Interview with The Untitled

The Untitled`s Facebook, Soundcloud & Podcast

So, can you tell us something about the person behind The Untitled? Who are you, where are you from and what do you do in your daily life etc.?

My name is Jacob Slofstra. I`m 26 years old, born and raised on a farm in a small village in the vicinity of Leeuwarden. I work as a production assistant for a polyester company, where I make all kind of polyester caps for different industries, including amusement park rides, traffic solutions, agricultural containers etc. In my spare time I like to collect and play vinyl records (no DJ-ing). I enjoy reading, a good glass of beer, I like visiting breweries or beer events and I also brew my own beer once or twice a year. And obviously I enjoy going to a good rave or concert.

How did you start your career as a Live act/Producer?

Music making originally began for me when I was at my buddies place (hey Jan Gerrit, boks ouwe), he had some music software on his PC and I got hooked on that immediately. I made my first demos with this software and one of those demos ended up at Noisekick. He liked the ideas but told me to use more professional software so that I could increase the sound quality. I started working on that, chose my artist name, The Untitled, and things went fast from there. Noisekick and I did a couple of releases and the performances followed right after.
 

For as far as we know you only perform as a live act, you don`t do any DJ-sets, can you explain why that is? 

I`m a studio guy, I want to make new music. Playing out never interested me that much. And I think that a live act is a nice alternative for performances. You can do whatever you want, it`s much more versatile than Dj-ing. I`m always trying new things, from virtual DJ to hardware sequencers and samplers, Ableton, groove boxes, drum computers etc. Currently I am working on a modular synthesizer live act. 

How would you define your style as an artist? 

That`s hard to say really. A lot of people know me through Noisekick and they only know me for my terror work. But nowadays I am really into acidcore. It really depends on my mood though. In the summer I did a dub techno release, fresh and summery. But there was also a highly successful acidcore vinyl released with Berlin school/new age/ambient as a B side. So it really depends. Some people dislike it when you do multiple genres under one alias but I don`t care, I do whatever I like. Anyway to get back to the question, if I had to define my style at this moment then I`d go for acidcore.

Which artists (or tracks) have been inspirational to you as an artist?

Yeah now that`s a pretty hard question to answer, different artists inspire me for different styles. With my first demos Noisekick deffo was an example for my music. Nano.Strike's details in music also inspired me. Just like Arjen Schat for dub techno music. Klaus Schulze for Berlin school / pioneering electronic music from the 70ies. bRz's acid tekno. Lasse Steen. Unexist inspired me for the 3way release I did on Noisj.nl and there is a lot more. I listen to the radio at work and get inspired by a drumbreak from James Brown, so this is pretty much a never ending story. Everything you experience shapes you in a way. 

You`ve performed on tons of parties, ranging from Masters of Hardcore to the Noisekick parties, what was your most memorable one, and why? 

The first time at Noisekick's Verouderingsproces was fuckin badass, it was like my second or third party I played at ever. Straight away in the main area with something like 1500 people in front of me. All my friends were there in custom made The Untitled merchandise. I was playing with a big old white desktop PC haha, beer all over the keyboard - it was one big party! Another great one was in Birmingham (Youtube), playing solo with a hardware sequencer and sampler, people went nuts, great crowd over there. 

Actually, all gigs abroad where bad ass. One that really stands out for me was the first time in Finland (Youtube). This was a really small party for perhaps 100 people. It was in a wooden shack in the midst of a forest. Pretty much no one knew my music but the promoter believed in it. I played my hardcore acid stuff from Noisj.nl and I really got the party going. It was really satisfying seeing people enjoying the music. Especially for a live act where everything comes down to your own abilities. You`re not playing other artists songs, if you screw up its your fault, and your music sucks. Finland was the first time I played my hardcore acid for an audience. As the night continued I got pretty drunk from the vodka that I was drinking with Neurocore. When I finally went outside, the sun was rising again and I realized that the wooden shack was located near a beautiful lake with hills full of threes and the sunrise/morning glow completing it. 

Besides releasing digital you also run your own Uncompromising Analog Terror label, which releases on vinyl. I`m guessing that`s because you still love vinyl? And how does your label/vinyl do at the moment? 

