From their Spanish base, Alerstorm and Ice Stereo have been scorching multiple labels across Europe for years with their individual brands of neuro-influenced music. Now their powers have combined. This is Gradual and it’s time for the Ragnarok EP on 2 October 2015. We spoke to Alerstorm to find out more about Technique’s latest signing.
Where are you from and to what extent would you say this influences your music?
We’re from the south of Spain. Here there’s lots of broken rhythm electronic music that has influenced us since we were young.
What’s the drum & bass scene like in Spain at the moment?
Just now it’s getting stronger than ever with many international artists coming to festivals and small parties almost every month.
What made you want to start producing?
Everyone interested in music is always aware of all the details and when we heard neurofunk we were attracted to it due its complexity – all that sound design, depth, nasty basses and drum breaks. All together it drew our attention to start investigating and creating. We gradually built a method of work and programs to create what we do today.
What’s your studio setup like?
We have a modest studio based on PC monitors, KRK 8″, Interface Motu, Akai MPK25, some midi keyboards, some mics. We also use Cubase and Ableton and plugins like Serum, Massive, Alchemy and Kontakt, etc.
How has 2015 been for you so far?
2015 has been the best year for us since we started. We’ve made the leap to a major label and have perfected our method of work. 2015 is the year we created GRADUAL and is just the beginning of a large project that we’re excited about.
Tell us more about the Ragnarok EP you’re releasing on Technique…
We started creating Ragnarok as we wanted it to be our flagship and the world to know our hardest style, as Ragnarok means war between gods in Norse mythology. For this EP we wanted to capture that war between Drum & Bass gods.
How did you hook up with Technique in the first place?
We were working on the Ragnarok EP and started sending demos to numerous big labels. Technique showed an interest and we started working on this project together.
Got any other releases / remixes in the pipeline we should look out for?
We’re starting to think of an album project for which we have enough ideas. Meanwhile, we’re working on a single and a new EP, plus very cool collaborations with high calibre people. We do not STOP!
What else have you been working on in the studio recently?
We’re working hard on the sound design, very focused on processes with the bass and all other sounds: layers, group tracks, etc. trying to get ideas for original tunes and are quickly recognizable in our style.
Where can people see you play in the near future?
Because we just started this new GRADUAL project we’ve not received many offers yet but we hope that with this new EP that will change.
What do you get up to outside of music?
It’s difficult to answer as we live music 24 hours a day! Even so we still like to be with friends, have fun, movies, family is very important, nature and, of course, the beach!! Not forgetting some chilled beers too, ha ha!
Which producers and labels are you feeling at the moment?
Blackout, Eatbrain, Viper, Critical, Virus and, of course, Technique are several labels we are fans of. Artists we follow include Black Sun Empire, Neonlight, Mefjus, Misanthrop, Insideinfo, Billain and Noisia.
Anything else you want to tell us about?
We’re very pleased with the impact of the new EP and being introduced a label to the category of Technique. Thanks to all the people who support us, we’re really happy to meet people discovering us and, of course, you will have soon lots more news about our new releases. Greetings and long live DRUM & BASS!
