In the bustling landscape of electronic music, where beats and rhythms intertwine to form the heartbeat of the nightlife, there exists a realm where creativity thrives, and souls find solace in sonic exploration. Within this realm resides an artist whose journey is as dynamic as the melodies he crafts. Enter Smev, a maestro of sound hailing from the vibrant town of Blackburn, nestled in the shadows of Manchester’s storied musical legacy.
In an exclusive dialogue with Torture the Artist, Smev offers a glimpse into his world—a world where the routine of a day job in engineering fades into the symphony of studio sessions and pulsating nights on the dance floor. It’s a life where the pursuit of musical expression is both a passion and a pilgrimage, where each beat is a testament to his unwavering dedication.
As he navigates the labyrinthine streets of Manchester, Smev reflects on its dichotomous allure—the euphoria of pulsating beats and the occasional discordant note that punctuates the nocturnal symphony. Yet, amidst the fervor of the city’s electronic pulse, there lies a sense of belonging, a camaraderie forged on the dance floor, where music transcends barriers and binds souls in its rhythmic embrace.
For Smev, music isn’t merely a soundtrack but a journey—a journey marked by poignant encounters and serendipitous discoveries. From the euphoric melodies of his formative years to the darker, introspective tones of his latest EP, each track is a testament to his evolution as an artist—a sonic odyssey that resonates with emotion and nostalgia.
As the conversation unfolds, Smev offers insights into his creative process, from the serendipitous genesis of track titles to the collaborative alchemy of studio sessions. With each revelation, it becomes apparent that his music is more than mere notes on a stave; it’s a reflection of his innermost thoughts and emotions—a canvas upon which he paints his sonic tapestry.
Yet, amidst the accolades and aspirations, Smev remains grounded, his gaze fixed firmly on the horizon of possibility. With dreams of vinyl releases and intimate studio retreats, he embodies the restless spirit of an artist on the brink of discovery—a journey that promises to be as exhilarating as the music itself.
In the realm of electronic music, where beats collide and melodies intertwine, Smev stands as a beacon of creativity—a testament to the transformative power of sound. As the interview draws to a close, one thing becomes abundantly clear: for Smev, the journey is just beginning, and the music, like life itself, is an endless symphony waiting to be composed.
Torture the Artist: Hey Dylan, tell us something about your day.
Smev: The life of Dylan isn’t particularly exciting day to day; I have a day job working 8-5 in engineering, which is typically followed by the gym as I feel it’s important to get the release after what can sometimes be a stressful day. The mind is then free for an hour or two in the studio most evenings. Weekends are much more productive musically as I’ve often got a lot more time on my hands, unless I’m partying of course.
Wherever you go, there’s the rough and the smooth, Manchester is no different.
Torture the Artist: Based in Manchester, the stronghold of electronic music due its past, what’s the scene there like and how does it possibly differ – also musically – from cities like London?
Smev: I’m actually based in Blackburn, a town about 40mins from Manchester, but Manchester is the nearest big city and I spend a lot of time there, particularly for parties.
Blackburn also deserves a mention though as it was an epi-centre for warehouse raves in the late 80’s & early 90’s; the Acid House Era, a time I wasn’t fortunate enough to experience. I think Manchester is very much leading the UK scene currently, along with the likes of London and Leeds. There’s a number of established brands, such as Animal Crossing and The Loft, also You&Me, who are leading in Manchester and bringing artists from overseas that people around here would rarely get the opportunity to see. For example, French artists Occibel and Wooka played their first ever UK gigs in Manchester – that I like. There’s also brands such as Hereafter and Persona who are following in the same footsteps and I have great respect for. They’re “educating the ravers” with a new wave of artists and music, if you will.
Torture the Artist: What do you love about Manchester and what not?
Smev: Wherever you go, there’s the rough and the smooth, Manchester is no different. I think in the right venues the vibes can be pure euphoria, full of friendly and loving people and you can’t beat it. Ravers come from all over the UK and beyond, and bring great energy. However I have also had not so good experiences in the past, where the vibes can be moody and almost hostile at times which pains me to say. I guess picking the right party is key. The main thing I don’t love about Manchester, is the football clubs, as I’m a Liverpool fan!
Torture the Artist: Take us on a little personal tour, where can we find you digging for new music in the city, where do you grab pre-drinks for a night out and where do you shop your fashion?
Smev: I’ve had a quiet start to the year in terms of nights out, I was done in after Christmas. However we watched Binh in the Loft last weekend. I think the Loft is a cool venue; it always has a lively & intimate atmosphere and the sound system is great. Pre drinks tend to take place at a house, where we’d set up the decks and get our USB’s out.