Yes, I love vinyl, finding rare records, discovering new and/or old labels, the looks, the ritual of putting them on and see them play. Not only hardcore related stuff but also punk, (stoner) rock, early electronic music, dub/reggea, techno etc. Also as a producer, for me personally there is nothing as satisfying as a release on vinyl. The music you made, right there in your hand combined with the artwork. Lately I`ve become really interested in the process of making the actual vinyl disks in pressing plants, realizing your music made it through the same manufacturing process is great. The label is doing great, the first release was a 7'' record with an amount of only 80 copies in 2013. After a couple of those 7'' releases I did a 12'' release on the French Acid Night label which was a big success. Currently I`m working on a various artists 12'' record and increased the pressing amount  from 80 to 200 copies over the past years.

How is the current terror/speedcore scene? Is it growing, are there any new dj`s/producers people should look out for, what are the best parties etc.? 

I think the terror scene is pretty steady, there is a good number of attendances at parties, and the music is received well. Speedcore is always a little hidden, the best parties are in Germany. Concrete basements with nothing else then smoke, stroboscopes and loud sound systems.

I could mention some names that people might already know very easily, but I prefer to name some of the less obvious names. Be aware, this isn`t gimmicky party stuff here. First of all I would like to mention the French Gamma Oh records. Very dark, uncompromising sound, just like the older terror records. Legs Akimbo records does some great speedcore as well as doom metal and other styles, great stuff.  And I discovered the Swiss Cathartic Noize Experience not long ago, the only high quality speedcore I`ve bought in a long time. 

When looking at the bigger, multi genre parties, we noticed that a lot of the times terror/speedcore has to share an area with frenchcore, do you know why that is and what`s your opinion about this development? 

This is done purely out of economical reasons by the promoters. Personally my interest in nowadays frenchcore is really small. 

What can we expect from The Untitled in the (near) future? 

Well deffo more vinyl releases, whats cooking? A various artists 12'' on Uncompromising Analog Terror with K Rava Joe from Deviant Orbit Rec. cartoonist and producer Moedars, yours truly and a track from a German Acid Operator in good old Lasse Steen fashion. Other projects to come are a new 7'' solo record on UAT and a solo 12'' on the French Ketoksid Records.

Public performances are brought back to a minimum, with a pretty exclusive terror live act at Noisekicks Terrordrang this year, and perhaps an acidcore live act with my new modular system here and there. We'll see what pops up. 

And last but not least, do you have any epic last words to close this interview? 

A man is being arrested by a female police officer, who informs him, ''Anything you say can and will be held against you,'' The man replies, ''Boobs!''

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@ Lunatic`s DJ-workshop

Back in November we visited Hell`s Basement for an item on the Cambion, and got in touch with Lunatic, the well known DJ/Producer from Enzyme Records, and organizer of the Hell`s Basement parties. We found out that Lunatic also organizes DJ-workshops for beginning DJ`s. As Forward Observers we`re always looking for upcoming artists, so we asked Lunatic whether or not it would be possible for us to visit his workshop someday. Lunatic found it a cool idea and before we knew it, we found ourselves in a youth center in Hilversum where we were able to check out his course firsthand. 

How it all started
Lunatic has been organizing this workshop for two years now. The workshops have always taken place in a youth center called De Keet in Hilversum. In the beginning he focused on young guys and girls that lived in the area. But since last October he also started taking in people from all over the Netherlands. While talking to Lunatic it became pretty evident that he really loves organizing these evenings and also loves supporting people who are interested in the art of DJ`ing. His enthusiasm, experience and knowledge are probably the main reasons that the courses are doing so well. He has five spots per course and these spots tend to fill up really quickly. And besides his DJ-workshop Lunatic is also starting a workshop for producers somewhere in April or May.

The courses

Volstead

What he offers is an eight weeks course, one on one, with two hours per lesson. The course days are on Tuesday and Thursday. Lunatic`s courses are laid back and informal but at the same time he really emphasizes on proper mixing. Throughout his eight week course he teaches his students how to beatmatch, which tracks work together and why, how to use effects properly etc. Besides his one on one coaching he also expects his students to study at home. Though they will obviously lack the professional equipment that`s found in the youth center in Hilversum, they can still study tracks, do assignments, or practice with software at home. Eventually the participants get the opportunity to do the opening set on one of the Hell`s Basement parties. Or Lunatic finds them a different party to perform on if they don`t spin Hardcore. In the past he had participants that played a wide variety of genres, ranging from Moombahton to Hardstyle to Hardcore. Before they get to do an opening set though, both Lunatic and the student have to be convinced that they are ready for it. When they`re ready they`ll get some time before the party starts to get used to the equipment there, the loud monitor speakers, and the feeling of being on a stage in general.

