CODE Exclusive EP Premiere and Q&A: Recondite Makes His Life and Death Debut With 'Think Twice'

Few relative newcomers command as much respect in the techno world as Recondite.

Hailing from the Bavarian forest, the Berlin techno producer has steadily built an impressive body of work, which includes two full-length releases on Absurd Recordings and Matthew Dear's eclectic Ghostly International label. Now he's taking his talents to revered Italian imprint Life and Death with his atmospheric Think Twice EP.

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The release's title track takes the listener on a pensive deep techno odyssey through a series of ebbing synth chords and restrained percussive flourishes. B-side "Serak" employs Life and Death's trademark warbling synth plucks, allowing the tense progressions to escalate through a beatless breakdown en route to a foreboding release.

Listen to the full premiere of Recondite's Think Twice EP exclusively on Billboard:

Billboard caught up with the artist to ask about his artistic approach and the making of his latest release.

What was your creative approach on this release?

Well, first I have to say that I never really sit down, plan a record and then make it. For 95 percent of the times I make music, it happens during the process. Usually I realize the purpose or the intention of the track after it is done. This time, I think it was the urge to have something that delivers this certain melancholic vibe directly to a peak-time dance floor.

How did you first get involved with Life and Death?

Matteo from Tale of Us contacted me quite early. They included one of my tracks off my On Acid LP to one of their mixes. Our contact increased slowly but surely, until we got to a level where I think a real friendship and a deep musical connection evolved out of this. I also got more and more in touch with other members of Life and Death, especially Carmine, the guys from Mind Against and, of course Manfredi [DJ Tennis].

You previously worked as a personal trainer, which is how you met Scuba and got your start in the Berlin scene. What role does physical exercise play in your creative output?

It plays a big role in my general construction of life. I am absolutely dependent on controlled physical movement -- like everybody is, in my opinion. Some people just ignore it until they get to a point where their body hurts so much that they basically have to do something. So working out is just as big of a part of my life as making music, so both are very important for me.

Where do you feel the U.S. dance market currently stands in terms of techno music?

At a very interesting stage, I think. There is this growing underground techno movement that is being strongly fed by the European underground techno/house/dance scene. At the same time, people who have been enjoying EDM music for a couple of years are starting to look for something new. I have the feeling that these two scenes are crossing paths more and more. So more possibilities evolve for the consumer and the producer to receive or reach out.

What do you hope to leave behind as an artistic legacy?

I honestly don't care about what I leave behind artistically, because when I'm gone, I'm gone. I think it's more important to think about how you will leave your kids behind and the world that they will live in.

Recondite's Think Twice EP will be available through Life and Death on April 20.



