Six years into the evolving history of bass juggernaut label, Tectonic Recordings, they’ve finally created a 21st Century website to go with their prolific, modern output of dubstep, dub-techno, and music that sub-basses lust. The onslaught of new features (discogs, gallery, news, shop and more) chimes with the arrival of the 50th Tectonic release, 'Closer', from Photek with remixes from Pinch aka Rob Ellis, and the digital only ‘Best of Tectonic’; delivering the best way to absorb their back catalogue in one purchase.
When asked what he thinks typifies the best of Tectonic, he chuckles and admits; “I didn’t do that good a job of narrowing it down; there’s 40 tracks on there! I guess I was trying to cover as many bases as possible - It was difficult for me as I’ve loved everything we’ve put out.”
With this passion, Pinch has sealed his position in dubstep; emergent as a Bristol Godfather of bass and homing the dub-techno talents. It’s written into music history, and although he finds it “very comforting to be recognised... it’s about doing the next thing rather than dwelling on the past.” And with that it’s not difficult to see why he’s pushing the boundaries of an ‘expected’ Tectonic roster. One of the latest releases to do so is ‘Frantically Hopeful’, from Pursuit Grooves, and he’s been taken by how well it’s been received, despite it’s off-kilter, broken beat and hip-hop approach. “You always worry that if you start veering off the trodden path that no-one else follows you on the way,” he tells us.
“I’ve always really liked the white label techno ideas of buying into
the music; they have a strength of following based on nothing other than
being genuinely interesting."
Does he sense an unnecessary rigidity in the dubstep genre? “I think the majority of people do come into dubstep with rigid views, and their concept is a rigid template,” he says. “For me, dubstep was always a progressive and experimental school of music, and I feel it’s a bit of shame to not follow that spirit. Switching up tempos, changing grooves, and playing around with ideas is very much what dubstep is about.”
His not-so-secret collaboration with Distance as Deleted Scenes has recently been brought into Facebook existence, embracing the inevitable unmasking and alerting everyone else to their dub and sub powerhouse. “I’ve always really liked the white label techno ideas of buying into the music; they have a strength of following based on nothing other than being genuinely interesting,” he says, explaining his preferred anonymity.
Keep your eyes peeled for more DS material later this year, and Tectonic releases including Pinch-recommended Distal, who incorporates warehouse and spine-tingling acid, and a general diversification of bpm from the 140 standard to push sonic directions; the decree has gone forward - Tectonic is not a one-bpm label!
This interview was originally conducted for Clash magazine, and can be picked up in the Autumn back issues.
Featured Club of the Week: Inner City Acid Venue: La Cheetah Date: Friday 19th November
Shed a little tear - Inner City Acid have returned, but for one bitter-sweet final party (sincerely hope not though!) with ‘Acid Warriors’ Radioactive Man (Keith Tenniswood playing live) and the Dexorcist (Si Brown). Keith will showcase his new EP The Radioacid Box, as well as beats from his new LP, due to drop next year. Residents The Wasp and Scott Theory support.
11pm-3am, £10
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Edinburgh
Club: Compakt
Venue: Cabaret Voltaire
Date: Friday 19th November
I’m loving RA’s description of Compakt guest Dustin Zahn; quickly summarised as ‘Minneapolis-based love machine’, he’ll be spreading moody techno rather than hippy love beats for the Edinburgh crew.
11pm-3am, £7 / £5 before midnight
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Club: Glitch Biscuit
Venue: The Lane
Date: Friday 19th November
Electro-techno guest Calverton joins Glitch Biscuit in the basement for their bucket load of wobble, minimal and house.
10pm-3am, £6
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Club: StepBack
Venue: Wee Red Bar
Date: Friday 19th November
StepBack emerges at their new home in ECA’s Wee Red Bar with special guest Doc Daneeka - no, not the Catch 22 character, but the funky basement house DJ with a whole lotta kick-drums. WolfJazz and Eclair Fi Fi bring the extra bass at this special edition.
