10 QUESTIONS W/ RAVENCLAW

1. Can you tell us about your journey into the world of industrial techno music? What drew you to this particular genre?

Early into the scene (2018), I was listening to a lot of mainstream basic techno, until a friend of mine took me to a club in Munich called Rote Sonne. This experience basically changed everything for me. The sound was way faster/harder and had unidentifiable elements, which caught my attention.

On the next day, I was looking for a similar sound on SoundCloud, which I later found out was industrial techno. 

2. Your recent album has been receiving praise for its unique blend of industrial techno with melancholic sounds. What was your inspiration behind this album, and how did you approach the production process?

Basically, it all started with a poem I wrote after waking up from a nightmare. At the time, I didn't really know what to do with it, but I definitely knew this was something special and had a deeper meaning to it. After some time, I came up with the idea that it might be a nice album concept to create a specific track for every line of the poem. So basically, the poem later became the track list of my debut album. Even though I'm not 100% satisfied with it, I can definitely say that this project is my biggest creation so far, and seeing big artists like Ellen Alien or Metaraph playing tracks from this album is a big accomplishment for me!

3. You've performed in various cities across Germany and Hungary. How do you find the electronic music scene differs in these locations, and what has been your most memorable show so far?

One thing I've noticed is, that people prefer darker and faster sound east of Germany, which I like a lot! 

I think my most memorable show so far was the Collapse Cult x Czerny warehouse event in Regensburg. The energy I felt from the crowd that night was unmatched, and for the very first time I felt like the location was actually fitting to the sound I was playing. 

4. Collaborations are a significant aspect of the electronic music scene. What was it like doing a b2b set with Metaraph, and do you have any other collaboration projects in the works?

The all night long B2B with Metaraph at Club Czerny was definitely one for the books! One of the most memorable gigs I've had so far, for sure! We didn't really practice our set nor exchange the set lists. I think for some reason we both knew that we would vibe together perfectly, and that's exactly what happened. It was also very inspiring to see Metaraphs mixing skills live in action. Very unique and creative style when it comes to transitions and looping tracks. 

At the moment, I'm focusing on self releases, so there will be no collaboration projects in the near future.

5. Your DJ sets are known for their intense and atmospheric vibes. How do you curate your sets, and what elements do you prioritize to create an immersive experience for your audience?

To be honest, I don't really think about it too much when I create my set list. I look for tracks that have either a special element or create a melancholic but still energetic vibe. 

It's also very important to me that the crowd gets the chance to experience tracks they've never heard before. So digging deep in the darkest alleys of SoundCloud is an absolute must for me.

6. Industrial techno often explores themes of dystopia and societal critique. Do you find yourself drawn to these themes in your music, and if so, how do you express them through your sound?

Not really, to be honest. My music is more like a sonic reflection of my own psyche. To me, making music is like therapy. Whenever I have to get something off my chest, I head over to my synthesizers and let it all out.

7. As an artist, how do you balance staying true to your unique style while also evolving and experimenting with new sounds and techniques?

I think a big part of this process is listening to a lot of other genres besides techno. I've been enjoying a lot of neoclassical and ambient drone music lately, which hopefully will be

recognized in my upcoming releases.

8. What has been your biggest lesson in music production so far in 2024, and how has it influenced your work?

So far, my biggest lesson/challenge has been making every single sound from scratch, meaning no drag and drop samples. It's very important for me to create my very own sound. The hardest and by far the most important element to create in any techno track is the kick. For this task, I bought an Elektron Analog Rytm MKII earlier this year since my favorite producers like Ørgie or BSLS are using this analog drum machine to create their kicks.

9. Can you share any insights into your creative process when starting a new track or project? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the zone?

My number one rule when it comes to creating music is to just let it happen by itself. I never force myself to create a specific vibe. Most of the time, I just freestyle on my synthesizers until something special pops up or I already have a melody in my head. In my opinion, the melody sets the vibe for the whole track. It can create way more emotions than a kick or percussion.

10. Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as a DJ and producer? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're particularly excited about?

To be completely honest, I don't really have a specific goal when it comes to DJing. I enjoy doing it, and it makes me happy to see that other people enjoy my sets, but my main focus has definitely turned towards production. A DJ is "just" a side product or the middleman/woman of a producer, if you really think about it. If there were no producers, DJs wouldn't even exist...

My main goal as a producer is to always create a product which is unique and speaks for itself, whether it will be successful or not.