The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track from Setaoc Mass. “Technique” comes off the fresh new double EP pack, Neo-Noir, which marks the artist’s first return to his label, sk_eleven, since 2019. The tracks were recorded before and during quarantine and draw on influences from past and present and the productions explore the full spectrum between functional and experimental. Today we present the relentless, perpetual drive of “Technique”. This quickly became one of my favorite tracks with its razor sharp sound and decimating atmosphere.
With Neo-Noir out next week, we thought we would ask the artist about the EP, playing gigs this summer and more. See our interview below and pick up the release HERE.
-JRS
The Brvtalist: I saw you’ve played a couple gigs over the summer including one recent party in Berlin. Tell us what it’s been like being back in front of crowds during this time?
Setaoc Mass: Hey thanks for having me on The Brvtalist. I’ve played a number of shows now in Switzerland, Sofia, Cologne, Berlin and last week I went to Budapest. It’s still a completely surreal feeling. It really feels like starting out again, getting so excited when a booking comes in. There has also been a number of cancelled shows very close to the time as well. It’s a bit of a roller coaster right now not knowing if the gig will actually happen. The first gig outside of Berlin was Sofia and it was 4 hours in the mountains, it was such a buzz.
TB: Have you shifted your focus or energy at all (to new projects, sounds, etc) during the pandemic period/lockdown?
SM: At the beginning I was making my usual brand of techno, towards the mid parts it was a lot of experimental stuff, mixing tempo’s and styles. And generally pushing my production knowledge. Right now, I'm flicking between the two. I want to start a new alias for a more raw upbeat 90’s style of techno. I'm also experimenting with glitching and breaks to make an album, something along the lines of Autechre and pay homage to the 90’s UK IDM scene which I'm fully into.
TB: Neo-Noir is the first release on your label since 2019. Tell us a little bit about the creation of the album and any themes involved.
SM: Yeah, it’s been a while and that’s generally due to my poor time management skills. I don’t like to run the label on a rigid schedule as it feels too much like a business like that. I like to put out the release when I'm inspired, and I love all the tracks. The whole idea of the double pack EP was born out of the idea to do a whole package, with amazing artwork from Ross Paul Mcewan who’s a designer based in London. I also extended the number of tracks. As I’m writing so much music this is the only way to do it, unless you want an EP every 2 weeks. The name Neo-Noir comes from my love of older creepy psychological thriller movies. It’s all kind of based around that theme with lust and desire along with suffering and torture, a kind of reoccurring theme in my life of music is this juxtaposition.
TB: What’s coming up next for you and anything else you have on your mind?
SM: Trying to survive the winter, it seems like a lot of the outdoors events in Europe will come to a close, so I guess it’s back to the studio and continue honing my craft.SK_X the subseries of SK_eleven will be slowly releasing some new music from Yant and Rene Wise in the next months. Support your independent labels!
And finally, big ups to all the producers out there filling my ears with incredible music and keeping techno alive. Yant, Rene Wise, David Lohlein, Arkan, Leiras, Matrixxman, Rove Ranger, Phase, Kwartz, Dustmite +++++ xx