Trisector (Finland)
One of an ever increasing list of quality Finish dnb exports, Trisector aka. Otto Hassinen has been perfecting his epic sci-fi flavoured electronica since the tender age of 11. A self confessed nerd, Otto lists influences as out there as David Cronenburg and swedish post punk-pioneers Refused. The spark that ignited the junglist in him was a snatch of Amen from a Bukem festival set heard over the radio which set the wheels in motion on a journey that would launch him onto the international circuit many years later.
What sets Trisectors music apart from the rest of the pack is the way he pulls on his eclectic tastes to create something with attitude but also with a an almost graphic element. His use of sound creates atmospheres and moods which would be unattainable by many of his peers.
For someone with such a broad interest in music it comes as no shock that Trisectors musical path hasn't always been linear. Otto has previously released music as one half of the Finish breakbeat/dubstep duo Takomo, gaining support from Radio 1 DJ and breaks legend Annie Nightingale. Releases followed on number of labels and gigs all over Europe would prove to be a taster for what was still to come.
Finally, three years ago Otto made the move to drum & bass and took up the alias Trisector. His first solo tunes quickly filtered into the sets of household names such as Muffler and Blu Mr Ten and before long came to the attention of Hospital Records. The 'Morning Rain'/'Structured light' EP came out on 12" and digital through Med School and his forward thinking arrangement wowed listeners the world over. Another release, 'Lifeforms' followed confirming his abilities in the studio.
Otto has also recently been featured on an album from the Vampire camp titled Drumz of the Damned and 'Finnish Drum & Bass and Dubstep 2010', an LP put together by fellow countrymen LAOS to showcase the scene in Finland.
Trisector is currently working on new tracks for release in the future and with his sound lightyears ahead of the competition, the future may be the best place for him!
Check out his in depth interview below
Example: What attracts you to drum & bass?
Trisector: Originally it all started from the amen break and the contrast of rough breaks and deep atmospheres. Kind of like punk rock with samplers from future. But not really.
Example: What's the Finnish DnB scene like and how does it differ from the UK?
Trisector: There are less people in the world speaking Finnish language as their mother tongue than people living in London, so the drum'n'bass scene
is a bit smaller too. There are regular nights with foreign headlines in Helsinki, which is the capital and then also in student towns like Tampere and Jyväskylä. At some point it seemed at there was no interest and things were pretty quiet but now it's looking good. Finland is a rock/metalcountry and it's pretty hard for any kind of dance music, so based on these circumstances we're doing quite well.
Producer wise i guess our country is pretty active as we've got quite a few estabilished producers coming from here, such as Muffler, Resound, Fanu, Physics, LAOS and also some fresh guys bubbling under. LAOS guys recently compiled the first Finnish DnB & Dubstep compilation cd after it had been planned for about 10 years or so.
Example: How long have you been producing music?
Trisector: I started to play around with tracker software and samples when i got my first pc at the age of 11. But that was just playing around andhaving fun. I was happily unaware of things like compression, eq or any kind of effects or anything to do with actual "production". I never really started to look at the technical things until in 2002 when i got a new computer and could move to a bit more advanced software. We had just started Takomo and were getting even some positive attention so i guess, that's when things got a bit more serious.
Example: Why the move from breaks/dubstep into drum & bass back in 2007?
Trisector: In the end of 2007 i started to hear some interesting stuff going on in drum'n'bass, and started to hang out with people involved in drum'n'bass through dj'ing/promoting/production. At some point I got tempted to put the bpm at 170 bpm and ended up writing my first solo tracks in ages.
I don't think i've really moved away from breaks/dubstep as we did loads of tunes with Pekka and played quite a few gigs. Until the release of Morning Rain EP I was still considering Takomo as the #1 project, but after that the ball started rolling. We only wrote two tracks last year and other of them was a remix, but we have plans to write some tracks together again soon. And also release the bunch of unreleased stuff we've got buried in our hard drives.
Example: Describe your sound.........
Trisector: Music from a guy with glasses who spends too much time with computers and needs to get out more often.
Example: What do you think has had the strongest effect on creating your sound?
Trisector: In short i guess i could put it to two things: sci-fi movies and Future Sound Of London.
I guess I'm trying to paint a visual image with the sounds in my tunes, so that the listener could see a scenario or a picture when he/she closes eyes while listening to my music. Or that's an effect I would hope to achieve. The music I've listened to and that has been a big influence on me have created the same effect on me and it would be cool to pass that on. Or at least if I can create an image for myself, or tie a tune into a
certain moment in my life I would be happy with that and some tracks I've written definitely remind me about some moments.
