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Thomas Brinkmann

aka Soul Center (Max Ernst) ∞ Live

Thomas Brinkmann

Thomas Brinkmann is a highly regarded German producer of experimental minimal techno music. Although experimenting with records since the early eighties, he gained wide reputation with his re-workings of material by fellow artists Mike Ink and Richie Hawtin released in the second half of the 90s. These productions were made by playing physically modified vinyl records on highly customized turntables with an additional tone arm.

Brinkmann later founded the Ernst record label and introduced his own productions on a series of 12” records taking their titles from female names. He has since expanded his extensive production catalog on his own Max Ernst label, as well as other highly respected outfits such as Traum Schallplatten, Raster-Noton and Mute Records (under the Soul Center alias).

Convextion

aka E.R.P. (Matrix Records, Down Low Music) ∞ Live

Convextion

Gerard Hanson was born in 1972. He hails from of Dallas, Texas USA. Little is known about this producer who seems to have Scandinavian roots. His productions have reflections with Basic Channel/Chain Reaction sound. His main inspirations are Juan Atkins and Derrick May. His music also has influences from Stefan Robbers, Red Planet and Carl Craig. He found a way where everything came together: Deepness, Minimalism and Soul, the Detroit-Berlin connection. In 1994 Gerard Hanson and Dan Kurzius started ‘Hardsync’, a Magazine dedicated to electronic music reviews and artist interviews. It has been defunct since 1996 as a result of a computer crash. Hard Sync was an outlet for several Texas-based electronic music enthusiasts to reach out to others around the world that shared similar musical interests. He released his first 12″ on Matrix in 1995. From 1995-1997, he released five ep’s, and then only two more in the next six years until 2005. After that some other labels approached him but just wanted more of the same and didn’t really seem to understand his sound. After that he stopped releasing music and produced only for his personal usage. After a couple of years the label Down Low convinced him to pick up his producing again. He is very careful about sharing his music with the rest of the world. In the last decade he only used the aliases Convextion and E.R.P. (Event Related Potential). E.R.P is an electro-edged moniker. Gerard has remained willingly anonymous since his debut in 1995, but he came out of obscurity for a debut European Live performance in London in April 2006.

DeepChord

(Soma) ∞ Live

DeepChord

Rod Modell (a.k.a. Deepchord) is a sound-designer with 25 years involvement in electronic music and over 50 releases under various aliases and styles. Beginning with more “industrial” and “ambient” forms of sonic experimentation (working with Kim Cascone and his -then- record-label Silent, and performing with notable industrial acts such as Chris & Cosey and SPK). While attending Art School for Photography, Rod lived in Detroit’s Eastern-Market area, the location of the infamous “techno boulevard”, and home to Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson during that time. Submersed in the blossoming Detroit Techno scene (early 1990’s), a journey from a more experimental sound into Detroit’s techno-world was inevitable. Modell co-founded the Deepchord record label in Detroit during the mid-90’s. Deepchord respected and admired (fellow Detroiters) Underground Resistance for their D.I.Y. attitude and independence. It was because of this respect and admiration that Deepchord declined offers from top techno labels of the time, in favor of doing it by themselves. Many consider Deepchord to be the second wave of the “Basic Channel sound”, and came years before the onslaught of imitators.

After 16 releases on Deepchord, Rod went onto co-found Echospace. Echospace released two full length albums and five 12″ singles on Modern Love (Boomkat), and a slew of releases on their Echospace imprint. 2007’s “The Coldest Season” and 2010’s “Liumin” are critically acclaimed electronic music classics, and were on top-lists of prestigious resources such as The Wire, xlr8r, and Resident Advisor (who wrote of The Coldest Season: “in terms of sheer quality, it rivals Basic Channel’s vaunted catalog. Put down that ultra-rare Basic Reshape 12” and check out what’s going on now. This album is bound to be one of the most fully realized listening experiences to grace your stereo this year, and is proof positive that DeepChord and Echospace are the rightful heirs to the dub techno legacy”). Rod also operated an audio-mastering facility in the Detroit area from 1995-2005, employing his services to many electronic record labels, including Richie Hawtin’s M-NUS imprint.

