Other Emerging Patterns
"3 Decks 4..." #28 Silent Steps [+Octave Interview]

Silent Steps is Octave's label, and throw from Paris to the world uncompromising techno and acid sounds since 2010.
Featuring artists as Paul Birken, Mike Finesse, Delko/Relapso, Yan Cook, Mark Morris, and -of course- Octave himself, the label's catalog is made for dancing, with an experimental, acid and DIY twist.
As usual, I record this podcast on my hybrid setup, melting the tracks with my MFBs toys and a novation nova.

OCTAVE'S INTERVIEW :
_In progress___ Hi Octave! How do you manage to tour a lot, produce a lot and be a label head? Isn't it hard to conceil everything an not mix up things?
Hi Octave! How do you manage to tour a lot, produce a lot and be a label head? Isn't it hard to conceil everything an not mix up things?

Hi and thanks for having me ! émoticône smile
Well to be honnest I don’t really know, I just do it. The hardest part is to deal with tire sometimes so you need to get yourself some chilling moments but I got kids too so it’s not that easy haha. But I love what I do so I (almost) always find the energy to do it. I need to move on and I’m always looking forward to new projects.

Back in 2010, when you started the label, techno wasn't overhyped as it is nowadays... Why did you start Silent Steps? Was it an hard decision?

The decision was pretty easy and came naturally. I had the feeling that I had to do it. I love this music allot and I wanted to spread it. I also wanted to work with and support producers I have much respect for, which was another strong reason.

The label catalog contains release from techno legends, especially from the US (Mike Finesse, Paul Birken, Luis Flores, ...), is it intentional to feature them? How do you choose the artists released? Why is there not a lot of french artists released on Silent Steps?

That’s right there’s a lot of Americans. It is not really intentional, it just came like that. I like those artists and their Techno and it fits well to my label. There are a few french artists too though, but I’m not choosing artists based on their nationality but only on their music. It’s all about feelings nothing else.

You produce mainly analog stuff. What are your favorite tools in the studio? in live sessions?

Yes I do now but I basically started with only a DAW and some plugins. I felt my love for gear growing since about 4/5 years and I slowly started to build myself an hardware studio. I’m now nearly exclusively working on machines to produce, especially with my new project called Vlasyin. My DAW is only a recorder and arranger. I do some processing into it too. My modular system probably is my favorite tool. I love my Tempest (drum machine) allot too. Both for studio and live.

What are your future projects for Silent Steps?

I’m thinking about it. There’s nothing to announce now.
Playlist :
Yan CookRelease AttackSilent Steps
TenshinImpact Unit, Luis Flores, Material ObjectSilent Steps
PrivacyConstant TransientLobster Theremin
Mick FinesseI Unfold And Fold Up AgainSilent Steps
PinionAcetone (Original Mix)txtrl
Ryuji TakeuchiHampuku Session Day TwoSilent steps
UntetheredChromate ConversionDon't trust humans
UntetheredLooking to PhobosDon't trust humans
RelapsoBeaconSilent Steps
HowskiGuitar DreamSilent steps
OctaveRawmSilent Steps
Mark MorrisInsane Quantistic LogicSilent Steps
Snow BoneLost Ancient LanguageLobster Theremin