Audio: Alan Fitzpatrick fabric Promo Mix

Alan Fitzpatrick is well versed in the harder side of techno. Over the last two years he’s been unleashing his truly undiluted sound on his own label 8 Sided Dice. Since then he has garnered the support of Carl Cox and Dubfire, had a full LP release Adam Beyer’s Drumcode label and won hearts and minds of the techno faithful during his massive sets at Berghain and on the Drumcode tours. Alan first played here back in December when he stepped up at the last minute to fill the plus size boots of Cari Lekebusch amidst the snow travel chaos, but by that point we’d already booked him for this, his first official booking (this weekend he’ll be playing alongside Paul Ritch and Terry Francis). Alan has given us this exclusive mix to go some way to showing you what he has up his sleeve for Room Two, plus we get to know Alan in this interview, his highlights of 2010 and what he’s got in store for 2011. DOWNLOAD: Alan Fitzpatrick fabric Promo Mix Hi Alan, how’re you keeping? I'm actually very well. I have been to the gym already and I'm just sat here with a green tea replying to you fine people. You started releasing music as Alan Fitzpatrick on your label 8 Sided Dice not that long ago in 2008 - what did you do before this? I started out writing hard techno and hard dance stuff around about 2000, and matured through the years working on more house, tech house and of course techno. I was releasing various bits of a few labels for a few years and decided in 2008 to launch 8 Sided Dice so I could focus on releasing what I wanted, when I wanted. I think having your own label gives you such greater control with regards to when you want to release a track or EP, also you can be a bit more experimental with your music as you won’t be relying on an A&R person telling you "it’s not right" or "won’t really work in a club". My other home, Drumcode, is also where I am focusing a lot of my energy on now. My Drumcode album was out last June and the remixes have recently been released and 8 Sided Dice has evolved into also now being a platform for new artists and stuff that I sign which I am really into. I am really happy with the way things are working out at the moment. What made you want to get into music? From about 14-15 years old I would go clubbing with friends and somehow we would manage to get into clubs, and I just fell in love. I don’t think you can describe that feeling of the first time to walk into a big room, lights flashing, people going crazy, the BASS and a genuine party atmosphere. Looking up at the DJ controlling the room and you just think, that’s what I want to do. I used to get a buzz just hearing that crackle from the vinyl as the needle hits, waiting for the first kick to drop, knowing it’s about to blow your mind. Still gives me goosebumps! I got my first set of decks around about 15 years old and I have never looked back. TECHNO keeps us young!! You released your album in 2010 on Drumcode with numerous singles before that, how did you get involved with the label? Adam was playing a few of my tracks and remixes before I was involved with Drumcode. We exchanged a few emails regarding me doing an EP for the label and I basically got to work on that. The ‘Static EP’ was the first of my releases followed by ‘Face Of Rejection.’ After two EPs I told Adam I wanted to get working on an album for the label, he was totally behind the idea so I started to develop it. Since then it’s been a growing relationship. I am good friends with Adam and the rest of the DC crew. We are like one big family unit. We work hard and play hard. I love the Drumcode parties and its super fun when we all get to hang out and DJ together. I was in the studio with Adam last year working on some tracks; I also have a new six-track EP coming out on Drumcode soon. There will also be plenty more to come from me and the rest of the Drumcode guys. You ended up filling in for Cari Lekebusch in December last year – how was it for you, what was it like being called up last minute and asked to play? I really enjoyed myself, and it was certainly one of the best gigs of the year for me, I’m very much looking forward to returning this month to play again. It was a great honour to be asked to fill in for Cari. We play a similar style so it was nice to be chosen by fabric to play. I think the weather effected 90% of DJ's that weekend. I was supposed to be in Bordeaux but couldn’t fly, so in fact the weather ended up on my side as I got to do fabric