Born in 1986 - Soul Mate

For most an alias brings another dimension to sonority, a confidence perhaps shied away from in the day to day, a desire translating to an identity. Though for 'Born In 1986' the alias has introduced the shy retreating nature of the character behind. It’s a question of perception, and one invoked by the ambient sphere. Having collected endless records embodying such ambient, experimental, drone and industrial patterns, Born In 1986’s tale is led by a fascination with the deepness, the darkness and the melancholy of sound. It's music that touches the soul. And it's a journey underpinned by a passion, existing for itself, without intention and without overthought, just adding to culture. Already featuring on the likes of Intrinsic, Futurepast, and Beats 4 Peru, Born In 1986 now tells another chapter of the story on the mag. 

When you think of the spectrum of electronic music, the ambient and experimental genres are not always the initial ‘go-to’ at least for the most part of music enthusiasts. So how did the interest spark in you?

I’ve been a “lover” of this genre since I was a boy. I would dig (without even meaning to) and it always felt so natural. My father listened to a lot of New Age and I remember it evoking some intense feelings inside of me. Then as I got older and I started to make better sense of my self, I understood that I would always be drawn by these sounds – they’re so deep, characterised by emotion and melancholy. For its ability to touch the soul, it fascinates me.

But even though I’ve been collecting for so many years, I never had an intention to go further with it… it was just a passion, and a hobby.

And in the meantime you started working in the world that you and I know as club world…

Yes it was in these years that I saw myself develop… I also had the opportunity to meet with artists that play the experimental music that I had always collected. But having lived electronic music in 'club world', I’d never thought of it as a genre that could be experienced in this way, especially as a DJ. Though I don’t see myself as a DJ – I play to go into myself and my emotions. It started just in a conversation with  E/Tape – we were speaking about music and I mentioned that I collect these records. He explained to me that to play this music just adds to your soul, because it’s so emotive. But he never said that it was something that I should do, just something that I could try…

I started to listen to a lot of podcasts, of all different styles, and I realised that I was drawn especially by space ambient, experimental, drone and industrial styles. I’m a big lover of techno – DJs who play and produce techno are usually connected to these genres e.g. Donato Dozzy, Acronym, Moritz Von Oswald, Luke Slater, Atom™ (and many others). I love to see them play this music.

A set in particular that comes to mind? 

Donato Dozzy at Terraforma, 2017 was magic - 4 hours on a Saturday morning.

So yes, day after day I felt that I should give it a try - I recorded my first podcast just out of curiosity, and I showed it to friends who all gave me good feedback. I then recorded another two that I uploaded on SoundCloud.

So at that point the concept “Born In 1986” was born.

I was born in 1986. How I see it is that it’s been a journey up to this point. And when I play I continue this journey (almost from a different perspective but still referring to myself). In fact, with all the music I play I’m speaking about myself in that moment.

So which story are you telling with the podcast that you’ve recorded for us.

I can be honest with you, it was a difficult period for me... I didn’t have a place to live, I was feeling quite low, everything felt very dark. But even if I feel myself at a low-point, I listen to my records or I look for music and I imagine the journey that I want to create and the feelings that I want to translate – each record connecting to the other and telling a story. I search always music that gives me emotions, and when I play my wish is to draw this same emotion in people.

And here in Berlin there’s so many points of reference and activity to draw stimulation from…

Last year I went to The Long Now at Kraftwerk. It’s an industrial space, which connects perfectly with the mood of the festival – with very big spaces it’s natural that the people feel a sense of freedom. It was a special experience for me. I went because Simone (a good friend by now and my partner on our new label imprint Concentric Records) was playing together with The Soundwalk Collective. They opened the festival...

All the emotions that we experienced in those two days were lived through the music, the space and the friends around. There were people of all ages and each one of us immersed in our listening experience. There were beds too, if you wanted to lie down or if you wanted to sleep.

If you had to choose one moment from it all...

The Necks & 'A' Trio - it was a 4 hour sextet improvisation. To see them play like that, and for so many hours, it’s really something that you can’t describe in words.

So in terms of inspiration and influence, who would you say has had an impact on you.

First of all E/Tape, then Nathalia, Baby Vulture, Melina Serser. They are friends but who nonetheless hold certain influences and inspire me to do what I’m doing. I expanded myself and my direction listening to them. Even if my style is different, they gave me the push (and stimulation). And as people, each one of them is special.

I can understand that, it’s not so hard to see that they have all have such unique energy.

I was so happy when Nathalia asked me to record a podcast for Intrinsic. To be honest, I didn’t start this with any expectation or contemplation. I identify with Intrinsic so easily, it represents for me the most what I like and what I do. “It’s a journey that we can’t help but experience, with spontaneity and emotion” (Nathalia).

Would you say that you have (some) expectations now, perhaps from yourself.

No never – I do it all with a pleasure, really. And I want it to keep its resonance so its something that I do now and then in the right context. Intrinsic represents this context; you can give space to your music and not feel the pressure of playing. Naturally a DJ when they play, plays with the dancefloor in mind but at Intrinsic the idea is to play for yourself. You share your emotions with others and you don’t change yourself for it - that’s what makes it beautiful, and interesting. 

So in these moments of nerves, do any words of wisdom come to mind?

Nathalia’s words – to keep your calm, to take it as it comes without putting too much pressure on yourself, to play and create an atmosphere first for yourself and to not be conditioned by others.

Would you say that you’ve succeeded?

I’m learning… also the fact that I don’t play a lot of vinyl – most of the music that I collect and play isn’t produced on vinyl, just digital. Of course every now and then I feel the pressure of the 'vinyl only' culture but Nathalia helped me to become more at ease with this, because in the end it’s what you play.

Whilst we’re on the discussion of vinyl, perhaps now is a moment to mention that you’re starting an ambient label imprint together with Simone Merli (The Soundwalk Collective). Starting a label, especially in this genre, bears a certain significance don't you think.

For sure is not easy to jump in the scene with a new label, but I think what me and Simone are doing is something special. We want to be as open minded we can and we want to give the people the opportunity to listen to as many styles from a single point. And, like this we also have fun with what we're doing. 

The first release is an 18-track VA featuring the likes of Max Loderbauer, Vladislav Delay, Jana Winderen, Jake Muir and The Soundwalk Collective. That's quite something, can you tell me something about the story behind.

With the passion for music that I’ve had in all these years, I never thought that it would turn towards DJing. Then starting to play but also recognising that that this isn’t my end goal, I knew that I had a missing piece that I wanted to fill. But I didn’t know what… Simone and I know each other already for a while – from Ibiza, also from Varese – we had half-heartedly spoken about the idea 4 years ago when I first arrived in Berlin but at that point I wasn’t ready. ‘Born In 1986’ didn’t 'exist', and I didn’t have the understanding and approach that I have now.

(Simone) What interested me (even more) in developing the project together is the fact that we have a very organic connection. Then also, perhaps because his journey (as DJ)  is quite recent, his vision is new and refreshing. How he listens to music, how he finds music, how he develops himself - whether it’s in the capacity as DJ or for personal interest, it brings a completely new dimension for something that is ultimately my life-long field (of labour and love).

That’s a beautiful thing to say. In the end, a true partnership only betters you as a person and artist, no matter which point of your life and livelihood you’re at.

Let’s check into your podcast...