New UK producer Alex Klein has just released his excellent five-track ‘First Relic’ EP, a collection of slow-burn languid techno with remixes from Throwing Snow (Houndstooth) and Lawrence Hart (Hotflush). We asked him to introduce himself.
Who are you?
An instrumentalist, producer & DJ with a passion for rolling, melodic techno.
Where are you from?
Originally from South West England but I now live and work in London as a founder and resident producer at Octagon Studios in Brixton.
What do you sound like?
As a producer working in London I’ve been soaking up the wide array of genres & scenes in the city. Collaborating with and producing other artists has allowed me to delve into my love for neo-soul, alt-pop & hip hop but my own sound as Alex Klein is quite heavily focused around techno. It’s just something I’m always drawn too and I have a deep affinity with the genre. I also have longstanding classical music background, so I think this (and all of the collaborations over the years) feed into my sound.
Why should we listen to you?
If you’re in the market for long live takes of rolling drum machines, emotionally charged analogue synths & evolving bass lines at a tempo that will make you move then why not have a little listen.
What have you released so far? What else have you got coming out in the near future?
Previously my output has been focused around supporting other artists and collaborating on releases varying from electronic music through to jazz – a great example being Verushka’s ‘Only This‘. However as alluded to before, I’ve always made techno and am now very happy to start sharing this back catalogue of music with the world. Over the next year I will continue to release on both Submit Records and Dream Diary Records.
My First Relic EP is coming out via Submit Records on April 3rd and the lead single ‘First Relic’ is already available at all the usual locations (the EP also features remixes from fellow producers Throwing Snow & Lawrence Hart).
Which of your tracks sums you up? Why?
‘First Relic’, the title EP from my new EP demonstrates my love for analogue synths and drum machines whilst incorporating a more dub focused bass line. Dub is another longstanding love of mine.
How did you get into DJing/producing to begin with?
I went to study double bass & guitar at Trinity College of Music, and whilst there I became more and more interested in the electronic music scenes around me. It wasn’t long before I realised that classical music wasn’t going to fulfil all of my creative ambitions. I took the plunge teaching myself how to produce and create soundscapes and started making links with likeminded artists.
What are three things on your studio shopping list?
What or who is your biggest influence and why?
I think the whole techno scene circa 2004-2008. I became enamoured with the soundscapes and the long journeys DJ’s could take audiences on and became transfixed on trying to recreate it. It ticked a lot of the same boxes for me as big romantic symphonies. I love the sense of tension mixed with dark, melancholic chord progressions.
Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?
I don’t feel like I’ve sacrificed anything particularly, I’ve always stuck to what makes me happy.
What’s been your favourite place to play so far?
For the past 8 years myself along with a few friends have run a promotions outfit called Submit which has allowed me to play alongside a lot of the scenes top DJs at some prestigious venues. A clear highlight was playing the staff party at the end of Samphire Festival 2017 where I ended up playing for 7 hours to a wonderfully appreciative group of people who had spent the weekend working incredibly hard.
Where can we hear your music?
All the usual – Spotify, Apple Music, Juno Download, Bandcamp etc.
What one song would feature on the soundtrack to your life?
Stimming ‘November Morning’.
What motivates you?
A constant desire to make more music. I’m very lucky that my motivation has yet to show any signs of dwindling.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I used to breed lizards.
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve received?
A good friend once told me to never over-listen to early versions of tracks you’re making. You can get married to an idea very quickly and it can blind your ability to improve and develop the track.
Where will you be in five years’ time?
Hopefully still doing the same things, perhaps somewhere warmer!
‘First Relic’ is out now.