London producer elshuffles returns with his sophomore album accurately described as a melting pot of techno, ambient, drone and electronica influences. Who Bang The Noise offers fifteen tracks that tangle a myriad of found sounds, subtle clicks, and atmospheric layers that cut through emotional power («The Ends») to more bleak, crumbling soundscapes («My Isolation») and dense dissipation similar to Fennesz («To Them»). While the plethora of strangely captivating noises bend and warp («Hearts And Thoughts»), the shuffles find solace in dark sonic shapes and micro-melodic fibers («Snapshot») as drifting drones and ghostly technoid elements evolve from nothing like the first Plastikman. works («Lost for a while» and «Give me a reason»). These sporadic sonic gaps unfurl on Who Bang The Noise, swapping glitch-like flashes («Inquisitive Without You») and darker, sizzling grooves («(Busy) Livin») where fractured vocals float ever so slightly. Overall, an unusually captivating collection of fluttering electronic and evocative audio works that just evaporate.
We have had the pleasure of interviewing him and this has been the result.
Thanks for talking to us. Where can we find you right now? How did you start your day?
Hey, I’m in east London near the canal. My day started with a bike ride into central London, can’t beat it.
When did the idea of starting a musical project start to take shape? Has it always been something you wanted to do?
Probably back in around 2010, when I had a guitar and an MS20 (synth) with no idea what I was doing! But taking it a bit more seriously and making finished pieces is much more recent. Ive always loved music so I guess it was inevitable that I would try and create something.
What are some of the key techniques behind your approach to producing your new album?
On this album there are a lot more field recordings and bits of sampling. The field recordings are mainly captured from me travelling around London. Whilst the sampling is something that can come from anywhere, I’ve always got my ears open!
How much time do you tend to spend digging for new music?
Not loads to be fair, Ive got some friends that are always sharing great new stuff, so I owe them. But Soundcloud and Bandcamp are still great places to find new creations.
What other artists are you interested in these days?
For me Daniel Avery is the man, the music he creates, but then the albums he creates are impeccable. Also Blawan has put out some great stuff of late.
Can you tell us anything about your projects for 2023?
Im not 100% sure but Im always working on new music, so there may be an EP with possible ambient and drone vibes.
Chromatic
Can you tell us a little about your early musical experiences?
I remember being really young and my Dad playing Fleetwood Mac really loud. Then I started to find music for myself and so the journey started…
How do you hope that your music influences or impacts your listeners?
Im not totally sure, as I’m mainly making these songs for me. So if anyone else likes it or even listens to it that’s a bonus.
Do you feel that your sound has evolved over the years?
Yeah definitely, Im paying much more attention to ambient and drone soundscapes, whilst still finding a place of some banging tracks.
How does your latest album who bang the noise differ from your previous projects, musically and thematically?
I think it’s broader sounding, I tried to make it sound a bit more real life, hence the use of field recordings. As I was making it I wasn’t aware but it seems to be a soundtrack to London living. I guess this is a result of being at one and yet engrossed in the city.
Do you feel consistency is important in creating music? Or is it ok to experiment with different styles and sounds?
It may be different for everyone but for me it’s all about experimenting with everything and see what works and connects. I guess there is consistency in my music and that is in creating, as I am always making new music.
How do you see the next few years or your career panning out, in an ideal world?
For me the main thing is staying healthy allowing me time and space to be creative. as long as I am creating and making sounds Im more than happy. anything else is a bonus.
What’s the most important piece of advice anyone’s given to you so far?
A few things, both of which I got written on wall in my studio – ‘if I can’t control it don’t worry about it’. I love this, it helps me focus on what I can control and what I need to do. Secondly is ‘success is showing up’, this is a way of keeping me going and it works.
Como Las Grecas
Hi, great to have you with us today! How are you and where are you chatting to us from right now?
Hey, yeah I’m good thanks, Im in East London just on the chill.
Can you give us a bit of background about your journey in music so far?
Its feels a pretty long journey, one of the starting points was MTV and guitar bands such as Nirvana and Tool. I then discovered more electronic music through artists such as Portishead and Everything but the Girl. Since then Ive remained drawn to both types of music, but electronic has so much to offer, so many sub genres. So many which Im into such as ambient and drone and more.
Your latest album is inexorably tied to London – what is it about the city that inspired you?
It’s everything, the city is just electric. it has everything and everyone. I didn’t set out to make the album so focussed, but living in the city has obviously had an effect and found its way onto the album.
Do you think it’s fair to say there’s a certain oppressiveness to a lot of the tracks on the album in terms of atmosphere? Does that reflect how you feel about the city?
I’ll let people make their own mind up on that one. I think the city has lots going on, and there’s definitely people and areas that need more, but I try and focus on what’s good and what I can control.
During the pandemic there was a lot of talk about what things people would like to change in the music industry. Now that things are getting back to normal, do you see any major changes?
The pandemic was definitely challenging to say the least for lots of people involved in the industry. But from my point of view it gave me time to refocus and realign. And then sit down and work on lots of fresh music. That was my attempt to make good out of the situation.
What’s on the cards for you for the rest of 2023?
I’m always making music, so we’ll have to see if anything comes of that. Ive got ideas for the next project but it’s a wait and see thing! Im also working on putting a live show together so watch this space on that one.
