Nein Records – ‘Flavour Of The Label’ Ransom Note Mix

 
Music

Tronik Youth and his new label are having a whirlwind of a year as his Nein Records drops a mother of a new compilation called Nein Oh Nein (LIKE THE DRUM MACHINE), tours said record and breaks several new artists (ouch!) including Jonah Considine, William Earl and Cannibal Ink. He's also started his own radio show, the busy lad, on Cowbell FM. With a career in DJing that stretches back to the 80s, what can you ask the man who's been asked everything? Well we talked about the label and learnt about his fear of a sweeping takeover by the combination of socks and sandals. 

But first, let's get the Flavour of the Label mix on… let's go: 

Your new album, Youth Is Wasted On The Young is full of dark disco sounds, has the sleazier side of disco always interested you?

Electronic music and the rhythmic element of disco has always been my thing- it’s definitely a lure, and is always about mentally forward thinking.

Are you inspired by horror at all? Some of the synth lines in Dark Passenger and Losing My Mind, and the creepy vocals in the latter suggest a bit of a horror, cinematic vibe.

I’m not really a horror fan- I love the more silent spooky horrors of the seventies if anything but the slasher/torture thing bores me, the vibe of the album is more about darkness and a fear of the unknown, rather than pure horror.

What images do you hope this album conjures up to the listener?

A world where we dream of robots changing our lives, and the reality that technology has taken over our lives!

Splinter Of The Minds Eye has some interesting cross cultural samples, giving it mystic feel, where do you normally take them from and where were these from in particular?

Yeah the sample seemed to give the music an otherworldly vibe; for me youtube is a massive source of sample inspiration.  Some young guy in his flat singing and chopped up, so even if you spoke his language it makes no sense.  It’s more about a vibe…I love a lot of German and French songs, but have no idea what they are saying.  Sometimes it’s nice just to hear the voice as an instrument rather than a narrative. 

How does disco keep its relevance in the modern world?

People love to dance and forget themselves, so I guess that is never going away, plus mixing its sounds with other genres keeps it sounding relevant.

You and Ian Considine been involved in clubbing and dance music since the late 80s, what has been the starkest change in club culture between then and now?

Probably how everything is so organised now and how quick trends spread.  You can have a track/DJ/ Club well known around the world in a matter of days, thanks to the web, back then it took months and of course word of mouth. 

What is the aim of your radio show on Cowbell FM, who do you tend to give the special guest mixes to?

It is mainly to showcase some of Nein’s forthcoming releases and the best of other labels we love.  With regard to the guests, it’s people who I admire and who are relevant to what we do as a label; it’s also a way to attract new people to the radio show.

2015 was set to be a busy year for you guys at Nein, how busy is it shaping up to be?

This year has become even busier than we expected.  It’s like a snowball and the momentum just keeps building. The Nein oh Nein comp was a major milestone for us supported by the Nein Oh Nein DJ Tour. The label being able to break new people has been a great thing, artists like William Earl, Cannibal Ink and Jonah Considine.  We have just confirmed ALFOS at our big party for ADE- so much to talk about here but not enough time or space! J

What is the optimum temperature to enjoy your July Mix for Nein Records at?

30+ but with an ice cold drink…

Is there any genre of music that you despise? If so, why?

There is no music I despise, but I suppose anything that feels formulaic and made specifically to make money is irritating.

Clandestino, who released on Nein, are playing Vanishing Point next weekend, will you be attending?

I’m in New York so I can’t sadly, but i’m sure it will be a great party. We love VP and Clandestino, they have released a single with our label, and have an amazing one in the pipeline so they will rock it for sure.

Have you got much on this summer?

Yes the label takes up so much of my time, but I am booking time aside to work on other tracks for a selection of record labels I support now my album is complete.   There’s lots of exciting projects in the mix, an array of parties secured with the Alfresco team, and not forgetting the Nein Oh Nein Tour.

Anyone you really want to collaborate with in the future?

I have been to talking to Tim aka Heretic (one half of Eskimo Twins) for a year about doing something together, and it will happen at some point. We are off to NYC next week for five days so maybe we can work on something then.  

What was the choice process for the Nein Oh Nein compilation, seeing as it included both classics and new music, what were you really excited about putting on there?

All the tracks were unreleased, some were remixes that were late or we couldn’t fit on the original release, and the rest new tracks!  We told artists that we would put the new track out as forthcoming singles. (Sometimes artists give a track they think is not as strong for a compilation). This meant the quality of all tracks featured on this particular album proved to be special.  

What is the sound of summer 2015?

Slow, dark, arpeggiated techno. 

Describe the label in Five words:

New. Forward Thinking. Quality. Edge. 

Onto the mix… Where was the mix recorded?

At my home studio outside of London.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

On public transport, as it will take your mind away. 

What should we be wearing?

One of our T-shirts, vests or sweats from the Nein merchandise range which was launched a few months ago.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

Function one system on the moon… finally give the place some atmosphere! 

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I love the second track which is Sean Johnston remixing Heretic’s Pollux out soon… what’s not to love?

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Daniele Baldelli mixtape from cosmic, any one of the hundreds.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I’m not  a fan of back to back….but if I had to choose would definitely  be Daniele Baldelli. I had a DJ hero as a teen, Mr Graeme Park… And I ended up warming up for him every week for a few years, so dreams can come true. 

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

Two belt drive Sony turntables and a Gemini mixer. They were hard work… Now I use laptop and Traktor Z1 & X1 controllers.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

First track always… you are setting your stall out. 

What were the first and last records you bought?

I think the first one was 'Grease Lightning' by John Travolta; last was the Black Joy edit of Il Est Vilaine 'Surf Rider'.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Dark chocolate and sweat.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A coiled python.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Cerrone 'Supernature', the live drummer has a mad speed up a few bars in, then decides to slow down.

Upcoming in the world of Tronik Youth?

My album 'Youth is Wasted on The Young', which is out 20th July. The Nein Oh Nein tour with Heretic and Jonah Considine. Lots of remixes from me for Italo Brutalo, William Earl, Dawad & Mokic to name a few.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Yeah what’s up with the sandals and socks look on men?? Please do not let that become a thing.


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