Artist interview with: SAHPE

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 You have been playing and releasing electronic music for over 10 years now and you’re also a multi-instrumentalist. Tell me a bit more about your journey before electronic music and after?

I started similarly to many producers I guess, with some classical training! I started learning the piano when I was 7, but within 3-4 years I was already into rock and metal, so the piano wasn’t “cool” enough for me, I wanted to quit. I was lucky to have a very persistent father, who didn’t let me, and told me “one way or another, I want you to have music in your life.” He told me stories about how loved he was amongst friends because of his accordion, so as a teenager with low self-esteem I thought this might help! So then the compromise was “I’ll switch to the guitar”! Unfortunately, pretty soon I was a proper 90s raver, so the guitar was out of sync with my musical taste again and that was dropped too. Finally, there was a last ditch effort for a year of drums with the help of a friend, but my focus shifted to studying and that was that. You are correct that the world only found out about my music 10 years ago, but I actually tried making music using an MS-DOS software called Voyetra, 27 years ago, yikes! This is pre-Windows, believe it or not! And it was painful, let me tell you…

 What would you say to artists beginning their career in the electronic music industry? Is there any message you would give? If you had the power to do so, would you change anything in the music industry?

One thing I regret is what I eluded to just now – the fact it took me so long to send demos out. I know full well my music wasn’t ready to be released, but when I did start sending demos I got some invaluable feedback. So my advice would be to not hesitate to send stuff out! Most times you won’t hear back, and this can be tough to deal with, but when you do it will definitely help. Also, find a way to fund some proper training for yourself, be it musical or DAW. I worked poorly for far too long, and I never utilised the full power of my software, never mind how many bad habits I’ve picked up through the years. Get on a course, and send demos!

Sadly, there’s plenty wrong with the music industry, even if you only focus on electronic music. I think things are moving in the right direction, especially with representation and inclusivity. There is also some amazing work being done by people like Rebekah on making our scene and spaces safer for everyone, especially women. Given the right position or platform, I would definitely try my best to contribute towards these efforts. Another major issue is of course the returns. Steve Jobs decided a track is worth a measly 79p, and Daniel Ek decided a Spotify stream is worth $0.003, while they both became billionaires off our backs, so it’s nearly impossible to make a living as an artist. Pile on that promoters that don’t pay for gigs and you have the perfect storm… 

We all need to push for change in all these issues, together, as allies to each other. 

 With 3 aliases and a great variety of tracks, going from house to techno, is there a particular way you make music or is it something more spontaneous?

This is my strength and my weakness, I feel. I am extremely spontaneous. I start with an idea, and let it flow through me and become whatever music or genre it wants to. And when this started happening early on, I had the example of my personal biggest influence, Novatek (aka DJ Savage, Digitalia, Neuro-D, etc), who had 20 different aliases depending on the output, and also took advice by Tony Thomas who suggested I produce everything under a single name, because “it’s all you”! Both valid points… I went down the middle, with just three aliases. So, I have a very chilled out catalogue of tracks, under Forgetting Factor, then the more techno or acid productions under mikaelantony, and everything else, like house and tech or minimal, under Sahpe, which is also my main one. I do only DJ under Sahpe though, just so I can be easily recognised on a flyer from anyone that knows me. And with that, I have the freedom to explore my entire record collection and digital library (as well as CDs, yes CDs haha!). 

 With all your experience as a DJ throughout these years, when and where was your best and worst performance? 

Believe it or not, my most enjoyable experience as a DJ was at the Purple Turtle in Reading, back in December 2016! Two dear friends ran a night there and somehow got the most random crowds to accept that the only late venue in Reading was playing techno on a Friday! I had complete freedom to play whatever I wanted, for the first time ever, and I played records spanning two decades, mainly techno. I’ve never had a set flow so effortlessly, and the crowd loved it too! Honourable mentions go to sets I played at Le Yono in Paris in 2016, Jaded at Corsica Studios in July 2018, and also my closing set for Minimal Force in November 2021! Oh, and an 8-hour set at AntiChic in Greece back in 2012! That was insane…! In all of these instances, the music, the flow, and the connection with the crowd made for a very special moment and hyped me to perform at my best… 

My worst performance was mainly because of my mood to be honest… It’s a testament on how a DJ or artist can’t really be allowed to have a bad day… You have to be smiling and at your best, ready to entertain… I got some devastating news just before getting on the decks, and I barely made it through the set… Damned if you do, damned if you don’t… 

 From all of your records, if you could pick 5 all time favourite records, which ones would you pick and why?

