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RAIDEN
DOA: You exploded on the scene kind of suddenly, dropping cuts on a host of labels, including DSCI4, Renegade Hardware, Freak and others. When did you decide to start OffKey Recordings?
Raiden: OffKey as an Idea was born in 2003 after a meeting with ST Holdings. Then I spent 2 years building a concept and the first release came out in 2005. OffKey was set up for a sound that me and Propaganda were making that was not getting interest from other labels but we know was working on the dancefloor. During the setting up process of the label, a few other producers came to my attention, fitting the ethos. From there we all became good friends, which has been the key to our success.
DOA: One of the things that has been linked to you is the idea that OffKey represents the Techno DnB sound. Was that a conscious decision, to kind of be the torch-bearers of that particular style of Drum & Bass, or did it just fall into place?
Raiden: It's definitely something that fell into place. I've always had a Techno influence in my sound as that is what I grew up with, all my early releases had a Techno edge and I'm basically a failed Techno producer. There was always an intention for OffKey to be based on a Techno concept, but the term Techno DnB was a pigeon hole that has been built up around the label. We were just doing our thing and other people made a conscious decision to label the style much later on, it was more like ''hey, apparently we make Techno DnB now''. We were very much out on our own for many years without any sub-genre being applied to us. Although I must admit, I'm not that comfortable with Techno DnB becoming this sub-genre; all this did is create a firm set of rules that stunted any experimentation and caused a whole host of copying. Techno influences in DnB is nothing new, the only difference now is many of the earlier Techno-styled tracks were all basically bootlegs made from samples of other famous Techno tracks. I got to a point where I wanted to create a Techno feel from scratch using its production techniques and trickery. Ever since working with people such as Dean Rodell I've learnt exactly how to make a true Techno sound from the horse's mouth as it were.
DOA: Now, you guys are coming out with the first album on OffKey, The Firm. How did this project come about? Is this part of any grand ''plan'' you had with OffKey?
Raiden: I just got to a stage where the next logical step was to release an LP. The Firm LP was created for ourselves where we could all share a release together. I wanted it to unify the artists and assert our identity as a collective. I realize that this is a collection of singles, but it�?�¢??s a snapshot of a year's worth of work, where everyone involved with the label is on one release.
DOA: The CD version of the album features a batch of extra cuts, right? How hard was it to decide which tracks made vinyl and which made it to the CD release?
Raiden: Yea, very hard! There are some very strong tunes that were getting a lot of DJ support, but it was important for me to have the LP balanced so every artist was represented. I picked out a tracklist that had every artist covered across all the formats. To have various tracklists for the different formats makes them special.
DOA: One producer that's seemed to grow as the label has grown is Propaganda. How does it feel to see him come from sharing the first release with you to now coming into his own, and getting props for his heaters along the way?
Raiden: I'm really glad that Propaganda is getting the respect he deserves, but I feel its long overdue! We have been working together since the beginning; I think 2009 will be a big year for the mighty Propagandi!
 DOA: Building on that question, who would you say would be some of the producers or DJs, if any, that helped shape your maturation in production and possibly as a label head?
Raiden: I would say Techno producer Dean Rodell has been a big influence. We have taught each other a very different approach to making music and we have merged our labels to create a union between our scenes. Through this we have really carved out our own niche, and between us when have a lot of independence and creative control over our labels. Clayton from Renegade Hardware has given me a lot of advice over the years that has proved invaluable. I have been working with Current Value recently; his engineering is just incredible and, contrary to what many people think, he's incredibly versatile with many projects in many genres. His tips are definitely teaching me to make better sounding productions. I also have to credit Jeff Mills as he is my favourite artist and giving me so much influence over the years.
DOA: What does it take for a tune to grab you to the point where you want to release it? Are you purposefully looking for a certain sound or feel with each release, or is it just based on tracks hitting you right?