In terms of digging music, I don’t get to record stores enough. Eastern Bloc is super cool though. As for fashion, I like my streetwear and tend to shop online, however there’s a small store in Blackburn called ‘Remix Casuals’ which specializes in streetwear brands, it deserves a mention.
Torture the Artist: Do you feel there are always certain expectation towards artists coming from Manchester due to the rich history of electronic music in the city?
Smev: Interesting question. I think standards are high for artists not just in Manchester, but across the board now. I think the industry is so saturated these days, and with what we have at our disposal, in terms of learning tools all over the internet, VST plugins at a fraction of the price compared to the original hardware synths, sample cd’s and libraries, the music being produced is levelling up all the time. We don’t realise how fortunate we are as producers in this day and age. I have never felt that there’s more expectation of me as an artist because of where I’m from, but perhaps if I moved elsewhere I may notice a difference.
I try to take bits of inspiration from a number of different artists and genres and compile them in a unique way.
Torture the Artist: How did you become involved with electronic music and what made you stay?
Smev: My passion for electronic music has been largely a product of the people I surrounded myself and still surround myself with. Although my mum used to play about with turntables when she was younger, I never really got involved with the music through my parents. It wasn’t until my teens when my friends would send me music and vice versa, we’d be constantly listening. We then started raving and after hearing the music live, have never looked back.
Torture the Artist: What is the track, which comes to your mind first, when thinking of one of your first encounters with electronic music and where did you hear it?
Smev: One of my favorite tracks of all time is ‘Together – Hardcore Uproar’. Going back to the Acid House Era, I believe the song is actually named after a party that used to take place in Blackburn back in the early 90’s. Someone may correct me on that. But there’s a video on Youtube of Sasha playing it in Club Shaboo, Blackpool in 1990 and the atmosphere is electric! Timeless record.
Torture the Artist: Let’s speak a little bit about your music. According to Discogs, your first release dates back to 2022 when you contributed a track called “Wide Eyed“ on a V/A on Conspiracy. Now an EP on Lis Sarroca’s label Maai is on its way. How did the release on Lis’ label come about and what did you do in the 1,5 years in-between?
Smev: I like my Barcelona labels. <laughs> I contacted Lis Sarroca at the back end of last year with loads of new music as I was hammering Vince Void’s EP and I love the work she’s doing with the label. Things materialized pretty quickly and I’m so glad to be onboard; big ups to Lis. Since the Conspiracy release, it’s been a couple of years of head down in the studio and really carving a sound that resembles me. I’ve also had Bandcamp VA releases on Subsequent and Oscuro in the meantime.
I think euphoria is a key feeling I aim to express when writing music, as that feeling is almost unmatched in the rave.
Torture the Artist: The five-tracker on Maai is named “The Rise EP“. Firstly, is this a note to yourself and what to expect from you as an artist in the future? Secondly, the tracks capture a rather melo-vibe, meaning they showcase a darker yet euphoric side with influences from House and partly Minimal, how would you describe the sound of yours to your grandparents and what would you like to express through your tracks?
Smev: You’ve hit the nail on the head. The EP name actually has a story behind it. I studied at university several years ago in Newcastle, and myself and a best friend had just started making music and had a bit of a joke with the phrase “The Rise”. We would use it and totally abuse it to be honest, often ironically too, whether it be passing an exam, hitting a PB in the gym, or even waking up on a Monday and making a morning lecture, we would always say “The Rise”. When the EP got confirmed (my first EP by the way) I asked him and another best mate for their thoughts and any inspiration for a name. Of course he came back with ‘The Rise’ and I didn’t think twice. I’m also not ready to decline anytime soon both inside and outside of music, so it’s quite fitting.
Admittedly I often find it difficult describing the genre of music I make, as there are so many out there and new ones surface by the day, it’s difficult to keep up and therefore put a finger on it. I try to take bits of inspiration from a number of different artists and genres and compile them in a unique way.
The way I’d describe my music to grandparents would be with emotions rather than genres. I think euphoria is a key feeling I aim to express when writing music, as that feeling is almost unmatched in the rave. One feeling which I feel does match euphoria, is the feeling of nostalgia. We all have strong emotional connections to memories of our past, and being reminded of those through music can evoke strong, warm feelings and connectedness, and music is all about connection.
Torture the Artist: The track titles from the EP leave much room for interpretations, “Crippled“, “Free Your Mind“, “Hypercritical“, “In With The New“ and “Meltdown“. Hand on heart, how much personality lays in those track titles and how do you come up with them?
