Kate: Your label, Hardsignal, is about to reach a milestone release – number 10, which will be a double pack featuring tracks from the label owners, yourself and DJ Pauze. It is without a doubt not the best of times to be a record label owner, do you plan to continue pressing vinyl or do you think you might eventually move to a digital label like some of your peers have done?
Patrick DSP: We can’t wait for everyone’s reaction to Hardsignal 010. It’s going to be a massive double album for the Hard Techno scene! But, it is a really difficult time to press vinyl. Hell, it’s a difficult time just being in the music industry. But if making tons of money or fame were a factor in what we do then we’d probably just jump on a bandwagon, trying to reap the rewards, but we’re more than happy doing our thing and making the music we love most; Techno. Hardsignal will always press vinyl. We’re dj’s as well, and we prefer to play vinyl when we can. Hardsignal recently joined up with Junodownload.com, which is part of juno.co.uk, to release our back catalog in digital format for all those who missed out on previous Hardsignal releases.
Kate: It seems that for the first half of 2007 you have quite a few releases coming out on Hardsignal, more than in any period since you launched this label a few years ago. What has prompted you to release this many at the moment…is it because you are receiving a lot of quality releases from various producers lately? Also, do you design the artwork for Hardsignal releases?
Patrick DSP: It’s a mix of everything just falling into place now. When it was started we really didn’t have a good model to follow nor anyone locally that we could ask for help. We’ve restructured a few times and now it seems that everything is running very smoothly. Even the new artwork and internet affairs are now in house as well. (It took me a while to learn illustrator ). The amount of material that we get has always been a lot, but we’ve always tried to get the newest most underground artists as well as the best. And with the advent of technology we can easily seek out the right people who have that Hardsignal sound.
Kate: How do you and Pauze tend to differ in terms of your production ideas/concepts?
Patrick DSP: Pauze and I are quite different. Where I am more technical and intricate in the fine details, he’s got a great intuition on what makes a great track which is refreshing as it sometimes makes me think in new directions that I wouldn’t think of when alone. But that’s the joy of working with someone in the studio. You feed off each other to create really great sonic ideas. It also helps to kick each other in the butt to stay motivated; otherwise we’d just be watching a hockey game or something.
Kate: You currently split most of your time between Canada and Brazil, which we both know are vastly different in terms of local techno scenes, do you find that each region inspires you differently in terms of your productions?
Patrick DSP: There’s lots of inspiration from those two countries. I love it. But half the time they cancel each other out. Currently in Brazil, the techno there is blisteringly fast and distorted; the schranz sound if you will. Whereas Canada is more into the down-tempo glitchy-bleepy sounds for their techno. Combining the two doesn’t sound that well together hee hee. So it’s a constant struggle to find a good balance between the two countries and the ability to make both sides like what you’re doing
Kate: I know in Canada at the moment it is a challenge to find promoters willing to take a chance on harder tek artists such as Pet Duo, Felix Krocher, Murphy to name a few. What do you think it would take to make some of these bookings a reality (in Toronto for example), is it mostly a matter of exposing people to the music in order to build some interest, or do you think that there just won't be support for these shows period?
Patrick DSP: I know we’ve been trying to get a few of those artist booked here, and it has been very difficult. Either the promoters are too busy in their own sub genres of techno too look at other styles or they just don’t have the money to do it. Staying in your house during winter months is a hard habit to break during the summer. I’m sure there would be a lot of interest here but considering the numbers that normal events pull around here, I don’t think anyone can expect to be paid in Canada as they are in Europe.
Kate: Are there any up and coming DJs/producers who have really impressed you lately?
Patrick DSP: Oliver Kucera from Amsterdam has been releasing some really heavy material with lots of variety like a young Patrik Skoog. And the Concrete Djz is a group of 4 Djs from Belgrade. The amount of quality tunes they’ve been releasing has truly been unreal. We’re really happy to have them both on Hardsignal Recordings. There is always new talent out there that blows me away, but these are the two that stick out in my mind.
Kate: You have been involved in the techno scene for quite some time, eventually releasing your first tracks in 2003. How did you end up choosing this career path, what (or who) inspired you to make the transition from fan to artist?
