The good folks at Footprint have teamed up with MAE to host a pair of Strawberry Festival related parties, one in Beijing on April 30 and the second in Shanghai on May 1. They've brought over Spanish DJ Sian who has been taking clubs by storm with his unique contemporary take on classic techno. We spoke with him about his rise, his new album and playing the Mainland for the first time.
Who were some of the DJs and parties that made you want to get into the music and how were you able to make a name for yourself?
My formative techno years were spent between Spain and Ireland. Both had great scenes in the 90s and DJs like Slam, Johnny Moy, Dave Clarke and Andy Weatheral. If I had to pick one club that made me want to make techno I'd say the Temple of Sound in Dublin.
What's the story behind the name Sian?
It's an old Irish word that means "echo" or "noise" I felt it represented my sound well.
Your beats are really hypnotic. How did you develop this style and as a producer, what's motivating you artistically these days?
I really like the whole "tribal" idea of repetitive music so I focus on loopy and hypnotic patterns. Right now I'm also returning a little bit to the musicality and melody in techno.
Could you talk about your new album 2 meters above midnight and what you were going for in terms of sound?
This album is like a diary of one of the craziest years in my life - there's been a few contenders (smiles). I wrote the tracks while going through some issues and life on the road cliches were getting real. It also features recordings of friends and myself late at night,so it's kinda like a journal sonically.
For your China shows, will your sets heavily feature tracks from the album? How have the new tracks gone over live?
Yes! I'm playing a lot of stuff from the new album, especially the two singles 'Shame cube' and 'sleeper cell'. These have been the real "peak" time tracks for me lately and the ones people tend to know.
What was the process like in making Before Silence and will this cut and paste approach to the studio be the way you approach your albums?
That album was unusual in that I took apart all the tracks and made one big session from it all - a really tricky thing to do and I feel I'm done with that process, so I wanted to just focus on the tracks this time.
How would you describe a Sian show?
Hopefully exciting and an opportunity to hear new and raw music!
Your Shanghai show is the afterparty for the Strawberry Festival. Festivals like these have really helped EDM grow in China - have you noticed that dance music is getting bigger in China and are there any Chinese DJs or producers you're a fan of?
Yeah, I'm seeing a big change coming and mainstream EDM really helps underground promoters if they can catch the fans as they mature. People like Oscar from seven Records management etc are bringing new music here first!
Your Octopus label has established a great rep on Beatport. What do you look for in an artists and do you think it's easier or harder for new artists to get heard?
It's a lot of noise now to break through for new artists - the Internet enabled anyone to shout now which is not a good thing, but it is also a vehicle for real talent to reach the public faster.
What's the best party you've ever played? What's the best you've ever to be attended?
I couldn't pick one actually, but I always enjoy the exotic locations like South Africa or Japan or Australia because of the adventure involved.
Do you have any upcoming projects this year that you'd like to discuss?
Yeah we have a label event in Barcelona for Sonar which I'm always excited for,and I'll be in album tour mode for the next four months. I'll no doubt be posting all kinda of random stuff on my facebook (Facebook.com/sianofficial) as I go!
Beijing: // April 30, 10pm-late, RMB60-100. Lantern, 150m north of Workers' Stadium West Gate, Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工体西路工体西门往北走150米 (135 0134 8785)
Shanghai: // May 1, 10pm-late, RMB50-100. Arkham, 1 Wulumuqi Lu, by Hengshan Lu 乌鲁木齐路1号, 近衡山路 (6211 6317)
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