Catching Up With...Marc Houle

Transitions are afoot in the world of four four. Since m_nus became the techno power house in the 00's it made its own bunch of stars shine brightly reaching around the world at stadium height proportions. In 2011 though, some of the key players from that movement have jumped ship to embark on their own project. This summer Marc Houle, Magda and Troy Pierce announced that they would be leaving Hawtin's mega imprint to pick up where they left off with their Items & Things label - an outlet for a more underground sound that has become their number one passion. Like long time friend Magda, Marc Houle started out influenced by the warehouse parties of Detroit venturing across the Canadian border from their home town of Windsor, before eventually moving over to Berlin. Here, influenced by the ripe and alive techno scene the groove came alive in Marc's music - playing live his beats are intoxicating and have seen the producer release 4 albums since 2004, arriving at his 5th this winter coming on his self made home. The move to self-releasing his work has inspired our Room One player Marc Houle to think beyond the loop and revisit his vintage synth collection - a sound we're looking forward to experiencing this Saturday. It's been too long since we've had the Items & Things co-founder to Farringdon so we took the opportunity to have a catch up and find out more about what he has in store for the rest of the year. It’s been a while - we’re glad to have you back to the club and with a new album due out - can you tell us some more about what we can look forward to? It has been awhile! Last time I was at fabric was for a Sunday WetYourSelf night that was really fun. It's true I have been working away in the studio towards a new album that is slated for a winter release date. It's more of a return to what I really love, the old synthesizers of the 70s and early 80s. I'm trying to vary them out over the different tracks and keep them as dry as possible so you can really hear the different sounds without loads of effects or editing. Has the freedom of knowing the album will be released on your own label influenced the production? I do feel a different sort of pressure knowing that this is the first release since leaving minus. I can't see a drastic change from my old productions but there is a greater urge to do something a little different than the old Marc loop style. Would you say there’s been changes and developments in your production and sound for this new album? Yes for sure, the last album was a very dark, moody guitar based album while this new one is more synth, dance party style. I have to say that this one has been much more fun to make. I am allowing myself to play more synth solos and have more fun. I hope it comes across the tracks. Can we expect to hear this new material in your live show here? Yes, i've got lots of new tracks loaded up in conjunction with some old favourites of mine. You’ve had some big news this summer leaving Minus to focus on Items and Things with Magda and Troy Pierce - what’s your ethos for the label? We're interested in exploring the side of music that isn't heard in mega clubs and commercial locations. It seems like minimal music made a wrong turn a few years ago and we're kind of doing a what-if kind of thing. What if instead of becoming soulless shuffle wood blocks, it veered more toward the slower, groovier, interesting style. It's a platform to release the music that really interests us as artists and as music lovers. The logo’s big on Illuminati Symbolism - why did you choose to go with that idea to visually represent the label? The reason I really loved the logo is that it had incorporated the circle design from an old release of ours, spies and lies. Over top of the circles is another geometric shape symbolizing the 3 of us. We do stay far clear of sextants and pyramids so no illuminati or masons here - just simple geometry. We like triangles and circles now that our square phase is all over. You’ve also started a new party for the label ‘Items & Things: Down & Out’ - why is it important to you to put on this party? It was something that came about because the shows we were playing were all bigger club shows and festivals and we really missed the smaller underground feelings of the Detroit parties we used to go to. Our goal is to bring people to smaller, unfamiliar venues in addition to the regular places they go to enjoy our style of music. We want to lure the people who care more about music and want to see something a little different. Balance is always good! And finally aside from your EP and album what’s next on the release schedule? Working on a few remixes, one that’s coming out on Phil Kieren’s label this year.