Example: What kind of studio set up do you work on?
Trisector: Simple. I've got a Macbook running FL Studio and passive Alesis monitors, and Sennheiser HD-25 headphones. I'm planning to get a proper soundcard so I can be able to plug in some nice things like instruments or a mic. So far I've been fine with the internal soundcard. I've always worked in the box so I'm not exactly craving for hardware, although I wouldn't mind if I had something by Dave Smith Instruments for example.
Example: What were your highlights of 2009?
Trisector: Probably moving to same flat with Fanu, which has led to awesome b2b sessions, sample swapping and sore thumbs after long xbox battles.
Also the release of Morning Rain ep, as it was my first solo release and to be honest I never really expected to release anything by myself
in the first place. Also the release of Lifeforms and the visit to London for some studio action with inZtance and the visit to Hospital.
The 1 year birthday party of our night "Science". We even had party hats and stuff. And a pirate hat. First visit to UK, to play 2 gigs at Drop Beats, Not Bombs festival in Birmingham with Takomo.
Example: What have you got in the pipeline for the next 12 months?
Trisector: I have a track featured on that Finnish compilation i mentioned earlier, as well as on the new double album on Vampire Recordings "Drumz of the Damned", and I also have possible plans on doing something for Lightless. There is at least one tune done, but that isn't exactly enough. Also probably something new coming from Med School this year, but nothing has been locked down yet.
There's also a free mp3 release planned on Nerve Recordings that will contain 2 collaborations with Dejaru, who's another finnish producer.
In general I'm just working on new music, by myself as well as on collaborations, but I have no idea what kind of results will we get. I guess that's left to be seen. Or heard.
Example: Who are you feeling and who are your ones to watch in 2010?
Trisector: I'm really looking forward to hear what Rockwell has got to offer us. All the tunes and dj sets I've heard from him so far have been fresh. Also the stuff Fracture and Neptune are doing on their label right now is off the hook- You might want to have a closer look at the guys featured on Med School's New Blood album too, and I would hope the people I've had the joy of working with recently; Dejaru, inZtance and Naraka would finally get the attention they deserve, as all of them have recently written some really good stuff.
Example: Do you have any plans outside of dnb/music?
Trisector: I don't really have any definite plans whatsoever, just a list of things that would be nice to do, For example I would like to do some sound design in future. Or play in a band. I did play bass in one and enjoyed it, but I had to leave because lack of time. And because the vocalist started playing Nickelback at one rehearsal. I also recently picked up my camera and started taking photos again just for fun.I guess at some point I should go back to school, but I have no idea what should I study. Too many interesting things to pick from, and I also enjoy my life as it is right now, revolved mostly around music.
Check out Trisctor & Inztance 'Trace Of A Smile' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7YjEQRXJhY
http://www.myspace.com/trisectorfi
Blokhe4d : UK
Blokhe4d is a new album project from Bad Co guys Maldini & Vegas and collaborator Uman. Details are still pretty sketchy but they're already attracting attention from a broad cross section of Drum & bass.
Maldini & Vegas need no introduction, having played their part in the legendary dnb crew Bad Company alongside the likes of Fresh, D Bridge & Trace they are responsible for a string of seminal hits still held in the highest regard by critics and heads alike. They continue to release heavyweight darkstep & dancefloor smashers through their imprint Bad Taste Recordings.
New partner in crime Uman, is a Swiss producer who fist entered the limelight at the turn of the millennium as one half of Task Horizon and has since gone on to win the prestigious M for Music award in his native Switzerland. Uman recently returned to the dnb fold after a period concentrating on other genres and has quickly signed a slew of solo tracks to labels including Bad Taste, Viper & Timeless.
With Blokhe4d, the trio are trying to fuse aspects of drum & bass, rock, electro & house music to create something fresh. They have already signed tracks to a number of labels and their album is due for release later in the year.
check out the stomping and slightly disturbing video for 'Cretin' here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WezDZDDdbUM
http://www.myspace.com/blokhe4d
Sato: UK
Sato is an up and coming Producer from the North East who is making waves with some of the games main players. Amongst others, Sato has gained praise and support from Goldie, Marcus Intalex & Fabio. In 2009 one of the most respected producers in the scene stepped up on remix duties and Sato's ascent into the limelight shifted up a gear. Breaks remix of Barn perfectly complemented Satos brooding sound but added a choppier flavour while lending his top flight credibility. With an increasingly impressive list of releases to his name, look out for Dystopia/House Groove on Creative Source, Turning Point on Ingredients and Scorched on Future Thinking.