KidKat

Last Tuesday
We were welcomed by Lunatic and proper Hardcore. Exodus was behind the decks and he was recording a Hardcore set with Millenium and regular Hardcore. No better way to start any evening for as far as we`re concerned. Lunatic told us that Exodus was recording his set so that he could re-listen it at home and discover where there would be room for improvement. We had a good chat with Lunatic and shot some pics while enjoying Exodus` choice of tracks and mixing. Later on two other students came in, namely Volstead and KidKat. These two students have (almost) finished the course and they`ll be opening Hell`s Basement next Friday the 30th of January. Volstead spins early Hardcore and we were impressed by his mixing skills and, though subjective of course, his choice of tracks. KidKat, on the other hand, spins recent Hardcore with a bit of a rougher industrialish twist. When he was behind the decks he looked completely in the zone, and we were impressed again by the mixing skills. The atmosphere was really informal and though Lunatic had to divide his attention we noticed that he didn't miss a single transition the guys were making. 

Coming up

Exodus

We were pretty impressed by the originality in the track selection, and the mixing skills of the upcoming DJ`s that we heard that evening. And we`re sure that you`ll be interested in hearing them as well by now. We`ve shot some short clips of these DJ`s in action which will be online soon. And we`ll also upload some new podcasts, mixed by these DJ`s, in the future. But you`ll have to wait a bit for that as both the DJ`s and Lunatic will have to be completely satisfied with the recording first. So keep your eye on our Facebook page because there`s some pretty cool stuff coming up!

Curious?
If you want to find out more about the DJ-workshop, or the upcoming producer workshop, then you should check out Lunatic`s website Bassmachine for more info, or send an e-mail directly to Lunatic through info@bassmachine.nl.

Photography by: Bren-D

Interview with Enthorine

 

Enthorine`s Facebook, Soundcloud & Podcast

Can you tell us something about the person behind Enthorine? Who are you, what do you do for a living etc.? 

Hey! My name is Dick Nieman, I am 23 years old and I live in Hilversum. I study Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Next to my study I also work as a dishwasher in a small restaurant. Besides DJ'ing and  producing I also like to draw, paint and read in my spare time.  

How did you start your career as a DJ, and how is it going for you at the moment?

Well, I`d have to go back to 2006. I listened to a lot of hardcore music at the age of 14, and I also used to visit a record store in my hometown on a weekly basis, which was owned by Michel (DJ Darkcontroller). He taught me how to mix with vinyl records and also introduced me to producing music. A few years later I got in touch with Andre (MC Justice), the man behind Thunderdome Radio. He invited me to the show and I met a lot of other DJ's there, from whom I also learned a lot. This resulted in many opportunities to play on Thunderdome Radio. 
Over time I got more experienced and confident due to lots of practicing. A short while later they considered me part of the Thunderdome Radio Crew, and I focused on the alternative and industrial side of hardcore for the show. All of this has led to fantastic gigs such as Nature One, Footworxx and ultimately the last edition of Thunderdome itself: The Final Exam. Nowadays, Thunderdome (Radio) is no more and I decided to focus on producing. I rarely have gigs anymore at the moment, but I hope this will change as I get better in making music. 

Talking about Thunderdome, you had the opportunity to play at the final Thunderdome, can you tell how you got there and what that party was like for you?
A few months after my gig on Nature One in 2012 I suddenly got a phone call from Andre, asking me if I wanted to open the frenchcore stage on the final edition of Thunderdome. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, because I thought that it couldn't get any crazier than Nature One. 

The event itself became a truly memorable night. There were already quite some people at the stage I was playing at (mostly thanks to the fact that the frenchcore area was close to the entrance) and I received a good response to my set. I did not play frenchcore by the way, but this did not seem to matter as I was the opening act. 

