One of the best traits of any producer or DJ is their knowledge of multiple genres and how to fuse them together. Few are as good at doing this as REKA. The Spanish-born, Berlin-based artist has been active since 2004, building a name for herself through her vast and unique sets all over Europe and with a residency at the legendary Tresor. Now she comes forth with her debut EP, Diving the Innermost, out October 26th on BITE. The EP is an immense work, showcasing her varied tastes and ability to create the perfect atmosphere. Ahead of the release we asked REKA to select some influential tracks that have inspired her as a DJ and on this record. You can find her selections below.
Photo by Monochrome Laboratory
From the artist:
One of the (many) reasons it took me so long finishing an EP is the fact that I wanted to create something that didn’t sound like anyone else. I highly appreciate originality in all fields (although it's becoming more and more difficult for obvious reasons) and I never sat in the studio with the intention of sounding like a certain artist or a certain track. I would just put together whatever would came to my mind at that right moment. So when I was asked to select 10 influential tracks which could be reflected in this first record it was not an easy task. I had to do the opposite process and try to identify some of these influences while listening to the record. Needles to say that aside from inspiring the sound showcased by these 4 tracks, these artists/labels have had a heavy presence in my DJ career and that I have plenty of other influences not mentioned here.
In chronological order of appearance in my life:
1. Underground Resistance - The Final Frontier (UR). This must be my favourite UR track. It is so deep and emotional that gives me goosebumps every time, and in a weird way it even makes me wanna cry. I just wanna close my eyes and swing to those excruciatingly beautiful pads while feeling the acid in my guts and savouring that snare (one of my favourite percussion elements since ever). Masterpiece.
2. Ryuichi Sakamoto- Grief (Andrea Parker dmx) [Ninja Tune] - I absolutely love the gloomy atmosphere here, the very slow tempo, the chelo, the industrial noises in the background. Another master piece, and again, goosebumps…
3. Hadamard - A Cold Start [Bunker] - Continuing with electro, my first love as a DJ - this track represents one of the few styles of electro that I still enjoy playing nowadays. It’s dark, gloomy but beautiful and emotional. I love the distorted percussions and the sinister pad.
4. Byetone -Plastic Star [Raster Noton] - As a rock/punk/new metal head during my teenage years and early 20´s I automatically fell in love with the distorted guitar layered with noises and more distortion!
5. Surgeon - Bad Hands (Monolake Remix) [Dynamic Tension] - Well, I just love this bag of rhythmic noise. I love the omnipresent grit and the industrial vibe which never becomes too extreme (I don´t like when is too harsh). Powerful, dark and fierce piece of techno.
6. Traversable Wormhole - Traversing the Asteroid Belt - One of my favorite baselines ever. Very serious track.
7. Claudio PRC - Clear Depths (Silent Servant dmx) [Prolog] - Again the dark, deep and even dreamy atmosphere, strong but slow pace, slightly industrial but contained. It just sends me to an unknown planet.
8. Vatican Shadow - USS Carl Vinson Night Tide Funeral [Hospital Productions] - This track is also very emotional. The melody lures you in that high reverb epic sounding landscape and then disappears leaving you in a trance driven by few sustained distorted sounds and an unusual percussive rhythm without kick. Sublime……
9. Traversable Wormhole - Worldline (Orphx Remix) - Two of my favorite acts together, what can I say …. By now you should know I gravitate towards dark and or trippy atmospheres, slightly industrial sounds and a bit of distortion here and there.
10. SHXCXCHCXSH- Elocution - The melody, the intensity, wrapping sound, and of course, more distortion…
REKA - Diving The Innermost (BITE, 2018)