Aalson: The new voice of techno music, an up-and-coming producer

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Aalson is an emerging artist who has made a name for himself on the electronic music scene in recent years. His first EP on the Sinners label, entitled “Black Twist“, not only captivated the audience, but also received the support of iconic electronic music figures such as Laurent Garnier, Fur Coat, Henry Saiz and Animal Trainer, marking a stunning entry into the world of electronic music. His unique ability to blend diverse influences, create rich textures and compose captivating melodies enabled him to forge a strong artistic identity right from the start. This has placed him alongside renowned artists such as Extrawelt, Kiasmos and Teho. However, his collaborations haven’t stopped there; he has multiplied his collaborations with artists such as Worakls on numerous dates and, more recently, with Joris Voorn, through a showcase and a release on his Spectrum label.

Aalson, the rising star of the electronic music scene, recently marked a major turning point in his career by signing to Purified Records, a label renowned for its exacting standards of sound quality and its cutting-edge selection of deep house and indie dance works. This collaboration perfectly illustrates the meeting of Aalson’s captivating, melodic universe and the refined aesthetic of Purified, directed by the talented Nora En Pure.

Among the tracks Aalson brought to Purified,“Never Walk Alone” and“Obsession” stand out as masterpieces of sonic exploration, truly worth a listen. “Never Walk Alone” is an invitation to travel, a track that envelops the listener in an ethereal atmosphere, carried by haunting melodies and a captivating progressive rhythm. On the other hand, “Obsession” plunges into the depths of Aalson’s musical passion, with deep bass and hypnotic synthesizers creating an immersive aural experience.

These tracks, among others signed to Purified, demonstrate his ability to fuse emotion and technique, creating soundscapes that resonate deeply with the audience. Aalson’s signing to Purified Records promises not only a fine showcase for his talent, but also a significant contribution to the label’s sonic identity, continuing to enrich the world of electronic music with compositions that touch the soul.

Recently, Aalson followed up his success with the release of his new track “Elevation”, available as a preview on SoundCloud. This track is part of the Sinners label’s dynamic growth and constant innovation, where Aalson has proved his worth, to the point of becoming the label’s artistic director today. It’s a testament to the rapidly changing musical landscape and Aalson’s commitment to sonic exploration.

The Sinners label, under Aalson’s impetus, continues to gain in visibility and influence, as demonstrated by the organization of its first label showcase. This event, which took place on February 9 at Le Bikini, following the Worakls Orchestra concert, saw the participation of Max Tenrom, Ceas & Polygraph, friends and collaborators of the label, promising a memorable night of musical festivities. This initiative is part of a series of events designed to celebrate and promote creativity and talent within the Sinners community, with previous and upcoming showcases confirming the growing popularity of the label and its artists.

In parallel with these musical events, Sinners has relaunched its website and launched a new line of T-shirts, marking a new stage in the development of its brand identity. These initiatives reflect the label’s ambition to create a strong, recognizable cultural imprint in both music and fashion.

Aalson’s “Rêver” EP, released in December 2022, continues to receive rave reviews and is currently shortlisted for the “Best French Music Video” category at the ClubbingTV Awards, highlighting the visual and creative impact of his music.

Aalson, with its upward trajectory and commitment to musical innovation, embodies the spirit of the contemporary electronic scene. His achievements, his continued support from the music community and his active role in the success of the Sinners label are testament to his key role in the future of electronic music.

For me, the best material to recommend is hard work, time and curiosity.

Aalson

Our interview with Aalson

Hi Aalson, can you introduce yourself in a few lines? Who’s behind this high-potential producer?

Hello, and thank you very much for this interview. My name is Aloys, I’m 28 and I’ve been producing electronic music under the name Aalson for almost 10 years.

Tell us about your stage name. How did you choose it?

Finding a stage name when you’re just starting out is a complicated business. My thoughts turned to an aesthetic organization of the letters that make up my first and last names, with a strong desire to place the two A’s (my initials) side by side, in a nod to the masterpiece that introduced me to so-called “techno” electronic music when I was still a teenager: Aaron, by Paul Kalkbrenner.

How did you get started in electronic music, and what drew you to the genre?

I started playing electronic music when I was around 13, following a wonderful encounter with a friend. Youri, a classmate from secondary school, came to me with the idea of making electronic music with him, because he knew that I was taking it easy on the drums. What followed was 5 years of collaboration and innocent, but highly enriching, explorations, which enabled me to realize what I wanted to do with my life: to be the creator of the emotions I wanted to feel when listening to music.

Your “Black Twist” EP was very well received by legends like Laurent Garnier. What’s it like to receive such support?

I remember this release as the start of a great adventure. For me, to have so much strength behind one of my first projects was an extraordinary feeling. To have some sort of validation from someone like Laurent Garnier, but also to be welcomed into a label (Sinners) that meant so much to me, was for me completely unreal at the time. But when this kind of thing happens, you don’t think about it, you just enjoy the moment. I think that’s what I did.

Are there any particular challenges in working with labels like Purified and Spectrum?

Honestly, I don’t think so. By this I mean that what guides me, personally, is music. I compose the music that comes to me, that moves me, and then I share it with labels. I’ve never produced a track and said to myself, “I’m doing this one for such-and-such a label”. So in the end, it takes the challenge out of the process.
On the other hand, getting signed to such labels was extremely motivating for me, and enabled me to see the bigger picture.

