Introducing: Batu & His FABRICLIVE Promo Mix

In 2013, Pinch expanded the breadth of his empire even further by unveiling another record label, Cold Recordings. A little more immediate than his established Tectonic imprint, Cold’s output (from people like Elmono, Ipman, Batu and Acre) has proved most definitely to be dancefloor centric but it’s all been delivered with a very modern instancy, coming heavy without extensive hype or exaggeration with the focus heavy on how the music sounds and feels as well as the label’s direct relationship with record buyers. Sonically the cuts may be slower, darker and, for lack of a better word, colder than those released on Pinch’s other labels but the outfit has fast become one of those labels you can trust in to deliver. With the label’s debut Room Three takeover in the offing on the 21^st March where Pinch will pilot a lineup of his signings that includes Acre, Batu, Elmono and Transient, we caught up with the young Batu to discuss his music. Having already also released on local label Livity Sound, Batu’s busy fashioning himself a reputation for building rugged, club ready material an in this exclusive mix he very much explores that axis. Download: Batu - FABRICLIVE Promo Mix You join Pinch’s Cold imprint in Room Three in a few weeks. How does it feel to be playing for those guys and for FABRCLIVE? I've been looking forward to it. I think everyone on Cold has their own take on a similar aesthetic which should make for some interesting sets. Obviously playing a club as renowned as fabric is an honour as well. So how has it all got to the point where you are now? Who/What has influenced you? I find it difficult to sum up influences because so many different things factor into it... Old dubstep was my entry point into dance music and still has a big effect on what I make, but my tastes are much more diverse now. I'm definitely attracted to club music that have an edge. And you’re based in Bristol right? How would you say you’re contributing to the scene over there? I actually live in Bath, close to Bristol. I have friends in Bristol though who I am currently working with on a few different things. It’s a wicked city, there's a lot of talented people doing exciting things within a pretty small space. I don't think there’s anywhere else at the moment that has that much dynamic. Is there anyone coming through that you particularly rate right now? Acre, Bruce, Lurka's new stuff. Loads of others, there’s too many names to mention really. Last year you had releases on Cold and Dnuos Ytivil, what do you have in the pipeline for 2014? Not going give too much away, but there will be new records out for sure. I want every release I do to be something interesting, so I’m not in too much of a rush. Finally, can you tell us a little about the mix you’ve just delivered to us…? It’s pretty dance floor focused, with a few deeper bits. I dug out a few older records that people might have forgotten about as well. My sets are mostly based around quite propulsive tracks and this mix definitely has that vibe - you can create a strange atmosphere in a club mixing really percussive tunes into each other.