I was nervous as hell obviously, haha. But luckily everything turned out fine. After my set, I stayed for the whole night and heard lots of cool artists and great sets. All in all, I felt really privileged and honored to be a part of such a legendary event. 

You have been a member of the Thunderdome Radio crew, a resident at Hardsoundradio and performed on MoH radio. I think that it`s safe to assume that online radio has been important to your career?

I`m sure it is. I think most of the people that know my name, know it because of the radio shows. Many recordings of these shows ended up on Soundcloud, especially the ones from Hardsoundradio. HardsoundRadio was a nice opportunity to showcase my DJ-mixes. The station served as a platform for underground hardcore-related music and acquired quite a name among alternative hardcore-listeners. The fun thing was that they had a chat room where people could talk about the music that was playing at that moment, and I think it was a good place to discover new hardcore-related music. Unfortunately, none of these radio stations are up anymore. 

We`ve noticed that you play a wide variety of styles, ranging from drum&bass, to hardcore to (hard)techno. You don`t like to limit yourself to a single style? 

Absolutely! Even though I don't like the music itself, I am very much inspired by artists in the eclectic and urban scene. I really like how they manage to put hip-hop, house, trap etc. smoothly into one DJ-set. I often try to do this in hardcore sets with UK hardcore, drum&bass, hardtechno, dubstep and industrial. Most of the time (due to time slots at parties) I stick to hardcore and drum&bass. But when I am free to play what I want, for example on online radio shows, I like to feature multiple styles. However, for the Forward Observers Podcast I decided to do a typical Enthorine DJ-set consisting of mainly hard drum&bass and drum&bass-influenced hardcore. This is because I really love breaks and the variation between breakbeats and hardcore in sets. 
Another thing worth mentioning: although I really like the work of artists like Ophidian, The Outside Agency and Tymon, I tend to avoid using their tracks in my sets. This is because I think they already get played a lot and it`s more fun for me to play forgotten and lesser known tracks. 
I guess you could say that my style is pretty similar to that of War is Inevitable, a very good DJ who I don't know personally though.   

In the past you've told us that you`re really busy with producing. Are you making progress? And should we expect a release coming out anytime soon?

I`m making progress, slowly but surely! I had the benefit of getting lots of know-how about Cubase years ago from DJ Darkcontroller, so when I decided to start making music myself I had a relatively quick start. But I still have so much to learn. Thunderdome Radio also brought me into contact with foreign hardcore-minded people like Alex (Ragnarok, from Noisj) and Candy (Minckz). This resulted in a collaboration with Ragnarok on his forthcoming album on Noisj, which will be released very soon. And I have to say I am really satisfied with this track! Besides this, I also spend a lot of time in the studio with Vincent from Terminal & Vavaculo (shout-out to you guys! haha). Concerning my solo tracks, I recently finished three tracks, and I am aiming for my debut-release this year!  

Where do you get your inspiration from when it comes to producing? And are there specific artists or tracks that influenced your music?

My inspiration definitely comes from big artists like Dolphin, The Teknoist, The DJ Producer and Detest, but also from newer guys like DJIPE and Khaoz Engine. I don't think I`ll ever be as skilled as those big names. But in my view those newer guys are doing really well and they inspire me to develop myself in producing too. 
Still, the artist that has had the biggest impact on my music has to be Dolphin. I really admire his original take on alternative hardcore music and the way he blends oldschool hip-hop, drum&bass and hardcore to get his own 'sci-fi' kind of hardcore sound. He uses futuristic effects like bleeps and lasers and manages to create a truly unique vibe. Nothing sounds like it, really awesome.
Furthermore, an example of a track that really got me thinking is 'Uncertain Sound' by The DJ Producer. He can make fast, aggressive and energetic beats without using a load of ugly distortion. In this track, you just hear a clear kick with a hard snare, yet the track is a real slammer in my opinion. I like this way of making hardcore and I hope that I`ll eventually be able to do the same myself. Of course there are many more great artists in the scene, way too much to mention here.  

What can we expect from Enthorine in the (near) future? 

I hope I`ll be able to create some good music and it seems like the first releases are not too far away. So you can expect more tracks for sure! There are also some small gigs coming up and I would like to do way more podcasts and radio shows.  

And last but not least, do you have some epic words to close this interview?

None at all.