This is a tough one! Let me see… 

1.  Depeche Mode – Violator (1990)

a. Probably the best musical body of work ever put together for me; every single track, every single lyric… Also includes my favourite piece of all time, “Personal Jesus”. 

2.  Inner City – Paradise (1989)

a. Another brilliant album, also includes another absolute favourite of mine, “Good life”. Those iconic chords just make me weak in the knees! 

3.  Kraftwerk – Man-Machine (1978)

a. Do I even need to explain this one?! 

4.  Jamiroquai – Emergency on Planet Earth (1993)

a.This guy and his band are just incredible, masters at their craft, and never ever disappoint! I could have easily picked any of their albums, even their 2010 Rock Dust Light Star! This one was just too impressive for me, as a debut album to have smashed it like that, and the dude was just 24! 

5.  Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)

a. So much of the music we love was influenced by or originated in the Manchester scene, and Joy Division played a major part in that. Ian Curtis’ voice, Martin Hannett’s recording techniques… Just unique… This is actually one of only two records that I have an original mint condition first pressing of. The other one is New Order’s Blue Monday. 

This was distilled down from very long list including New Order, Shamen, Nitzer Ebb, Faith No More, Pearl Jam, Booka Shade, Paul Kaklbrenner, and others!

Indoor or outdoor party?

Oh definitely indoor! The whole rave culture was build on dark and sweaty basements and warehouses! Wouldn’t have it any other way, I never have the same experience with outdoor parties. The feeling is more intense indoors, the connection with the people around you, the sound is miles better… Just no comparison whatsoever.  

Tell me a bit about your mix. What can we expect from it?

This is only the third time I’ve ever done this, believe it or not! I mean, I’ve recorded hundreds of spontaneous or live sets, but I’ve only been asked to plan and curate a mix on request thrice. Every time it has been an absolute mammoth task, with weeks of listening to records and digital tracks, boiling things down to something particularly special, and hence why it took me so long to get you this too (sorry!). Hope it’s worth it! I can’t just pump the latest promos I have, or top 100 or a copy of my favourite DJ’s playlist. I have to create a journey, as with all my DJ sets, and it has to span the entirety of the electronic music’s history, plus some diverse genres too! There have to be some classic flashbacks, some IYKYK moments, some unexpected curveballs and obscurities, and several fresh tracks too, of course. There has to be electro, acid, and techno at least, and sometimes even beyond that too. You should expect an energy build up that seems like a warm-up, ups and downs like any journey and experience, and a finish that you could end your night with! Well, that was the intention anyway… Enjoy! 

Listen to the mix here:

Follow the artist here:

facebook.com/sahpe

instagram.com/sahpe

soundcloud.com/sahpe

mixcloud.com/sahpe

Artist Interview with: John Kayer

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 When did you first start to get interested in electronic music?  Was it the influence of friends, family or did you find it yourself?

Well, I always liked music, since I was a kid. I used to listen to a lot of pop, dance, hip-hop and even adventured myself to dance for some time, around 2007. Because of that, in 2009 I tried Djing for my dance group class as we needed someone to mix the tracks together. The tracks that influenced me a lot were David Guetta Feat. Akon – Sexy Chick and on higher bpms was Growling Machines – Enjoy The Silence, I was not very decided about my musical taste until I heard Roy Rosenfeld in a local party, I was so surprised when I heard Thomas Schumacher – Fangbanger, that after that moment I never left techno.

 How is the underground music scene in the country side of Sao Paulo? Do you feel it is getting better than before? What do you think would help techno to expand in your area?

The scene in the country side is still a bit poor but it has been growing in the last few years, I also feel that the people are more open minded about the parties every time, accepting to listen other styles, different from a few years ago. On my opinion, to make the local scene bigger, we would need more people to know our events, sharing more our work and looking to know more and show people what techno is about.

Pathless · John Kayer - Anxiety (Original Mix)

 When did you start producing music and what made you start? Were you always producing techno or you been through other genres too?