Patrick DSP: Back when I was still building up my studio I was inspired by and helped along by my friends Chris Liberator and the rest at SUF and Mark Eg. They really helped push me into production on a serious level. It’s nice to meet artists who are not just performers but really nice people as well. After that, everything just fell into place with production. I write the music I like and if people like it as well, then that’s a bonus.
Kate: What are some of the highlights of your career in recent memory, and what do you hope to achieve within the next year or so?
Patrick DSP: Just the fact that I’m able to do this as a career, is a highlight. It’s really great to show up to any gig and experience the energy from the crowd no matter big or small. The energy and excitement is just great.
Having releases on some of the larger techno labels has been a really great source of inspiration; Fine Audio, Submissions, Hydraulix, etc. As well as being a part of making a positive impact on the techno community with Hardsignal Recordings. As for what the future holds? I welcome it with open arms, because I’m more than thankful to be able to do what I love as my career as well.
Kate: You recently made a summer classix mix – Acid Rain - featuring some of your favourite older tunes, when was the last time you were booked to play a set that wasn't your signature hard techno style?
Patrick DSP: The Acid Rain set was inspired by a set that Camilo Rocha asked me to play for his “Quebrada vs Discology” night at Club Vegas in Sao Paulo back in December. His night is an eclectic mix that asks international Dj’s to play a “Back to Mine” style set. If I remember correctly, Camilo played a wicked James Brown tribute set, where as I went for a type of history lesson. It turned out to be a really great night, and I tried to remember what I played that night for the Acid Rain Mix. I really enjoy that mix, a great summer time mix.
Kate: If you could be based anywhere other than your current location in Toronto, where would you choose to be and why?
Patrick DSP: Amsterdam. Everyone I’ve ever met in Holland has been very nice and down to earth. I also have a lot of friends there. I think it would be very easy to relocate there as English is spoken by most people there, and most things are done in a fashion that I’m familiar with.
Kate: In your Live PA's, how has the advent of software driven "gear" (Ableton for example) changed the way you perform a live PA? Do you feel there are still advantages to having hardware instead of just software when you perform?
Patrick DSP: Ableton Live has changed the face of music and how music is presented to the people. I am amazed by it every time I use it. It’s given me the ability to do live pa’s without the need to rip apart my studio, travel to a gig, and spend money on excess baggage only to have a cable or keyboard break during the process. It’s streamlined everything so that very little can go wrong and allowing the performer to convey their thoughts and ideas directly to the dance floor. Of course, hardware will always sound better, warmer, richer and more alive.
Kate: What are some of your hobbies apart from the music industry?
Patrick DSP: It’s rare that I’m ever doing something that’s not music related, just ask my wife. I love to travel and to meet new people. That’s one of the great things that I’m able to do with a music career, so I guess that hobby doesn’t count. But when I’m actually able to have a few minutes free away from anything music related, I’m either with my family or friends in a pub enjoying a beer or if I actually find some time alone, I like to listen to old time radio dramas from the 1940’s. Strange, I know but I really like The Adventures of Sam Spade, and the way a story is told to you.
Kate: Tell me a little bit about your exclusive Livesets.com set…
Patrick DSP: It’s a Live Pa, that I just recorded using bits and pieces of the upcoming Hardsignal 010 along with previous released and unreleased pieces of tracks, as well as some 303 improvisation here and there for the hell of it. It’s got lots of different flavors of techno in there just like Livesets.com. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did making it.
Kate: What is your current top 5?
1. Patrick DSP & DJ Pauze – Hardsignal 010 – Hardsignal Recordings 010
2. Concrete Djz – The Tunnel EP – Blackout Audio 016
3. Various – Submissions 017 – Submissions 017
4. Radial – Hair of the Dog EP – Audio Assault 026
5. Various – Hardsignal 008 – Hardsignal Recordings 008
Patrick DSP – BIOGRAPHY
One of Canada's finest underground techno dj's and producers. A DJ, Live Performer, Producer/Composer, Remixer, Sound Designer, Audio Engineer, Mastering Engineer, A&R for Hardsignal Recordings, and Teacher. Patrick wears many hats in the field of Audio Production which has made him into one of the backbone figures in today's Electronic Music Industry.