Rod’s recent projects include a collaboration with K Soublis (Fluxion) for Echocord in Denmark (Echocord #046 – “Waves EP”), remixes for fellow Detroiter Aaron Carl (R.I.P.) on Millions Of Moments (#MOM 004), remixes for DFA Records (#dfaemi 2194), reworkings of Juan Atkins’ “Starlight”, Remakes of “Miranda” for Convextion, and new versions of Slam’s Groovelock for Soma Quality Recordings in Glasgow. Deepchord has also been featured on numerous mix cd’s, including Deadbeat’s (Scott Monteith) “Radio Rothko” (theAgriculture, Brooklyn NY), and “Electronic Flavors” mixed by Henrik Schwarz and published by Philip Morris GMBH.

Titonton Duvante

(Residual, 7th City) ∞ Live & DJ

With a musical history spanning back to the early 90’s, as co-creator of the seminal techno band Body Release (alongside Todd Sines, Charles Noel and Mike Szewczyk), and on through a multifaceted career as a composer, recording artist, producer, remixer, record label owner and DJ, Titonton Duvante continues to evolve creatively. As a DJ known for blurring the boundaries of electronic music genres, Titonton deconstructs, blends and rebuilds beats with his special brand of funky turntablism. He’s brought his extraordinary style to nightclubs around the world: from Detroit and San Francisco to Berlin, London, Paris, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Sao Paulo, San Juan, Tokyo and beyond. Titonton has released an arsenal of music on labels such as Palette, Environ, 7th City, Planet E, Sonar Kollektiv, 2000 Black and Bitasweet to name a few, in addition to his own label, Residual Recordings. He’s done collaborative work with contemporaries such as John Tejada, Fabrice Lig and Morgan Geist. Titonton’s remarkable reputation has earned him an entry in Tim Barr’s book, A Rough Guide to Techno, as well as a mention in Dan Sicko’s book, Techno Rebels. Recently moving to New York City from his native Columbus, Ohio, Titonton has been working in the studio, with forthcoming releases on Residual, Frankie,7th City, Corner,Planet Harrier, Manuscript, Open Concept and Boogizm Recordings.

Echospace

(Echospace Detroit) ∞ Live

Echospace

Deepchord and Echospace started off as barely more than a rumor supported mostly by the continous scarcity of their records. The duo comprised of Detroit’s Rod Modell and Chicago’s Steven Hitchell have spent nearly two decades producing low-key electronic music both bordering on the verge of myth. They’re considered by many the most noted producers operating in the dub-infused aftermath of the Basic Channel axis and all its myriad offshoots. Once their critically-acclaimed The Coldest Season (LOVE 033CD) emerged on the UK-based Modern Love label, the curtain was unveiled and the sound of Echospace was born. They’ve often been coined the true heirs to the Basic Channel legacy but their work finds a home somewhere on the outskirts of the galaxy, where Detroit soul ties to Jamaican roots played through a tunnel in deep space. This evocative, immersive sound that is Echospace was born out of a love and passion for analog circuitry, sound design, field recordings and non-conventional methods of recording. But it’s also work that’s quintessentially building upon the Detroit electronic scene where it was born, and that divine marriage of roots and vision make the work at once so highly considered, so pertinent and so timeless.

Mike Huckaby’s five essential tips for a good producer

Mike Huckaby isn’t just one of Detroit’s most beloved producers and DJs, he’s one of its most dedicated teachers and irrepressible enthusiasts.

Since he first made his name in 1995, the house music stalwart has released classic records on labels such as Third Ear, Rick Wade’s Harmonie Park and most recently Tresor, as well as on his own Deep Transportation and S Y N T H imprints. He worked for years behind the counter at the legendary Record Time store. He has remixed the likes of Model 500, Pole, DeepChord, Vladislav Delay and Terrence Dixon, and released two volumes of reel-to-reel edits of Sun Ra (“Jazz is the umbrella under which deep house music resides,” he once told FACT). Meanwhile his ever-evolving understanding and appreciation of synthesis and studio processes, and his voracious appetite for new technology, has earned him a reputation as something of a producer’s producer.

To his infinite credit, Huckaby is also someone who takes pleasure in sharing what he’s learned, and encouraging others to bring their own ideas to fruition. He can be founding regularly coaching students at Detroit’s Youthville Centre in Ableton Live, Reaktor and other music production technologies, and he has led many workshops worldwide. Just today it was announced that he has compiled a free sample pack for Groove, featuring sounds culled from such disparate sources as the Alesis Andromeda synthesizer and his brother playing live percussion in a noisy café in Toledo, Ohio.