The feeling of expressing myself was definitely one of the biggest reason in the beginning. I started producing EDM, at that time it was very famous and shortly after I went to Techno and Minimal, but today I only stick to Techno.

 One all time artist or producer do you see as your primary inspirations and one that you recent discovered that is already a reference to you?

For sure one of my biggest inspirations is Jeff Mills, for me this guy makes incredible things since the time we would not mix digital with analog, something he always showed us. And a newer artist is Cleric, since I saw him in 2017 I can’t get his sounds out of my head.

 3 artists you would you love to do a b2b with and why?

I think the first one would be Cleric, as I said before, he is an inspiration for me, so would be nice to start with him. Right after would be Sven Vath, because he is very practical on his sets and his mixing skills. For last, Ben Klock, this guy mixing skills is amazing, he is great mixing and sing fx, which a lot of djs do not know how to use it well. Each one of them are unique.

 Tell me a bit about your mix. What can we expect from it?

You can expect on this mix, grooves and different techniques with fx and transitions, with loads of percussions and energy.

 

 Favorite food?

My favorite food is Strogonoff.

Listen to the mix here!

Follow the artist here:

https://soundcloud.com/john-kayer

https://www.instagram.com/johnkayerofc/

Artist Interview with: ZUZANAH

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 Tell me a bit more about yourself and how did you start your journey into Djing? Was it something you found it yourself or was the influence of someone else that inspired you to start?

A difficult first question. I might skip the “about yourself” , so how did I start the 

journey - Well I actually didn’t plan to be “DJing” , I wanted to learn how to play , so I can play for myself, however I think the deeper im going with certain things the more it gets my attention, it was a hobby since day one. I took some lessons to learn the basics, bought a controller from my best friend and I just kept playing and playing and playing. Hundreds of hours went into practices , and still today I call it practice every time I go and touch the decks. 

It took me about a year, to discover my mixing technique that would work for me ( comfort vs good sound ) , every time I touch the decks I learn something new , its amazing how much there is to learn and yet there is always more, I love this, sometimes I do something by “mistake” and voila new information just enters my brain, and hands. If someone influenced me, - yes sure did , it wasn’t one person but two, one in 2019 another in 2020 (that’s when I decided to actually learn). I believe by now i found myself sound wise, where i belong to and what i feel comfortable with. I went through many different sub genres of techno. I tried to experiment with sound to find “ The Spot” .

It is very clear that dark and hypnotic sounds are part of your identity now. Who would you say are your top 5 favourite artists at the moment? Why them?

I am glad I have an identity , its great to hear it from someone, thank you. My top 5 artists at the moment : all time favourite Luke Slater, Arnaud Le Texier, Dejan (SE) , Vinicius Honorio, Antonio de Angelis , and why them , because all of them are not only amazing artists but great producers, and humans, they helped me to shape ZUZANAH , they are the main influence . 

There are many more names I could add and I respect each one of them dearly for their input to the scene. 

The electronic music industry has always been changing and getting bigger, but recently more than ever. If you had the power to change anything in this industry, what would it be?

I think I haven’t been able to observe it for long enough, before 2020 I was a raver who enjoyed every party beginning to end , since I started playing many things have changed from my perspective for sure. If I had the power to change something - please lets move back to 2019 and lets start over , I think in last three years from what I could observe the shift is drastic, I would change many many things.

 If you could open a gig for any artist, who would it be and why?

This is my favourite question. As many might know I am huge fan of Volt London collective , this party plays a significant role in my life, journey and a DJ development if I can describe it this way. Volt holds great qualities I have adored since first party I attended back in 2019, so yes opening for their party was definitely dream come true , and as per artist it was Arnaud Le Texier which I managed now twice, truly honoured . Another two people I would love to open 

for would be Dasha Rush and Luke Slater, and why them - because I respect those two artist very dearly and it would be an honour to share line up with them and open up for them. Of course , there is a list of names I could add, but those mentioned are my top ones.

Do you like doing B2B or prefer to play alone? Why?

Im glad I took some time, and now can answer the question, I had my first b2b live back in November. I’ve played many b2b hours long sessions at home with different people , and always loved it, I believe b2b is a beneficial source of information. However, live, I prefer playing solo. B2B can be tricky even though you can practice before hand or exchange tracklists , things change right, today Im not the same person I was yesterday, and I generally like to get my folders packed with tracks of different taste so at the spot I can choose what feels right and / or follow response from the crowd, with b2b it could be tricky in a way you try to go one way but your second half goes another way , so in this case you need to follow your 

b2b partner and the crowd , now how to accommodate all this information, because two brains can judge what’s right very differently. I heard many amazing b2b’s in the past , but as per personal preference , definitely solo.

