With the intensity of city life often being credited with draining our creativity, artists isolate themselves in order to focus on a project. For Idealist, the need to be away from the hustle and bustle, with no distractions and no concept of time, in order to create music motivated him to move outside of Zurich. Over the last five years, the Swiss producer has released outstanding EPs on his imprints Idealistmusic and Details Series and created a signature sound of incredibly raw, dubby house and techno. Receiving support from the likes of Mike Huckaby, Dana Ruh, Tini and Mandar, Idealist now returns Danish label Echocord for his second long player ‘Mind Field’, following the 2016 release of ‘Firewood Street’. Around the release, we spoke to Idealist about the concept behind ‘Mind Field’, how he ensures Idealistmusic stands out from other record labels and his plans for the rest of the year.
How did your musical journey begin? Can you remember your first interaction with music or that moment when you decided it was something you wanted to pursue?
My first more intense interaction with music was in the 90s, at the time I was really young. When you wanted to listen to more of this new music called Techno you had do buy records and CDs and that’s what I did. On my old Stereo I had the possibility to push the CD and Phono button at the same time. With that I did my first mixtape, just for me, just for fun. But in the end it got out to friends. Things started from that period.
What do you think has had the biggest impact on your sound and style?
One of the biggest impacts was a record with gritty modulating chords I bought in the 90s and similar music I heard in clubs at that time. I swapped the record (big mistake) and even though I still have a recording of it on a mixtape, I couldn’t ID it. I’m pretty sure it was a Synewave and I still have another Synewave record from that time. Other stuff that influenced me and I only got to know later on were Maurizio, Convextion and Quantec.
On the 19th October you’ll be releasing your second album ‘Mind Field’, what’s the story behind this? How was the concept born?
There is no special concept behind it, it’s like the last album a compilation of completed tracks I made in a certain period of time and state of mind to tie them all together. I’m more of a seasonal producer, which means in the colder seasons I’m more inspired and get most of the tracks I’m happy with. Because of that I released two EPs at almost the same time in early 2015. Afterwards I thought how that could have been my first album and so I did exactly that a year later and now again.
How do you prepare yourself for when it comes to producing a long player? Do you like to isolate yourself away from distractions in order to be completely focused, what is the process like for you?
I do like to isolate, forget time and minimize my duties in order to get in the right state of mind to do music. Some years ago I also moved out of the city because of that, there were too many distractions for me. I’m starting to miss it now.
‘Mind Field’ will be released on Danish label Echocord – what makes this label the perfect fit for the LP and how did your relationship begin with them?
For a long time I was a fan of the label. The relationship started with some demos I sent and later when I met Kenneth in Basel. The labels music was also an influence to find my path and even though I think my output sounds different, also every artist on the label sounds different, so I think it fits.
What one lesson have you taken away from making ‘Mind Field’?
I don’t know, maybe how to get creativity flowing again. Sometimes you just have to wait it out and not force it. Ideas come when you don’t think about it.
You also run a label called Idealistmusic, with there being so many imprints around at the moment, how do you make sure yours stands out from the crowd?
Good question… I give every record the best package I can, in music, mastering and artwork. I’m also kind of strict with taking tracks from others and I never released someone’s music just because they were friends, known or hype. It was always because I really loved the music. I still believe a continuously good output will succeed in one way or the other, especially over time, even if the market is oversaturated. This is something I try.
How do you decide who and what to release on the label? Is it usually people you’re friends with or do you find yourself digging for new, exciting artists to support?
Usually it was friends I naturally got to know from making music. Some of them were more newcomers, like Thomas Wood, whom I met before he had his first record out and later on I released some of his more early stuff. It was similar with Pablo Mateo. Recently I did a release with Shelter on Wax and Anton Lanski who I both didn’t know before. But I’m not really searching for new artists, I just spend time around music and sometimes it just happens.
What do you feel is the most important aspect of running a label?
Having some sort of identity.
Are there any plans to expand the label over the next five years? What do you hope to achieve with Idealistmusic?
With the label I go with the flow. Including the Details Series I happened to do four releases in 2015, I’m pretty sure I won’t do more than that. Here and there when I was touring I met DJs who were interested in similar styles of music but never heard of my label or me. This is something I want to change. Not by consciously expanding it with big names or releasing more, but by going on to try to improve my own stuff and trying to release quality music.
‘Mind Field’ by Idealist will be out on Echocord on the 19th October – pre-order vinyl here and digital here