interview: Amirali sits down with music is 4 lovers ahead of his upcoming release, ‘Hideaway’

Hey Amirali! Thanks for chatting to Music Is 4 Lovers. How’s your 2024 going so far?

Hey, thanks, I’m doing great, just fully immersed in the studio grind as the New Year kicked off. It’s an exciting period and it’s my favorite time of the year to work on music – the season when I’m typically at my most productive. I think it has to do with the cold weather, creating this cozy hibernation vibe. I’ve got my hands full with multiple projects, including a couple of remixes set to drop in the first half of the year. I’ve also been writing and producing music for some incredible artists, which are about to be revealed soon.

Your brand new EP, ‘Hideaway’, drops this March on your own imprint, Dark Matters. Tell us about the release and what inspired you.

I’ve always found myself deeply drawn to the sounds of post-punk, new wave, and indie-pop from the 70s and 80s era. The soulfulness and emotional depth embedded in the music of that time continue to resonate with me profoundly. Countless bands have upheld the legacy of these influential sounds, serving as ongoing sources of inspiration for artists across generations, myself included. Icons like The Cure, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and later, New Order and Depeche Mode, have undeniably shaped my musical world and served as constant wellsprings of creativity.

The first track ‘Hideaway’ acts as a reflection, encompassing the diverse music that accompanied me throughout my whole life. The second track goes in a different direction, giving you a more intense and mesmerizing experience. It’s like entering a meditative state, repeating a mantra until it crescendos into a moment brimming with energy and radiance.

What can you tell us about Dark Matters?

Dark Matters is a passion project that’s been releasing music since 2015, it’s a record label as well as a visual project; with the aim of releasing original material from live acts, DJs, as well as my own work, the scope of it is broad, ranging from house and techno to abstract pop and ambient and everything in between.

Since the launch of the label, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with incredible artists for original work and remixes. Notable names include STL, Aboutface, Sebastian Mullaert, Mathew Jonson, Nathan Jonson, Prins Thomas, and Fort Romeau, among others.

We are also deeply invested in the visual representation of the label. Over the years, we’ve done numerous projects and partnered with amazing artists, including David Terranova, Jessica Allan, Stathis Tsemberlidis, Amir Toossi, Ed Maddocks, and Sepideh Kharazizadeh, just to name a few.

Dark Matters, for me, serves as a platform to spotlight remarkable music that I encounter and deem worthy of attention, introducing it to a wider audience. For us, it’s about prioritizing quality over quantity. Our roster continues to expand and we have exciting projects in the pipeline for the coming year, so stay tuned!

As an artist who has ventured into various different styles, where does your musical inspiration come from?

For me, it’s all about keeping things fresh and steering clear of monotony. In the studio, my focus is on maintaining a playful spirit and tapping into that inner child-like curiosity, free from any judgment. I make music primarily for myself as it’s a personal journey, but I welcome listeners to join me if it resonates with them.

Repetition isn’t something I entertain; it transforms the creative process into a mechanical routine, which goes against the very essence of life in my opinion. As an artist, my aspiration is to undergo continuous evolution, adapting to the various shapes life takes us, and revealing different facets of who I am. David Bowie exemplified this ethos—he fearlessly charted new artistic territories, unconstrained by the opinions of others, inspiring me to embrace change without hesitation.

I’ve recently returned to producing dance music after working on several experimental projects including my second album ‘Trial & Error’. Stepping back from dance music gave me the breathing room to reignite my excitement for it. During that break I found myself reflecting on the anticipation of adolescence, that eagerness to explore the world. It reminded me of how dance music held a dreamlike spell for me back then, sparking my passion to create it once again.

You’re known as a live performer and classically trained pianist; how have these skills influenced your dance music production?

Having a musical background certainly helps – of course you can make music without formal musical knowledge, especially with so many new tools at your fingertips these days. While there are many musicians, from the past to the present time, who rely only on their ears, having at least a basic understanding of music theory can be beneficial in the long run.

There are so many other aspects in music making that come into play; one of the key elements is the musical expression that unfortunately seems to be lacking in today’s music. People are now way too focused on the technical side of things, leaving little time for creativity itself.

To give you an example, I consciously steer clear of excessive quantization in my music. Allowing your music to be less quantized adds a human touch; a quality I believe is often overlooked in modern music. Unfortunately, some of the music I come across these days sound extremely rigid, lifeless, and excessively perfect due to computerized precision, leading to a loss of musical expression. It’s a trend that’s somewhat disheartening.

As someone with a deep appreciation for a diverse range of music, I believe it’s crucial for musicians and aspiring artists to train their ears by exposing themselves to various genres and eras for inspiration. Drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of musical traditions and time periods not only fuels creativity but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art form.

Absolutely loving the sounds of the new EP with two synth-heavy dance floor gems. Are there any notable pieces of kit that you used?

Thank you, I use a lot of analogue gear, working with at least 2 or 3 of them while shaping a piece of music, but the heart of these two tracks comes from my favorite synth, the Prophet 6, and the stunning Super Gemini, a recent addition from the fantastic synth company, UDO based in Bristol.

Also after a hiatus, I figured it’s the perfect time to infuse my vocals into dance tracks again, something I hadn’t done in a while, and these two pieces turned out to be perfect for the idea.

Away from the studio, DJ booth or stage, what are you personal interests and passions?

Enjoying a good film and sharing a laugh with friends—although the past year kept me quite isolated due to a hectic schedule. I also love to cook – it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. It offers a brief escape from technology and the chaos of everyday life, providing a sense of peace and grounding, whenever I manage to find the time for it.

Tell us about some of your career highlights.

Well, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world, playing music for amazing crowds. Experiencing diverse cultures, meeting incredible people, and sharing a table with them for a meal are some of the real highlights. Playing at renowned venues from Fabric, Berghain, the Vienna Opera House, to Warung in Brazil, or Creamfields in Peru in front of 30,000 people; the Southeast Asian countries that I love to revisit, makes me feel incredibly lucky.

One of the memorable highlights was performing my first BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix live at the legendary Live Lounge. It marked the first-ever video broadcast Essential Mix, and being invited by Pete Tong for this honor was truly humbling.

Another unforgettable experience was the privilege of performing with Europe’s renowned Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, one of the continent’s top philharmonic orchestras. They generously offered me the opportunity to reimagine selections from my repertoire within a Neo-Classical context, orchestrated alongside a seven-piece group of soloists. It was incredibly gratifying to see that my performance has been recognized as the best of their series.

We actually had the opportunity to record some of the tracks with the orchestra in the studio, working alongside my friend Jakob Eisenbach, who also conducted the concert. The EP, titled ‘Sokoot’, which means ‘silence’ in Farsi is already available everywhere if you haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet.

Despite these experiences, I don’t find myself becoming overly sentimental. Instead, I eagerly anticipate the future and the possibilities it presents. I still possess an intense passion, as if I’m just beginning my career.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

In the coming year, you can expect more music from me. I’ve completed a significant amount of music in the past 12 months and plan to release as much as possible. While I’ll be playing some shows, I’m keen on maintaining a balance between the stage and the studio. I learned the hard way about burnout from excessive shows, and it was a tough period. I want to keep things healthy, ensuring ample time in the studio. It’s all about keeping the right balance between the two. As much as I absolutely love performing for the amazing crowds, creating music is also my passion—it’s what keeps me grounded and gives meaning to my life. So, it’s gearing up to be an exciting year. We’re also in talks about some American shows, and hopefully they materialize soon.

Follow Amirali: Instagram – Facebook – Soundcloud – Beatport – Spotify