I had to do with my life.
We suppose the next chapter begun when you relocated long term to Berlin, what were the deciding factors that making the big move was going set you path for the foreseeable future. Also was there anyone or anything that helped to encourage your decision?
— I was at a time in my life where I knew that to really become successful as a DJ I was going to have to get out of the US for a while. Berlin was the obvious and natural choice. I’ve always thought Detroit and Berlin feel very similar. I also had quite a few peers and friends already in Berlin, so the decision wasn’t very hard at all.
Since then you’ve been a resident at Berghain & Panorama Bar for sometime now, your one of the few people that gets the chance to play in anywhere in the club complex that oozes with inspiration. How is it that you became a flexible resident that rotates his style on regular basis?
— I’ve always played all the way from very slow and deep house, through to 135 bpm banging techno. There are just so many good records out there in both genre’s I have to buy and play both ways.
Your tour schedule is ever jam packed with dates, in the next month you have 3 dates in Australia, 3 in the USA including DEMF in Detroit, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, oh and lets not forget Hideout Festival in Croatia. So we guess Mondays mean sleep time, unless of course you are still playing in the morning of course. Do you believe in time management and do you give yourself a routine for the next 4-5 days until it all starts again, some must do tasks?
—I’m a very very routine driven person. Travelling so much means there just isn’t time for a lot of the unnecessary time sponge stuff. I’m also a firm believer in exercise helping with all the travel, especially when you take 20 kilos of records everywhere you go!
So other than the remix you’ve done for us at EarToGround what else is coming up for Ryan Elliott, album or something anytime soon?
— My next EP for Ostgut will be released in mid June. I also have remixes coming up for Deep Moves, Sushitech, Work Them Records, and EDEC.
Been great speaking with you and we know you’ve supported our label since its early days. So its very nice for you to feature with a remix on the forthcoming release.
— Its been very nice working with you guys too. As someone who always buys and plays your records I was honored to be asked to get involved. Thanks!
Rebekah Interview
As EarToGround looks forward to its 6th consecutive vinyl release in little over a year. We thought we’d have a little catch up with, not only one of the remixers of Mathias Woots eagerly anticipated “Frostmorne EP”, but also a close friend of the ETG family… Rebekah.
Hey Rebekah, seems like 2012 has been quite a year for you, lots of changes and many things in the pipeline and going very well by the looks of it too. Plenty to discuss but let’s start with your relocation from Birmingham to Berlin.
Obviously Berlin is notorious for having the best music and arts culture in Europe, so its no secret as to why djs & producers at a professional level seem to flock there. How have you found the complete change in culture, what are you enjoying about the city and do you think this is a long term move for yourself?
Moving to Berlin always seemed like a distant dream but it has come round fairly quickly. I absolutely love it here and love the creative lifestyle and easy going attitude the city radiates. When I was in the UK it felt very insular but now I am with like-minded people who are on the same path and who enjoy socialising in the week. So for me it’s a lot about people, a lot about creative freedom but the city itself can be anything you want it to be with its many sub cultures and differing moods. Not sure for how long I will be in Berlin but right now I have no plans to leave.
There’s something very much in common with both Birmingham & Berlin, that being their huge export of techno back in the 90’s that along with Detroit and probably only a few other cities helped kick start the global techno scene into what it is today. You was only a very young lady at this time but can you tell us any memories you have of the early Birmingham scene, the dj’s, parties and did this inspire you to become who you are?
I got into techno back in 1997, the good old days, which was relatively late in the day for the whole Birmingham movement. My inspiration will always be the Atomic Jam parties; it was definitely my rave period. The big scale techno events held at the Que Club was like nothing I had ever seen. Dave Clarke played some of his best sets there and to this day they are a big influence. House of God was in various locations across the city, Surgeons sets would vary which was inspiring to hear. I wasn’t familiar with a Birmingham sound at the time but those huge industrial distorted kicks is what stood out and what I carry through into my sets and productions today.
You’ve been a DJ for many years before becoming a producer when did you start mixing and do you remember your first set in front of a crowd?
