Xhin

Xhin has risen to an exciting place within the international techno world with productions that have given refreshing inspiration to many. Originating in Singapore, Xhin is now a team member with Berlin based techno label Stroboscopic Artefacts, solidifying his status as one of the industries newest and brightest starts.

Xhin hasn’t been out to create new realms or change a scene. With a hybrid Live set up including multiple iPad’s for controllers, he is showing us that innovation, to some, comes easy. His sounds are hypnotic and mystically repetitious, but even he says, in the beginning he was out to rule the world through rock. Learning the piano and guitar and joining bands gave him the necessary skills, and after discovering a unique scene from a city called Detroit, Xhin was a changed man.

A new release with Stroboscopic Artefacts Label boss Lucy is soon to be released and an ongoing tour see’s him trekking to most parts of the techno world, including Australia.

Pulse: How has the touring been? Xhin: It has been going very well so far. Taipei and Berlin were great. Now I'm looking forward to my Australian tour this month and going back to Europe for London, Leeds and Copenhagen in April.
 

"To me, it is not about the issue of places these days. It's more about creating sets where I DJ like an artist instead of a jukebox."

Is inspiration now hard to grasp or does the touring keep the imagination fresh? Whenever I have inspiration from time to time, I will spend an hour or 2 to have it recorded as draft ideas, loops or whatever, and then I go back to that and finish it once I get back in my studio.

How does it feel to have artists like Function and Ben Klock play your tunes? It's always good to know that people do enjoy playing my stuff. Especially if it gets blasted out from the good sound systems.

The words ‘future music’ have appeared in some press and previous interviews when discussing your productions and hybrid DJ / live sets. What does that mean to you? When I start to create a piece of music or any sound; I just want it to be fresh, new and interesting in a very personal way. I’m not even thinking about trying too hard to take my sounds somewhere ahead of current trends.

You’re a core artist with Stroboscopic Artefacts, how is it to be so heavily involved with the SA family? It has been great working with them so far and when you have the same vision with the label, it’s always a bonus.

Is the European winter a problem for you considering you’re usually based in Singapore? Winter was too cold but I have gotten used to it somehow.

Do you have any British influences in your music and do you think they will enter your set when you play in London this April? Yes, for sure. Some of my past and current influences include all the works of Richard D. James, Autechre, British Murder Boys, Surgeon and Squarepusher.

You’re embarking on your debut Australian tour this month, where the dance scene in general (especially the harder end of techno) is relatively small. How do you approach sets/places like this compared to playing Berghain for example? To me, it is not about the issue of places these days. It's more about creating sets where I DJ like an artist instead of a jukebox.

Can you tell us a little bit about the mix for Pulse? It is a mix thats made up of some of my favourites at the moment.

What is ahead from Xhin in 2011? Upcoming remixes to be released on Alex Bau's Credo label and Sian's Octopus, amongst others. Currently, I'm also working on my second long player for Stroboscopic Artefacts.

Brad Chesham

Listen to Xhin's exclusive mix for Pulse Radio here and win tickets to his Sydney show here.

Xhin tour dates:
25.03.11 - Barsoma, Brisbane
26.03.11 - Civic Underground, Sydney
02.04.11 - Corsica Studios, London
09.04.11 - Dunkel, Copenhagen
16.04.11 - Detatched, Leeds