The LowDown #47
Forty-seventh installment of our weekly newsletter from the Team.
From the Team:
"See the children run as the sun goes down"
For those that may have missed last week’s news, we had our second release on Low End Directive by Daniel Enache titled “Body.” The track has an undeniable groove that will make you think of warmer days as we prepare for the winter ahead (*insert GOT meme*). As is customary with a release on LED, we like to shine the spotlight on the artist to give you more than just the music. Let’s get right into it!
Listen to “Body”—> HERE
-George (Costanza)
Interview:
Daniel Enache
Instagram: @danielenache
To our dedicated weekly listeners: you might recall that Daniel Enache has already graced our LowDown spotlight as an Artist of the Week. With the thrilling release of his latest track, “Body,” on Low End Directive last Friday, we’re excited to welcome him back as our very first recurring feature. It’s wonderful to see how his initial spotlight has led to this moment—a brand new track with us. Daniel is a talented artist with a wealth of creativity, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to pick his brain in the form of an interview.
David Linton sat down with Daniel to talk about the release, his discography, and how his home country of Romania has influenced him.
For someone who has never heard your music, what's a track that they should start with in your discography to help get to know you as a producer?
Right now, I have three materials released: two singles and one EP. To be honest, I think that my first solo EP is the kind of music that I'm especially into as it has more experimental sounds. Groovy, spacey, sexy. So I think that EP, which is called First, because it was my first EP, felt very personal. It really captures the type of music I'm listening to and it's that sort of 4 a.m. music that I’d play in a club at 4 or 5am when people are more comfortable with each other. Maybe because they've been drinking haha but it's very comfy.
I also like club bangers. I have been DJing for 10, 12 years now and I love the energy that a banger track can bring. Something at 130 bpm. I like the reaction of the people and the energy that it delivers and it also fulfills me with energy.
Ultimately, I try to release music that is more personal, but also music that fits very well in the club. Right now, I'm focusing somehow on both sides. I'm trying to make more experimental music that also delivers a groovy, punchiness that makes you dance.
It seems like you wear many hats when you produce. So it really just depends on you’re feeling.
Exactly. To be honest, when I am producing, I want to make music that feels more of a hybrid that is influenced by types of genres and energies. I don't think that it's really a recipe, but it's based on influences from things I’ve listened to and tried along the way. But when I produce music, sometimes I have something specific in mind. And sometimes I don't, but it's important to have a goal and develop along the way. I have a musical spectrum that I'm thinking of when making music.
When you make music, you have to make choices. It's a step by step process. For example, I can think this might be more Italo or this is more electro. I'm usually trying to find a balance as I don't like to go too much in a certain direction. It's sort of eclectic.
When I started to DJ, we had Wednesday nights in a club. We played a lot of stuff; however, I was playing more electronic music. My DJ partner was playing more indie music. We had a lot of parties back in the days with Classic House DJs that came here such as Terence Parker. They are legends and when I went to those parties, I realized how much I liked it and I wanted to dig more into house music.
Yeah dude, everyone kinda has that "eureka!" moment. I definitely want to get into more of the Romanian scene, but before that, I’d like for you to tell us more about the creation of "Body" and what the process was like.
So in the past two years, I’ve been leaning more towards the proggy house sound that is currently very popular in Berlin and throughout Europe. I really admire the sound of the Love on the Rocks label owned by Paramida. I wanted to produce something similar in that direction, while adding my personal touch, of course.. So this track, “Body,” has many influences. It has that acid house punch, that proggy chord that gives it some roughness. I wanted to make something in that direction. And when George came to me about doing a track, this was the first thought that came to mind. It was already produced just like two weeks prior. I actually produced it very quick because I was in a good flow. I think that 60% or 70% of “Body” was made in one night. I was in the studio for like 4 or 5 hours just messing with it.
I've been following a lot of older, experienced producers and their tips on how to create music in an efficient way. I have been embracing the idea of being somehow efficient when making music and if you're on a good flow, you should try to finish it as quickly as possible because otherwise you might get a mental block. You may start overproducing and overthinking. Ultimately, I wanted to make a danceable track. Something groovy.
I definitely would say it's groovy and makes you want to move your body. I've been blown away as I've heard about stories like yourself and other producers who just make a track in one night.
Are there any dream collaborations you have? What are some goals regarding production?
I don't want to give too many details because I don't want to jinx it. But, very soon, I will have a track on a compilation at one of my favorite producer's label, which will be a new label. I will for sure share with you guys the news of when it will be released.