Tell me a bit about your mix. What can we expect from it?

This particular mix is the usual sound of mine , followed my inner taste of deep, hypnotic and bleeping sounds , darker and heavier kicks. Podcasts give me a bit of space to sometimes throw in track/s that we wouldn’t normally play at the party, and so this one cannot be an exception, as I say , there is always the one . You will know exactly which track it is in this podcast :) .

Favourite non electronic music genre?

Non electronic music genre, hmmmm . All i like is electronic- techno, broken beat, dark ambient. There isnt much else i listen to really .

Listen to the mix here!

Follow the artist here:

www.instagram.com/zuzanah._dj/
www.facebook.com/zuzanah.dj

https://soundcloud.com/zuzanahdj

Artist Interview with: ØLMØ

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You are known for your mixing skills and ability to play with multiple tracks in your sets, own productions as well as many other things. How long have you been Djing and how did your music career started?

Thank you for your nice words Thales. My very first approach to music were concerts, street parades and social spaces between 1999 and 2000. I was definitely too young, eheh. 

In 2001 one of my mates introduced me to music production and eventually gave me a pirate copy of Reason 1.5. In that period I started discovering specialised music stores in my hometown and after a few years of collecting ( very random records ) I eventually got my first turntables. 

You have performed in many clubs and parties throughout all these years. What was your favorite place to perform? When and where do you feel was your best and worst performance? Why?

Unfold XL at Fold was definitely my favourite place. The crowd is filled with love and good vibes and they know how to rave and being together respectfully. The sound system is just incredible and the dj booth is in the middle of the floor, so that every time I dropped the bass I felt like slapping myself! I had a similar feeling at corsica studios in room 2 but Fold was so much bigger! One of my best set was last NYE for MANIA. It was a 24 hours party. Sometime I’m so stressed out after my most technical sets that I forget to have fun. On the other hand if I’m in a good mood I have fun despite of the quality of my performance. My worst ever set was at the castle in 2019. It is a limited capacity venue, really intimate. Long story short I got there really early and by the time I had to play I was way too wasted! I remember giving up on vinyl because I just couldn’t do it and moving to cdjs. It was a train wreck ahah! After my set I’ve been asked to back to back with my mate Tsibo and I don’t remember anything apart from the fact that I had a great time! 

Nowadays with more and more upcoming artists, do you feel it is essential to be a producer as well as a Dj? What made you start producing music and when did you start?

Music is constantly changing and so the discipline of djing. Nowadays is necessary to multitask in order to establish. Producing music is a way to reach ubiquity and to expand for djs, but they are still very different one from the other. My first approach to production was reason and immediately after I started experimenting with step sequencers. I used to go to high school with a korg electribe that I would hide on my laps making music during lessons. I used to produce weird drum and bass and also instrumental beats and then recording rappers and singers. I had fun and I learned the workflow but I was no way near professional.

My first decent releases came way after my first dj gigs, around 2015. 

Nnullz · ØLMØ - Vice

Has Techno always been your main genre or you have worked with others before? What are your 3 all-time favorite techno artists and why?

In the beginning I was mixing every records I could put my hands on, from rap to drum n bass, reggae or electronic. In 2002 on of my best mates showed me the dvd of the exibitionist by Jeff mills. I was blown away but still my first gigs and so my first decade as a dj was mainly focused around hip hop, urban music and scratching. Moving to London in 2012 and discovering a totally new scene made me want to discover more about electronic music. I moved full time into it around 2015. In 2018 I stated my project ØLMØ, focused around a specific shade of techno.

Tell me 2 of your favorite records and 2 advices for new Djs out there.

I love growth by Jeff Mills. I really like the track and the dj tool on the b side, but this record is special because I’m emotionally close to it. It’s technically not mine eheh. I borrowed it from a good friend many years ago. He moved to Uk and then off to explore the world. He didn’t even dj and I believe that It’s always been an unspoken gift. If you’re reading this one Brando and the record wasn’t actually an unspoken gift, I will return it at some point. Ahah lot of love!