My first set was back in 1997, playing at Moseley Dance Centre in Birmingham. To be honest I didn’t quite know what I was doing and managed to fluke the mixing, can remember being very nervous and my hands were shaking a lot, my Mom made me a little outfit (I was 17!!!) but I wouldn’t take off this big cardigan, I was too shy.
It’s no secret to many now that just over a month ago you announced you would be joining the team of Chris Liebing’s infamous CLR label. Did this happen all of a sudden or had you known for some time? Must’ve been quite overwhelming being called up by Mr. Liebing?
It kind of goes back to the Matador – Blond Slackers remix, Chris was playing it after Tommy Four Seven passed it to him. He liked it and we started to talk a little and I sent over more music, which he again liked and played, then in 2012 he asked me to do the CLR Podcast and hinted it was an introduction to getting me involved with the label. I thought nothing of it, it was an exciting idea but I can’t put pressure on myself as all creativity gets lost. By carrying on sending music over to Chris we soon had some options on a track for VA, which is due out early next year and then the question arose of whether I would like to join the family. Long story…short!! I was in shock for a couple of months, when they asked I wasn’t expecting it, so it did knock me sideways.
We understand you won’t be able to reveal everything but can you tell us a bit about whats happening with your involvement with CLR? What’s happened so far and plans for the near future?
Not sure anything is that top secret! But I have just finished recording the next instalment of the Reconnected Series, which is a mixed compilation of some recent CLR tracks plus a choice of music from the back catalogue to pick out some older tracks. It was good fun to mix. As well as the VA we are looking at an EP for 2013. But with the move to Berlin, I still haven’t settled in to making original tracks yet but its getting closer, I kind of went remix crazy, so finishing those off and then looking at different ways to approach making music again. Berlin gives you a lot more freedom creatively; definitely feeling more and more inspired and can’t wait to start writing.
Your gig diary seems to have been very busy this year and you’ve been travelling a lot, what’s been your highlights, favourite place you’ve visited and most memorable party you have played at?
A lot of the time I don’t get to stay that long in a place, so for me it’s the people and attitude that really makes the place most memorable. I felt that the people of Luxembourg and I had a strong connection, they were good people to hang out with. Gig wise I enjoyed playing at La Graviere in Geneva; it is like a little slice of Berlin! Playing Tresor was an amazing experience; everyone was crazy and so warm. The most outrageous would have to be Tomorrowland on the Coincidence Records stage, which was just silly, there was stage diving and flashing in a tunnel with a capacity of 100 people. The smallest big main stage vibe I have encountered!
And what forthcoming shows are you most anticipating?
Wow…all of them. I get hyper for every single one of my gigs and always anticipate the unexpected. I’m currently touring a lot in Germany and the people are nuts…seriously!
You’ve also recently launched your Decoy Records label can you tell us about the labels concept and what the readers should look out for release wise?
It’s been a very exciting project! It features some UK artists such as Chris Colburn, Chris Page, Dead Sound, Chris Finke and a fellow producer from Birmingham and one to watch (or perhaps listen), Jake Conlon. We have some awesome remixes from the likes of Blawan, Inigo Kennedy and Perc. The ethos is simple, just quality techno. The other side of the coin is; would I play it in a set? All the music is tried and tested on the dance floor. The first vinyl release is out on the 26th November.
Outside of your circles is there any particular producers or labels that seem to be pleasing your ears quite frequently or can’t help but fall into your sets most weekends whether it be newcomers or the well established?
MPIA3…! His tracks are ridiculous, enough said. Jonas Kopp has been slamming it in the studio for many years and I still get excited with every EP release and remix he does. Audio Injection/Truncate can be found in my sets both alias’ for different reasons. I am also a huge fan of James Ruskins productions too, with the likes of Sabre, Graphic and Scene having a special hold over me. Then there also seems to be some unusual gems knocking about on Turbo and 50 Weapons.
We’ve seen via your Facebook page you like to look back now and again, posting up old records. If you could tell our readers to check out one track that, gets you every time you hear it, what would it be?
