I caught up recently with rising tech-funk producer from the UK, Pablo Decoder.  He was happy to answer a few questions and send over some tracks to hype up his upcoming release on Big and Dirty Records.  As requested by Mr. Decoder, I have only posted 1 minute previews in 128 kbps of his two unreleased tracks.  He also sent over a Squeegie exclusive which should definitely not be overlooked, a massive Tiga remix in full 320 kbps.

Pablo Decoder – Shave It Off (Preview)

Dirty Funker – Flat Beat (Preview)

Tiga – Mind Dimension (Pablo Decoder Remix) <– Squeegie First!

Check out my last post on Pablo Decoder for his Lazy Jay remix and more.  Here’s what Mr. Decoder had to say:

S: Let’s start with an introduction.  Who are you and from where are you producing?

PD: I am Pablo Decoder aka THE DEATH KIT, Decoder.  I am currently at my studio in London.  I am also drinking a nice cup of tea.

S: Very good.  Tell us about your BIG & DIRTY release coming up at the end of the month.  Any other upcoming releases or remixes?

PD: SHAVE IT OFF is my next single.  It will be available digitally (Beatport,Trackitdown, iTunes, etc.) and Cd/Vinyl from June 30th.  I have remixed myself as THE DEATH KIT and got an amazing remix done by French SAV & VINCENT MANGANARO, their EP on SPIRIT is massive which I remixed myself, check it!  I am working on a track called MOOG IT UP, a new single I am releasing after SHAVE IT OFF on same imprint BIG & DIRTY Records.  Also have a remix comin out on Lazy Rich’s label (BIGFISH) and also SPIRIT. Dirty Funker’s Flat Beat PABLO DECODER remix is being well loved since we started promoting it this week.

S: What is THE DEATH KIT all about?  Give us a little background.

PD: THE DEATH KIT has always been my dirty electro side project.  I started doing it on my own, then with TIM HEALEY (COBURN), then got Blende to collab with me as part of THE DEATH KIT, we released LOSER EP on Big & Dirty also which includes massive BEETLEBUM.  Now I’m working on a new THE DEATH KIT single and ECHOES IN MY HEAD will be out in a month time with an edit by ETTIENE DE CRECY (which I even havent heard yet…) all THE DEATH KIT tracks and remixes can be heard on myspace.

S:  Tell us about Dirty Funker:

PD: I work very closely with DIRTY FUNKER… he’s an amazing producer and I’ve worked on a few of his tunes and remixes.  Also an amazing dude… never seen his face though, always wears a mask, don’t know his real name either…

S: Haha, alright… When did you get into production and who are some of your bigger influences?

PD: I have always been surrounded by instruments and recording gear.  My dad used to be a sound engineer and a band musician.  So I guess it just had to happen at some point. I bought my first real synth about 7 years ago and started messing around with Logic and Cubase.  I love learning new techniques and being with the best always helps.  I am very influenced by my top contemporary electro producers… Dylan Rhymes, Dirty Funker, Alex Metric, Ettiene de Crecy, Tim Healey, Sharooz, Lazy Jay, Dave Spoon, H2, Popof…to name a few.

I’m also very into Alternative Rock.  I was born listening to Iggy Pop, The Cure, Velvet Underground and The Doors. I’ve recently been working on my live band project DECODER, producing the album with DYLAN RHYMES which you can preview here: http://www.myspace.com/decoderuk.  This will be out once I close a deal with a decent label… still early days…

S: In my opinion, you keep it very real on the minimal house front with your simultaneous funk and metal influences.  For example, your Lazy Jay remix (a masterpiece) is more groovy and relaxed whereas your Indo remix is more electro and in-your-face.  Where is your sound going?  Are you going to retain these two different styles?

PD: I have been producing techno for a while but I can’t help doing some electro stuff every now and then, now I think I am sort of trying to make both meet.  My SHAVE IT OFF track probably defines the new PABLO DECODER sound which is some analog minimal groovy electro mash up…

S: Can you give us the lowdown on venue scheduling?  Where are you going to be playing this summer?

PD: I am doing a few dates here and there, pretty much in the UK.  A few gigs abroad after summer but main one will be SEGRET GARDEN PARTY @ EDDY TM’s REMIX Stage (where I’ll be doing a live tech electro set with my best mate / studio partner Nick (GLOBAL WARNING) who’s also part of my band DECODER I mentioned earlier).

S: Let’s talk up and comings.  Who do you see getting big in the latter half of 2009?

PD: Definitely people like SharooZ, Lazy Jay, H2, Riva Starr  and DYLAN RHYMES, they are all keeping their releases very big and tight, I would play anything they do.

S: What are 5 tracks to play out in the club?  How about to soothe your headache the morning after?

PD: I am even enjoying some drum and bass and prog house these days, but If I had to choose 5 then these would be great to hear:

H2 – Wobble (Original Mix)
Dylan Rhymes Feat. Pablo Decoder  KEMPTOWN – Sharooz Remix
Pablo Decoder – Shave It Off (Original mix)
Lazy Jay – Hammerdown (Original mix)
THE DEATH KIT – LOSER – Pablo Decoder Remix

As for relax tracks… I listen to a lot of glam rock and dark minimal and pop music.  I am very into Riva Starr and Neil Young right now…also loving THE HUMAN LEAGUE again and LOSERS new upcoming album is sexy…

S: Throughout your production, you have pretty much steered clear of dubstep, which has taken the spotlight at least as much as “party house” music.  Why haven’t you ventured into this genre?  Do you see electro music holding its own as dubstep grows?  What do you think is the future of dance music?

PD: I really wish I had the time to try and work all these genres, I believe they all are fun.  I love music so I wouldn’t ever say no to anything, but I always end up doing something different, pretty much electro with a tech feel.  I think techno is the future, it’s always been for me… trends come and go, but techno producers are always pushing boundaries of undeground music..

S: Alright… that concludes the interview… cheers to you, Mr. Decoder.

posted » June 13th, 2009 by Rodan
tagged » biganddirty . dirtyfunker . london . pablodecoder . thedeathkit . tiga