497 – Cristoph

Well versed in exploring his own musical roots Cristoph isn’t really a new producer—he’s always been producing, even when nobody was listening. Having now carved out a sound that is increasingly identifiable, the young producer avoids dance music’s relentless march toward the new next thing by masterfully mediating through raw beats and textural trickery that gradually blurs the edges of genres; the focus on groove, mood and his typically intricate, hypnotic arrangements.

The Newcastle born producer has already had releases through labels such as Noir, Suara and Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound to become one of the most reliable yet exciting acts in the scene – upending every preconceived notion about what he should do next or succumbing to any single trend or genre.  There’s both agelessness and versatility to his studio output that gives his 4/4 house productions points of triangulation rather than direct references, or risk of evoking direct nostalgia.

As a listener If you come looking for house in its most obvious form, this decision seems puzzling, but if you’re prepared to forgive Cristoph’s need to challenge expectations and genres and simply lose yourself in the groove, then its easy to discover his involving engaging talent. The inaugural edition of conceptual album series “8-track” that bears his name on Knee Deep In Sound may be set to confuse those still stuck in a world where house music and techno are separated by propped-up dividers but it will indeed only serve to showcase his strength as a producer.

We welcome him to the Data Transmission podcast today ahead of that “8-Track” coming on Knee Deep In Sound…

Sum up this podcast in 10 words…
A nice journey showcasing different aspects of my recent sets

What’s your personal favourite track on it?
There’s a few tracks on there which have been working really well in my sets but my personal favourite is BOg’s remix of Emerald. It’s such a euphoric and uplifting record. Love it

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?
I would like to think it’s because it is a good reflection of my sets and productions. I try not to stay in one genre when I play because I much prefer to go on a journey.  There’s a couple of my new tracks in there, one of which (Perplexity) has been working really well in recent sets.

What’s the best gig you’ve played recently? 
I would have to say the Knee Deep In Sound show at Pacha, Barcelona for Off Sonar. It was an honour to play alongside Hot Since 82, Joris Voorn and Matador – 3 DJ’s and Producers I look up to massively. The venue was amazing and it was absolutely rammed from start to finish. The crowd created such an amazing atmosphere.

What have you got coming up?
Gig wise I’m around the UK and Europe for the next 6 weeks playing the likes of Space & Pacha in Ibiza, Watergate in Berlin and Creamfields in the UK. After that I am across to America before starting my ‘8-track’ tour.

Releases I have my conceptual album coming on Knee Deep In Sound. This is called ‘8-track’ and is basically all brand new individual tracks which I have produced. I’m also working on new EP’s for a few labels which have been in touch recently.

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?
For those who have been supporting me I just want to say a huge thank you and hope they continue too. For those who I am new to, I hope they like what they hear. The people who support me and my music mean the world to me.

Tracklist
1 – Lonya & Mariano Mellino – The Morning After
2 – Kevin Yost – You’re My Gravity
3 – Hector – Hide (Delano Smith Remix)
4 –  Joal – Mailbox
5 – Ninetoes – Coming Back (Ramon Tapia Remix)
6 – Cristoph – Closer (Cristoph Dub)
7 – Anhauser & Who Else – Apology
8 – Cristoph – Perplexity
9 – Nasser Baker – Born Again
10  Bedrock – Emerald (BOg Remix)