The second favourite record probably changes every other week. At the moment I would say Horror Vacui LP by Setaoc Mass. It’s one of those albums that you can play from the start till the end.

About the advices for new djs I would say that patience is the most important skill for any artist. Give time to time and don’t give up your love. Art is reached through the expression of feelings, Ideas and Identity. It takes time to find the right way to connect your inner world with the outer one and it takes to learn skills and knowledge in order to be capable of making both world resonating. 

LABURNŪM Records · PREMIERE: ØLMØ - Positivity [LBRNM03]

Tell me a bit about your mix. What can we expect from it?

It’s a mix of my favorite artists at the moment. It is danceable but it’s also a journey that could be appreciated sitting down, if it makes sense. I tried to keep it technical, using 3 decks and a drum machine. I like to de-compose tracks and to use layers to tell a story the way I like.

After party or pre drinks?

Pre drinks are for close friends, more intimate. After parties are great for meeting new people. Can I say both? hehehe

Listen to the mix here: https://on.soundcloud.com/rDZeg

Follow the artist here:

https://www.instagram.com/olmo_uk/

https://soundcloud.com/olmouk

https://www.facebook.com/olmosounds

Artist interview with: ALNA

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Tell me a bit more about yourself and how did your journey in music started? Was it something you found it yourself or you had an influence from your family that led you into it?

I make music since age 13 - I used to sing in bands and for a theatre and had a vocal coach for 6years. Then moved to London to study sound design. I knew I want to be a musician since I was a child - I was constantly singing and dancing :) My grandad was a professional dancer - I got the artistic side from him.

You have a bunch of good productions. Do you have a whole preparation before making music or is it more spontaneous and you just sit there and start building ideas?

Sometimes I record my voice and start from there, at time I find a kick I like and build the track around it - pretty much spontaneous.

How does your studio look like? What gear do you use usually? Any favourite ones?
I used to make music in a box (Ableton and a bunch of VSTs). Nowadays I have an Elektron Analog Rytm and TR8S - love them both drum machines. Also have a Behringer Model D and TD 3 and a keyboard. Planning on buying more Elektron machines - really love Elektron 

THE BRVTALIST · PREMIERE: ALNA - Trust [OOC001]

Who are your top 5 artists of all time and why?

Nina Simone / Amy Winehouse / Etta James / Aretha Franklin / Adele - unique voices/artists
Michael Jackson - unique voice and artist
David Bowie - innovators & great voices

Jeff Mills - amazing producer/DJ

Luke Slater/Planetary Assault Systems - amazing producer/DJ Chris Liebing - amazing producer/DJ
Carl Cox - versatile and amazing producer/DJ
Jerome Hill - amazing producer/DJ

Kink - amazing producer/DJ
Etc etc (too many to mention tbh)

What is the idea behind your label & parties “Out Of Ctrl” and what led you to start it?

I used to put on parties back home in Italy and when I moved to London (8 years ago) I kept on promoting my own parties - Hypnosis parties pre pandemic and OUT OF CTRL parties and label after the pandemic.

I think it was the right moment to start a label as my productions got better + I have a lot of young producer friends who’s music I like and want to support.

Cats or dogs?

Cats and dogs!

Tell me a bit about your mix. What can we expect from it?

Proper techno.

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Listen to the mix here

Follow the artist here:

instagram.com/alnasound
facebook.com/alnasound
alnasound.bandcamp.com/
instagram.com/outofctrlmusic
facebook.com/outofctrlmusic
outofctrlmusic.bandcamp.com/

WELCOME!

 

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I’m very excited to finally introduce something I’ve been thinking to do it for a while. My own guest mixes and written interview from each artists.
All ranges of artists from all over the world are gonna be presenting us with a mix and their story.
It is a chance for us to discover more about each of these artists, how they started, why they are doing it and more. 
Thank you to all the artists that participated so far and to everyone that helped me somehow! I hope you like it!
As a warmup I will start with a mix from myself and I can’t wait to share with you all of them! 
I will be posting one mix and interview every month from different artists and a mix from myself. 🖤

2 mixes per month, each will be transmited by In Progress Radio.

Below is the playlist where I will be releasing every set.

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Thales Constantini · Guest Mixes And Written Interview