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Juno Daily – In The Mix & interview: Datashader

Get to know the mysterious new Tresor signing a little better

We fell for Datashader – the mysterious new signing to Tresor – the moment we heard their six track ‘Digital Entropy’ EP, with its combination of caustic electro, Detroit-style techno soulfulness and occasional breakbeat power.

We loved the music, but were equally intrigued by their decision to use an AI-generated image as their press shot, not to mention maintaining total anonymity when we previewed ‘Fong’ from the EP.

So when the enigmatic entity offered to do an In The Mix session for us and the chance to get to know them a little better by answering a few questions, we naturally jumped at the chance.  The results were wilder than we could ever imagine…

Where are you right now, and have you had a good day so far? Been up to anything nice or got anything interesting planned for later?

I’ve just arrived home after another hard day’s work, the hour-long subway ride home from work usually leaves me exhausted. I have just fed my fish and although I am hungry, I have only found one beer in my fridge, which I am drinking while watching my fish. I guess I’ll stay like this until I fall asleep, as I do every night. I can’t tell you what the other Datashader nodes are doing, but I don’t think those bastards’ lives are much more exciting than mine.

Thanks for the mix you provided. Was there any specific agenda to what you created?

Thanks to you for the opportunity to do a DJ Mix. The intention is clearly to provoke introspection in the listeners at the same time as they might discover some track they don’t know yet. The mix has been mixed in the “radio style” of yesteryear, where it was possible to listen to most of the songs and therefore enjoy them. The sequencing of tracks follows the feeling evoked by the previous one, it is not a mix intended to demonstrate a dazzling DJ technique.

You’ve decided to remain anonymous. Why?

First of all, it is important to make it clear that Datashader is not a single person or a stable group of people. Anonymity allows the focus to be on the art itself rather than the personas behind it. It’s a deliberate choice to let the music speak for itself, free from preconceived notions or biases tied to personal identities.

You supplied us with a press shot of an AI-generated character. Who was he?

That AI-generated character represents the amalgamation of digital identities of we all. Not only the current Datashader members, but also all the millions of digital entities that run free among the zeros and ones on the internet. So we can all see ourselves reflected in “my portrait photos”. It’s a symbolic reflection of the personas we create online and the erosion of authentic human expression in the digital realm.

You’ve collaborated with Kastil and Dopplereffekt as remixers on your debut EP. What do you think they brought to proceedings?

Working with them was an enriching experience. They brought their unique perspectives and sonic signatures, enriching the EP with diverse interpretations while staying true to the core concept and sound aesthetics.

The EP explores the concept of “technological gentrification”. How does the concept relate to the music?

Recontextualising a sound narrative that challenges listeners to reflect on their own digital experiences. Conveying sensations that can come close to the feeling of helplessness and dehumanization that digital misuse is bringing us. We want Datashader’s music to be perceived as a sensation or a feeling in itself. We try to make it so in the recorded tracks but above all that is what we want to transmit with our live performance.

And what is a ‘fong’?!

Fong, variant of fang, v.1

To lay hold of, grasp, hold, seize; to clasp, embrace, Obs.

What music—old, new, dancefloor, or otherwise—is floating your boat at the moment?

The mix we did for you is a clear example of our daily playlist.

1.Alva Noto feat. Martin Gore & William Basinski – Subterraneans

2.Earth – Crooked Axis For String Quartet

3.Datashader – Breath Controller

4.30drop – Insert

5.Autechre – bladelores

6.Ross 154 – Within You

7.Autechre – Nil

8.Gary Numan – Films

9.Sensational Meets Kouhei – Intro

10.Datashader – Breath Controller (Dopplereffekt Remix)

11.Arpanet – Wireless Internet

12.Richard Devine – Oustrue

13.Skoner, Kastil & Samuel Dominguez – Klex Each 3

14.Gescom – Five

15.Clark – Hot May Slides

16.Datashader – Sync Out Off

17.Boards of Canada – Basefree

18.AFX – .000890569

19.Sub Sub – Space Face

20.Eprom – Secret Technique

21.Shades – Deceitful Ways

22.Datashader – Velocity

23.Objekt – Ganzfeld

24.96 Back – 9696 Dream

25.Datashader & Kastil – Fong

26.Datashader – Sub Osc

27.SØS Gunver Ryberg- Palacelike Timescale of Black

28.Pansonic – Corona

29.Datashader – Tight Gate

30.Man From Sol – Microbiome Hivemin

What’s next for Datashader in the short/medium/long term?

To continue to struggle with the life we have been given. To continue publishing sonic experiments. To start doing live performances with the only help of the tool developed by ourselves and to incorporate new members to the project that will make it rich, varied, decentralized and diverse at the same time as disruptive, transgressive and socially uncomfortable. Thanks so much for your questions and interest in our project

To buy Datashader’s debut six track ‘Digital Entropy’ EP on Tresor on 12″ vinyl, click here