French DJ and producer Sébastian Michel, aka UVB, began in 2013 when he decided to develop his own version of a live PA which was a set only composed of his own productions, and played it at clubs in Berlin (Urban Spree, Tresor). After the big success of his 2014 debut release “What I’ve Learned” on the dutch label MORD, he continued by releasing “Second Life”, a double pack that was widely supported by the widespread techno community and brought the now classic “Mixtion” onto wax.
Since then, UVB has only been more productive in the studio, releasing his first album “Life” in 2015 and starting his own label “Body Theory” in 2016 – all this while touring the world playing in the finest techno institutions (Berghain -Berlin, Factory 010 -Rotterdam, Concrete -Paris, Awakenings at Gashouder -Amsterdam). After a string of EPs on his own imprint over the last years, he releases his second album “Testosterone” in 2018, a new aesthetic packed with muscle and attitude and a solid establishment of his signature sound.
For his latest release, UVB has unleashed a formidable eight-track LP via his very own Body Theory imprint. We caught up with the in-form producer about his latest record…
First of all how are you? And what have you been getting up to recently?
I’m good thanks, happy to do this feature with you! I’ve been enjoying the return of life and preparing upcoming releases on my label !
From an artist’s point of view, how have you found lockdown and what keeps you motivated whilst producing?
I’ve been through all sort of weird phases during lockdown and it wasn’t easy to stay productive. One thing I did that helped a lot was just making the music I was feeling at the time and not pressure myself to work on techno only. Allowed me to reconnect with the fun aspect of the process and it was a really good thing.
Can you tell us a bit about life in Berlin and how the city has inspired you to produce music?
Life is good here, its been eight years and I still like it. Mostly for the relaxed vibe of the city and all the interesting encounters over the years.
I’m not sure how much it influences my music nowadays, I think It’s more about the fact that many people here really have the culture of electronic and alternative music.
Your upcoming LP ‘An Inquisite Taste’ is a great listen, can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the record and how you would describe the overall sound?
Thank you! Inspiration came after making a couple of tracks that had this very epic, ceremonial and uplifting vibe. I immediately pictured a very rock and roll pastor with a guitar and techno beats in the background. This is the best way I could describe it : ‘Faith induced ceremonies through uplifting industrial funk music.’
What was the creative and production process behind the album?
The creative process usually happens naturally once I have the vision and concept of the album. I know what feeling I want to push and express so it makes everything easier and faster.
Production wise, mainly picking/recording the right samples and making them all fit. I very often have a big amount of layered sounds so the mix is hard work. I try to work on different tracks with a selection of the same samples so all the tracks share a certain character and the whole album has a sonic signature.
If you had to pick a favourite track from the LP, which one would it be and why?
“A Profusion Of Deliverance” because it was the first one and it gave me the vision for the rest of the album. Or “Dressed To Kill” because it makes me feel like a crusader.
Out on your very own Body Theory imprint, can you tell us a bit more about the label and what it’s all about?
It’s all about freedom really. It’s a way to release music without compromising.All the music released on the label fits in a certain vision and aesthetic that I want for it and usually has some element of funk in it. Industrial funk people.
As we return to normality, what have you got in store for the rest of 2021 and when’s the next UVB release!?
I have 2 more releases coming on Body Theory ! One is a new collaboration with my friend Hurtado coming as a 4 tracks EP. The other one is a new project that took shape during the pandemic and is more of an LP. I don’t think there will be another UVB release in 2021 besides the album but quite a few remixes and I’m working on another LP for 2022 hopefully !
“An Inquiste Taste” is out now on Body Theory and is available to listen and buy on Bandcamp.
Tracklist:
1. Birth On The Cross
2. A Profusion Of Deliverance
3. Whim Of Nature
4. Dressed To Kill
5. Underneath The Skin
6. Nails Of Glory
7. Impenitence
8. Before I Disappear
