10 Questions with: Skodde

Skodde has been one of the cornerstones of our team in Flux from the beginning and has had a lot of influence on the techno scene in Oslo the last two years. They recently released their second album on the label called “Ark W”, following up after “Abduction” which they released last year. Not only did they have a release party in Barceona for it but the album itself has gotten a lot of international recognition. 

It is a daring and intense techno album that challenges the listener's expectations of electronic music. It features a raw and industrial sound, with harsh textures and dissonant melodies that evoke a feeling of mechanical disarray.  The album demands attention and rewards the listener with its intricate sound design and unconventional structures.

Skodde - Ark W (album)

Tracklist:

1. A Transformative Time
2. Ditto Walk
3. Sticks And Stones
4. Ark W 
5. MeterGain:red
6. Resurrection Tool
7. Cool Down
8. Stage 2050 
9. Unspoken Bond

Listen to the album here

Buy the album here

1. Firstly, congratulations on your new album "Ark W". Can you share a bit about the inspiration behind the album's overarching theme?

Thank you very much! This album, in many respects, represents both an extension and a counterpoint to our previous work. We've strived to maintain the essence of our earlier sound, while simultaneously pushing its evolution. This project marks a significant turning point, acting as a bridge between the old and new "Skodde".

"A Transformative Time" symbolizes our endeavor to delve deeper, to explore and metamorphose. The majority of the other tracks exhibit our experimentation with innovative production methods, signifying a shift towards a more digital approach than we've previously employed.

"Unspoken Bond" is a track that was created over two years ago. It has always held a special place for us, but it never found its rightful place until now. If you listen attentively, you'll detect the same vocal chant towards the end of "Unspoken Bond" as you hear at the commencement of "A Transformative Time". These two tracks, although distinct in their sonic qualities, share an uncanny symbiosis that ties the entire album together.

2. Techno has roots in various styles of music and a rich history and culture. We've seen this influence come through in your work. With "Ark W", what genres or specific artists outside of techno did you draw upon for inspiration? How have you managed to stay true to its roots while also bringing something new to the table?

For this project, while techno served as a primary influence, the role of ambient music was also quite considerable. The introductory track is essentially a nod to 80s synthpop, drawing creative energy from artists such as Jean Michel Jarre, subtly infused with elements reminiscent of early Plastikman. However, instead of the traditional straight 4/4 kick patterns commonly used by artists in the 80s, we opted for a more unconventional broken beat kick.

Many are aware that we have a strong affinity for black metal, and we strive to encapsulate the same chilling ambiance found in early works from bands like Mayhem and Darkthrone, but we reinterpret this through a lens of dystopian electronic soundscapes.

Our music is also significantly shaped by psy trance genres, which is particularly apparent in our distinctive rumble kicks. We've reimagined the triplet bass commonly used in psy trance, substituting it with a triplet kick following the primary kick. This technique emulates the groovy rhythmic patterns characteristic of psy trance. Additionally, we've interwoven an array of sound effects throughout the project, imbuing it with a distinctly psy trance aura.

Maintaining the roots of techno while creating something new was indeed a challenging, but fulfilling endeavor. Staying true to techno's history meant embracing its origins in the urban landscapes of Detroit and its utilitarian nature that originates from its initial function as dance music.

3. Oslo has a vibrant music scene. How has being part of this community influenced your sound, and specifically the creation of "Ark W"? How has your surroundings or local culture influenced the evolution of your music

It's true that Oslo's music scene is vibrant and eclectic, and it has definitely had an indelible impact on our sound and on the creation of "Ark W". 

Firstly, being part of such a thriving community has offered a wealth of inspiration. Oslo is a city that truly embraces a diverse range of musical styles, especially the last two years. You can find everything from jazz and indie rock to experimental electronic music and, of course, techno. It's a place where musicians and producers challenge themselves and their audiences, and that has always pushed us to think outside the box when creating our own music.

Oslo's deep-rooted love for electronic music has cultivated a dynamic club culture over recent years. However, the city's electronic scene had primarily been commanded by genres like nu disco and tech house for a substantial period. As the COVID pandemic unfolded, a new and faster techno scene took shape in the forests encircling Oslo. Initially, these scenes were distinct, but once the clubs re-opened, a fusion of communities occurred.

This hybridization is one of the most striking features of the Oslo music scene. It's not uncommon for an evening to present four different DJs, each playing a unique sub-genre of techno at varying BPMs. This diversity breathes excitement into the scene, setting Oslo apart from other global electronic music landscapes. This dynamic environment profoundly influences our music, offering us a wealth of varying musical styles to draw from every time we immerse ourselves in Oslo's vibrant club scene.