10.30pm-3am, £4 / £2
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Club: Fuse
Venue: Liquid Room
Date: Saturday 20th November
Securing an appearance from Zombie Nation almost a month before Glasgow and Aberdeen do (at Death Disco and Everything Else Sucks), Fuse relocate to the Liquid Room for one night only to blast out the buzzin’ techno and electro. Lions?Lions!, Blackwax, Lee Mutch and Slikk Mick support with dubstep and house beats.
10.30pm-3am, £8
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Club: Wasabi Disco
Venue: Sneaky Pete’s
Date: Saturday 20th November
Disco served extra spicy! For their special second birthday party, this barrage of new wave, NY grooves and disco welcome a guest set from Nick Yuill of the Heavy Gossip club.
11pm-3am, £3 / £0
Glasgow
Club: Colours
Venue: The Arches
Date: Friday 19th November
Dutch house producer Laidback Luke strolls into town to serenade Colours with tasty electro and house dancefloor killers.
11pm-4am, £15
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Club: Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outerspace
Venue: Glasgow School of Art
Date: Sunday 21st November
Ok, so it’s the name of a new Tectonic compilation, but it would be great if it was the name of a permanent club. The high-profile guests include Scientist Vs The Upsetters, Pinch, Sgt Pokes, Loefah and supported by local heroes Electric Eliminators. It’s more dubstep than you can handle! (Well, I bet you sit down once ;) )
9pm-3am, £tbc
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Club: Be Deep
Venue: The Admiral
Date: Friday 19th November
As you can tell from the name, they like it deep, so embrace the house of Berlinner Andre Lodemann, founder of Best Works and former guest at clubs like Watergate, Panorama Bar, and Tape when he appears with residents Russell Ventilla and Andy Barton.
11pm-3am, £10 / £8 before midnight
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Club: Naive
Venue: Glasgow School of Art
Date: Friday 19th November
Interestingly, the new clubs just keep on coming - next up is Naive, promising “a blend of cultured, cosmopolitan French Touch and Gallic electro”, so basically musique à la française. Expect Daft Punk and Hacker homages I suspect. For their November show they welcome DJ Feadz, Mr Flash, (yeh, of course they’re both French!),and residents Shaun Fae Solar and Sam Vitamins.
11pm-3am, £5
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Club: Sensu
Venue: Sub Club
Date: Friday 19th November
Spoke too soon about the French! Another Gallic producer hits Glasgow the same night, when Shonky of Freak n’Chic for the last Sensu of 2010. The emphasis is strongly on the house, electro and techno elements rather than nationality!
11pm-3am, £10 / £free before midnight
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Club: Death Disco
Venue: The Arches
Date: Saturday 20th November
Eight years already? Indeed! DD celebrate the double 4’s with special guests The Count & Sinden, Brodinski, and his ABRACADA labelmates Mikix The Cat, The Aikiu, Mustang and Dansette. Even more house, disco, electro and dance of the hottest variety come from residents Hush Puppy, Josh Jones and Wave Graves.
11pm-3am, £14 / £7 with online mailing list voucher
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Club: Mungo's Hi Fi
Venue: Glasgow School of Art
Date: Saturday 20th November
Independent UK dub and roots label Conscious Sounds (Dougie Wardrop) and reggae artist King General warm the Mungo’s crowds with their beats and lyrics at the second last event at the Art School. Dancehall, grime, ragga, dubstep and more will feel its way through the soundsystem and straight to your brain!
11pm-3am, £8 / £5 advance
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Aberdeen
Club: Mixtape and Let it Bleed
Venue: Snafu
Date: Friday 19th November
Once again joining forces, Mixtape and Let it Bleed welcome heavy weight house guests Brodinski and Mash to stir up the electro, techno and minimal beats.
11pm-3am, £10 / £8 members
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Dundee
Club: Devil Disco Club
Venue: The Reading Rooms
Date: Saturday 20th November
Live action for DDC this month, when Digital Jones take to the stage for funky soul and electro, while the Devil residents play disco of the vintage variety, proto house and acid.
