Bluetech
by Mister Mime
8th October 2020
Imagine yourself as an explorer who, while swimming in the absolute depths of the ocean, discovers an advanced Atlantean civilisation thriving on the seabed. That’s when the latest Bluetech album ‘Underwater Cities’ cues in, and submerges you in a blissful confluence of modular mastery, sublime subaquatic arpeggios and aquifers of analog goodness. The prolific producer only finds more creativity and strength in his self-imposed limitation, and this record is a conceptual gem that acknowledges certain electronic influences from the past while maintaining the melodic endearment to his classical roots, and most importantly diving deep into the infinite waters of what the future of music holds.
MM: What is the theme of the album 'Underwater Cities'? Do the tracks have any particular stories (fictional or real-life) behind them?
Bluetech: I feel the title is actually pretty descriptive! The whole vibe was a nod to classic aquatic themed electro artists like Drexciya and just to have fun with my continuing interest in science fiction and narrative themes for my music.
MM: How is this record conceptually and compositionally different from your previous work, the complexity of Holotrope?
Bluetech: Holotrope is a much larger concept and is a self contained whole, a journey that loops back on itself as it were. Underwater Cities is more a chance for me to explore some classic synths and drum machines and just have fun playing with Detroit and electro influences a bit. Really I didn't take myself too seriously with this one.
MM: Can you tell us a bit about the artwork and how it augments the musical experience of the record?
Bluetech: The art is created by award winning illustrator Guy Warley and I think really captured a sort of utopian retro sci-fi aesthetic, inspired by the works of Moebius and other ligne claire style illustrators.
MM: Melody in electronic music: You are one of the most melodic electronic artists that I have listened to. How did you develop your sense of musicality in the framework of electronic music?
Bluetech: My background is classical music, and I started playing piano at a really young age, so I think melody is something that always goes with me. I'm drawn to melodic music and it's just where I end up when I'm writing.
MM: What influenced you sonically for this record?
Bluetech: As mentioned above, Drexciya and Deroit electro specifically as well as artists like Higher Intelligence Agency, Plant 43, As One, etc. I try not to recreate what anyone does sonically, though there are definitely some touch points and obvious references in the work.
MM: What are your interests outside of music? Do you draw inspiration from other art forms?
Bluetech: Im very involved in art and illustration in general, and do some design and illustration work for other artists as well as occasionally taking the time to do a body of work and my own art shows. Music and the label take up most of my time, but I enjoy working with 3d software and procedural animation systems as well.
MM: What advice would you give to younger producers with respect to making music, finding your own sound and being a complete artist?
Bluetech: Listen to your gut always. Doesn't matter what anyone else is doing or has to say about your work, trust your own process and follow that.
