Interview with Throttler [Freak, Independenza, Alphacut...]

Ahead of the release of a new two-track EP on Tech Cycle Recordings, we have prepared an exclusive interview with one of the most unique producers on the dark side of drum and bass music. If you have never heard this name before, then now is the time! Obviously, his music is not for weak-hearted kids! You don’t have to take my word for it—just read and listen:)

DJ Darrel: Hello, Steve. Many people are probably unaware of what is happening with the drum and bass scene in Greece. Tell us about your first experience and about those who inspired you to start producing your own music.

Throttler: Today, the drum and bass scene in Greece is stronger than ever. Back in the ’90s, I was strongly drawn to the Life FM 89.2 radio station, and I became seriously interested in the music of artists such as Ray Keith, DJ Trace, Dom & Roland and so on.

DJ Darrel: When did you first develop the desire to make music? What kind of sound was it?

Throttler: My first experiments began with GW Basic! However, nothing really happened until a game called “Music” was released for the PlayStation (the first one), which allowed me to make something more resembling actual music. I started with breakbeat and jungle, so that was exactly what I was trying to make.

DJ Darrel: Tell us about your alias. Why Throttler?

Throttler: Throttler has a double meaning. First, it reflects my love of motorsport racing. I have been a longtime Formula 1 fan, which reflects the speed of my music, usually 180 bpm. The second meaning is someone who takes a life by strangling, and that also explains my music. Finally, the ancient Greek Sphinx is called Throttler. In Greek, Sphinx means strangler.

DJ Darrel: A large number of dark drum and bass artists are known to the global public, but your sound is seriously different. It could be described as unique—your own special, fast darkstep/side style. What has the main influence on your drum and bass?

Throttler: Having been involved in drum and bass since its emergence, I listened to all the dark elements of this direction—from 1996 techstep to contemporary darkstep. If you listen to the “Torque” compilation (No U-Turn Records, 1997), you will better understand my mindset. Combine that with the most modern, dismembering dark drum and bass, the technologies of the future, and you get a mixture of dark, hard, fast and completely unhinged techy soundscapes with nightmarish landscapes. (OMG! — Editor)

DJ Darrel: You have a considerable number of releases on labels such as Freak, Killing Sheep, Amalgam, Nekrolog1k, Sustained and others, including your own label Throttler Recordings, launched in 2010. Is there a favorite among everything you have released? And should the public expect new vinyl records, CDs or digital releases from you in the near future?

Throttler: I don’t have any particular favorites. Every track was different and was written “from scratch.” I am very grateful to all those wonderful labels for working with me, and I respect each of my releases to varying degrees. I have a large number of unreleased tracks and can’t wait for them to come out. I really want everyone to hear my latest work. At present, I am working with Tech Cycle Recordings, where I hope to release quite a lot of material over the next few months and make the wait genuinely worthwhile for all the fans.

DJ Darrel: What software or “hardware” do you use when making music?

Throttler: This question requires quite a long answer... I use Cubase 7 as my main software for production, recording and mixing, and Sonic Core products as my main hardware: a digital signal processor, mixer and plugins. I set up my own studio, where I handle everything related to music. Besides that, I have toys such as Korg MS-20 and Arturia MiniBrute synthesizers, and even more. I wouldn’t want to bore you.

DJ Darrel: You seem to prefer working alone, as I have noticed. The exception is your project with Lowbbs. Does it still exist?

Throttler: I prefer working with people in person. It makes much more sense to me than simply exchanging files over the internet. My project with Lowbbs is going at full strength.

In fact, a remix of our track “Hypnotized” (made together with Zardonic) was recently done by Black Sun Empire. We (Lowbbs and I) have a wonderful side project with a more experimental, downtempo sound. Excellent material!

DJ Darrel: I know that you work in the electronic music production department at SAE Technological College (SAE — School of Audio Engineering) in Athens. Do you teach young Throttlers?:)

Throttler: Yes! I am very happy with this job. I am currently the Coordinator and Head Lecturer at SAE in the aforementioned department, and this gives me the best opportunity to create little Throttlers!!! There is enormous potential for developing young producers, and I have the means and the responsibility to help them get started. I am doing everything I can for this.

DJ Darrel: Have you ever visited other countries with your DJ set/show? Any dreams about places around the world where you would like to perform?

Throttler: Yes, of course. In the UK, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and the list goes on. The most desirable place is wherever the fans want me to be. That is my favourite place. When the sun is about to rise, the bass drops, and everyone screams. That is my dream venue.

DJ Darrel: Try to describe your time in the studio.

Throttler: If it is time for experimenting, it is pretty fun. While trying to make new material, I find something useful. If it is time for actual production, then I concentrate fully on the process. In general, I try out a lot of ideas and try to use and interact with them as well as possible.

DJ Darrel: What music do you listen to outside your production, and what do you imagine the perfect breakfast to be?:)

Throttler: I listen to all kinds of music besides drum and bass. Anything that can give you wonderful sensations. From Emmure to Steely Dan. The perfect breakfast would be on a ledge of a snow-covered mountain at eight in the morning, sipping hot chocolate.

DJ Darrel: Any final words for the fans?

Throttler: Support the artists!

Throttler on SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/throttler

Interview: DJ Darrel. Translated from the Russian version, which Darrel translated from his original English interview.