Dave Clark – Thunder – Red 3 makes me grin like a 5 year old from ear to ear. I will never tire of listening to it! Fact!
Ok Rebekah been an absolute pleasure speaking to you, congratulations on a successful 2012 and wishing you a merry xmas and a happy new year!
Thank you! And Happy Xmas and new year to the ETG crew!
Look out for Rebekah’s remix along with one from Psyk too on “ETG006 – Mathias Woot – Frostmourne EP”. Coming very soon on vinyl only!
Ø [Phase] Interview
Our fifth release on EarToGround is drawing very close. ‘Revok Ep’ ETG005, includes a killer extended remix from one of most exciting producers out there. Ø [phase] kindly took some time out to do us a little interview…
Hey Ashley, thanks for taking time to speak with us. Seems like you and the Token crew are having a great 2012 so far, receiving Resident Advisor label of month. Smashing great techno clubs such as Berghain, Tresor etc. Plus loads of great records including an amazing collection of remixes of your very own Binary Opposition. You must be quite pleased with how things are going?
Token has had a productive year and that’s always positive. Obviously as an artist on the label I’m only one part of the picture so the major credit there really goes to Kris for his tireless hard work and energy. Berghain was brilliant fun.
Stepping back in time a little to 2007 or earlier how did you come to meet/ make contact with Kr!z so early in the Token legacy? And what were you up to previously with music?
Kris made contact with me through myspace. We got a good dialogue going. When he set up Token he asked me to contribute. Before that I did a string of releases for Inceptive records – a label set up by Rich Polson & Nick Dunton (Of Surface Records / 65D mavericks ) and some stuff for Steve Bicknell’s Cosmic Records. Behind all that I also worked in the mainstream music industry for many years.
If you could only pick just 1 Token release, to include in an all time personal favorite techno set, what would it be?
Inigo’s Token 5 “Bite Back” is my favorite. Some timeless tracks on there..
Correct us if we’re wrong but techno is obviously a way of life for you but like most with a passion for the hard stuff, it’s not usually a sound you are born into or influenced by your parents musical taste. How did you find techno, or did it find you?
I was introduced to Detroit Techno in the late eighties by an older friend but I didn’t hear Techno in a nightclub until the early nineties. By then it was the second-wave harder stuff (Probe, Dave Clarke, UR etc). I’d moved into that scene from house and hardcore. It was sets by Richie Hawtin and Derrick May the really cemented things for me.
808 or 909?
hmmm.. How can I possibly choose between those two classics !?
Other than music what are your other pleasure’s in life?
There’s quite a few. I try to keep an open mind so will give most things a go.
And do you have a guilty pleasure?
Yep.. plenty of those too !
So going back to your recent Binary Opposition collection, how long ago was the original track made and how did it turn in to one of, if not the biggest remix packages in techno this year? The list of remixers including some of the biggest underground names such as Ben Klock, Planetary Assault Systems, Peter Van Hoesen, Sigha and your label buddy Inigo Kennedy is enough to make any fanatic cream their pants! Impressive is an understatement!!
Cream their pants ??! I did the tracks in late 2011, just a few months before they came out. Kris started pondering the idea of a remix package after the release. It was partly due to the fact that Token is 5 this year so he wanted to do something special. Binary Opposition felt like the right track to take in that direction.
Ok Ashley thanks for chatting with us, much appreciated. Can you leave us with a little info about what’s coming up for you in the next months or so?
We just cut Token 25 – a two-tracker that’s due out in October I believe. I have a few remixes in progress right now. I’m also working on an album for next year.
Words ETG.
‘Revok Ep’ ETG005 will be hitting the stores soon. Audio clips can be found at our releases page.
Truncate Interview
During the last year or so there’s one name that predominately pops up quite a lot across the world of Techno, ‘Truncate’. You hear his productions on a weekly basis being played in clubs, charted and recently even getting some national airplay on BBC Radio One. American based producer Techno producer David Flores aka ‘Audio Injection’ kindly took the time to answer us a few questions. Here are the answers…
– Hi Dave, where in the world are you right now? What you up to? How is the weather?
