Know Your DJ
Featuring Alland Byallo
Carla Gardner sat down last week with Alland Byallo to get his outlook on techno and catch up on his latest work.
Listen to Alland's Mix while reading this interview.
What are the Bricks you describe in the title of your new album?
The bricks are where I have been in the past musically, my different experiences leading up to now and how this album brings all those elements together.
Was there much appreciation for techno when you were doing your thing in LA?
There wasn’t much. Droid has been doing parties there for so many years but it was always a small group of guys and a couple bored girlfriends. Over the years it has gotten better.
What is it about techno that captures you?
I like that techno is more hypnotic. It doesn’t have that instant gratification of massive build up and break downs and it feels more classy. That’s just me. I like warm droning pads. Sweeping long, oddly structured sounds. Not necessarily jazzy but something off about it that sound jazzy. Some chaos within the control.
I personally find techno to sound very manly and house to be more feminine but your music has elements of both. Are you conscious of that spectrum when you are making music?
Well, techno is from Detroit and based on the sounds of machines so it needs something warm and emotive that you can take with you. Deep house is coming back and I try to reach into the different directions and pull them together.
How did you get into producing?
In 1997, I started noodling around with whatever free software I could find and just got to it.
What advice would you offer to someone looking to make their own music?
There are always new sounds coming out. Try not to get caught up with neat software tricks that will get old as the emerging genres come in and out of popularity.
How do you feel about all the new sub genres coming out?
I love it. The music keeps cycling and new subgenres get made. I like to watch it unfold but I’m not too affected by it. I like sticking with what I love and growing around it.
What came first, the music you made or the environment it is played in?
It bounces back in forth but the environment came first and I got inspired to make music that matched the vibe.
What do you think is different about the music scene in San Francisco?
Just the spirit really. Music can go anywhere but there is a taste for certain elements here. People are looking for something more than just chart topping hits. There are strong roots in house music and a more organic feeling with the audience
What is your favorite party in San Francisco?
KONTROL at The Endup because people come there for that, specifically.
How is KONTROL related to the evolution of your album?
I am able to play a full range of music there. I get it all out of my system and push my boundaries because I know that the crowd will meet me where I am. I create tracks with the intention of playing them there.
Why is Bionic a good fit for your Album Release party?
Bionic is a part of San Francisco and an incredible list of performers have played there. I owe a lot to Nikola for supporting me and my label, Nightlight. Also, it is after the Dirtybird party in the park so there will be a lot of friends coming out after that.
Is there anything else you want to share with the community that I didn’t ask?
I’ve barricaded myself in the studio for the last month and there’s a great deal of new music coming out. I just sent the promos of the release that’s following the album and wrapped up a 3-tracker for Parisian house label Missive Music. I’ve also completed remixes for record labels Poker Flat Digital, Auralism, Eight Dimension, Chillin’, Flumo and Airdrop this year. There is a Nightlight Music monthly event in the works with myself, Clint Stewart, and Mossmoss as the residents. On the morning of Monday September 7 I would love to know that our friends are listening to the three of us when we appear on KZSU 90.1 during the Eclektronik Groove show (9am Pacific). Thank you for your support!
Know Your DJ! Check out more info on Alland Byallo below:
Alland Byallo Website | His Label - Nightlite Music | Myspace | Residency - KONTROL | Residency - ForwardSF
To Book Alland - Contact Maries Stevens of World Wide Book
by Carla Gardner