In conclusion, Oslo, with its rich electronic scene and beautiful landscapes, has indeed been a major influence in our sound. It has not only shaped my musical aesthetic but has also driven us to always evolve as artists. We’re proud to be part of this community and look forward to seeing how it continues to shape our music in the future.

4. Techno is often described as a genre that's as much about the live experience as it is about the recorded music. How do you think "Ark W" translates from the studio to the club?

"Ark W" represents our most time-intensive project to date. The production spanned nearly a year, involving a substantial amount of experimentation and refinement. Many tracks in their preliminary stages were tested on dancefloors for a period of six months before we were content with the output.

Our routine often involved transitioning directly from the studio to a gig. We would perform a track, gauge the audience's response, and then retreat back to the studio post-performance to continue refining the piece. The essence of this album is deeply rooted in the shared experience of dancing, designed to resonate with audiences when amplified by the powerful speakers at a club or rave.

5. What was the most challenging track to produce on this album and why? How did you overcome those challenges?

Ditto Walk was the track we used the most amount of time and was the hardest one to make sound the way we wanted. It has the most complicated arrangement of all the tracks with a lot of precision changes we used a lot of time on finishing. We also had a hard time getting the kick to sound right in the mix. We also struggled to get the automation on the main to stay exciting.  

6. Do you see yourselves continuing in this musical direction, or do you have plans to explore new territories?

We are going to evolve and explore new territories, but still have a foot in what we did in the beginning. 

7. As a duo, how do you typically collaborate when composing and producing a new track? Does one of you usually start with an idea and then the other build on it, or is it more of a simultaneous creative process?

In our collaboration as a duo, the process is dynamic and flexible. It's a bit of a dance that varies from track to track, but generally, we both contribute to every part of the process - from the initial idea to the final master.

Sometimes, one of us will come to the studio with a rough sketch - it might be a melody, a beat, a synth patch, or even a field recording that sparked an idea. We'll then work on that together, adding elements, experimenting with different arrangements, and shaping the direction of the track.

Other times, we start from scratch together. We might have a jam session with our hardware synths and drum machines, and record everything. These sessions can often lead to interesting ideas that we wouldn't have come up with individually. Later, we listen back to the recording, pick out the parts that stand out, and start crafting a track around those ideas.

In terms of roles, we don't strictly divide responsibilities. Both of us can play instruments, program synths, and handle the technical aspects of production. However, we each have our strengths. For instance, Andreas has a knack for creating interesting rhythms and arrangement, while Henrik has a keen ear for mixing and sound design. So, we naturally gravitate towards our respective areas of expertise, but we always make decisions together.

Communication is crucial in our process. We're constantly discussing our ideas and giving each other feedback. It's all about keeping an open mind, respecting each other's opinions, and working towards a shared vision. We always say yes, and never no to ideas. 

The beauty of working as a duo is that you have another perspective, another set of ears, and another creative mind contributing to the music. We challenge each other, inspire each other, and learn from each other, which makes our music richer and more diverse. It's a fulfilling and rewarding process that has helped us grow as artists and individuals.

8. Can you share more about your studio setup? What are your favorite pieces of gear or software that were integral to the production of "Ark W"?

A key piece was the Prophet Rev 2, which is an analog synthesizer that was heavily used for creating rich, warm basslines and lead sounds. Its versatility and wide range of tones make it a favorite in many setups, and it certainly played a crucial role in this album.

Another favorite piece of hardware was the Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer. This drum machine is lauded for its ability to emulate classic Roland drum machines like the TR-808 and TR-909. The flexibility of incorporating user samples made it a significant contributor to the rhythmic elements of "Ark W".

As for software, Ableton Live was the main DAW used for "Ark W". In terms of plugins, we normally just use stock Ableton. For effects, we often use Waves - especially GTR. Other than that it’s stock Ableton. Finally, some unique sound-mangling tools from max for live were used for creating more experimental sounds and textures. These plugins helped push the boundaries of the sound design in "Ark W".

In essence, the studio setup for "Ark W" involved a variety of hardware and software that each played a part in creating the unique sound of the album. While certain pieces of gear or software were favorites and used extensively, every tool in the setup contributed in its own way to the overall production.

9. Are there any tracks on the album that particularly stand out to you, or that you're especially proud of? If so, could you delve into the creative process behind these?

Unspoken Bond is a special track for us, we produced it such a long time ago and it sounds so different from all our other tracks. The title Unspoken Bond is about our musical relationship, sometimes feeling like we communicate telepathically.

10. Looking forward, what's next for Skodde?

Stuff.