– I’m currently home in sunny southern California, recently moved and getting back in the studio finishing up remixes and working on new bits!
– You started your ‘Truncate’ alias in early 2011 alongside your ‘Audio Injection’ name. In a short space of time Truncate seems to of become a great success. Did you ever expect it become as big as it has?
– I did not expect it to become big at all! It was started as just DJ tools for myself and friends but who would of thought that these tracks would be so well accepted. I’m very happy they are though
– Where did the name Truncate come from?
– I remember seeing the word Truncate on this old Roland sampler I had back in the late 90s and for some reason it popped in my head so I decided to use it!
– What is the plan for ‘Audio Injection’ ? You seem to be keeping it localized to the states.
– I’m gonna keep releasing music, trying to be in the studio as much as possible, also doing gigs all over. There are some Droid nights coming up toward the end of the year in Europe, so those should be a blast, we’re gonna bring the LA vibe to Europe and I hope Europe is ready for it
– Any tips on production? Do you stay with the same format when producing? What was the last bit of studio kit you bought?
– I usually find a certain way to work and stick with that for a while until I find another better way to do it… I’ve been using the same software for years because I’m very comfortable with it and I can work quickly, some people say I should switch some say stick with what I’m comfortable with and I tell producers this all the time. Use what you’re comfortable with, don’t let other people tell you this program is better than the other because in the end it’s what you’re comfortable using…. I don’t think one program sounds better than the other, it’s what you do inside the program that counts. I’ve heard shitty mixes on a Pro Tools HD rig so what does that tell you….. It’s been a while since I’ve bought a new studio toy, but I think it was Machine!
– Are you using mainly hardware or software or both in your tracks?
– I’m usually all software with my tracks, I don’t have a lot of hardware/outboard gear so I make use of what I have and try to get it to sound the best I can!
– 808 or 909?
– 909!
– Is there a particular favorite drum synth your using at the moment?
– I’m actually using the Drumazon a lot (909 emulator) because I love the 909 sounds so much and they work so well with techno. Also more recently I got Madrona Labs Aalto, that thing is a beast.
– When approaching remixes, I guess you have to like the original first and foremost? Do you like to like to try stay true to the original or make something totally new with the parts?
– I usually approach remixes as my own tracks… I don’t always have to like the original, but I want to have some useful sounds from the original, then I basically build the track from scratch like it was my own.
– Are you related to Luis Flores or just by coincidence do you both share the same surname?
– Pure coincidence!! Crazy huh!
– What is the best thing about what you do?
-Being able to make a living doing what I love to do
– What is the worst part? Can imagine airports are generally a pain the arse.
– Yeah the traveling can become a pain, in and out of gigs, cities, and countries, straight to the airport, no sleep, going thru customs half asleep, almost missing flights, delays, etc….
– You toured Australia and Europe recently not forgetting the states. What have been the most memorable moments during your recent travels. Any stand out gigs?
– Australia was amazing, not just the gigs, but the country itself, it was beautiful and of course Europe is always fun. My last show at Berghain was a blast and also the On & On party in Amsterdam was crazy! Lot’s of good parties!
– Apart from Techno, what music do you listen to?
– I like listening to random stuff, from hip hop, house, dub step (not brostep), drum n bass, classic rock, punk, jazz, even hardcore techno, pretty much anything. I guess it’s whatever I’m in the mood to listen to.
– The first record you ever bought. What was it?
– I’m not sure exactly but I think I remember it was Poing on Rotterdam Records haha
– What Star Sign are you?
– Scorpio
– Favorite beer?
– I’m a beer nut, and its too hard to narrow down to just one favorite beer, but I’m an IPA guy
– Favorite food?
-Pizza is one of my weaknesses
Truncates remix of ‘Klona’ by Alexander Dniel (ETG004) will be hitting the stores early August. Vinyl only format. Preview clips can be found at our releases page.
Words ETG.
