AKA CARL (Uk) Interview June 2009
Can you introduce yourself?
Hi, yeah I’m Techno artist Aka Carl I’m based in Manchester (UK). I own and Run SUB CULT, digital and vinyl techno label.
How did you discover the world of techno?
I’ve always been a fan of electronic dance music and wanted to DJ after going to different clubs around the UK. At first I had a wider taste of music that I would play, this always included techy stuff. I think it was watching and listening to artists like Mauro Picotto, Fergie, Marco Bailey and DJ Preach that got me into the style that I play and produce today.
Who are your Musical influences?
DJ Preach, Wehbba, Mauro Picotto, Fergie, FAT Collective, Dave The Drummer, Hertz, Peppelino, Fer BR, Miche & Mirzinho, Marco Bailey, Mika, Veztax, Bryant Baker, Axel Karakasis, Carl Falk, Carl Cox, Stephane Signore
I could go on forever.
You are the boss of label SUB CULT could you tell me a bit about the label and how it came about?
I stared SUB CULT up in May 2007, at this time I was still studying at university. I wasn’t making music that I was happy with but wanted to prepare a label and start networking with artists ready for when I was. Other intentions I had with the label were to find a group of new artists to work with over time, and of course to contribute to the music scene that I love.
The latest 12” SUBCULT12EP03 is a nice various artist EP and has been out since March, any news about future 12” releases?
Our 4th Release was supposed to come out in May but they have been having trouble at the pressing plant. The release is out now though; previews are on the Myspace page and web site, if you want to check them out
this is how the release looks….
Fer BR & Aka Carl – Pulchritudinous
DJ Mika – Masher
Kali –Filter Funk
I have the next 2 EPs ready for after the 4th release with artists including…… Peppelino & Aka Carl, Bryant Baker & Miche, Luky RDU, Josh Love & Matt 303, Preach, Veztaz, Peppelino & Bryan Kearney and Fer BR & Aka Carl
Why SUB CULT?
To represent ourselves being a cult / culture that basses ourselves around bass and low frequencies, I did want to call it sub culture but when checking I found that the name had been taken all ready.
Your label and your producer friends : Lucky R.D.U, Fer BR, Peppelino etc, are the new school of tribal techno. Your releases sounds like the good old times of Primate, Intec records…
I’m excited by the response the label and artists have been getting and am really happy to be surrounded them. They are all really good guys, they work hard and I think they deserve to be the next generation of Funky / Tribal techno music.
SUB CULT is an analogue & digital label. One day, if you have to stop one format for any reason, which one would you save and why?
I started DJing on vinyl and I love it now but I would have to save digital. The reason why would be that digital is a newer technology, if we accept new technology we progress faster. I always want to know what the next step is in music technology is.
How is the techno scene in the north UK?
There are quite a few techno nights dotted around the place and there are a lot of cross over nights that are playing out techno. The nights aren’t as big as they used to be but the events and festivals are getting bigger.
What’s are your point of views about the future of techno music in general?
I think that there are a lot of people out there that aren’t familiar to the different genres of techno music, bus as the different genres get more exposure it attracts more attention to the genre as a whole. I think over time the trends and the sounds will change but it will be a long lasting genera compared to others in the history of music.
I know you work as sound engineer, you’re a DJ, Label manager and you are a young father. How do you manage all these things?
I have a good Friend Shane he is part of the label and helps out quite a lot. The other is that I try and stay in a lot but haven’t been successful lately.
What are your top 10 tracks for June?
In no particular order….
Peppelino and Aka Carl – Justin Timber Lake – Sexy Back Bootleg PROMO
Peppelino & Aka Carl – Orion Galaxy SUBCULT12EP5
Aka Carl & The Technicians – The Real Shit Kazoo
Fer BR – Groovie Days Disturbulence
Kali – Filter Funk SUBCULT12EP4
Odessa SoundFeaks – False Positive SUBCULTEP21
Giacomo Stallone – Maniatic (Bryant Baker Remix) PROMO
Mark Ankh – Queen (Alex Markachay Remix) PROMO
Fer BR & Aka Carl – Pulchritudinous SUBCULT12EP4
Fer BR – Check It Out Promo
What’s your DJ dream?
I think it will be the same as most artists, to travel the world and share my music with other enthusiasts.
Man. U or Man City? 
I’m not a fan of football sorry to say 
Do you have any good plans for this summer? Festivals, parties, holidays ect?
I’m not sure what I’m doing this summer really; I do have a couple of things planned… A new SUB CULT Album will be coming out just after the summer mixed by myself and DJ Preach, so i will be working on that. I’m playing over in Slovenia @ Woodshock festival in June (27th) really looking forwards to that as well.
As well as a few gigs lined up here in the UK, there are always good things to do in the summer as long as the sun stays out.
www.myspace.com/djakacarl
www.myspace.com/subculturerecords
Tecno ROCKS !!!!!