Can't get no Sleep

They seek them here, they seek them there, those trainspotters seek Sleeparchive everywhere! Ever since the first anonymously packaged Sleeparchive record appeared a few years back, these droning, bleeping hypnotically repetitive tracks have become an essential part of any self-respecting techno DJ's armoury. Clearly influenced by the early to mid-90s school of minimalism, Sleeparchive records - and the odd remix for Monolake and Bpitch Control - still sound distinctive, taking the Finnish/Detroit blueprint a few quantum leaps forward. Scheduled to play the Bloc Weekend, I caught up with Sleeparchive's official 'frontman', Roger Semsroth, who in a rare interview, talks Hardwax, laptops and anonymity.

You are closely affiliated with Hardwax: did the shop help you discover a lot of the music that influenced the Sleeparchive sound?
"When I started listening to more and more techno-related music 10 years ago, I bought my records in many different shops in Berlin. But after a while, I thought that there is no need to go to any other shop than Hardwax. I found all the music I was looking for in the shop and I also liked the atmosphere at Hardwax. Over the years, some of the people at Hardwax became very good friends of mine. But I think the music that influenced me most for Sleeparchive I bought on eBay - I was not into techno in 1993 when the first Sähkö stuff was released."

Do you think generally, Hardwax has been an important supporter of techno in Europe?
"In many threads, when people ask for good shops around the world, many people have Hardwax in their list, so I think the shop is really important for many people."

Would you say that the back catalogue of Sähkö was as big or a bigger influence than Plus 8, Plastikman and Detroit producers like Dan Bell and Rob Hood on Sleeparchive?
"Rob Hood is great music, but was never an influence. Also, Plus 8 was never my cup of tea. It's mainly Mika Vainio on Sähkö, Plastikman and yes, Dan Bell is a genius!"

Do you think in turn that Sleeparchive's music has influenced emerging artists? I bought a record on Sandwell District by Function recently that had the same kind of bleeps and tones as your work....
"I think he was inspired by Mika Vainio as well, but it's actually a really great record! By the way, every Sandwell District is fantastic so far."

There seems to be a split nowadays in techno between people who make new school minimal and those, like you, who make music that is rooted in the sound that emerged in the 90s. Do you agree that there is such a division?

"I really don't care :) I don't follow so-called minimal music these days."

Apparently, you were not involved in one of the Sleeparchive records: how many people are actually in Sleeparchive and who are they?
"We are 3 people at the moment. I really don't wanna talk about the other two as I know they don't want me to!"

You have also remained quite mysterious, never having your photo taken. Is it important for techno artists to have a sense of mystery?
"This mystery thing is a bit strange to me. I have a website, I have e-mail, I play concerts. The only thing I don't like is to see myself in a picture. I think a picture of the artist has nothing to do with his music."

You use a laptop when you play live - do you also use only software when you produce? What is your view on using analogue equipment vs software?
"It's another thing I really don't care much about, but it's really funny sometimes. Everyone is using mobile phones, nearly everyone is listening to music on their i-Pods, everyone is using the internet and so on, but if it comes to equipment, people make something evil of modern technology. That's strange sometimes. I listen to music I like. I don't care much how the music was made."

More recently, your work has focused on non-dance floor tones and sounds ('Antti-Rannisto'): is this a direction that you see yourself moving into more and more in the future?
"Yes, I think my next release will sound more or less similar to my five tracks on that CD. We also have some great tracks from people around the world we are going to release next year. A lot of those tracks does not have a bassdrum. It's music you can dance to if you like, but it makes more sense just to listen to it."

Comments

[matt]

Can anyone recomend any releases as a good starting point?

[Jay]

Check out Radio Trasmission. I think its the best collection of tracks Sleepy has released. Of coarse there is that Elephant island release too. It is one of the main themes in Hawtin's, 'Tunnel', but I feel thats been flogged to death at this stage.

[tom/pipecock]

interesting that Hood wasnt an influence. nice interview!

[Brophy]

Jay's recommendations are the ones to look for Matt.

@ Tom: he seemed much more interested in Sahko...

[aidan]

anyone looking to check out some sahko should start here:

http://www.discogs.com/release/40262

Ø - Tulkinta

deadly deadly schtuff.