Spherical – the eagerly anticipated debut long-player from multi-faceted Spanish producer, DJ and label boss Ian Axide – is out today via his very own Emphatic Records imprint. A career-defining moment for the now London-based artist, the ten-track Spherical opus marks Ian Axide’s most extensive and innovative body of work to date and pertinently showcases the inexhaustible creativity of one of the most prolific acts in underground techno right now. Known for his highly experimental soundscapes and hard-hitting atmospheres, Ian’s uniquely underground treatment across the entirety of Spherical is both wonderfully dark and hypnotic, whilst maintaining the impressive quality of engaging the listener from the very start. Complete with incredible complexity, energy and intricacy across its ten-track duration, Ian capitalises on his innate ability to draw you into a dark, industrial construct, as he explores a remarkable array of timbres from across the techno spectrum. We sat down with the London-based Spanish producer to find out more…
Hi Ian, welcome to We Own The Nite and thanks for taking time out of your schedule to talk to us. How are you doing and where in the world are you right now?
I am pretty good, thanks for asking. At the moment i am in London, have been living in this city for 7 years, feel really comfortable here. Also I think the environment to create music is amazing so I don’t want to move to another place.
For those of our readers that may not know you, please can you introduce yourself quickly?
I am originally from La Coruña, North Spain, and have been playing and making Techno for the last 20 years, under different aliases. I run two record labels, Emphatic Records and Black Codes Experiments, this label in collaboration with Cristian Varela. Also me and him organize events around the world.
Massive congratulations on the forthcoming release of your debut studio album, ’Spherical’. Can you tell us a bit about the creative process behind the project and why you gave it that name?
Thank you! Honestly, It took me a lot of time organizing into my head how exactly I wanted this album. I didn’t want to go very experimental and conceptual for my first album so it was hard to find the right balance on every track without losing my own sound and my roots. I had a lot of projects started for this album from the last 2 years, I had the chance to finish them all during the quarantine. Spherical is a round object in three-dimensional space, I liked that concept for the name of my album.
What are some of the biggest inspirations behind this body of work?
My biggest inspiration is the universe.
Do you plan to tour the album internationally later this year if possible?
Well, due the current situation we all are living, it is difficult to plan gigs or a tour right now. I think nobody knows how the things will end up, so i will wait until planning anything.
Is there a reason why you’re choosing to release the album on Emphatic Records, rather than Black Codes Experiments?
Black Codes is a great label, amazing artists have released on it, me and Cristian are working really hard to make it bigger but Emphatic Records is my baby, I founded it in 2006, have invested a lot energy and time on this label during the last 14 years. It doesn’t make sense for me releasing my first album on another label.
What is your vision for Emphatic Records moving forwards?
I always like to release variety on my label. I find it very boring releasing the same kind of Techno all the time. If I like one track I just release it, doesn’t matter if it is hypnotic, dark or energetic Techno. I will keep doing the same in the future.
What is the electronic music scene like in your hometown? Any local artists that we should be keeping our eyes on?
Electronic scene in my hometown was really good many years ago, there were a few clubs with strong lineups every month but everything has changed in the last ten years so unfortunately the Techno scene is nearly dead there at the moment. There is an emerging artist who lives close to my hometown, his artist name is Oxygeno. He is doing quite good at the moment.
You’re clearly very accomplished both in the studio and behind the decks. Do you prefer one or the other? If so, why?
I love doing both but if had to chose only one, I‘d rather makie music. Making music is more creative, I feel really good spending time in the studio.
What are 5 records that haven’t left your box recently?
Sleeparchive – DustDark
Quadrant – Ecliptic Traces
Oxygeno – Anxiety
Arnaud Le Texier – Deviant
Lewis Fautzy – Extinction F02
Besides the new album, what can we expect from you in the second half of 2020?
I am working on new EP for Children of Tomorrow, it will be released in October and I want to release another EP on Black Codes Experiments this year.
Any final words for our readers?
Thanks to everyone for reading this interview and I hope you can enjoy my new album!
Ian Axide – Spherical is out now via Emphatic Records