I spoke to Sato to find out more........
How long have you been producing dnb?
I'm not really sure to be honest. I think about 4 or 5 years.
...must be quite a while if I can't remember!
You made other styles previously, what were you into and why the change?
I made some hip-hop beats, some techno, some 'sound-track' stuff, just whatever took my fancy when I sat down in my studio. I wasn't really focused on anything. That was a problem, cause I never got anything done. It was fine as far as it went but then you get to the stage where you have to decide where you are going with it. I still loved DJing and I'd had a go at making dnb. I played a couple of things I'd been working on to Phobia who had some positive things to say and gave me a few pointers. I figured that I would have a proper go at trying to make a tune I could get released. It took a while as I pretty much had to re-learn everything, but here we are...
Do you think your dabbling with these other styles had an effect on your sound?
Eventually. When I was at school I used to be in a band with a couple of friends. We all had different tastes in music (I was into dance stuff, one lad was into mad electronics and prog rock and the other guy was into indie) it ended up pretty messy sounding tbh but was a lot of fun just using anything we could lay our hands on to try and make a noise. We used to borrow books from the library on how people like Brian Eno used to make records and try out some of the techniques. As a result I got big into plugging things in to the wrong place to see what noise it made.
When I first started trying to make dnb I put all that to one side, I had to or I couldn't focus on engineering, beats, song structure or any of that technical side of things. I'm just starting to try and get back to making some mad sounds. Samplers are great because you can start with the most horrible, distorted sonic mess and if you just hear one little bit of it you like you can use it. I'm not sure how that side will work out tbh. I'm making good progress at the moment and don't want to get too sidetracked with that sort of thing. I definitely use a lot of distortion in my tunes though.
What was your highlight of the last year?
Man, there were so many. 2009 was the year that things really started happening for me. When Break said he wanted to remix Barn that was pretty huge. I love that guy's sound, the energy of his tunes, so when he told me he was playing Barn and was feeling what I was doing it gave me such a boost.
Hearing him playing Turning Point while I was out in the crowd dancing like a loon was a pretty good feeling too haha.
What have you got in the pipeline for the next 12 months?
A lot happening over the next couple of months. Scorched coming on Future Thinkin', Retrig on the next Vampire LP and of course the Turning Point / Rough Ground 12 on Ingredients promos on Feb 1st. Later in the year I've got Justify / Seeker coming on Ingredients and of course Dystopia / House Groove on Creative Source.
Who are you feeling and who are your ones to watch in 2010?
I love the stuff that Die and Break are doing at the moment. I just love the vibe of their tunes - good dance-floor music but with some substance. Heard a few new bits over the weekend that were just amazing dnb. I really like a lot of the Taxman stuff too.
Other than those guys watch out for Skitty making a very strong comeback this year. That man has so much music in him and just does not compromise with his sound.
Describe your sound.........
I like so many different styles it is hard to know when I sit down what I'm going to have at the end of it. The way I make my sounds and the equipment I use to do it gives them a certain 'earthy' quality I guess - quite thick sounding, a bit old-fashioned really haha! The only checks I do on myself as I go along are "Is the energy right?", "Will I play this?", "Can I dance to this?". As long as I keep answering 'yes' then I know I'm OK.
Check out Satos inneractive debut with the track 'Trident' produced alongside Jubei and Treez:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvzPA0_cJvE
For the lowdown: www.Myspace.com/kbsato or look for 'Sato DnB' on Facebook
Rockwell: UK
Of all the artists on this list, Rockwell has probably seen the swiftest rise in profile. Going from relative obscurity to featuring in the sets and record bags of the scenes biggest names & taste makers in what seems like a matter of months.
Rockwell now regularly features in the sets of respected selectors like Hype, Shy Fx and Kasra. His tunes perfectly marry minimal atmospherics, dub-esque percussion and punishing techy dancefloor energy. After almost six years of hard work Rockwells fortunes took a massive step forward as Alix Perez amongst others began championing his productions and in a matter of months he had his first release on critical, his pounding percussive workout 'Drums' had been signed to Digital Soundboy and he found himself nearing the top of the DJing circuit with spots at Fabric playing alongside the likes of Andy C and co.
