CHAT SESSION 003: HD SUBSTANCE
By: Roman Martynov
Tags: Electronic Music, Chat Session, Techno, Hd Substance, Music

Starting out his journey by hearing Depeche Mode in his pre-teenage years, he has contributed a lot since then. He is definitely not a stranger in the industry — being active for more than two decades, Luis Rozalén aka HD Substance is still rocking dancefloors with his dark and mystic energy. From being an explorer to creating his own label, he has quite an experience behind his shoulders. Releasing his EPs and albums on countless labels, still thriving with energy — there are no limits for his Spanish soul. We managed to catch this guy and have a few words with him.

Hello Luis! Nice to have you here with us today. How is your day?

A normal day in techno routine, listening and selecting promos, sorting rekordbox playlists, searching in the vinyl archive for some gems, synthesizing new sounds on my new Elektron Analog Keys, arranging a new track, doing some record label work, making 21 km mountain bike and listening to the new Depeche Mode álbum. Not bad.

One thing that captures about you is your alias. Makes me imagine things in my head. How did you even come up with it?

It was nothing serious, a long time ago back in 1994 I decided to start a solo project apart from what we were doing in Ballet Mecánico, I just collected a bunch of English words and a bunch of acronyms and match them randomly, the result was Hd from the 3’5 floppy disks of the era ….High Density and Substance because of the New Order compilation album. If it was today I would use my name instead, but on those days anything in English sounded like modern.

Your first approach with synthesized sound happened when you were 11 years old, which gave you the direction for where are you right now. Do you still remember the feelings you experienced back then? Was there “this is it” moment?

I just became fascinated by the non-conventional sounds, everything was guitar based and sounded the same, I was a lot into sci-fi toys and robots and space even back then, so that synths sounded like the soundtrack for that. Also that music made me dance and jump …not [like] conventional pop or rock.

What has motivated you to turn from sound consumer to sound producer?

When I was young everybody was in some kind of band or musical project, no matter the music skills, in my teen years I played drums in a semi punk project, one day we hired for a keyboard player and the guy who came had a synth and a drum machine. Instantly I realized that the sounds of the music I liked most was done with some of those things and I left the band and started a new project based on that ingredients …no more drums, just one finger synth lines and compulsive mechanical beats …with a vocal on top.

Long gone band you had — Ballet Mecánico. What happened with your buddies Groof and Daniel Erbe? I heard some of Groof productions — so melodic and dark, you guys have something in common with the style of production. What about Daniel?

We started as a techno pop thing, then mutate into something like EBM after stepping into trance and acid, and all kinds of dance stuff. Groof is still making things, he never stopped, Dani is also in the music but on other side, making the soundtrack for the Kids TV series ‘Pocoyó’ and scoring for films and adverts. He was the most talented of us, and still is.

The band name probably explains your obsession with the nuts on your cover art of your SUB tl label! Tell us more about this imprint. Who is this guy you co-run it with?

SUB tl is the label I run with my partner Leandro Gámez, we do a digital release per month and one vinyl per year, the label is doing really good and giving us a lot of satisfaction, although is a lot of work it kind of keep us young and musically active. We are just about to release our second annual vinyl release with Tensal and P.E.A.R.L. remixes from Leandro’s Qssett track.

Depeche Mode were the ones who introduced you to synthesized sound. Funnily enough, my dad introduced me to Depeche Mode when I was about 12 or so, too. Do you listen to them today? They are about to release some new stuff this month. Apart from techno, what are your other favorite genres anyways?

Of course, I also have tattoos with their logos from the 80’s …Imagine the level of a fan I am. As I told you in the first question I’m just listening to the new album right now. Being grown in the 80’s I was exposed to all kinds of quality music so I also really like Punk, New Wave, Gothic stuff, Industrial, Ambient, some Jazz and even Hip Hop.

You have been in the scene for more than two decades. You probably have been through a lot and seen it all. What was your most memorable moment?

In such a big gap of time I’ve seen a lot for sure, but the definitive moment was for sure being at the controls in the booth at Berghain. I have been dreaming of that for so long …

Are you one of the analog-only guys, or are you open for experimenting? What does your studio looks like today?

I have been collecting synths forever, back in the late eighties people was basically throwing away their analogue stuff for nothing, then was when I collected most of the stuff I have, from Roland to Moog, to Sequential Circuits, Korg …etc. I’ve been working with these tools for ages and now I want something else. So I am in the process of changing my setup. There is a lot of new analogue gear that I really like, specially the Elektron Stuff and I’m starting to sell some of my good old friends and start buying new stuff to replace them. I’m 46 now and I feel like its time to get ride of the past and start the second half of my life on a new perspective. New tools, new sound …always ahead.

This is where all of Luis’ magic happens

Surprised to see that you were playing in Russia once. How was your experience playing there?

Yeah I was playing at Rodnya in Moscow for the Unit party promoted by my friend Nikita Zabelin. Beautiful and energetic crowd, very musical, and a massive city. Can’t wait to come back.

Techno still lives today — probably in mode modern form though. What kind of advice you would give to a beginner techno producer in 21st century? Back then technology was much more limited than it is today and it’s so easy to get lost in whatever Internet has to offer.

Just make music, no matter the tools, learn as much as you can, put the more hours you can into it, try to be different, be influenced but do not copy, create a collective with like minded people, do it yourself if don’t find the sound you like in the market try to make it yourself, if you don’t find the place to enjoy just make a party, if you are not happy with the tools make your own tools (modular).

Any upcoming projects you are currently working on?

My main project right now is The Bass Valley, an academy I’m working in with some of my best friends, a house in the north of Spain made to teach people to do what we love.

A thousand thank yous to the man for taking his time for us. Be sure to check him out, as well as his academy. He also recorded a mix for us, be sure to give it a listen. One hour of dark and mystic techno trip full on.

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