Raiden: I always liked tracks with an experimental edge, but I also like to sign the tracks that will stay in your record box for a long time. I like a track that strikes a chord with me and has something unique that inspires me creatively. I haven't got this right all the time but that's the aim! If anything, I'm looking for a sound that will break the mould rather than fit it.
DOA: Now, with this project, and throughout the releases on OffKey, there seems to be a core group of producers (Propaganda, Temper D, Lethal, The Sect, etc.). Are there any new producers who will be dropping tunes on OffKey in the future, outside of this group?
Raiden: I'm currently very excited by a new producer from Kiev, Ukraine called Histibe. He has a very unique sound that is influenced by minimal Techno, but he fused into DnB in a very special way. I will be working with him very closely over the coming year. I'm writing a Dying Punks EP, which is my project with Techno producer Dean Rodell. I'm hoping Current Value will be featuring on the label in the near future, as he has been making some amazing rolling tracks recently that would fit OffKey perfectly. I would also like to see more of Audio on the label in the near future. In saying that, you never know what demo will arrive in your inbox and shock you!
DOA: What's going on with the OffKey Podcast? When can we expect to hear the next instalment, and who will be manning the decks on that journey?
Raiden: We are currently working on a new website where the podcasts will be a big part of it so it will be much be easier to issue them regularly. I've always wanted the podcasts to follow a concept beyond just playing the latest tracks, ie. the last Cooh podcast was based around his half-tempo tracks. The next podcasts will be from myself, Histibe and Dying Punks.
DOA: Will OffKey be going on tour in support of The Firm? Any spots you looking forward to hitting?
Raiden: There's no official tour, as such as all the artists are on different agencies, although all the OffKey artist are touring every week. I'm really excited to be playing at Renegade Hardware at The End Club again in Nov. We did a LP Launch party with Renegade Hardware last month & there's talks about being more Hardware vs OffKey events in London next year. I'm doing a Trans Siberian LP Tour with Proket in December, where we will play 4-5 of the most remote places in central Russia and we will spend a week in Irkutsk and lake Baikal; I can't wait for that! I'm also off to Mexico City at some point soon, and I play somewhere in Europe every weekend.
DOA: What's on the docket for the future, in regards to your own productions, the label, etc.? Any artist albums planned for OffKey? Spill the beans!
 Raiden: I'm currently making an EP for OffKey with my Dying Punks project, which is shaping up nicely. I'm very excited to be back with Renegade Hardware and working on an EP and various tracks for them. I have a collaboration with The Sect coming out on Architecture and I'm aiming to make some more bass heavy rollers in the future as I'm really feeling this direction. I have a single on Position Chrome featuring a track called ''Peloton'' that I'm quite proud, and I just signed a track to Cymbalism. I also have many remixes forthcoming, such as my Dubstep remix of Monsta's ''Space Raiders'' and remix of a Hip-Hop track for US group Non Stop Krooks. OffKey-wise, the next release will be Dying Punks & Current Value (OK12) and the release after that will be Proket (OK13). I'm thinking of making another LP project as it's a lot more rewarding than releasing singles; I'm hoping the next one will be more artistically conceptual. I have recently joined the Timeless Agency for Europe, Oz and Asia and Royal Promotions for Russia. I'm happy to be involved with these agencies, as they are extremely professional and have amazing rosters.
DOA: Can we get a current top 10 from you?
Raiden:
01. Histibe ''Inside'' (OffKey)
02. Raiden & The Sect ''Leffe'' (Architecture)
03. Dying Punks & Current Value ''Untitled'' (OffKey)
04. Raiden ''LHC'' (Renegade Hardware)
05. Proket ''Otsek'' (OffKey)
06. Raiden ''Peloton'' (Position Chrome)
07. Dying Punks & Current Value ''Love All The People'' (OffKey)
08. Raiden & Cooh ''Missed'' (?)
09. Vicious Circle ''Havana'' (Digital Soundboy)
10. Khanage, Dissect & Bio-Method ''Unfamiliar''�?�¢?? (?)
DOA: You've hit us with a fresh mix, exclusive for DOA. What can heads expect from this epic treat?