Mike Huckaby will be playing at the Holic NYE 2013 party in London, which takes place at Cafe 1001 and the Old Truman Brewery Warehouse on, of course, December 31. But this is no ordinary NYE party: it’s an 18-hour marathon, kicking off at 8pm and going hard until midday on New Year’s Day. The Huck will be joined by Kate Simko (live), DJ Steaw, Tomoki Tamura and many more; find more information and tickets here.

Ahead of the event, he apprised FACT of his five key tips for producers looking to establish themselves and their sound. “Weak producers die,” he concedes. “Strong ones continue on…”

Los Hermanos

aka Gerald Mitchell (Underground Resistance) ∞ Live & DJ

Los Hermanos

Gerald Mitchell born and raised in Detroit is a Musician, Producer, Band Leader, DJ and Sonic visionary whose music has made a huge impact on Detroit house and techno.

From his work on Underground Resistance’s Interstellar Fugitives “Soul Saver” (aka UR 044) project to his Celestial Highways classic on Metroplex and early house production on Soul City, Gerald’s music has always been recognized by it soulful strength.

His work with Underground Resistance / DJ Rolando led to the anthem ‘Knights of the Jaguar; and now, Los Hermanos. Through Los Hermanos, he has brought his experience as a live musician into a group that expresses jazz-fusion, gospel and funk into stunning electronic music. Gerald has collaborated with many well-known artist, DJ, producers,and programmers from around the world and continues to be a leader in the electronic music scene worldwide.

Gerald has begun his solo career after organizing Los Hermanos with new projects from Jazz to Electronic Dance music on the horizon and known for many remixes of well known artist, Gerald continues to be a innovative producer from Detroit well into the future of music.

Gerald Mitchell is available to perform both as a solo artist and as Los Hermanos.

Lusine

(Ghostly International) ∞ Live

Jeff McIlwain has been producing his visceral, melodic strain of abstract electronic music as Lusine for 10 years now. Originally a Texas native, Jeff attended CalArts in 1998, studying 20th-century electronic music and sound design for music and film. Soon after, he met Shad Scott and put out his self-titled debut as Lusine for Isophlux. Since then, McIlwain relocated to Seattle and began steadily releasing his music on Ghostly International (home to 2004’s landmark Serial Hodgepodge as well as its successful followup remix album Podgelism), Hymen, and U-Cover. McIlwain has also contributed tracks to various compilations and remix releases on Mute, !K7, Kompakt, Asthmatic Kitty, and Shitkatapult. His Language Barrier full-length on Hymen Records was something of a departure, as McIlwain focused less on jagged rhythmic detail and more on the layers of ambience that lay beneath the percussion of his previous releases.

McIlwain has performed throughout the US and abroad, including a set at London’s esteemed Fabric nightclub, and an ambient multimedia performance at Seattle’s Triple Door in which he collaborated with video artist Scott Sunn. McIlwain has recently been involved in two film projects, co-scoring David Gordon Green’s 2008 filmSnow Angels (with Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell), and scoring Kevin Bray’s 2009 film Linewatch (with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Omari Hardwick).

Very excited about this work by Solvent!

A documentary about modular synths called I Dream of Wires will be released in June.
The four-hour film was written and directed by Robert Fantinatto, with Ghostly International regular Solvent, real name Jason Amm, working as a producer and co-writer, as well as composing its soundtrack. As Self Titled report, I Dream of Wireswill feature interviews with a number of artists and label bosses, ranging from Planet E chief Carl Craig to Trent Reznor, Vince Clarke, Chris Carter, Legowelt, John Tejada, Container, James Holden, Deadmau5, Factory Floor‘s Dominic Butler and Mute founder Daniel Miller among others.
For an idea of what to expect, you can watch a 12-minute trailer for the film below (the interviews with Craig and Carter have also been posted online). You can also listen to Solvent’s “Themogene,” which features on the film’s soundtrack, on SoundCloud.

“I Dream of Wires: Hardcore Edition” 2013 official trailer from I Dream Of Wires on Vimeo.