Interview with A4

The emerging talent of abstract techno that conquers the international scene

We are pleased to present an exclusive interview with A4, the artistic alias of Basque DJ and producer Asier Morillas, who has emerged as one of the most promising figures in the current techno scene.

From Irún (Basque Country, Spain), A4 has managed to conquer international labels and gain the recognition of renowned artists thanks to his unique approach to abstract and cosmic techno, characterized by complex textures and a futuristic sound design, leaving his mark on labels such as Illegal Alien, Axis Records, Fault Section, Warm Up, Voyager Recordings or Subsist Records.

A4 reveals some of the ins and outs of its most recent release, «Lights At Night», on the stamp Voyager Recordings by the English artist Mal Hombre. A vinyl composed of nine tracks that captivates us with its SCI-FI and "space" sounds, in the purest A4 style.

During the interview, the Basque artist shares his creative vision, influences and details about his approach to sound making and will tell us a little about himself as an artist. A conversation with one of the most innovative talents in contemporary and futuristic techno.

Jorge: You present us “Lights At Night”, a vinyl composed of 9 tracks. In this album, is there a story behind the selection of the songs?

A4: Yes, there is always a story or some influence behind it. In this case, the album is very influenced by old science fiction films.

Jorge: How would you describe the overall atmosphere of the album and what feelings do you hope it will inspire in those who listen to it?

A4: The concept of album It is based on the search for strange objects seen in the sky, hence the name «Lights at Night». What I want is that, when listening to it, people do the same thing I do when I'm creating: they travel, they close their eyes and let their mind go where it needs to go.

Jorge: As a whole, the album is amazing for me, a journey from start to finish. For you, which of the tracks do you feel best represents the spirit of the album?

A4: It's a difficult question because I really like all the tracks. Sometimes you like one more than another, and other times the other way around. But right now I have a nice memory of when I created «The Odd Man» in the studio, so I'm going to say that's the one that best represents the album. I'm going with "The Odd Man"!

Jorge: Compared to your previous works, what differences or evolution do you notice in this new release?

A4: It's difficult to differentiate them, because each album is made at a different time, influenced by the emotions and creativity you have at that time. It would be like having to choose between several of your children, (Laughs)

Jorge: How did the idea of releasing this new work in vinyl format on Voyager Recordings come about?

A4: From the first reference from the animated series «Voyager», which was a "various artists" where they participated Mike Storm, Linear System, Mal Hombre and me. Mark (Mal Hombre) told me about the idea of making an album for the next releases. That's how it all came about.

Jorge: We are in a time when digital music is gaining momentum. We heard about your contribution with your track “The Visitors” for the multi-artist album (double CD format) released by the Spanish label Loopaina Records last February.

We continue to see many labels continue to opt for analogue. What does it mean to you, as a producer, to release a new reference on vinyl, in an industry that is increasingly tending towards digital, and how do you value it?

A4: It is worth appreciating. The physical format has a higher cost and, if you do not sell copies, you do not even recover the investment. It is important to recognize the effort of the labels that, in addition to releasing digital references, continue to publish in physical formats such as vinyl, cassettes or CDs.

For me, the most important thing is the music, regardless of whether it comes out on vinyl or digital. But I have to admit that releasing something in physical format, in this case a vinyl, is always something very special. I have no doubt about that.

Jorge: Let's talk about you as an artist. How did your passion for music, and techno in particular, come about?

A4: Hanging out in the clubs up north. Over time, you go one way or the other, and techno is a genre that I think you come to after years of listening to and researching music.

Jorge: Throughout your career, what musical influences have left the deepest mark on you?

A4: I could mention several, but without a doubt, my biggest influences are Oscar Mulero and Jeff Mills.

Jorge: A question that intrigued me a lot, why did you choose “A4” as your artistic alias?

A4: I spent a long time thinking about names, but none of them convinced me. One day, my friend Luis Rozalen (HD SUBSTANCE) And I was looking at my Elektron Analog Four, and he said, “A4? Come on, A4.” And that was it! (Laughs)

Jorge: We recently saw you perform live in Pamplona, Spain. How was the experience? What do you enjoy more, studio production or playing live?

A4: The experience in Pamplona was very good. I did a live show with lots of breaks, broken rhythms and the sci-fi sounds that I usually use. It was really cool. You have to be prepared for a live show; you can improvise something, but the structure has to be ready. In the studio, on the other hand, you don't have the pressure of the audience. You're alone, creating and generating ideas. The truth is that I love both options.

Jorge: Finally, how would you describe your professional growth over the years? And what advice would you give to someone who is starting out in the world of techno as a DJ or producer?

A4: Over time, I have things clearer, and that's a big step forward. I know what sound I want to go for and whether the project I'm working on fulfills me or not. I make decisions faster now. Before, I wasted a lot of time on things that didn't end up being useful to me, although I still get sidetracked when I'm creating a sound. But, in general, having clearer ideas is an important step forward in not wasting time on things that don't have a future.

The best advice is to respect and value TECHNO. It takes a lot of patience, effort and work to get positive results. Get trained and learn everything you can, because there are no more tricks.