Ages and Ages ago we did an interview with Ikonika then lost it .  But now we've found it and here it is so read it...

With this Album,  Ikonika (Aka Sara Abdel-Hamid) has created a varied selection of
beats, incorporating the ever increasing styles out there in electronic music such as
Dubstep, Funky, Wonky or Skwee aswell as influences from UKG and Techno.

It still remains in it's own individual niche, however, as it never settles into formula or predictability.
It's a confident stamp of ownership that makes this album very intruiging with the tunes.
The familiar and unfamiliar are combined together with striking effect.

'Ikonoklast (Insert Coin)' warms things up nicely with a cute melody and  some deep
subs before jumping into 'Idiot', cut through with a solid funky 4/4 beat and more
key stab melody tartness and buzzy filtered ambience putting me in mind of old  Warp
or Planet Mu sounds.

'Yoshimitsu' then subtly sidles in and is favourite of mine with it's
astral star gaze feel, luscious synths shifting about and lulling the listener into a good
place while 'Fish' then takes it's place to up the rhythm and place spatterings of melody
into a revolving door of sound.

Through that door we have 'R.E.S.O.L' humming like some
dark damp engine room albeit with plenty of cheeky tech blips and 80s electro musings.
'They are losing the war' puts me in mind of old beat em ups and techno at the same
time with distinct analogue touches.

'Millie' many people will already be familiar with,
balancing out the middle of the album with a stuttering beat and percussive experiments.

'Sahara Michael' then takes things distinctly traditional half step but with a good,
marching feel with synth workouts giving a good backing and variety.

 'Continue' does what it means and keeps the vibe maintained while 'Heston' bounces in sounding
 like a confused, yet jolly little robot.

'Psoriasis' works on this momentum and then constantly shifts
as it deconstructs itself into one form and then another, yet all the while keeping it's base form giving
an impression that is at both times interesting yet great for the dancefloor. 

'Video Delays'
includes many different elements, gradually building into sumptuous synths and a powerful funky, punchy beat.
It's the canny use of these familiar and then unfamiliar patterns and sounds that we can see the album as a whole
being defined by it's indefinability. Rounding things off 'Look (Final Boss Stage)' and Red Marker (Good Ending) give
us two final outcomes to conclude the album. 

One, tougher, again retro nodding and yet beset with a multitude of
melodies both recalling nintendo and old raves.  Essentially for 'Look', imagine the streetfighter 2 characters in an old mill,
reaching for the lasers and drinking far too much bottled water. Whereas 'Red Marker Pen' would have self-same characters
(Especially Blanka) back at someone's gaff talking nonsense about aliens from Jupiter.

It is an album with tunes already set for the dance floor and also manages to include depth,
originality and atmosphere.  Ikonika has established herself with her own sound that has various options in terms of development.
Individual tracks may stand out but it also begs listening to in it's entirity because  that consistence that doesn't snag itself on
any metaphorical ruts and rewards multiple listening with a sense of satisfaction.  It is still fairly rare for whole albums in the genre
as a whole to feel so completed so if you haven't already, check this sound.


We caught up with Ikonika to get the low-down on where she's at right now.

Example Magazine
How did you first come across Dubstep and what were your initial
feelings about it?

Ikonika
I got into it through my boyfriend. I didn't really like it at first to be honest,
 but he kept on playing it and it grew on me! Of course, when I heard it in a club properly, I
 grew to love it.

Example
What was your musical background before venturing into dubstep
territory?

Ikon
I've played drums since the age of 11 and progressed to playing in
 a few bands during my teenage years. I then began making hip hop beats a few years ago, then started making my own style of dubstep from about 2006.

Example
Your music has a variety of influences in it, which would you say are
the main ones?

Ikon
Glassjaw,  J-Dilla, Pretty Girls Make Graves, UK Garage, R'n'B

Example
How would you describe the style of dubstep you produce?

Ikon
Original!

Example
You're signed to Kode 9's record label Hyperdub, how did this come
about?

Ikon
I just sent him some tunes through dubstepforum, after a couple of months he cut 'Please' then we talked about releasing it.

Example
What sort of setup did you use in making the album?

Ikon
iMac, Apple Software, Moog Little Phatty, Alesis Micron, Motu Soundcard, Yamaha Monitors

Example
Who are you really feeling production wise at the moment?

Ikon
Bok Bok, Greena, Jam City, GIRLUNIT, Optimum, Kingdom, Lil Silva, Brackles, too many to mention really!

Example
Any collaborations on the horizon?

Ikon
Fingers crossed, I don't wanna jinx them tho :)

Example
What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Ikon
Having the chance to release an album, especially on such a respected label like Hyperdub

Example
Is there anything else that we should know about?

Ikon
Look out for my new label coming later this year!


'Contact, Love, Want, Have' is out now at all good Music retailers and webshops.