West Ireland’s newest face to hit the Techno circuit, Havik, releases their debut album “Sumatra” on French-based Intra Records and discusses his music, vision, history, and Ireland’s nightlife.
Ireland has left its imprint on the global music circuit throughout history and as far as Techno goes, it’s brought some infamous names to the stage. Artists like Matador, DeFaKT, and Lakker have been rushing through the musical membranes of party goers and artists alike for years. While Dublin has held the title for being a notoriously popular and vibrant event and entertainment hub, with venues featuring eclectic genre representations and paying homage to the relevance of being present on a dance floor, behind the scenes.. a new wave of Ireland’s Techno-focused artists has begun to emerge into the major purview and with them, a fresh new intake of musical styles.
“This release actually meant a lot to me. My debut EP is four, raw cut Techno tracks to show people what my sound is about.”
With only 4 years under his belt, Havik hails from the Western region of Ireland and already has found themselves releasing a debut album ripe with new energy and ambition. Growing up in a musical family, Havik states he’d never really considered the thought of going down a musical rabbit hole until his late teens to early 20’s when he discovered the writhing underground of Techno.
“I fell in love with everything about it. The music, the atmosphere, the darkness, the people. It all just resonated too well with me. After that, I became obsessed with it.”
“Sumatra” dropped on Bandcamp this past week on French-based underground imprint Intra Records and features 4 dynamic, yet classically-influenced tracks straight from the heart of the genre’s core. Citing major influences in his upbringing in Techno such as Ben Klock, Len Faki, and Truncate, the album reflects much of their influences in the twists and turns of the individual track elements. When posed with the artists influence on their journey, Havik explained that he was lucky to find and start listening to these guys when he got into Techno. He used to sit and listen to all their sets on Youtube on repeat; really looked up to those guys. Havik also cites seeing Len Faki at an event in Amsterdam as being a set that really set the tone and inspired his journey.
While this isn’t Havik’s first release, with a previous single appearing on Four Four Magazine, this is the first full-length album to hit the major purview, and Intra Records seemed the perfect fit for the sound and style that the new solo-focused artist has honed in on.
“The label itself captures everything I’m about. It focuses on the underground scene and underground artists. It’s a movement with real love for proper Techno and not what comes and goes in phases”
“Sumatra” highlights some of the best aspects of the classic Techno influences. With “Sumatra” and “Vitamin F” focusing on peak-time hypnotic twists and turns, and “Dark Impact” and “Serpents Cry” putting emphasis on a slower, more temperamental take. The EP formulates a well rounded and unique movement through Havik’s musical vision. It is tangibly influenced by the historical accuracy and tenacity of the classical inflections, while still showering in a breath of new and unique styles. Already showing immense tact and talent in the first release, Havik leads the charge into the next wave of underground talent to come forward. Showcasing all the good and no-nonsense musical movements that have made Techno what it is, “Sumatra” sets the stage for a prospectively bright future of releases.
-Colin Cook
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