Spending his early days around the Saxon Sound System, black dance music has come to be a big presence in Dean Bryce’s output as PhOtOmachine. He emerged from the haze of London’s post-dubstep hangover three years ago with a debut for Raffertie’s Super Records that trod the line between garage, 2-step and house. More recently, his sound has developed into a techno-leaning brand of machine soul, sitting alongside other specialists like Kyle Hall, Funkineven, Jay Daniel and STW favourite Seven Davis Jr. Last year’s raw and a sensual edit of Musiq Soulchild’s H.E.R really made people sit up and take notice and was followed by the Benji B and Four Tet approved All Black Everything EP. Bryce is a busy boy this summer, with his own contribution to a Four Tet remix package, while his label Technicolour Recordings has a much-anticipated release, forthcoming from the elusive Kutmah. Before taking to Black Atlantic next weekend alongside Jay Daniel and Nick Craddock, PhOtOmachine has gone on a 30 minute vinyl venture for us. We also caught up with him about his latest happenings and thoughts on the London scene.
Black Atlantic presents Jay Daniel, Pt0t0machine & Nick Craddock at Bussey Building, 1st August. Tickets and more info available here.
You’ve said in previous interview, “nothing beats hearing music at its birth”. Flipping that on its head, what’s your earliest musical memory?
That has to be sitting in Saxon studio as a kid listening to them make reggae records. Recording studios have always been a special place to me and even more so as a kid.
What influences you outside music?
People. I think characters make the world go round and all kinds of people influence what I do. Good and bad.
What’s your favourite website at the moment?
Youtube. It’s an archive of human behaviour. Where else can you find long lost documentaries alongside some of the weirdest stuff you can think of.
Your mixes online make for a varied catalogue. What direction have you gone down this time? Was there a particular idea behind it, where did you record it and are there are any tracks that deserve a special shout out?
I don’t agree. I just play music that I like and there’s a common thread in all of them if you listen closely. I play Black dance records that nods to the cultural pioneers but push things forward. I recorded this mixtape really late at night at my flat with turntables so the mood is probably dark but theres hopefully light at the end.
Technicolour Records…coincidental that it takes the same name as your EP for Super or was there something significant about that release you wanted to reflect in the label?
Yes. Thats the first record that I released solo and I wanted to reflect that. Also I think the name indicates that I want to released a variety of music not just beats and basslines but real interesting music.
What attitude do you bring to running the label? Does it offer you anything creatively that your solo work doesn’t?
The attitude is: does this artist offer something to the wider culture at large? Running a label is not cheap especially if your standards are high. So that being the case the music content and packaging really needs to be peak. I get inspired by all the artists I release they all do things that I’d like to be able to do in some aspect.
A long-awaited EP from Kutmah is incoming on the label. Can you tell us a bit about the release, and also how you managed to persuade the elusive producer to release some new music.
Kutmah is a good friend and we have similar musical tastes. He used to live in Brixton and I’d go to his house to visit another friend but Kutmah was never there but we eventually met at NTS Radio. We can sit and play records for hours in a dark room like a bunch of weirdos. He’s mega elusive, which is cool as that’s his natural personality, but when I said I wanted to put out a record he was keen.
Looking at your latest solo work, how did you get involved with TEXT and Four Tet for his remix EP? What approach did you aim to portray in your remix of Crush?
Four Tet somehow heard my re-edit of H.E.R and stated playing it which was cool. I sent him my All Black Everything EP and he was totally into it and asked if I wanted to remix a track from his latest album. I religiously listen to his Exchange Session albums with Steve Reid so working on something for him was a no brainer. I think I recorded three different versions of the remix. Thankfully he really gets what I do.
What’s one thing you like about London at the moment and one thing you don’t?
I’m a real born and raised Londoner and I’ve seen so much change recently, positive and negative. I love the fact that we’re spoilt for choice with the arts, thats solid. I’m not so much into the hyper gentrification thats happening, which means rents are spiralling out of control in certain neighbourhoods. I don’t really catch busses but not being able to pay with cash is a big no no I’m my books.
You’ve said in an interview three years ago that you liked the DIY ethos of club music. Do you still think this is present in London?
Yes. Club music is made in small studios to sound great on big sound systems. Pop music is made in big studios for small kitchen radios. If thats not a type of DIY culture then I don’t know what it. The fact we have people like Actress and Dean Blunt crafting great music almost out of thin air means our DIY culture is very much alive.
What London producers or DJs do you admire at the moment?
The one’s making moves on their own merit and not biting. They know who they are.
What your favourite party you’ve been to in London recently?
A night called LOCAL in Brixton.
Speaking of parties, you’re heading to Bussey Buildings with Black Atlantic this weekend. Excited to play alongside Jay Daniel and Nick Craddock? What can people expect from your set?
I’m looking forward to listening to Jay. From me you can expect the bizarre joints that make you sweat. I’m talking about tough drums for those that want to dance and put in the work. I’ve never seen Nick Craddock play but I’ve heard he knows his way around a pair of turntables.
Finally, what’s on the horizon for you over the next few months, with releases and live dates?
More music for sure. I’ve got a few things lined up so stay lively and don’t sleep.