I started to self release music because I think that for like two years I was sending tracks to labels and some of them said, let's go with it. And after that nothing happened. So I've noticed that it really helps to also self release because things move a little bit faster. This is not the case with you guys, you guys have been very quick and great. But I know stories of other producers that had to wait for like one or two years for a track to be released. And the thing with self releasing is that you can just check it off your list and move on. But on the other hand, it's good to release on labels because it's a very nice way to reach other communities and meet new people. Both ways have their advantages. And in the future, I'm working on another three or four tracks that I will try to release with a label, and if things move very slow, I will maybe self release.
I get why producers sometimes start their own labels. If you have to wait two years for your release, by the time it comes out, you're probably making different types of music.
Let’s touch on the Romanian influence on dance music. Since you’re from Bucharest, I want to know more about the scene. I know you play at Control Club but I want to know what your favorite parts of the Bucharest dance music scene are music wise, and nightlife wise. Pitch us on the beautiful country of Romania.
The scene is not something very huge here. In the country, there are like 5 or 6 major clubs that feel super significant. The scene in Romania is quite dynamic. For example, there is a huge following for minimal house and, often times, you can find a party for it. But I have noticed that those minimal DJs are starting to play tech house, house or maybe even a disco edit. The spectrum has evolved and it’s much wider. To be honest, I can't say I am too much into minimal music, but I like how it has evolved and it's very diverse now. I like that it is underground, but at the same time it has maybe a catchy groove and more layers to it. More danceable layers.
From an outsider looking in, when I hear Romanian minimal music, I think of Priku, Mihai Pol, Arapu, etc. But it's interesting to hear how it’s evolving from someone that lives there.
Absolutely. There are quite a few Romanian DJs who are a part of that wave. They have a big presence abroad and play a lot outside of Romania. The scene is diverse and it's evolving, which is natural for so many things.
Definitely. Even the American scene has changed considerably. Have you been to the States?
No not yet, but I am planning to as they just added a direct route from Bucharest to New York and it's on my wishlist. Maybe next year. I really want to visit New York.
That's a great place to start. It's insane how many different walks of life come together in one city and, for that reason, you can literally see any type of music any night of the week. There really is no other city like it.
I have a two part question for you. What do you use for music streaming?
I use Spotify.
Ok nice, what's your last like on Spotify?
Ooo let's see. I'm curious too. Oh, nice. So actually it's a track from Radiohead called "Where I End and You Begin." I really liked this band in high school and used to listen to them on the bus. I liked their baseline progression on it. I was actually trying to make music with Abelton Note, which is on the iPhone and I was trying to make a baseline similar to this track. So that's how I came to liking that track on Spotify.
Nice! Love that. Everyone’s got to get some Radiohead in their life from time to time.
-Lint
Event of the Week:
Golden Record NYC presents Morgan and Surprise Guest @ Earthly Delights
When you see a Golden Record event on the weekend schedule, you are in good hands. Morgan, a resident DJ for Golden Record, is doing an extended set at a new club in Ridgewood called Earthly Delights. She will be joined by a “surprise guest,” who will be announced the day prior to their. Expect some good ol’ fashioned house that will take you on a little journey as Morgan is known to do with her sets. For all you Manhattanites, Ridgewood won’t bite. Unless you let it.
Tickets —> Event of the Week
Mix of the Week:
Funk Cartel Live - Nature @ 93 Feet East
Love these two funky fellas. We came up on a recent set from the THUNDR label co-owners, warming up for wAFF and Sepp. Some solid house track digs in here that will transport you from your office to the dancefloor.
New Tracks/EPs/Albums of the Week:
Note: we created a playlist for the New Tracks of the week. It will aggregate all the tracks for the month. Here it is!
Playlist —> The LowDown Top Tracks - October 2024
Top releases of the week from Lint:
10. Julian Fijma - Late Night Schemes" [Eastenderz]
9. Ozzie Guven - "House Party" [Bass Jamz]\
8. Cinthie - "Every Chapter" [Fabric]
7. Ecco - "Let's Go Crazy" [UMM]
6. Steve Kelley - "Closer" [Sublease]
5. Ken Spieker - "I Need It"
4. Gaskin - "Closer" [Up The Stuss]
3. Josh Butler - "Reverse Engineering" [Origins]
2. Enzo Siragusa - "Last E" [Fabric]
1. Daniel Enache - "Body" [Low End Directive]
Thank you again for reading and hit that subscribe button to feel like you and your mom got floor tickets to Sting this week and you literally can’t stop screaming “Roxanne!” in the office. Use code LOWDOWN for a discount. Until next week!
