(Federsen pictured at Devon Analogue Studio)
Federsen’s Alt/Dub label is just one year old but has already released a series of creative, excellent music featuring sounds from the artist himself alongside notable others. Read our in-depth interview with Federsen, discussing music, culture, and the future of the imprint, below.
Welcome to Magazine Sixty, Federsen. There is an excellent photograph of you sitting in Devon Analogue Studio, surrounded by a wealth of machines and wires looking very content. Tell us about the experience. Did you discover a new synthesiser or piece of gear that particularly excited you?
This was truly a unique experience and I can’t wait to book another session. It’s such a special place in the middle of nature in Devon. When you go out for a break you are greeted by some local cows and can go walking in the Devon countryside. I came straight from the madness of San Francisco and felt like I had landed in an oasis of peace!
Tristan, the owner, is such an amazing host and also highly skilled technically and creatively. He’s like a dub master and helps set you up for the session and off you go. Aside from being a beautiful studio that is very inspiring, I got the chance to mix on a stunning Zahl. That was the true magic of making music in the space. The desk feels alive!!
In terms of Synths, I finally got to sit with the Waldorf Wave. I just finished a remix for Echospace with their tribute to Mike Huckaby called Our Life With The Wave. Meaning the Waldorf Wave synth.
(Listen to Our Life With The Wave at Echospace Detroit)
I was sitting in the same room that Mike had been playing the same Wave in and really connecting with me.
Something about the wavetables, the sound, the filters. It was just pure magic I loved it. I decided not to get overwhelmed with all the other synths around me and really only stayed with the Wave and a couple of modular devices. It was hard being surrounded by so many classic synths though.
Your label, Alt/Dub, has recently released its third outing, featuring various artists. How would you describe the ethos behind the imprint and about the ideas it aims to convey?
The label came from a deep longing to be able to start a label really dedicated to sounds on the deeper side of Techno on limited vinyl releases. Lots of collaborations and artists are being signed to the label, so more coming soon. I’m lucky to have some great talent on the label helping Alt Dub grow and to put out great, deep dub techno sounds.
Talk us through your musical journey growing up and which artists remain the most inspirational for you (any era/ any style)? Was there a lightbulb moment for you?
I was a teenager in Scotland in 1989 when acid house and Detroit techno hit the UK. My friend had a range of synths and drum machines, 909’s, 101’s Junos etc. I was exposed to the scene, the music and trying out synths and making songs when I was really young and it stayed with me. If there was an epiphany it was when I stood on a stool in my friend’s house 35 years ago and took a photo of all the synths. I remember thinking I want to make music on these machines one day. I keep the photo on my wall in the studio to remind me where it started.
Can’t believe it is 36 years ago!!!! Aidy’s house, 1990.
What advice would you pass on to someone starting to produce their own music?
Work with a reduced palette. The best music I have made is when I limit myself to a mixing desk, 2 effects and 1 synth or sequencing hardware like Elektron gear. So if you are working on software or hardware, try not to overwhelm yourself with options. Simple but crucial advice in my opinion. I used that philosophy in the Devon Analogue Studio and it paid off in terms of the amount of music I made.
In a way, it’s similar to what Andrew Weatherall said a few years ago about ‘tyranny of choice’ with the infinite amount of music available now. I think it’s the same with making music on a computer. You can be paralysed with so many options in front of you that you don’t make progress. So I try to work with less and not more. That’s just my opinion and the way I work.
Download/Stream Alt Dub – Artist Series 3 featuring cv313, Hidden Sequence, Fletcher, Taction on Bandcamp
Do you think the term Dub Techno is a good way to describe the music you make? Can you tell us where the inspiration and artists came from for the Dub element? And how do you see Techno’s place in the world in 2025?
Well, Dub Techno is a genre like any other and I suppose my music fits into that as a genre. I do everything pretty much as live-takes on a mixing desk and use Aux Sends for effects as everything is synced and running into each channel on the desk. So using the mixing desk like an instrument, which was obviously inspired by a lot of dub reggae, The Scientist, King Tubby, Prince Jammy etc.
In terms of sound techno’s place in 2025 is the same as it was in 1990. While its evolved and mutated and progressed into new sounds and sub-genres. And while technology progresses and new tools are available to create music, the same foundational principles of good balanced mixing apply.
To be fair, I am not part of any scene, too old!! So I can’t really comment on what’s happening out there in the clubs at night.
Outside of music, are there any artists, painters, writers, or filmmakers whom you prize in your day-to-day life?
Yes, I listen to mostly classical music every day. I’m going to see a group called The Gesualdo Six in SF in a few weeks who sing mostly medieval vocal harmonies.
I don’t listen to dub techno at all in the house, unless I’m checking out demos or listening to test presses for Alt Dub.
Writers and painters too many to mention but I do like gritty, dark moody art, cinema and writing that reflects real life. Dostoevsky, Goya and social realist films. A film I loved recently was both musically inspiring and super gritty. You have to see this one ‘Babylon’ 1980.
How do you see the future in terms of streaming and the way social media works for artists and musicians – positives/ negatives?
To be honest, it’s not something I am super knowledgeable about. Everything is changing so fast it’s hard to keep up with, especially AI and everything else that’s going on, so who knows how it’s all going to evolve.
Social Media, I don’t use other than Instagram for posting new releases and updates. I would rather be making music than looking at my phone and doom scrolling 🙂
(Devon Analog Studio)
Can electronic music be a force for good or change, or have we lost sight of that?
Any music is a force for good or change if it can have an impact on the listener emotionally.
Music can inspire and remind us that with a world that always seems to be on the verge of madness, there is still something that allows us to escape, if only for the duration of the song 🙂
And finally. What are your forthcoming plans for yourself and your label?
Alt Dub is 1 year old now. There is a lot coming up. A very special collaboration with Echospace is currently heading to be pressed. More on that in a few weeks. Also planned are some new artist series after the success of the first Artist Series. There are also some EP’S from myself, as Federsen, coming out. So really pushing the label to grow the rest of 2025 and see what 2026 brings.
Federsen on Linktree
Federsen on Instagram
Devon Analogue Studio
You must be logged in to post a comment.