Courtesy of the good members of Sydney Friction forums (
http://www.sydneyfriction.com) and DJ Aggrovator (from 4th Quadrant), these guys were asked to put together ten questions for Raiden to answer. There are some great questions which Raiden took the time to answer in detail last night. I got these from the man himself this morning and thought I'd knock them off for all to see. I'll have some more details on venues, pricing and local support for the Melbourne show in a few days time - been very busy moving house (may even have some dirty live techno to finish you cats off at 5am in the morning)
Good Day to you Mr Jarman, whats happening ??
Yea not bad, feeling abit tired today. I'm currently suffering after a heavy night out, I was clubbing in Berlin last night directly from a gig in Rome, Im just showing off now
1. Its been a while since you graced the shores of Australia what can we expect from you 'live' show this time around and what are you looking forwad to most about your trip other than playing in Sydney of course?
My lives sets are an eclectic mix of many styles of electronic music all mashed up into DnB and remixed on the fly. I combine my own material with splices from artists as varied as Jeff Mills, Nitzer Ebb, Vengelis, Aphex Twin and Surgeon. The live sets certainly has a different flow to standard DJing, as its more than just blending 2 tracks from A to B.
I' m very much looking forward to the adventure of coming to Australia, its a very long way to come on your own so I'm sure I will return to Europe with many stories and a stronger sense of friendship.
2.You've recently released work with hard edge techno producer Rodell which is so heavily influenced by hard warehouse style techno its hard to tell what genre it fits into, any plans to release straight up techno tunes in future or you strictly a DnB man?
Its no secret that I'm a big fan of techno, especially the Detroit sound from the mid to late nineties. I was in a minimal techno Club in Berlin last night and I found the music incredibly boring, yet I'm not a big fan of stupidly hard techno either. There doesn't seem to be much going on in between Minimal and Shranz these days so until there a possibility to of hearing Detroit vibe again I will be sticking firmly with DnB.
3. Theres been a string of new artists released on your label and Temper D has just started his imprint as well, tell us a bit about some new new upcoming artists to look out for on the tech style tip this year?
For me right now I'm not so focused on the newer up and coming artists. I'm currently focusing on the more established producers as the can take this sound much further with a high degree of production which is badly needed in the Techno Influenced sound. I think the artists to look out for over the coming year would be:
Dying Punks, this is my project with Dean Rodell and its the only true cross techno/DnB project. Dean Rodell is a very established techno producer so together we have alot to bring in terms of true crossover techno style production.
Current Value is making alot of techno style DnB and its seriously funky with an incredible production sound, he is cable of making many styles and I think his talent will push things forward. I've never seen anyone work a studio like Current Value.
I'm interested to see where someone like Audio can take this sound, he just completed a track for the forthcoming Offkey LP and its is some seriously fresh sounding ideas.
Cooh is probably the most exciting new comer at the moment, hes is able to make a track a day and never seems to run out of ideas. Definitely keep an eye on him over the coming year as hes coming up fast!
4. Being a very underground style with less of a market than the more mainstream DnB thats out there what is it that keeps you interested in the sounds you are currently pushing ?
Records sales definitely doesn't effect my interest. I think the market for underground music is very widespread, just because its not in the media so much doesn't mean theres no one listening to it. I'm finding myself playing in more and more obscure places where they have a Passion for a more underground sound as well as the major cities. The thing with underground music it that its consistent and not influenced by trends so it comes across more honest and people see that. The interest comes from not making what the media wants you to listen to, but from what I personally like and trying to perfect that.
5. Do you have any general tips for young or budding producers / DJs itching to get into the game at the moment?
You have to be passionate and be into it for the right reasons. The Internet has a huge amount of on line tuturails and books available that can give you valuable skills that you would never learn on your own. If your good you will go far, its simple as that so practice, every great athlete has to train constantly and being successful with music is no different, but most important thing is to have fun!
6. The techier styles in DnB have grown hugely over the last few years with artists like Proket, Prode, The sect, Catacomb, Phace, Noisia etc all exploding and really finding their niche within the worldwide drum n bass movement. How are you enjoying what you are doing the moment and what plans do you have regarding labels / tunes / collaborations
etc for the coming year?
I'm loving what I'm doing now more than I ever have done as I'm getting really close to what I'm trying to achieve musically. I'm very busy production wise at the moment, Ive just finished a batch of remixes that include Adam Freeland's 'We Want Your Soul', Woody McBride's 'Basket Ball Diaries' and a remix for a US hip hip crew called Prolific plus more. On Offkey I have some tracks on the Firm compilation LP, a collaboration EP with Current Value and a Dying Punks EP. I also have a single coming on Position Chrome this year with some more experimental ideas and also a Dubstep release with Subtrakt. Over the last 2 years I have been quiet in terms of production as I have been building up OffKey and breaking new artists but this year I plan to be alot more active in the studio.
7. I grew up in the UK and Techno and DnB always went hand in hand for me as i only ever went to free parties / warehouse events etc and steered clear of mainstream clubbing.....what is it about that kind of sound you love so much and do you see yourself continuing to push this style well into the future?
I love this sound as it has all the elements I want in electronic music. I'm very much into the hypnotising Detroit techno vibe fused with basslines and energy while always focusing on experimention. I feel this sound is just starting to blossom so there much more work to be done in refining this sound. This techno influenced sound is certainly getting bigger and more interesting, so theres every reason to keep on, keeping on.
8. Who have been some of your main influences over the years and what would you say inspired you to start making tunes originally?
My main influences is the Axis records and Underground Resistance sound, with people like Jeff Mills and Robert Hood, for there minimalism and hypnotism with their mature Sci-fi edge. Also I love alot of Aphex Twin tracks as he always has something unique. I'm also a very big fan of the Surgeon, musically and for his DJ sets. He plays a very eclectic mix of all styles and this has had a huge impact on my live performances. The inspiration to start producing is purely down the the fact I really wanted to make music and mess with the technology, I still do it for the same reasons today, its my hobby first, job second.
9. Forums / downloads and the internet in general have changed the music industry allot over the past few years. Would you say it has had more of a positive effect than negative on the way people are involved in music?
Its definitely changed things, I don't think its better or for worse, just different. The positive side is it helped music reach a wider global audience and allowed you to access music that you may never have found before. Its also allows the listeners to be in direct contact with the artist. Theres alot of negativity where you find people criticizing anybody who tries to do something, probably because they are incable of doing anything themselves. These people believe they are helping the scene, but infact they're doing the complete opposite. Most Internet forums to me is just internet toilet graffiti.
10. Last but not least, when you're not in the studio or touring what do you get up to in your spare time?
Living in Estonia we have a big culture for sauna. I start each morning with a swim and sauna. You sit in the sauna until you cant take the heat anymore then jump into a pool of freezing cold water. Its much nicer than it sounds, you feel reborn. I'm currently into riding my road racing bike, having fantasies of winning the Tour De France, and I like to go fishing. Its important to have hobbies for well being and happiness.
