Alt8: I wanted to create a moment of Euphoria with the breakdown which gives the ravers a space to breathe and remember the moment
Alt8, born Evan Marshall is a DJ/Producer from Ireland who perpetuates his craft via his own interpretation on some of the harder shades of Techno. Respected for his indelible high energy DJ sets, Alt8 can set the tone in any musical scenario with his broad knowledge of electronic music and diverse taste in different styles
We invited Alt8 for a chat to get to know more about his upcoming release on R-Label. Find out more below!
RMH:
Hi! Can you tell us about your journey as a rising talent in the Irish music scene and how you got involved with Kobosil's R-Label?
Alt8:
Hello, It’s been an amazing experience to start my musical journey in my home country Ireland leading to now, where I’m living in Barcelona & touring the world every weekend. I started as a DJ at 17 playing Hip Hop & dance in local clubs. This continued for a few years before I began to take interest in Techno which resulted in the‘Alt8’ project being born. I first started producing in 2018 in my bedroom as a hobby, this quickly changed during the pandemic when producing became an obsession. I learned my craft extremely fast, sent my music to DJs and suddenly some big names started playing my music which led to labels picking up on my tracks. One of those tracks led me to the artist Somewhen who now oversees R-Label. I saw a video of him playing my track ‘Nineninefour’ which later resulted in him reaching out to me asking if I had any demos for R-Label. I was shocked initially because this was my dream label. but after some hard work, I finally got a track signed with the label.
RMH:
What inspired you to create the electrifying track 'Chains on Humanity,' and what message or emotions were you aiming to convey through the music?
Alt8:
I think this track really showcases the style that’s really me. Hard & Fast, Dark, Groovy & Melodic are all words I would use for this track. I think it shows a piece of them all. I really wanted to try creating something different and fresh while keeping in with the R-Label sound. This track is made for the dancefloor, but I wanted to create a moment of Euphoria with the breakdown which gives the ravers a space to breathe and remember the moment.
RMH:
How would you describe your musical style and sound? Are there any specific artists or genres that have influenced your work?
Alt8:
Inspired by the past, fused with the present. This is my motto and it describes my sound perfectly. In terms of Techno, R-Label in whole really inspired me & many artists from the label such as In Veruff & Rikhter. During the Pandemic when I was intensely learning to produce, I listened to a lot of Hadone, Viper Diva & Alignment. I also love listening to 80’s synth stuff, It’s really inspiring!
RMH:
In your opinion, what sets your music apart from other rising talents in the electronic music scene? What unique elements or experiences do you bring to your work?
Alt8:
I try think outside the box from what everyone else is doing currently. I think right now there’s an overload of the same recycled music from producers. As a DJ I also try to play some different styles and test the water with the crowd. I like to take risks.
RMH:
Growing up in Ireland, were there any specific experiences or cultural aspects that have had a significant impact on shaping who you are today?
Alt8:
Breaking into the Irish music scene was a real challenge for me to be honest. Ireland is such a small country and it’s very clicky. Not living in Dublin brings an even greater challenge, I come from a small town in the south of Ireland with a population of about 11,000 people. As you can imagine there’s no techno events there or even a club currently. These were all huge disadvantages for me and resulted in me being overlooked for gigs most of the time. This is why I put all my time & effort into producing during the pandemic and making connections throughout Europe.
RMH:
Are there any particular places or environments that inspire you creatively, whether it's for producing music or finding inspiration for new ideas?
Alt8:
Honestly the best place for me is being locked away in a dark studio with just me & my thoughts, no distractions whatsoever. This is when I make my best music, definitely. Experiencing other cultures such as touring South America & India also brings fresh ideas to the table. It can be really inspiring.
RMH:
Looking forward, what are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Are there any specific collaborations or projects you're excited about pursuing in the future?
Alt8:
It may seem a cliche answer but, to be the best possible version of myself is my goal. When I look back at my career, I don’t want any regrets. I want to be able to say I pushed myself as hard & far as I could. This is why I work so hard & take risks. I want to leave my mark on the scene with the music I’ve made.
RMH:
Thank you for chatting with us today. To close things off, we’d like to ask you a random question as a part of our interview - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
Alt8:
TELEPORTATION! Imagine not having to step inside an airport again? Just beam me up from my bedroom to the club 15 minutes before my set… The dream!
Editor: Olly Kuskova
