Published by Alessandro Violante on April 8, 2024
AnD was originally born as a techno dj and producer duo in Manchester, and started releasing music in 2009. Since then, it has released many music on many labels, such as Repitch Recordings, Modal Analysis, Perc Trax, AnD label itself and, especially, Electric Deluxe, run by Speedy J. Since 2020, it has become a solo project of Dimitri Poumplidis. After having experimented in rhythms and sounds for the last fifteen years, its new LP, entitled When Stars Collide, has been released by Instruments Of Discipline on 11th March 2024. Today we’ll talk with the artist about it and much more.
Hi Dimitri! It’s a pleasure to talk with you on our website about your new album. First of all, would you like to tell us something about the history of your project AnD?
Hello and thank you for having me. The project has been active since the late 2000s, and had the opportunity to release multiple albums, EPs, and remixes across a diverse spectrum of musical genres, including abstract, dub, experimental, and techno. However, the primary focus has always been on maintaining a compelling groove in the music, as I believe that’s what truly defines my sound on any style of music I create.
In few days, your new LP When Stars Collide will be released by Instruments Of Discipline. What can you tell us about your new release and how did your collaboration with the label start?
I had the utmost pleasure collaborating with the entire team at Instruments Of Discipline. It’s truly one of my favorite labels in recent years, known for its captivating, edgy, and often intense sounds that have always resonated with me and the these sounds makes me find immense joy in creating them and experimenting for hours on end with my equipment to make new ones, and it was through this process that the album came to fruition.
The way you approach sounds and rhythms reminds me of that used by scientists to study phenomenons and test experiments. The title chosen for your new release helps in imagining the metaphor of the artist as a sound scientist. What could you tell us about your approach to music?
For me, music starts with emotion above all else. Once you’ve got that feeling, you can tweak any aspect of the sound to match your artistic vision. I’m a firm believer that everything, even music, has a mathematical explanation behind it. So, I often weave scientific concepts into my music-making process. I could geek out for hours explaining the math behind my choices in programming the modulars and hardware, but that’s where the real magic happens, hidden in the details!
It’s clear to me you have an interest in science, and especially in astronomy and cosmology, not only because of the title of the new release and of its concept, but also thinking about songs like “Kepler” included in Social Decay and about the name of your first LP on Electric Deluxe, Cosmic Microwave Background. What would you like to tell us about this interest and the impact it had on your music?
Ever since I was young, I’ve been a science enthusiast, diving into everything related to it. Later on, this passion led me to the realms of electronic engineering, where I discovered the profound connection between my two greatest interests: music and science.When it comes to crafting albums, I tend to gravitate towards themes inspired by major cosmic events. For instance, as you mentioned, my first album was centered around the microwave radiation left behind after the Big Bang. The second album delved into the profound impact of technology on our world, exploring both its contributions and its challenges.
Since your first LP on Electric Deluxe, you’ve always been exploring in many electronic music fields, and that’s been particularly clear in Social Decay. When Stars Collide is actually the last step in your long career. How much is important for an artist to evolve, refusing any categorization?This is my number one priority since day 1!
I’ve never been one to confine myself to a single genre of music. For me, all sounds are equally beautiful, and I’ve always resisted the idea of limiting my creativity or becoming overly attached to one particular style. Stepping into the studio is like facing a blank canvas—it’s an opportunity to discover something new and inspiring every day.In my view, categorizing yourself or your music under one label can be detrimental to the creative process. There’s so much to be gained from exploring various genres and incorporating different elements into your own work. So, my advice is simple: dare to explore!
Manchester is widely considered as strongly relevant for the evolution of electronic music. How did living there help you in shaping your sound?
Manchester has been my source of inspiration for as long as I can remember! The grey skies, the industrial landscape, and the daily rain all contribute to the perfect atmosphere when I step into the studio. It’s a city with a rich musical history, home to some incredible bands over the years, and it continues to be a hub for a diverse range of artists, spanning a wide spectrum of sounds—and I’m absolutely here for it!
During your prolific career, you’ve released music on many labels, and many of them have played an important role in defining the sounds we listen to today: Perc Trax, Electric Deluxe and Modal Analysis, to name some. If you should think about the past, having personally lived that experience, what’s been your personal experience about the evolution of our sound? Where is it heading to?
About 15 years ago, a small group of us embarked on a mission to infuse techno with harder elements, stepping away from the minimal era. Back then, the techno community viewed us as outliers, almost like aliens. But over time, this edgier sound has become a cornerstone of techno music, completely reshaping the landscape over the past 6-7 years.As one of the pioneers of this harder style, it brings me immense joy to see how widely embraced it has become. Artists continue to push the boundaries, evolving the genre with each passing year. The experimental has always been thrilling, with phenomenal artists and releases pushing the envelope. There’s so much to learn by diving into these sounds.As for where we’re headed next, well, that’s anyone’s guess! But one thing’s for sure: there’s always a surprise waiting just around the corner.
In particular, you’ve released two LPs with Electric Deluxe, the label run by Speedy J, who is widely considered a very important player in the history of techno music. How did you come in contact with him and what could you tell us about that experience?
This journey has been nothing short of incredible. Right from the beginning, Jochem has been an unwavering supporter of our sound and us as individuals. He provided us with the amazing opportunity to release our music on such a prestigious platform. But what truly made this experience exceptional was the artistic freedom we were granted from the outset.From day one, the only directive given to us was to create whatever we felt passionate about, whether it leaned towards dance-oriented or experimental music, as long as it fulfilled our artistic vision to the fullest. After our second album, we had the privilege of spending an entire week together in Jochem’s studios in Rotterdam. It was during this time that we crafted a special album filled with wild ideas, utilizing some truly remarkable pieces of hardware that we couldn’t believe were at our disposal. This project was later released on his new label, STOOR.
You’ve also released music on your own label, “AnD”. What could you tell us about it?
For over a decade now, the label has been a creative sanctuary, allowing me to release music without being confined to any specific style. We’re about to unleash a fresh wave of releases that will reinvigorate the label with full force. As always, be prepared for surprises around every corner!