Joe Sanchez, aka Kam Moda, is the eighth producer to take the reins on the introducing series, and does so in style with ‘Staatliches Gymnasium.’ It is big room techno from start to finish and packs some serious power in the kicks and some low-end frequencies; an impressively refined sound for a producer at the start of his career. Read what Joe has to say about other producers he’s into, possible releases and his own production below.
*The tune has since been considered for release and removed from free download.
- When did you start producing and what software/hardware are you using?
I started fiddling around with some software when I was about 16 after a friend of mine gave me an introduction on cutting breaks, but I didn’t get Logic until a couple of years later. I still use logic now without any hardware, only dabbling on a borrowed midi keyboard occasionally, though this is definitely a case of finance rather than principles…
- Can you categorise everything you make with one genre tag? If so, what?
I’d probably categorise what I’m making at the moment as techno. I like to experiment with rhythms and the textures I can create within a track, but I tend to concentrate on giving the tune a kind of a hard 4×4 pattern to make it work on a dancefloor.
- Any artists, or even particular tracks, that made you want to make this kind of music?
I wouldn’t say there was a particular turning point, more a gradual diversion. I guess it was just the kind of club nights that I started enjoying going to more and more. I definitely still enjoy making other types of music, I think it’s good to broaden your abilities as much as possible in production.
- Which artists and labels do you think are at the top of the game right now?
It’s hard to say, there’s so much good stuff about at the moment. I’m a big fan of the Shed/Wax cuts, they’ve got crazy amounts of weight and funk, likewise with Robert Hood on the kind of harder side of things. More recently I’ve become increasingly aware of Ben Sims, though I think I’m quite (several years) late with this one. I bought one of his 12″s the other day with a Robert Hood remix on the flip and both tracks are just relentless!
- And a few producers we should look out for?
Old time friend of mine Rumah is doing well for himself at the moment with some exciting offers coming in, and some strong production from the guy. Happa is certainly somebody to keep an eye on, along with Metrist. Techno producer Kommune1 is doing some interesting stuff at the moment too.
- Have you done much djing? What kind of stuff do you play, and can you give us a couple of tracks you might play to a packed dancefloor?
I have done some DJing, mostly room 2 stuff but I certainly want to peruse this side of things further. To a packed dancefloor I would probably play either Larry Heard ‘The Sun Can’t Compare’ or something with a lot of weight.
- What’s in the pipeline for Kam Moda this year? Releases?
This year, I guess I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing and see how things go. I’m studying in Barcelona as of September for six months, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the dance music scene is like over there and paying a visit to some of the venues. In terms of releases, I’m talking to a label that I’ve got a lot of respect for at the moment, but its very early days so I just need to play things by ear really.
- A word on the track you’re giving away…
I like it, it’s the kind of thing that I’m most enjoying producing at the moment. I guess the rest is for you to decide…?
- And finally, please complete the following sentence: Get Some…
gabba…?