With collabs in the works with the likes of Icicle and Sabre and the imminent release of 'The Noir EP' on Critical, Rockwell is likely to cement his place in the scene. If you want to see what all the fuss is about then try Rockwell and Stapleton Mcs deep and moody set on http://Soundcloud.com/rockwell or visit Manchesters Hit & Run on March 1st to see the man grace the decks in person
Watch Rockwell 'Underpass' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFsWNjXOxLo
http://www.myspace.com/rockwelldnb
Subwave: Russia
Subwave is one the new breed of Russian producers finally gaining the recognition that has been to due for so long. The Russian scene
has long been renowned for it's huge and epic parties but very little of the music being made save that of a few artists like Electrosoul System made was really filtering back to these shores. All that changed in 2009, largely as a result of the Future Sound of Russia LP on Hospital which seemed to open the floodgates on a wealth of great music from the delicate sounds of Bop to the charged Jump up of Prestige. Of all these new sounds and faces Subwave stands apart.
His music is difficult to pin point: As soon you think you have it figured he'll surprise you. Rollers, steppers, half time, tech, liquid, minimal
He carries an air of enigma. It's hard to tell if it's the language barrier or if he just wants to keep Gleb and Subwave seperated.
Whatever the case one thing is for certain, Gleb........ or Subwave is making some of the most exciting out there at the moment. The labels are taking notice too; Hospital, Shogun, Metalheadz all signing tracks and Dj support coming from John B, Hype, Friction and more.
It seems like it's all go all of a sudden, but Subwave is no newcomer to the scene. You have to go back almost 10 years, fresh into production with his then creative partner Alexander Rotov. The pair grabbed the attention of the late John Peel, one of the great champions of the drum & bass scene. Not long after, their debut release was signed my Mark Caro better known as Tech Itch. Some international success followed before Gleb went solo as Subwave. More releases followed as well as a successful run as a promoter with Subwave hosting the popular 'Refreshed' events in Moscow alongside DJ Vipah. Subwave is quickly establishing him self as one of the prominent DJ/producers internationally and his reputation in the UK is bound to follow.
Subwave was kind enough to answer some questions for Example mag below
Describe your sound.........
Just trying to do something different
What attracted you to drum & bass?
Tech Itch, Goldie, Kemal, Dieselboy, Stakka and Skynet
What do you think has had the strongest effect on your sound?
James Zabiela, Ricardo Villalobos, Maetrik, Noisemaker ;]
What do you think has made the Russian dnb scene so strong?
Promoters, Producers and DJs
What kind of studio set up do you work on?
Sony Acid Pro + tons of VSTs and M-Audio BX8a
What were your highlights of 2009?
Signing on Hospital, releasing on Metalheadz and starting techno career :]
What have you got in the pipeline for the next 12 months?
Hospital EP, Metalheadz 12" and REmixes of LOndon Elektricity and Bop
Do you have any plans outside of dnb/music?
Yeah of course. I'm really into house and techno music and I'm spending a lot of time by producing in these styles.
Who are you feeling and who are your ones to watch in 2010?
Abstract Elements, Bop,Enei, Engage, Receptor
Check Subwaves epic 'Stars Get Down' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMDxqfMmPCc
http://www.myspace.com/thesubwave
Meth:UK
Paul Durant is no stranger to destroying crowds. As one third of tech terrorists 'The Sect ' he has been a regular face on the dark/hard scene for several years but now Meth is stepping up as a solo artist with a fresh take on production and his mind firmly set on making and playing vicious dancefloor smashers.Meth has been involved in drum & bass for some 13 years, starting out playing gigs locally before catching the production bug. Alongside his friends Blade and Virtua he would go on to tour the world and release tracks on Obscene, Offkey, Position Chrome and Tech Freak to name but a few. All this time Meth was honing his art behind the decks and in the studio. His trademark intense rollers and ultra nasty b-lines now refined to perfection.
Since first signing to Offkey, Meth has moved forward in leaps and bounds in all areas and is now an integral part of the Offkey family, evolving and adapting with time. He has just seen the release of 'Perch' and 'Knock' (ok18), two tracks which perfectly illustrate his development. Gone are the claustrophobic, wall of sound mixes, replaced by an atmospheric, almost musical offering - don't hit the snooze button yet guys - Meths tunes are still heavier than a herd of buffalo driving a tank.
Check out Meth 'Perch' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO1QzRHMAO4
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