Audio: Introducing null+void founder, Kirsti

Kirsti is one of the UK’s top advocates for snappy electro. While the genre’s recent renaissance has introduced a whole new wave of DJs to the sound over the last few years, it’s a style she’s been quietly championing for more than a decade, operating on the outskirts of the scene when few others were listening. Though electro will probably always be the main weapon in her arsenal, her sound adopts various strains of UK techno and rave, something she learned from pioneering electronic chameleons like Jerome Hill and Luke Vibert. As she told us, “it’s about music that has colour, and does something a bit different with the way it’s put together.” Much of this musical personality comes from her support of newer artists. Her KMAH Radio broadcasts are typically filled to the brim with unreleased tunes, while her null+void label has been a home and springboard for some of the UK’s future stars. For her next date with us this Saturday, she joins a dream bill for fans of spacey club sounds alongside Craig Richards, Nicolas Lutz and Radioactive Man. In her mix for us, she rolls from chugging electro through to the style we know her best for: hard-to-find, quirky tunes rooted in UK rave. Download: Kirsti fabric x Collisions Promo Mix Where was the mix recorded? I recorded the mix in a studio in Camden, which was great because I had club monitor quality speakers and a good loud set up. In terms of music, I did a bit of a call out at the beginning of the year to request for some tunes and had some amazing tracks sent my way; some from people I didn’t even knew produced. It’s a nice way to source things so it’s a mix of this, recent and not-so-recent buys and promos. I’ve made the mix to be a bit of an overview of my sound, but keeping it within the scope of what I’ll be doing this Saturday as well. You've been quite vocal about the significance of playing with us, can you talk about your connection to the club? Well, fabric means a lot because of the stamp of quality it has with everything. And playing next to Craig Richards and Nicolas Lutz is something I don’t take lightly. I did a couple of last minute warm-ups in Room One last year, but this is the first time I’ve been officially billed. It’s somewhere you only get booked after reaching a certain level and ability, and I’m amazed that the people responsible think that about me. It’s like an acknowledgement from people I really respect.

Shinra – Ball & Chain [null+void]

Your label null+void has seen some records fetching hefty prices on the second-hand market, with many fans calling for represses. Is that something you'd consider? The first release was an amazing and unexpected success. Shinra is someone I’ve known for years back from uni days when a mutual friend was putting on parties in his house and clubs, he was always a massive talent. I actually pressed fewer copies than I do now, as it was a new artist and label. I’m so happy for him though; this record was a good launch pad for the success he’s enjoying now, he’s doing so well. I can’t say anything for sure, but a repress is definitely under heavy consideration right now. In general though, the label has mostly been about releasing music from the people I’ve come into contact with who are a bit under the radar, but the music has really grabbed and touched me. T-Flex, for example, who’s doing the next release is a friend of mine I didn’t even knew produced until recently, and he’s another real talent I’m excited about. Having said that, I’m looking to release some amazing music from a few more established types whose work has been a major influence on me in the future. As someone who's been actively involved in the electro scene for so long, what do you make of the recent resurgence in the sound? I’m very happy to see so many of the real originals getting their dues through good gigs and exposure now. I know a few people who are playing out and abroad a couple of times a month now, many of whom have been keeping the sound alive for years. I also want to say though, for me it’s not just about electro. It’s about music that has colour, and does something a bit different with the way it’s put together. It’s got some rave to it, some feeling and is the opposite of monochrome, and definitely has some funk.

T Flex – Mimic [null+void]

Where do you think electro is headed in 2019? Anyone you're expecting to go big this year? I think it’s found its place back in the ecosystem of electronic music, and generally there are plenty of nice artists to find bubblinb along. 96 Back has an album coming on the excellent Central Processing Unit label, which is sounding really strong. I want to help some of the artists on my label progress on their path too, so I’ll be helping them throughout this year. Finally any big plans for yourself in the coming months? I’ve recently started throwing null+void Live events with a few interesting artists. The format so far has been four live sets in a small venue with an excellent sound system, and I’m hoping to end with a big all night rave at the end of the year. Pushing on with the label, I have some amazing releases lined up, as well as some nice gigs coming up over the next few months. I’m just enjoying things really. Tracklist: 1. Nick Mallory – Clone [Label Unknown} 2. Datassette – Death Perception [Rebel Intelligence] 3. Killig – Lost to the Void [Label Unknown] 4. Binary Operator – Robot Trippin Ft. TMR RBTR [Central Electronics Germany] 5. Paranoid London – Buck Stoppin [Paranoid London] 6. Junq – Daylight Never Came [forthcoming Further Electronix] 7. Polyop – Stimergy [Nudibranch] 8. Versalife – Polychange [Brokntoys] 9. T-Flex – Punga [forthcoming null+void Recordings] 10. Cron – Electron Core [21/22 Corporation] 11. Fleck ESC – Carbon Heat [Bass Agenda] 12. Alex Jann – Air Lock Freeze [Unknown Label] 13. Zodiac Childs – Life Blood [Zodiac Wax] 14. Sepehr – Thinking of You [forthcoming EON] 15. T-Flex – Incandescent Rush [forthcoming null+void Recordings]