Smev: I try not to overthink track names, but sometimes picking a name can take longer than the writing itself! There is usually a bit of meaning behind, often what is going on in my life at the time or how I’m feeling. For example, “Crippled” was written last year when I had a week off work due to a herniated disc in my lower back, I was quite literally a cripple. “In With The New” was the first track I wrote after moving house and was just settling in. You get the idea. There’s an ironic story behind “Meltdown”. I can’t quite remember if there was a reason for selecting the track name in the first place, but I worked with Thoma Bulwer, big ups to him by the way, in his studio to mix this EP, and this track caused us all sorts of problems. We were scratching our heads, ripping our hair out at one point: we literally had a Meltdown!! How typical. We had a laugh about it afterwards though of course.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do is hire out a retreat/studio mansion for a month with friends in the middle of nowhere.
Torture the Artist: How long do we have to wait for another release of yours and what have you got cooking for 2024?
Smev: I have another EP scheduled to release this year which I can’t give too much info on just yet, but I’m super excited for it. Aside of that, plenty more hours in the studio to keep the momentum and continue developing my skills and sound.
Torture the Artist: Wishes can come true, what’s the label you’d love to release on and what’s so desirable for you to do so?
Smev: I actually have a list of dream labels written in a book, one of which is Subsequent; so I was delighted to have Claus put a track of mine on there earlier this year! Other labels include OPIA, I love the work Tam does and the music he showcases across all of the labels for his distribution always delivers; I don’t know where he finds some of the artists! I’d love to release records on wax down the line, there’s something super cool about vinyl and to own records with my name on them would be a dream.
Torture the Artist: What music do you usually listen to in your downtime?
Smev: I’ll be honest, my music taste is very ‘tunnel visioned’. Whether I’m taking a morning shower or going to bed at night, it will almost always be electronic music. I don’t often actively dig for new music, I just stumble across it day to day as I’m listening all the time.
Torture the Artist: So far, all of your tracks have been produced solely by yourself. What’s an artist you’d love to share the studio with, and why?
Smev: There’s two sides to this coin. Firstly, my main inspirations are predominantly Frenchmen: Jimmy Batt, Pascal Ordion (PO), Voiron and others. I think they really nail emotion and tell stories in their music, with wild variety and switch-ups to keep the listener on their toes – it really resonates with me. Sharing a studio with them would be eye opening and insightful to see how they work.
On the flip side is people who I’d love to work with and could realistically release music with, the main name that comes to mind is a good friend of mine, J6. He’s on fire at the minute with his productions and our sounds are very much on a similar path. We’ve yet to work on music together properly, but it’s definitely something we plan to do in the future.
I’ve worked with other friends in the studio, Alex Tait & Jelsen to name a couple, as I find working with others can be hugely beneficial for both parties and who knows, we could share releases down the line.
Torture the Artist: What does your current studio setup look like and what’s a piece you’d love to add/ purchase for your studio?
Smev: My current setup is typical to that of a bedroom DJ. Not much going on, an iMac, MIDI keyboard, some monitors and a hell of a lot of samples. I’d love to go down the hardware route one day but I don’t have the funds or the space right now. I think the JD800 is a super cool synth that I’d love to have one day. Also, working in Thoma’s studio, along with various other hardware units, he had an Eventide reverb unit which brought synths to life; maybe one day.
Torture the Artist: What’s a musical extravaganza you’d pay for if you were super wealthy?
Smev: Making me think here haha. I think one thing I’ve always wanted to do is hire out a retreat/studio mansion for a month with friends in the middle of nowhere. Full rig up and acoustic treatment with loads of hardware, and just spend a week with good friends, good food and good tunes. Wholesome is the word.
Torture the Artist: You compiled and mixed the latest art:cast. What did you have in mind when working on the mix and where is it best listened to?
Smev: I think the main intention when I prepare any mix is to tell a story, take the listener on a journey of emotions and really get them immersed in the music. Start off slow and build up to a crescendo of energy. I’m very excited about this mix, full of energy, lots of unreleased from myself in there too.
Torture the Artist: What was the last thing that deeply touched you?
Smev: There’s one main thing, or person should I say, that comes to mind, and that is Michael Bibi. It’s no secret that he developed a rare and fatal illness last year, but watching him battle it relentlessly, at times where a lot would struggle and even give up, and then make an astounding come back last summer was truly inspirational. Although sonically it’s not my ‘cup of tea’ anymore, I was tuned in on Instagram live to the Solid Grooves closing party in Ibiza last summer with a tear in my eye, it was a special day for the industry.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 