If you attend a night with Rene Wise on the bill, prepare to be pelted with an array of addictive, groove-ridden and rhythmic techno tracks which will undoubtably leave you moving all night long. With a keen focus on sub-sonic frequencies and sonic rhythm, the youngstar’s selections and personal productions find the perfect balance between harshness and power, neither overwhelming nor unsatisfactory. Look at the likes of esteemed figures Ben Klock and DVS1, two stalwarts within the genre who smartly blend kicks and baselines to hit your body in a certain way, this is the direction Rene has taken — effortlessly devising atmospheric soundscapes with a raw, yet modern, touch whilst maintaining a powerful sonic trademark. Perhaps the perfect example of this can be found within his latest Jungle House release via Dustin Zahn’s highly-regarded imprint Enemy Records. We caught up with the Eerste Communie resident about his latest drop.
How was your Christmas and New Years? Did you take time to relax? And any New Year resolutions!?
Christmas was pleasant! I spent it back in my hometown with my parents. For new years, I was back on the road for a couple weeks on a small eastern tour in Georgia, Armenia and Turkey. It was good fun and a great cultural experience — the food was amazing!
You released some wonderful EP’s last year including Lakota Fox EP on Mote Evolver and Pleasure Note on SK_eleven. How have you found producing over the last couple of years?
Well, 2021 was quite a slow year for me writing music. I moved country, which also meant a new studio space, and whilst I love my new space, it has taken me a while to adjust to the new environment. I think this is natural with most artists that move, but it definitely slowed down my creative process. However, I feel like I’m gradually regaining my workflow and motivation from the past and thankfully I’ve got a good amount of music that needs to be released, so I’m not in any rush!
Your forthcoming EP Jungle House is another immaculate record. Can you explain the inspiration behind this release?
Thank you! Like most of my music, the concept is primarily about striking a groove that connects with my inner rhythm. In other words, if it makes me dance, then I know I’m onto something! I try not to overthink about concepts when making music. It really boils down to rhythm and sound design, that is my main focus.
What was the overall creative process behind the record?
It’s hard to remember specifically, as most of these tracks are 3+ years old. But a lot of noodling around and experimenting in the studio. But for example, “Screeching” was done mostly on a Model D, consisting of some detuned oscillators ran through an old 90s phaser FX. The B2 “Gummy” was a play on poly-rhythmic synth sequences and delay FX.
If you had to pick a favourite track, which would it be and why?
Hmm it’s a hard one, but i would say the A1, “Screeching”. The energy this track provokes on a dancefloor is something I’ve not been able to replicate with most of my productions. At the right moment, it’s really a killer on a good soundsystem!
Dropping on Dustin Zahn’s label Enemy Records, how did your relationship with Dustin start and how did this particular record come about?
I first got in touch with Dustin a while ago, I think after my first Mote Evolver release. We mostly talked music and things of that matter and eventually brought up the idea of releasing on Enemy, to which the next few years came about planning for this first record. Dustin is a super down to earth and knowledgeable person and I’ve always respected the limited but quality output on his label and attention to proper artwork — something that can be forgotten with a lot of techno labels these days.
Have you had a chance to unleash any of these tracks on the dance floor yet? If so, what has the overall reaction been?
All five tracks have been sufficiently road tested over the past few years, so it’s safe to say they’re club ready!
You have a very unique and special sound which taps into groove and rhythm. How did this develop, were you influenced by any DJ’s in particular?
My taste in techno completely derives from the dancefloor & power of sound systems. The two DJs that really changed my whole perspective on music and DJing were Ben Klock and DVS1. What really stuck with me from hearing them wasn’t a melody or drum sound, it was the way the sub-sonic frequencies rolled and hit your body. That was the aspect I was truly enamored by; the power of a kick and bassline on a huge soundsystem. Ever since then, I have been trying to replicate that sonic rhythm and groove in my own music, hence the reason my tracks are very focused on the dynamics of a kick and bassline. It’s also great to see this resurgence in rhythmic techno again. Being drawn to good rhythm is a human instinct and it should always be the focus in Techno, I believe.
Are there any emerging artists with a love for the groove-ridden techno who we should keep an eye out for?
I could write a huge list as there is so much fantastic music coming out at the moment! A few artists who have been consistently making their way into my DJ sets recently are Marcal, Hedström & Pflug, Ruben Ganev and Nicolas Vogler.
If Rene Wise had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Bring about world peace with DJ sets!
‘Jungle House EP’ is out now on Enemy Records and is available to purchase on Bandcamp.
