The Resonant Vibes podcast episode 009 has been mixed Alland Byallo, a San Francisco based techno DJ and producer. He’s a resident at [KONTROL] which is one of the longest running and best regarded techno nights in the Bay Area—possibly even in the country—and has played gigs alongside some of the biggest names in the business.
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His recent full-length album “Brick by Brick” was recently released to a slew of positive reviews and gained support from a good number of heavy-hitters in the industry. The album is a collection of 10 tightly produced tracks that sit somewhere between techno and tech house, and features sophisticated drum sequencing alongside what I’d describe as slightly unconventional use of pads for this style of techno.
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With a string of new releases in the pipeline on labels like Auralism, Hallucination Ltd., Vellum Recordings and his own Nightlight Music, it’s clear that Alland is playing an important role in helping to shape the future sound of techno emanating from the United States’ West Coast.
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I’ve listened to Alland’s podcast a few times and it strikes me as the right way to approach doing a DJ mix; it starts off deep and a little techy before easing into the groove and stepping things up. Towards the end he slowly takes the vibe as it moves into it’s natural conclusion.
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Can you tell me what you’re currently working on?
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My new release on my own label, Nightlight Music, just came out this week. Right now I’m somewhere between graphic design mode and remix mode. The remixes are stacking up, as I’m in between studios. So everything is started, but far from finished. On deck are remixes for Subsensory, Noice!, Vizual—Josh Iz’s new label—a deep house remix for Jay Tripwire, and two versions of a sweet little remix for Adjunct Audio. I’m also slowly working on some originals for a Liebe*Detail digital release, as well as something for Hallucination Ltd. Also my EP for Missive is out soon! Smokin’ remix by Alexkid. As far as design work goes, I’m making lots of flyers for a few steady clients and working on a Microsoft Zune project as a subcontractor for a friend. Lots to do!
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Where was the mix recorded?
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At my home in San Francisco. More specifically in my kitchen, looking out over Japan Town and Twin Peaks
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Can you describe your studio set-up? What’s your favorite piece of gear, and why?
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Macbook Pro, Audio8, Oxygen8, Monster Power Pro 7000, and Yamaha HS80M monitors. I’m all software, and pretty low key. Using Ableton Live, all the NI stuff,  AudioRealism ABLPro, U-He Zebra. Those are pretty much the core of everything I make. I love my monitors. For their price point I think they’re really the best, and they sound a lot better than many monitors at higher price points. I don’t plan on buying much gear. I’m happy with just software. I was considering a Jomox XBase 09, but I’m mostly interested in buying some signal processing tools, rather than boxes to make sounds. So there will be a nice A/D/D/A converter, multi channel preamp and a fat EQ next year.
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On your website you talk about ElektrUS, a private forum dedicated to increasing interest in the American house, techno and minimal scenes by helping to streamline to artist booking process. Can you give more insight into how it actually works and if it’s been a success?
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It’s been a great success since 2006. I think it’s contributed a lot to the US techno community and the growing appreciation of the music and influx of techno dj’s from the EU to the US. Basically it’s a private forum made up of two kinds of members. Firstly, there are about 75 hand-picked promoters and venue bookers from all over N. America, mostly from the US. The second group is made up of booking agents from all over the world who deal with the techno/minimal/tech-house kind of sound; also all hand-picked. So I vouch for all of these people and make sure there’s no fluff.
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So let’s say I have an open date at our party, [KONTROL]. I post one email saying “we have date X open for a top tier dj, live set preferred.” Once this goes through, about 60 booking agents and managers see this email and can respond immediately with their availabilities, allowing me a huge list of options for my club. This works just the same for the agents. They post one email saying “Artist X is on tour in February 2010, here’s his/her bio, links, etc”, and the 75 promoters see it and can instantly send in their offers. It’s a very clean system, and I keep the bullshit off of there. No album release promotions, no “check out my artist on netradio station x”… Just strictly booking and tour info, though I also allow information about travel… Like new rules about Visas, airline discounts, that kind of thing.
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What’s the best gig you’ve played and why?
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There’s three. Panorama in Berlin, DEMF 2008 and every [KONTROL] party. Do I really need to explain those? I also had a BLAST playing at Weekend Club in Berlin. Such a great crowd!
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What’s the best party you’ve been to this year, and why?
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[KONTROL], of course! Seriously, though. They really are the best parties for me. They satisfy every level of interest. Music, sound, people, vibe… I know it’s my party so I’m biased, but it’s really perfect for me. Hearing Les Claypool at Symbiosis Festival was definitely a highlight of the year as well.
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Who are your top three producers right now and why?
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DJ Koze – He’s one of the most unique and wild artists out there. Everything he makes is so slick, so soulful and so unlike anything else out there. It’s cosmic soul for the alien porn soundtrack!
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Pezzner – Dave’s been a friend for a long time, but he’s been an inspiration even longer. From his early days as one half of Jacob London to his new genre redefining deep house smoothness, Pezzner never lets me down when it comes to sound quality, the droney deep grooves and overall mood. Hands down one of my favorite producers.
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Marcel Dettmann – Did you hear his new remix of Fever Ray??? Good lord! That man knows his techno. He channels that deep dub sound of Basic Channel, as it were, but through a filter of that industrial Berghain style darkness. It’s perfect techno, making him a legend on par with Gez Varley and Rob Hood in my book.
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To get more info on Alland visit www.allandbyallo.com or www.myspace.com/alland
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Tags: Alland Byallo, Brick by Brick, DJ Koze, ElektrUS, Marcel Dettmann, Pezzner, Resonant Vibes Podcast, rv cast 009, rv_cast 009, Techno, [KONTROL]