How was 2019 for you?
Rasmus Faber: It was a pretty good year! I think I gained a bit of wisdom in making music, being a bit more spontaneous and chill with everything. Hopefully leading to more new music in the future!
Highlights?
I released a new album in the summer called Two Left Feet! Very happy about that!
Lowlights?
Umm… There were some yeah. But trying to look forward!!
Song of the year?
“Hard To Believe” by Kindness feat. Jazmine Sullivan. Incredible track!!
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Just be as good as I can! Better than the year before!
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How was 2019 for you?
Orson Bramley: 2019 seems to have passed so quickly for me. I’ve been really busy pushing the the label (Orson Records). Not sure how I managed to squeeze it all in, but I’ve now had five new releases on the label from some amazingly talented artists like Carl Finlow, Mesak, DeFeKT and Point B, and three releases on the Transparent Sound label with some lovely remixes from Acidulant and Empty Orchestra. I was over the moon to finally get a fresh new Transparent Sound album out, especially now that I’m solo. It felt important to me to achieve this and it feels like a real turning point in production and sound and made me very happy seeing it so well received as well.
Highlights?
Getting the labels up and running again and getting the album out and so many fantastic artists onboard. I’ve also really enjoyed playing DJ sets more than i used to; in the past I was mostly playing live … although the new Transparent Sound live set is sound great. I am looking forward to getting that out into the clubs in 2020 and the bookings are starting to come already, but I’m loving playing all vinyl DJ sets loads too.
Lowlights?
I’ve had some ups and downs in my personal life as I’m sure many others have, but I’m trying to harness the positive energy and push on in a most positive way possible, create great things for myself and others around me.
Song of the year?
Always a hard question to answer and to narrow down, but I love the Luke Vibert album on I Love Acid, and Animistic Beliefs’ “Mindset Reset.”
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Always a hard one but usually the same old things we all want I guess – to live a healthier lifestyle, become a better person, and make lots more music obviously. I really want to start recording another album and release next year. Something completely different, maybe under the Empty Orchestra name. have a few Transparent Sound remixes coming as well from John Selway, DeFeKT and Ben Pest.
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How was 2019 for you?
Atsushi Izumi: I spent my time staying healthy, while raising my son and focusing on music production. I’ve released vinyl EPs on The Collection Artaud and Thrènes Records. It took quite a while to release, but in the end all went well. I would like to thank everyone involved. Live bookings in Europe have been canceled, but I hope to be back in 2020.
Highlights?
One highlight was playing live sets at KGR’N in Tokyo. I recommend this place, as the location has a really great sound. I was happy to hear that Samuel Kerridge spun my tracks on his NTS radio show and on Boiler Room.
Lowlights?
Tax increase.
Song of the year?
You Hung – The Truth Was Different (Downwards)
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
The release of a new EP.
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How was 2019 for you?
Billy Nasty: I really enjoyed it. I had some fantastic gigs, Electrix released some killer EPs and my online record shop, The Vinyl Curtain, went from strength to strength. In the summer I had a fantastic trip to Jamaica where I stayed at Island Records’ Chis Blackwell’s hotel in Negril called The Caves, which was one of the most amazing places I’ve ever stayed at. It was nice to travel without my records for a change and to just relax and plan the rest of the year and start thinking about how to attack 2020 as it’s Electrix’s 20th anniversary, so I have many plans for the new year!
Highlights
I was really happy to finish the debut release from M-Twelve called the Apocalypse In Paradise EP, which is a project I had been working on with Nick Dunton from Surface records and 65D Mavericks fame. We had been working on it for a while as it’s hard for us to get together as often as we would like, due to both of us being busy with other projects and commitments. At times I was unsure about the tracks as they sounded radically different from anything I had worked on before, but once released the EP got some great reviews and amazing feedback from everyone in the scene.
Lowlights?
Houghton Festival being cancelled was a real kick in the balls, as the year before it had properly blown me away. For me, it was easily the best experience/gig of that year. I was due to be running the Vinyl Curtain there just like the year before and was just loading up the stock into the van when we heard the terrible news. I felt so sorry for Craig and Amanda Richards, all the staff and crew, and obviously all the artists who were booked to play, and most importantly the people who had bought tickets and were all geared up for another great weekend. It’s great that it’s back on next year so I’m really looking forward to returning.
Song of the year?
Always a tricky question as there’s been so many great records this year. If we’re talking electro, I’d have to go for No Moon’s Sirens EP on Mechatronica. Its distorted 808 groove and old-school chopped-up drum edits are pure class. It absolutely smashes everywhere that I’ve dropped it at.
On the techno tip, I can’t name my favorite as there’s been some right monsters this year. Although I’d like to say i’ve been really impressed by the productions of Dawl, Ryan James Ford and James Shinra. I really like the way these 3 artists are using classic drum breaks in there productions and blurring the lines between techno, electro and electronica. I buy all their releases blind, and I’m never disappointed.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To cut back on the drinking and partying as I’ve realized this year that it affects your mood in the week and stumps your creativity. I’ve had a few friends in the scene do this recently and it seems to have worked really well for them. I’ve smashed it for the last 30 years and now that I’m 50, I don’t need or want anything to get in the way of my career. Plus, the hangovers just seem to last for days now. Next year I’m sure it’s going to be strange but I’m gonna try my best to live a bit more sensi-Billy.
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