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We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Future Self (Jan Warner)— the creative force behind Self Control Records — as we were invited into his innovative world with his latest release, “Can’t Sleep.” Blending Progressive House melodies with infectious Disco Beats, we talk about how he fuses distinct soundscapes while staying true to an artistic vision. In this candid interview, Future Self delves into his unique creative process, collaborative ventures, and his passion for nurturing emerging talent, offering a refreshing glimpse into a musical journey that continually looks to redefine boundaries.
 
Q: Your new release “Can’t Sleep” on Self Control Records blends progressive house melodies with disco beats to some effect – what inspired you on this one?
 
I started working on melodic ideas and playing arpeggios off each other, until I had a base for the track. I felt it would be too obvious to reach for the usual progressive drums so I started building up a beat based on more disco and house influenced sounds, to see if I could meld the two sound worlds. After getting to a workable draft I sent it over to Nick (Drama in the Sauna) and he took it even further into the wonky jazzy realms.
 
Q: You’re building a reputation for pushing musical boundaries while staying true to your unique style – how do you keep your sound innovative without simply chasing the latest trends?
 
It’s a double-edged sword – I rarely listen to progressive house at home. There is always music playing n our house but it’s often drum’n’bass, jungle, dub and hiphop. This means I’m not actually that aware of the latest trends in house music, which is both a blessing and a curse. It’s certainly proven problematic when trying to shop tracks to other labels, but I strongly feel that I want to make my own music, rather than other people’s music – they are already making that music, so why should I.
Q: The collaboration with Drama in the Sauna, whose remix of “Can’t Sleep” embodies a “less chin stroking, more dancing” ethos, haha we love that idea. What are your prerequisites’ when looking for a remixer?
 
I often work with people I know – Nick (Drama in the Sauna) is based in Australia and I got to know via Red Rack’em’s How I Program mentorship Patreon during the pandemic years. I have also worked with remixers who I have met through releasing on the same label, and I have met incredible producers at in-person meetups in Bristol like Escher, a monthly night at Strange Brew organised by Elevator Sound. The next release on Self Control is made up entirely of tracks written by producers from that community.
 
Q: Are you purposely looking to champion new talent and experimental sounds with Self Control Records – what drives your commitment to nurturing emerging remixers and fostering innovation within your label?

One of the key factors is that it is my own label, and I can literally do what I want with it – so I channel decades of influences through it without asking anyone’s permission. I have listened to, and produced, electronic music since the early 1990s in multiple genres and I see no reason to box yourself into one corner of the music world. On a positive note, I sense that the latest generation of fans seem to be more open to DJ sets with mixed genres, which I think is absolutely brilliant. If you think of seminal albums like Leftfield – Leftism or Orbital – In Sides, they don’t just contain one type of track all the way through.

Q: When working on “Can’t Sleep,” how did you approach blending the emotive aspects of progressive house with the rhythmic drive of disco, and what challenges did you face during that process?

This is a really good question. It took a long time to finish this one, as I ended up with so many layers. The remix was actually finished before the original! The final track is still quite intense but I worked hard to carve out space in the mix and make things change over time. I use a lot of volume and filter automation to bring parts in and out in the arrangement, whilst keeping the beat steady underneath.

Q: Finally, how can your audience actively support you and the vision behind Self Control Records?

Follow on socials on @selfcontrolrecs and @futureselfhouse and also feel free to follow us on Bandcamp: https://selfcontrolrecords.bandcamp.com/

I also run a second label called Circuit Grooves for the more leftfield, broken beat sounds, where I release as Slow Assembly: https://circuitgrooves.bandcamp.com/

“Can’t Sleep” is out now!

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN

– @MitchDodge

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