New labels have been growing in Ireland. Whilst Electro, House and Techno have been catered for, these have not always been the central focus. These sounds are at the core of Signal Code. Deep, clever and, most importantly, interesting machine music from the Dublin town.
In recent years Ireland has seen more electronic music activity than ever before. Club nights are being established whilst label and artist numbers are growing both North and South. A new imprint has recently been founded in the heart of my homeland’s capital. Signal Code is a Dublin based label just celebrating its first birthday. Their output focuses on Electro, Techno and House and has some three releases under their belt with a fourth underway.
The Parallel is Irish DJ and producer Colin McKeown. To date McKeown has put out a spread of digital and physical releases on labels like Komisch. Sentinel sees The Parallel traverse some of his deepest work. The title track is a melting piece of Techno. A solid beat structure allows McKeown to weave a paper thin melody through the mechanics. A fantastically gentle piece. “Interface” follows, taking its cues for the softened moods of Detroit and some of the more insulated ideas of Berlin. “Districts” follows with a much more floor centred sound. A pulsing piece that lacks some of the substance of its predecessors but has its merits. “Decipher” transports the listener back to ’92 and the bubbling electronics of UK Techno. Warm, lush and cerebral; The Parallel leaving the best till last on this quality EP.
DeFeKT, aka Matt Flanagan, is a Dublin based musician. DeFekt is clocking up an impressive resume of releases and tracks on labels like AC Records and Solar One Music. For his latest excursion Flanagan introduces the Switch EP. “Bringback” sees dense basslines dissected by beats. Flanagan introduces deep currents amongst his clinical undertones. “Sunseq” takes Techno tones and folds them into an Electro formula to produce a quality piece of electronics.The title work slowly comes to life, bass and snare dissolving before the beat breaks. The track has a lovely subtlety to it, Flanagan dabbing out gentle melodic strokes amongst the Electro columns. “Trigger” forms around stiffened beats and warbling synth lines. DeFeKT produces a striking, plateau like, break before recalling all for the final push. Excellent piece.
New labels have been growing in Ireland. Whilst Electro, House and Techno have been catered for, these have not always been the central focus. These sounds are at the core of Signal Code. Deep, clever and, most importantly, interesting machine music from the Dublin town.
Both releases are available on Signal Code.
