Interview: Diacope Records Founder Timothy Alexander

Producer and Diacope label founder Timothy Alexander shows Jasmine Phull around Manchester's techno scene ahead of the label launch party on January 27th.

The debate between PCs and Macs is a long, arduous path often leading to the middle of nowhere. Though in the interest of a credible argument, backed by anecdotes and numerical evidence, budding musos on the prowl for something shiny should look no further than their contemporaries.

Since the marriage between digital technology and music began, the electronic companies have hardly looked back; enlisting the advice of the globe’s best music producers whose bulging CVs rendered them prime candidates for the ultimate in ‘test-drives’.

Timothy Alexander is a firm believer in the ‘test- drive’, so rather than sit there spitefully while the PC’s progress bar provided little solace, he made the decision to upgrade. And it shows.

Techno’s Timothy Alexander misses the ‘white label’, where anonymity was the name of the game - though be sure the last thing he’ll get is nostalgic. As forward thinking as the music he creates, this Northerner is too busy deciding what hat to wear.

Producer or Diacope label founder? Timothy Alexander shows  Jasmine Phull around Manchester’s Techno scene.

Did you have to experience ‘struggle’ to get to where you are today? Is that an important factor in making a ‘great’ artist?

I would never say making music is a struggle. The problem in this day and age is trying to get people to listen to what you do and understand what you’re aiming towards. The main factor of a ‘great’ artist, especially in Techno, is to have a vision that you want to put forward.

Explain how you source your tracks?

Most of the time I use Juno and Hard Wax for tracks. I love the idea of vinyl shopping and Juno has an ace player which reminds me of skipping through vinyl. I miss the ability to go into a record store and ask for a specific style, and coming out of there with 10 other vinyl. I don’t think my bank account misses it though!

Though you originally started with a PC, you now use a MAC. Give me a couple of reasons why you haven’t gone back?

I could give you about 700. The workflow on a Mac just works, it’s so much faster and easier to navigate around than a PC. It’s also a lot more reliable and not prone to glitch as much when performing. However, the cost of everything is a little bit crazy but that would never make me go back to a PC. I loved using Fruity Loops when I was learning how to produce, but there comes a point when you think “shit… I switched the computer on 20 minutes ago and it’s still loading”…And then you have to load the program!

How is Manchester as a place to create minimal and techno music? Is there a community that fosters its development?

Manchester definitely has an awesome following of Techno! There are a lot of different crowds that go to the nights but they’re all there for the music. The Belly of the Beast crowd, for example, are little younger than the people who go to Colour, but both are extremely good nights with a loyal fan base.

As for the artists who help to shape the sound, there’s plenty of DJs but only a handful that I know of who produce their own music. Coming from a background of being in bands it’s a little weird for me to understand why DJs don’t produce their own music, but I’m sure there are a lot more than what I can see. There are a couple that I’d like to work with, such as D.A.F, Ed Mackie and Setaoc Mass, but that’s all for the future.

You founded label Diacope Records. Describe the process of juggling such a demanding task with that of producing tracks and touring? Does one currently take precedence over the other?

Well I wouldn’t call it touring ha ha… I say I spend about an equal amount of time on both. I have a team of three behind Diacope who help me sort stuff like artwork and distribution. To be honest, I never knew starting up a record label was going to be so intensive, and this is only after one release!

What is your method for selecting artists to release? Is there a criteria?

The artist must be able to put forward a concept or story. I’m not interested in what is popular or how heavy a track is etc, if it doesn’t provoke any emotion then I’m really not interested in it. Techno is an art form and this is something producers should remember when sending stuff to the label.

What’s the most expensive thing you ever bid for on eBay?

Erm… Probably a Kawasaki BN125 motorbike when I was 16… Bought it with my brother as I don’t use eBay much.

Is there something in the music industry now that didn’t used to be there?

The anonymity! There’s a couple of artists/record labels keeping it going such as Frozen Border, but long gone are the days when songs could be pressed on a white label and nobody would know who produced it!
Techno is a forward thinking genre though, so I don’t really ever look into the past. I plan on releasing my albums on iTunes and our own shop as I’m really not a big fan of Beatport. I’m not one of those ‘down with Beatport they’re ruining the scene people’; I just don’t believe in having to sell just to keep your art online.

One track that makes you feel elated?

Paul Karlkbrenner, 'Sky and Sand'. It’s from the film Berlin Calling. My mate introduced us all to this over the Summer and it got played at every one of our parties. Such an awesome house track that’s so simple yet makes you feel incredibly good!

One great - recently deceased - artist?

Tristam Cary. He started EMS and produced the first portable synth, though it looked like an elaborate battleships game.

Interview by: Jasmine Phull

Diacope Records officially launches on January 27th with a party at The Attic. Tickets are available below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event