During the last decade, Toronto, Canada has been the home base for dj/producer Patrick DSP has been active on many fronts in the global techno scene. Patrick DSP began his campaign of techno terror in the mid 90's, his first club residency at the Legendary E! Space in Toronto Canada in 1997, which provided him a platform to present his vision of music, incorporating his present tastes with his extensive background and knowledge of electronic music, to the public. He has always maintained an anti-mainstream approach to music.
In 1999, Patrick soon found himself with a strong desire to expand his musical horizons and began writing and producing music. He quickly found himself in the services of other labels providing mastering, production and remix services for major labels in addition to working on his own twisted visions of sound. Working from his own Neptune Studios. Patrick has run the gamut of producing everything from film scores, to blistering hard techno.
Neptune Studios soon branches off to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Patrick began providing audio production services in the emerging South American scene. During this time he worked with such local heroes as Pet Duo (KneDeep), DJ Lukas (Stereo 70) and TRB (TechnoPride). As well as playing extensively in Brazil.
In his 8 years of production Patrick has collaborated and conspired with some of the most talented names in Techno, such as Chris Liberator, Andreas Kremer as well as local heroes DJ Android and DJ Pauze.
Patrick teamed up with long time friend and collaborator DJ Pauze, to launch the Hardsignal Records imprint. Together the pair amassed an impressive repertoire of international releases, establishing the label as one of the premier hard techno imprints on the scene.
Patrick DSP has played across Europe, South America and North America, spreading his twisted rugged hard techno sound. You can be sure his world renowned sets are a unique force of sonic destruction that will rock you right through to your spine.
Discography:
Releases:
Sludge 731 - Maximum Minimum - 2002
Get Ah! - Cluster 55 - Cluster Recordings - 2003
Envy 347 - Maximum Minimum - 2003
Computer Manipulation - Working Vinyl - 2003
Hey Bubba - Cluster 62 - Cluster Recordings - 2004
Disgraceful Scene - Hardsignal 001 - 2004
Nitro 003 - Nitrosound Recordings - 2005
Impakt EP - Fine Audio 45 - Fine Audio Recordings - 2005
Overdrivez - Hardsignal 004 - 2005
Big It Ah - Hardsignal 006 - 2006
Koon Vatz - Milk 005 - Milk Recordings - 2007
Bullshit 004 - Bullshit Records - 2007
Submissions 017 - Submissions - 2007
Submissions 018 - Submissions - 2007
Hardsignal 010 - Hardsignal Recordings - 2007
Remixes:
Save the Rave - GCP Music - 2001
Halloween - White Label - 2003
So What - Geheim 001 - 2004
Do U Love Techno - Lifeform - 2004
Welcome to Your Doom - Combat Skill 004 - 2004
Hydraulix 13.4 - Hydraulix Recordings - 2004
Tectribe 004 Remixes - Tectribe Records - 2006
Glitch 012 - Glitch Records - 2006
Highschool - 033 Recordings - 2007
Compilations :
Schranz Total vol. 7.0 mixed by Viper XXL
Schranz Total vol. 8.0 mixed by Mike Dust
Palazzo Volume 5.0 mixed by PETDuo
Fine Audio Compilation Volume 5 mixed by MP-Nuts
Hardtechno vol. 3 mixed by Frank Kvitta
For more information about Patrick DSP, visit his websites:
www.patrickdsp.com
www.hardsignal.net
And for booking inquiries:
tressy@bullshit-bookings.com (Germany)
info@treshold.eu (Holland)
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Content
While he may not be as well-known yet internationally as other fellow Canadians such as Richie Hawtin or Misstress Barbara, Patrick Gharapetian (a.k.a. Patrick DSP) has been steadily making his mark on the hard techno scene for years now, as a DJ, producer and label owner of Hardsignal recordings with DJ Pauze. His signature sound has brought him to gigs around the globe, performing DJ sets as well as an excellent Live PA, while his productions have been featured on a number of respected techno labels including Submissions and Hydraulix. 