In The Company Of...Regis

We couldn’t be more ready for this Saturday’s bash at our club. We have audio treats a plenty from Deetron, Mr C, Air London as well as Sandwell District doing the rounds on the interweb, instilling the hype that we’ve got for that lineup. To cap off our multi-media frenzy, Karl O’Connor aka Regis of Sandwell District managed to find time for an interview ahead of their return to our club this Saturday, shedding some light onto the inner-workings of the ever enigmatic Sandwell District. The latest Sandwell District release ‘Feed Forward’ is only available on limited edition vinyl (now sold out) with artwork from Juan Mendez . Why have you chosen not to release this one digitally but stick to physical? We felt as it was, the project only really worked as a physical release and to release it digitally would have meant compromising the entire project. There will however be a versions CD released at some stage soon with tracks from ‘Feed Forward’ that are more suited to the format. This is the first time you’ve put out an LP, why now? I think LP's are good end points (a review of where you have been) as well as starting points (where next) and I think this LP represents both. I’ve heard that the starting point for this release was Juan (Silent Servant’s) artwork, is that right? In what way did it influence the music? The majority of the music made for SANDWELL is rarely made for just a 12"/LP/CD they are usually edited versions from more expanded sessions. These sessions are usually inspired by ideas for projects that only have the slightest connection to club music. Most of these projects often mutate and end up as artist 12"s, this however was the one project that we have been able to trace from the original idea to the final result. His artwork is a bit part of your Tumblr which is very beautiful. For a collective who have made a name from their minimal use of centralised communication and PR, how are you finding having this online hub of communication, why did you choose to start this blog? I think we wanted people to have access to us but also to retain a certain amount of privacy (something that seems very unfashionable these days). We also didn't just want a blow by blow photo album of where we have been and what we are up to (boring lives over glamorised) in some ways we feel/hope the blog is more personal because of the way we present it. Birmingham techno is cited as one of your biggest influences, can you tell us some more about the history there? The origins of the SANDWELL name is rooted in the former industrial heartland of the West Midlands. The influence of Surgeon, Network and Downwards are more central to what we do and the way we apply our sound than from anywhere else. This is your second set at fabric, what are you looking forward to the most about playing at our club? We do love the sound (!) and once the sound is on your side things can be taken in any direction. Run us through your live set up, is it purely digital? We have various set ups which depend on the type of gig. We do like to introduce a live drum machine and sequencers where possible. For this gig I think we will use Ableton and Tracktor (keep it lean make it mean). How do you approach the planning of Sandwell District live sets? How much is improvised and how much is planned? We really couldn't plan anything to save our lives. It's all the result of random chance. For more info and tickets for go here.