Jeroen Search
Raw & hypnotic techno from Holland
Known for his genre defining inimitable sound, and energetic performances, Jeroen Search is today where he’s always been, at the very edge of contemporary techno . Putting out consistently high quality music since the mid nineties, he is always right at the sharp end of the techno spectrum. This man is responsible for so many cult tracks, where he explored purism, depths of space and classic techno sounds. Given his always refreshing output, he has seen no need to completely reinvent himself and instead keeps on putting out his always timeless techno, much to the delight of fans everywhere.
Hello Jeroen, thanks for your time!
It’s a great pleasure to have you onboard with us in our interview space.
Let’s start with a basic question: when and how did you get in touch with electronic music?
Thanks for having me!
I first got in touch with electronic music late 80s/early 90s when I started to collect records. Immediately interested in the genre by early pioneers of techno music.
Meeting DJ Misjah back in 1993 and going into the studio with him and doing music was the start of it all.
What were your main creative challenges in the beginning and how have they changed over time?
The main creative challenges in the beginning was basically learning how to make music.
I had to learn an awful lot production-wise, how the machines worked stuff like that.
Over time you manage to cope with all this and you get your “routine”.
You started out as a DJ & producer in the mid 90s in Rotterdam, a city famous for industry and heavy machinery.
How important has location in general been to the music that you’ve made over the years?
You always get influenced by your surroundings, and growing up near Rotterdam sure was a big influence for me. I love the industry and heavy machinery environment, so in a way that will always be projected in my music.
Can you tell us some more about your approach to music production?
We heard you record all your tracks in a single take with all your own live editing.
My approach to music production has more or less been the same since I started. I like doing single take recordings on the mixing console to capture the moment of recording.
Producing this way is very fast, so sometimes I record 5 tracks after each other, and only use 1 or maybe none, but thats all part of the creative process for me.
‘Alpha Centauri’ will be released on 3rd September by Axis Records.
What were the key pieces of musical equipment used to make this album and is there any particular technical process you’d like to tells us about?
Yes the Alpha Centauri album is released now and I am very happy about it. The album contains 17 tracks, but for the project I recorded much more material.
Jeff Mills really pushed me into the right direction for the project and I am super thankful for that.
As for the musical equipment, most tracks were made with the TR909, Roland JX3P, Yamaha DX, Behring Deepmind and effects.
‘Axis Records’ seems the best platform to release your stuff at the moment, which moments from the beginnings do you remember the most?
Yes I have been working on several projects for Axis Records now, as Echelon and the album together with Jonas Kopp.
But also back in 2006 I did releases for Axis, the Counterpart (with Dimi Angelis) and a solo release on the Axis sub-label Mission6277.
For the recent projects I really could let myself go and try to go beyond the boundaries.
After all these years there is a lot memorable stuff, too many to name one I guess.
Music we know has always been the thing for you, but are there any other facets of life or interests you’d like to have more time to explore?
Life itself can be very interesting as well, so let’s stick to life and music for now.
Leave us with a track that has remained a firm favourite of yours and tell us why?
If I would have to pick one of my own productions I would say “Butterfly Heaven”.
This track has been released over 20 years ago but it still sounds magic and emotional for me and takes me directly back to the emotions I had when I recorded it.
Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us, we greatly appreciate your courtesy.
Thanks for having me, it was my pleasure.