Goin hard tonight. This young producer is crafting a massive techno sound. Welcome to his world..
DD When I hear your tracks and Gesaffelstein’s, I get similar feelings. Which is rad because I feel he’s one of the freshest dance producers around! Who do you feel influences Etnik the most?
E I like listening to every genre and I get influenced by all of them. Over the last months I remixed songs for rock bands, pop acts and fellow techno producers, and right now I‘m working on a track that has a typical hip hop beat.
DD This “Summer” remix got the Skrillex bump a little while back. And I’m sure your plays skyrocketed immediately. The 8-bit, high pitched synth melody is growing on me. I feel it’s a distinguishing feature of yours. Is this your first interaction with Skrillex? How are you enjoying the new boost in fans?
EWell, yes it’s my first interaction with Skrillex, although we’re both signed to the same label and booking agency in Germany. But I was thrilled when I first heard about his post on facebook, because it allows me to reach so many new people, that had never heard of me before. The track on my soundcloud page now has over 100000 plays.
DD Is there a community of producers you’re connected with in Germany?
E Yes, they are called friends. Two of them are Mendoza and Shakes Milano – it’s kinda cool, because they also do electronic music but more releaxed stuff then I do.
DD Do you have any releases planned for 2012?
E There are many things planned for 2012. I’ll have a free EP coming out in the end of March via Australian label Trashbags and I’m working on the next release after that right now. Also, I have a couple of festival gigs confirmed.
DD Would you say there are certain themes associated to Etnik? Are there any major non-musical influences?
EI’d say fashion and art. I like it when these two components come together
DD How would you encourage all the young producers out there like yourself, that are trying to establish themselves?
E If you produce your own music everyday you can’t get worse over time, you only get experiences so keep making music, don’t stop.
The wonderful Alana took time out of her grueling tour schedule to talk with Disco Droppings. We cover a lot in this interview; Nero’s NYE performance in Seattle, Daft Punk, dystopian worlds and such. I am always thinking of them, for their ability to deliver an epic artistic vision while still remaining kind and well-balanced. Cheers to Dan, Joe and Alana! If you haven’t already, listen to their monumental Essential Mix and pick up the Deluxe Version of their album, Welcome Reality
DDSuch a delight to talk with you again Alana. When I first met you it was NYE. Nero headlined the Resolution show, and I feel it was a stunning performance by Dan and yourself. I was thrashing around harder than anyone on that stage. What did you think of Seattle?
A Great to talk to you too. I loved Seattle. It was my first time there and I was suitably impressed. The venue was awesome, the crowd were mental and the sushi was delicious! Dan and I really enjoyed ourselves and hope that next time we’re in town we don’t have to rush off to LA to shoot a music video!
DD That NYE show had a lot of symmetry for me. Back in 2007, I saw my first electronic show, Daft Punk, in that same venue. To be able to work for you guys in the same venue was awe-inspiring. You saw Daft Punk in Australia right? What do you remember most vividly about that night?
AWe saw Daft Punk in London actually. They played Hyde Park for the O2 Wireless Festival in 2007. It was insane. Ridiculously good. The light show (pyramid) and production was outstanding and really inspired us. I remember daydreaming about that show for days afterwards thinking ‘will we ever be able to do anything even half as good?’
DD From the album, “Welcome Reality”, which songs lyrics do you resonate with most? Also, which song was most difficult for you to master in a live setting?
AThe answer to both questions is probably ‘Guilt’. I think lyrically it’s open to interpretation and can have different meanings for different people which I like. I personally imagine a girl who is unsure of where she stands in a relationship.
I said to Dan and Joe the day that we recorded it in the studio that I would never be up for singing it live. It was at the top of my range and really difficult. However, it sneaked it’s way into our live show and with practice it has become easier.
DD Who are some vocalists that you draw inspiration from?
A I’m inspired by such a vast range of vocalists from all decades and genres of music. I love Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, Thom Yorke, Michael Jackson, Skin from Skunk Anansie, the list could go on and on for days to be honest.
DDDan & Joe have mentioned dystopian environments such as Akira and Bladerunner as inspirations for Nero. Are you into these kinds of stories too?
A Yes, absolutely. I’m slightly obsessed with post apocalyptic films and love that dark 80’s vision of the future. Akira and Bladerunner are classics but i’m also into films like 28 Days Later…you’ve gotta love a good zombie flick.
DD Which remix of a Nero track do you connect with most? Personally I’m in love with Fred Falke’s remix of “Reaching Out”.
A For me it’s Nero and Skrillex’s collaboration remix of ‘Promises’. Sonny came to our studio in London and wrote the piano intro in a matter of minutes. I was in awe of how fast he worked. We had the main bulk of the tune written and produced after only 2 to 3 hours. What I particularly like is that I can hear a little of all three producer’s style in the one tune.
DD How has working with Dan & Joe impacted your mindset and perspective? And lastly, what would you say to young artists, trying to find their voice?
A I’ve been best friends with Dan and Joe for over 10 years so working with them initially was just like hanging out and jamming with mates. Then, whilst I was training to be a midwife things got more serious for Nero but I still perceived it as more of a hobby. In October of last year my mindset definitely changed when I gave up midwifery to concentrate on music full time. We’ve been pretty much touring solidly since and I love it!
I would say to other artists that finding your own sound can be difficult. I had it easy because Dan and Joe really knew what they liked. They helped me find a sound that worked well with their music. The female airy quality of my voice seems to work really well with their more masculine bass driven production.
What an honor to have Sam Frank on Disco Droppings. I feel so much energy and drive coming from this man. Enjoy the interview, and make sure you get the incredible “Anticipate” release onBeatport
INTERVIEW
DDThe other day I sent Skream a message on Twitter saying “Skream is the James Bond of Dubstep”, he retweeted it saying “lol”. That was huge to me! With the “Anticipate” single out on Skrillex’s label OWSLA, how are you feeling? How has this song influenced you?
SFFeeling great about it coming out on Skrillex’s label and on Tempa through Rinse. Both are really great labels to be part of. The song is one of many colab tracks with Skream, Benga and the Magnetic Man set but it has a special resonance for me and Skream too as it’s all about our kids. Apparently it made Skrillex cry!
DDI listened to the BBC xtra live show recently and heard your performance with Skream, sounded unique! How was it on your end? Nero sounded massive.
SFIt was a really fun gig and a marvelous opportunity, although by the time Nero was on I was half way down the M1.
DD The emotion coming through your voice on tracks like “I’m Not In A Rush” reminds me of Daft Punk’s Discovery. You’re swooning me!
SFIs that a question? Well, thanks for saying so. Daft Punk also did some cool things with vocal effects although I’m not in any way trying to be a follow up to their sound.
DDWhat’s the most challenging aspect of your work as Sam Frank?
SFJuggling songwriting, gigs, track production, vocal production, string arrangements, A&R meetings, mixing, remixing, staying on top of the latest software, paying the bills and being a dad and a husband.
DDAre their certain themes within your lyrics that you want to explore more in future productions?
SFYes. The inevitable rise of technology interwoven into every possible moment of our everyday lives from tooth brushing to dream recording. I read the New Scientist a lot.
dd 