How has working with these labels influenced your creative process and musical output?

As I said earlier, I don’t think these collaborations have directly influenced my creative process. On the other hand, they made me realize that these pieces worked. You know, as an artist, it’s sometimes difficult to be objective about what a project will look like. Sometimes we expect a lot, sometimes we think it’s not so good. So having the endorsement of these labels helped me understand that these songs were actually good, and that I was going to have to remember them for my future in music production.

With “Elevation”, you open a new chapter. What was the creative process like for this track?

This piece was written in two stages. The first was to write the whole groove part of the song. The challenge was to find someone dancing, powerful, mental but alive. It took me a few days to get through it.
But once that was done, I was able to tackle the part I like best: the musical development of the project, writing the story of the song itself. (i.e. the entire orchestral and harmonic part of the break and second part)

Sinners plays a big part in your career. Why is this label so important to you and how does it stimulate your creativity?

Sinners was important to me right from the start, because it corresponded to the music I already wanted to defend. Now, I’m lucky enough to be the artistic director, and this role allows me to reach out to others. When you produce electronic music, you’re alone, behind your computer, most of the time. Except that the collective dimension plays an important role in the creative process. That’s where you find motivation, confidence and diversity. So I want to create a team of people I love and believe in, to share everything I’m already experiencing on my own.

When you were nominated for ‘Best French Music Video’ for ‘Rêver’, how did you approach the creation of this clip? What was the main idea behind it?

The idea was to make a piece that could be listened to in both directions. That was the main challenge. It would take some time to go into detail about the creative and technical process behind this piece, but I’ve done a few detailed interviews on the subject.
Once the music was finished, the idea was to promote this piece in a certain artistic unity. My team and I wanted the promotion to convey the concept behind the song, even before people heard it. That’s why we decided to use exactly the same conditions for the clip: a single video that can be viewed in both directions.

With the genre constantly evolving, how do you keep up with the times and keep your productions innovative?

I have no idea whether I’m “up to date” or not, but to be honest, I have very little interest in it. The idea for me is to feel that I progress with each new project, but that I remain myself. In concrete terms, this means a complex search for technical progress, while maintaining a strong inner search for the message and emotions I wish to convey.

What equipment can we find in your studio? What DAW do you use?

I work with Ableton Live and numerous VSTs (Diva, Serum, Omnisphere, Komplete etc), as well as a few hardware machines (Iridium Core, Vector, Mam MB33, Behringer Model D and Moog Subsequent 37). Of course, I also have a large 88-key heavy-touch master keyboard, which allows me to control all my VSTs, but also, and above all, to play the piano (almost) like on a real piano.

Do you have any tips for aspiring producers? Are there any VSTs or equipment you’d recommend?

For me, the best material to recommend is hard work, time and curiosity. I know it sounds like a lot, but when these three factors come together, the hardware doesn’t really matter. But otherwise, I think the most important thing to start with is a good computer, a sound card and a good pair of speakers (I recommend Focal).

Apart from music, are there any other arts or passions that inspire your creativity?

I think everything in life can be a source of inspiration, whether it’s other art forms, social relationships or experiences. Although I have to admit that cinema plays an important role in my inspiration.

What advice would you give to those who want to break into the music business?

Hang in there, but believe it. And don’t let anyone make you doubt it.

What do you have in stock for the future? Any new collabs or events you can tease for us?

The next few months should be intense. I’m planning to release several original tracks, on Sinners but also on other labels I’ve already signed to. And I’ve also got 3 remixes coming out in the next few days.

Which artists would you like to collaborate with?

Ludwig Gorranson, Olafur Arnalds, Joris Voorn, VNTM, to name but a few. I think it’s really important to be interested in the way other artists work.

Stay tuned

Aalson’s musical universe is a journey through emotions, where each track tells a unique story. From humble beginnings to collaborations with prestigious labels such as Sinners, Purified and Spectrum, Aalson has made his mark on the world of electronic music.

His passion for creativity, his commitment to his art and his ability to stay true to himself while pushing the boundaries of his genre make him an artist in his own right, ready to conquer new horizons.

With new projects and collaborations on the horizon, one thing is certain: Aalson’s star continues to shine in the firmament of techno music, lighting the way for future generations of electronic artists.

Stay tuned to discover Aalson’s next musical creations and immerse yourself in a sound universe where innovation and emotion meet to create an unforgettable aural experience.

Eric

Eric, le capitaine du navire TechnoMag, est développeur web, consultant SEO, rédacteur de metier, et surtout fanatique de musique ! Depuis l’enfance, il est attiré par les basses et les kicks, passant des heures à écouter et jouer sur machines pour le plaisir, avec son frère et ses amis, depuis plus de dix ans. Globe-trotteur, il a exploré des free parties sauvages et illégales jusqu’aux plus grands festivals internationaux. Dans son passé, il a aussi été VJ et impliqué dans l’organisation de soirées pas toujours vraiment autorisées. Aujourd’hui, il aime capturer l’énergie des événements pour la retranscrire aux autres, que ce soit derrière l’appareil photo, la caméra, ou en rédigeant un article. Avec quelques missions bénévoles à son actif et une association toute neuve, il rêve d’un lieu autonome où chacun pourrait balancer son set sans craindre de perdre son matos.

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