instead. It’s a great club, the best in the UK for me and one of the best in the world. How would you describe your style of production? I like to try and be as creative as possible with fresh new sounds and ideas. I think I have an energetic style of working in the studio. It’s my favourite place to be. Who have been your main influences? I think I take influences from everywhere really. I feel very lucky to have the job I do and I don’t take that for granted. My son Mylo influences me and gives me lots of good energy. Technology influences me and proves that people in music are forward thinking and always trying to develop on the things we have/don’t have. Summer influences me and always get the creative juices going, maybe it’s the smell of freshly cut grass. If you want to do something, you can do it. I believe anyone can do what they want if they put their mind to it. Nothing is unachievable. Musically I think I have been influenced by a lot of music from the 80's, I’m a sucker for 80's tracks. Also Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, Mathew Jonson, Adam Beyer, Richie Hawtin, The Beatles, David Bowie, Bob Dylan... I could go on all day! What were your highlights of 2010? There were a lot of great parties in 2010 and a lot of highs musically. I think I would have to name a few things. Musically of course my first solo album was the biggest highlight for me. It’s a piece of work I am very proud of. I have a plaque just outside my bathroom on the wall. Gigs wise I think Sziget festival in Budapest was amazing. I think it was about 9000 people in the tent for myself, Adam and Joel Mull. It was a crazy party and there was an electrical storm outside but we just kept playing. Awakenings in October was also a great party, the Dutch really know how to do it BIG, and they love techno. fabric in December was amazing and also special because it was unplanned and last minute. When I think of my favourites I think of my times in Berghain, Berlin, I had my album launch party there in May, but the main highlight was Drumcode Total in December, the place was open for three days straight and I think I was in the club for over 18 hours... What’s in your studio? Any favourite bits of kit? Reason, Ableton and that’s about it. Reason is my favourite piece of kit and have been using it for many years. I have logic on my Mac, but I haven’t really spent any time on it yet. I would like to have a look at NI's Maschine too. Your work’s being supported by heavyweights like Carl Cox and Dubfire - what does that mean to you? Yes, it’s a great feeling to know people are into your music, at any level. But yes I think it’s a good way of seeing your hard work pay off and that the time you spend in the studio really does have results. If people are dancing to the music I am making in many years to come, then I'll die a happy man. What do you have planned for 2011 on your label and as Alan Fitzpatrick? I have lots coming up from two local guys, Rich Jones and Chris Colburn; both guys are writing some great stuff and I think they will be big. Also we have EP's from Harvey Mckay, a new Dutch duo called On/Off, a collaboration between myself and Cari Lekebusch, and maybe a new single from me too!.As Alan Fitzpatrick, there is a new six-track EP coming out on Drumcode called the Insurgent Series which I am very excited about. Also a couple of remixes to look out for: Mark Broom's ‘Meltin Pot’ coming out on Saved and my remix of Funk D'Void's ‘Diabla’ which will be coming out on Soma as part of their 20 year celebration. I have begun some collabs with Adam Beyer and I will be starting a new project with Joesph Capriati soon as well. Lots to look forward to! Tracklist: 1. Joel Mull - Sensory 2. Sian - Are you Reading This (Ramon Tapia Remix) 3. Paco Osuna & Joseph Capriati - Wope 4. Sian - Scared Geography (Joel Mull Dub Mix) 5. Alan Fitzpatrick - Xenomorph 6. Samuel L Session - That Organ Track 7. Wehbba - Double Standards (Joseph Capriati Remix) 8. Traversable Wormhole - Rel Time Dilation (Kevin Gorman Remix) 9. Shed - Boom Boom 10. Alan Fitzpatrick - Paranoize (Adam Beyer & Jesper Dahlback Remix) 11. Tom Hades - Bejing (Audio Injection Remix) 12. Alan Fitzpatrick - A Small Decline (Mark Broom Dubbed Mix) 13. Raiz - Little Secrets (James Ruskin Remix) 14. Alan Fitzpatrick - Gridlock (Gary Becks Locked Up Drums) 15. Ben Klock - Compression Session 1 For more info and tickets go here. And for more on Alan's releases on Drumcode click here go to the official site.