Some weeks ago, we wrote a review about Spektre, because the English duo offered to the Internet users two tracks for free “Memory effect” and “Black ice”, because they reached 10 000 fans. Now they have more than 20 000! Spektre is a duo composed of 2 English guys Paul Maddox and Richard Wakley also know as Filthy Rich. Their sounds consist of solid techno that really remembers the rave. This interview follows notably the one of other English producers such as Michael Woods, D. Ramirez and James Talk. First of all, I would like to thank Paul and Richard who answered our questions. Have a good reading!

“Hello Paul, Hello Richard,

I’ve just seen onto your Soundcloud account that your next release will be your remix of Fusi and Johnson “Jackpot”. What are your next projects? Are there any upcoming releases you will publish soon or a compilation?
> Well we have some wicked forthcoming original material to be released on Blufin, Weave, 303 Lovers and Phobiq. We also have remixes about to drop for Christian Cambas, Alex Di Stefano and Ticon on Binary 404, Iboga and Rusted Records. We are also into our 18th release on our label Respekt and are about to drop Part 1 of our ‘Recykled’ EPs featuring remixes of our own tracks from some of our favourite producers. The first part has remixes from Sasha Carassi, Phunk Investigation and Umek. Also involved are Markantonio, Harvey Mackay, Subfractal, Loco & Jam, Sabatoeurs and Alex Dehlia & Nihil Young. We also have a big release from ourselves on the label called ‘Incapaz’ with an awesome remix from Wehbba which takes us up to the end of the year!

You had a year full of various activities, notably the release of your first studio album in April: “Casting Shadows Without Light”. Can you tell us a bit more about it, and what was your approach?
> We wanted the album to be a real musical journey that was a compelling home-listen as well as having some heavy, dance floor moments. With an album you have to start somewhere and take the listener in different directions so the flow of the album was very important. We've already released a Live mix album that focuses on the clubby side of our sound so we wanted to makes sure our first proper long-player covered the other angles too. There are too many artists out there that just put ten of their standard club tracks together to make an album. There are some down tempo tracks, some vocal tracks as well as the more full on stuff we are known for. They are all tied together with atmospheres and interludes and there is even a drum & bass outro to finish things off!

Concerning the music you’ve done along the years since 2006, which track do you think help you to win credibility and open some doors?
> Our remix of Marc de Pulse’s “PS, You Rock” was the first time we managed to hit the top of the beatport charts, which gave us a lot of exposure we hadn’t had previously. Then we had our first Beatport number one with the Uto Karem Remix of our track ‘Cheyenne.’ Despite this being another artists remix this got a lot of support from the big techno artists and gave us big boost! The other big moment would have to be getting the chance to remix Fever Ray “Triangle Walks” – we always like opportunities to fuse our music with other styles so getting a full track of Karin from The Knife’s vocals to work with was a dream come true!

After we gave this little introduction about the music, we wanted to get back to your origins. Could you please tell us how did you meet each other at the beginning of your career? Is there any story behind it?
> We were introduced by a mutual friend - despite having (mis)spent many hours on the same dance floors we’d somehow managed never to cross paths. But we moved in similar circles and it was very easy to hook up and start a project together. I (Rich) in particular had reached a point with my music where I really wanted to experiment with something new and start a project that was a lot more underground than the music I was known for. Paul was the perfect partner for this project and as soon as we started in the studio the chemistry and flow of ideas we had together soon became apparent! We knew we were on to a good thing when our first three tracks got signed to Oliver Huntemann’s ‘Dance Electric’ label!

James Zabiela said about your music: "Spektre's productions consist of solid techno that really remembers the rave. Music that is cool but also fun and highly danceable. These guys are just going to get bigger". How would you describe your music, what are your sources of inspirations?
> I think the fact that we often see things from two different angles is good for our music as we probably both improve on and refine one-another’s ideas. I think it’s impossible for us to make music without our musical backgrounds having a big influence on the music we make. We’ve both played different genres of music along the way but I definitely think this has benefited us. We are quite diverse in what we make and never want to keep things stagnant for too long. This also translates when we perform our Live shows that have developed into something unique and specific to our productions. If you had to pigeonhole us then we definitely make techno, but it can be very different from one release to the next. Due to our musical roots and different paths we always try to focus heavily on the dance floor.

Some duos have also solo projects. Richard, a lot of people don’t know, but your are also working as Filthy Rich, and I’m a huge fan of your works, but I never had the chance to see you live in France. What a pity! How did you manage these two sides: your solo and duo projects?
> Well it’s a balancing act all the time. I have to divide and manage my time pretty well. It can be a struggle occasionally but I work best under pressure and revel in the challenge. There is always something that needs doing and it can get stressful, but I love my work and wouldn’t have things any other way. I’m still loving both projects and I’m just lucky that both are going really well right now.

Paul, are you evolving too under a solo project?
> I still produce some harder dance material under my own name, but aside from Spekre I spend quite a bit of my time engineering and co-producing for other artists, such as Darius Syrossian, Mark Trophy and a few others.

As you come from U.K., could you please tell us if there are one or two English artists you would like to introduce us, who have maybe signed recently under your own imprint Respekt?
> Rich: Matt Cooper is one artist who has been with us since the start of Respekt and the first release was a collaboration project with us that kick started the label. Since then he has had releases on Rekluse and a follow up EP on Respekt as well as remixes for Umek and Pig & Dan. Matt is truly one of the most talented DJ’s I have ever come across and now he has started producing there will be no stopping him!

> Paul: Seegee is another act we have had a release from on Respekt. He has had a handful of releases now and always has a fresh take on things and a lot of original ideas. He’s not the most prolific producer out there, but his stuff is consistently great! Tom laws is another name to watch out for; great driving techno with a touch of unmistakable UK grit.

 

Richard and Paul, to conclude this interview, we have a few more questions to better know you. Sometimes one word is enough!

The song you advice us to listen in your discography?
> Fever Ray – Triangle Walks (Spektre Remix): The embodiement of all that Spektre is about and one of our biggest tracks to date.

An artist you would like to work with, one day?
> Underworld or BT

3 words to define your music?
> Dark, Atmospheric, Driving!

Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> mp3…we use Traktor and Ableton with midi controllers for our Live show.

One word about France?
> Cantona

The software you use to produce?
> Ableton Live

Your best souvenir of this summer: a place where you played for instance or an anecdote?
> Hyperspace, Budapest

The best club in the U.K. (name and city)?
> Fabric, London

Your favorite track these days?
> Rich: It changes all the time…right now….Joey Beltram’s new remix of the classic ‘Let’s Take It Back’
> Paul: Tom Laws “Rapid Wire” – on Respekt of course ;o)

Some words about our website Actualites Electroniques?
>Looks very slick! Although unfortunately I don’t speak a word of French! Keep up the good work!

Paul and Richard thank you very much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions. We hope to see you soon in a club in France or abroad. See ya!

Dj Aroy

MORE INFO ABOUT SPEKTRE
Spektre @ Juno Download
http://www.myspace.com/spektre1
http://www.facebook.com/SpektreLive
http://soundcloud.com/spektrelive
http://www.spektre.co.uk/