Raiden: Hehe ''epic'', thanks! I did this mix testing a new concept that involves 2 programmes: Traktor for mixes and Ableton for extra loops, edits, & drum loops. The Traktor output is routed into the Ableton with FX returns. This allows me to get very creative because I have the improvisational benefits of DJing, but with the creative freedom of a live set. I basicaly stole (lol) this idea after seeing Richie Hawtin using various software from 2 laptops and tried to make it work with DnB. I understand that many people in DnB see laptop mixing as cheating but nothing could be further from the truth, the technology is there and it creates more options and possibilities so why not use it, there's room for everything! Music-wise, it's a collage of tracks that I'm currently playing with some Techno classics laced into the DnB and FX thrown in for good measure. It's a cross of deeper and harder Techno-influenced tracks with some nice subby rollers.
DOA: Do you have any final thoughts or shout outs you'd like to kick while we wrap this up?
Raiden: I wanna make a big shout out too: Dean Rodell, ALL OFFKEY ARTISTS FOR THERE LOYALTY OVER THE YEARS, Ichi, my right hand man, for all his hard work and Ricochet for all the artwork. My amazing agents Sahra at Timeless, and Rita at Royal. Clayton and Ink at Hardware. Vicious Circle, Gremlinz, Calyx, 2Shy, Current Value, Limewax, SPL, Dylan, Panacea, Audio and anyone else I forgot. And a huge thank you to all the OffKey fans that have made the label what it is!!!
And now for an exclusive mix from OffKey Recordings head Raiden!
Tracklist:
quote:
Whitehouse ''Cut Hands Has The Solution'' (Susan Lawly)
Pyro & Akzel ''Get On It'' (Offkey)
Surgeon ''Whos Bad Hands'' (Raiden Bootleg)
Histibe ''Inside'' (OffKey)
Jeff Mills ''Cloak'' (Axis)
Monolake ''Whos Bad Hands Are These Part 2'' (DTR)
Propaganda ''Bear Wittness'' (Obscene)
Raiden ''Can't Be Myself'' (Unsigned)
Dying Punks & Current Value ''Love All The People'' (OffKey)
Vicious Circle ''Havana'' (Digital Soundboy)
Jeff Mills ''Belief System'' (Axis)
Digital & Spirit ''Phantom Force'' (Phantom Audio)
Jeff Mills ''Blue Print'' (Tresor)
Raiden & Cooh ''Missed'' (Unsigned)
Raiden ''Another Dead Hero'' (Cymbalism)
Raiden ''LHC'' (Renegade Hardware)
AFX dub ''Untitled'' (Contrarotative)
Jeff Mills ''Actaul 8'' (Raiden Bootleg)
Vex'd ''Lion VIP'' (Raiden Bootleg)
Raiden & The Sect ''Leffe'' (Architechure)
Verb Bleeps
Raiden ''Peloton'' (Position Chrome)
Loxy & Resound ''Civil War'' (Horizons)
Autechre ''Glitch'' (Sony)
Gremlinz ''Frankie Gunns'' (Renegade Hardware)
Raiden ''Baptism of Fire'' (OffKey)
Jeff Mills ''Actaul 7'' (Axis)
Curve ''Falling Free (Aphex Twin Remix)''
Ø ''Atomit'' (Pi)
Dying Punks & Current Value ''Agent Of Evolution'' (OffKey)
Nitzer Ebb ''Join The Chant'' (Mute)
Raiden ''Sputnik (High Rankin Remix)'' (OffKey)
Whitehouse ''Dumping The Fucking Rubbish'' (Susan Lawly)
*GRAB RAIDEN RELEASES FROM THE DOA STORE
*GRAB RAIDEN TRACKS FROM DOA DOWNLOADS
*GRAB OFFKEY RELEASES FROM THE DOA STORE
Words: khal |
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Dogs On Acid > Comments > RAIDEN
10-15-2008 01:36 PM
omgash, my phucking net dropped owt. on the 2nd dl. 
