“Some people try to make music,
some people have to do music. I have to.”

Closing the year with another fresh podcast recorded by one of the hottest techno / house names on the music scene at the moment – Moiré. The artist name of this London based producer indicates a visual phenomena, where due to the overlay of regular, finer grids, an apparent coarse grid appears. Amongst other areas this sort of effect can be found within the artistic field, prints, TV, scanners and also in music and even though at times it is unwanted it can give rise to a completely new perceptual experiences. Quite precisely this is also the description when it comes to talk about Moiré’s eclectic music. One can be easily bored with the similar sound of the house and techno tracks these days, however music created by this fairly mysterious producer simply stands out and shows quite a strong identity. With releases on iconic labels such as Actresse’s Werk Discs, Rush Hour or R&S Moiré is definitely heading for everyone´s attention.

Interview by Simona Hypsova
images by Netti Hurley

Tell us how music has been introduced into your life? Any particular musical idols or records that have been important for you?
My parents were into music and did throw loads of house parties when I was a kid- full of 80’s disco and rock- that definitely did engrave in me the need for a good party. I usually tend to stay away of naming people because there is so much music that I love, and I don’t want disrespect anybody by not mentioning them. My inspirations are not necessarily connected with music for example works of Frank O Gehry, Mies Van Der Roche, Neo Rauch, Rei Kawakubo, Phillip K Dick, Jean Luc Goddard etc. and records by David Bowie, Wu tang, Jeff Mills, Goldie, are very important for me too. I always try to stay open minded on all sort of impulses and feelings.

You were working in the design & architecture field, correct? What led you to the decision to start making music? What do you love about the music?
Yes, correct. Some people try to make music, some people have to do music. I have to.

In one interview you said: “Music allows me to express everything I cannot in design – not sure if it works the other way. Maybe one day I will flip the situation and try to design or shoot a film based on my music.” What do you want to express with your music? Is it emotions, experience or anything else?
Everything that I experience gets printed out through my music. Music is turning my emotions into something “physical” as it appears through the system.

Working on ideas in architecture and design requires some sort of previous vision or a certain idea where do you want to head to, I guess. Is it same for you when you make music? Do you have some specific direction on your mind before you start working on tracks or you just let it go and see wherever it takes you?
Depends… Working in architecture is very specific – someone once said: 5% of fun 95% of numbers. Designing is like trying to fit your concept into a matrix of numbers. However, the 5% could be all you need in terms of fun and art. I believe that in both design and music you need a vision in order to achieve your goal. Sometimes music just happens, other time you sit forever being totally stuck – but vision always stays with me.

“Music is turning my emotions into something “physical” as it appears through the system.”

In one article your music has been described as “London techno”. Can you picture yourself living somewhere else at the moment or there is a special bond between your music and London, and one cannot live without other?
I didn’t describe it – maybe some journalist did. I’m just trying to contribute something towards music – no matter the the genre. I could live somewhere else, … Living in London has changed and open my head in the many ways. But even when I leave, London it stays within me – I guess this affair is about the attitude and survival.

I read in another interview that when you moved to London, you started hanging out with different people and going to drum and bass nights and listening to this music, although you never wanted to make such music. To quote you precisely: “Drum and bass was a kind of another version of techno, twisted – at least for me, some of the sounds and the motifs and the sonics were very deep, that was something I always loved….” The truth is, that early days of dnb and jungle scene must have been a very special era, maybe a sort of statement of our generation. I cannot help myself, but last few years I miss that feeling in the music… Do you have this feeling also, or did I miss out on something?
90’s were special because the electronic music got established- I love all that stuff and I miss the freedom and energy it had. Things will always change and evolve. We live in quite stormy times and I try to appreciate every day at the studio or in the club – sure is not what it was but that doesn’t mean is all bad – just depends on how you look at it.

That’s definitely truth. In a further article you said: “I want people to be able to hide sometimes from this media news nonsense that we are blasted with everyday, anywhere you go.. It doesn’t even to be news, at work, anywhere. …. For me the kind of idea of escaping from the world is not just escapism but is about listening for a certain sound, searching for personal answers, allowing you to just switch off from normality. I guess most of the music has that.” I can only agree with that, although, from what I observe and experience on parties lately it doesn´t look like escapism of everyday’s life. People often just stare to their phones or just stand around, there is no feeling of “letting it go” in the air, do you know what I mean? Can you feel it as well?
Yes, we live in the totally confused society – where social platforms and numbers matter more than actual real human interactions or anything. Human figure with an iPhone is the next one in the evolution chain…I feel like I’m in the Age of No Future.

“Yes, we live in the totally confused society – where social platforms and numbers matter more than actual real human interactions or anything. Human figure with an iPhone is the next one in the evolution chain…I feel like I’m in the Age of No Future.”

In the music, there have always been a certain connection between visuals and the music itself. How important is the visual identity for your work, what’s your approach to it? What’s the visual side like for Moiré live?
I always draw and sketch ideas for designs, fashion or music etc. My fascination with the design is reflected in everything I do hence the name – Moiré. The idea for my live show was that it constantly evolves and changes – like Moiré pattern. Show is all hardware-based – no laptops – as I like to stay focus on the crowd and machines. My setup consists of synths, samplers, AV video synths for certain visual parts synchronised with music and some other distortion boxes.

You just released out your EP on R&S records. What’s up next for Moiré?
I have been working on the next records. And I have just released teaser track for next EP on Spectral sound called “Mirrors”.

Your biggest passion besides music?
GIN – joking! Designing amazing products that I want people to have.

If you could keep one memory – what would that be?
Being up for 3 days in Tokyo.

Can you tell us the story behind the mix you recorded for C-Heads?
Bunch of tracks that I had fun mixing together.

Where we can see & hear you next?
Next week some special DJ set next week in London – watch this space.