DJ vs Live: In Conversation with Reset Robot

Since its inception in 2016, Alan Fitzpatrick has clearly started something with his imprint We Are The Brave – the selection of artists who have released on the label in the last 2 years shows his dedication to giving a home to the best underground music around for his loyal and dedicated fans. Club anthems come to mind, with tracks like Alan’s ‘We Do What We Want’, Gary Becks ‘Just One More’ and the recent smash hit ‘Poison’ from Croydon’s finest – Skream.

Portsmouth local and label mainstay Reset Robot has released 2 EP’s on the label back in 2018, and this month he brings us his second highly anticipated LP of his career: Spiral Of Silence. The release is a landmark one for the label, being the first album for We Are The Brave.

“With we are the brave approaching its third year of existence. It was inevitable that we would soon be approaching album territory. Personally, I can’t think of anyone better to kick off this milestone event than Reset Robot” –Alan Fitzpatrick

As with his first album, 2014’s Let Your Soul Outside on Truesoul, Reset Robot has allowed himself the creative freedom to paint outside of the rigid lines of club music, meaning alongside the dance floor bombs such as ‘Ramp’, ‘Meadow’, ‘Humankind’, and ‘Spiral of Silence’ there are delicate downtempo gems such as ‘Denial’, the sinister movie soundtrack of ‘Ana Strings’ and the epicness of the Nils Frahm vs M83 analogue love match ‘Freq’.

Moreover, this is an album that fits nicely with Reset Robot’s Live set, and listening to it in full confirms that to be the case. The timing isn’t a coincidence, as Reset Robot readies to embark on a Live tour in support of the album

On top of having the chance to premiere the fifth track of the album, “Kooshe,” 6AM sat down with Reset Robot for a chat to dissect his thoughts on DJ versus Live sets.

Hi Dave, congrats on the new album. How long has this been in the works?

Hello and thank you!! It’s been in the works for just over a year. I sent the original bunch of tracks to Alan in May 2018. It’s gone right to the wire, as just before submitting I made some last minute changes.

At what point did you decide it would find a home on We Are The Brave… and why?

I would only consider releasing an album on a select few labels but at this point in time it made perfect sense to do it with Alan and We Are The Brave. We’ve been friends for such a long time so it’s amazing in that respect in itself. We also play a lot of gigs together and he just understands my music.

The tracks, you explain, fit well with your Live setup. Can you tell us a little about why that is and whether this was a conscious decision as you were in the studio working on them?

It wasn’t a conscious decision it’s just the fact that I used my Elektron Machinedrum and Moog Sub 37 heavily in the album and I’m using both of those pieces of kit in the live set. I made sure to save a lot of patches and drum sounds whilst making the tracks so I’m able to call them up whilst doing the live set.

This is a Q for those who may not be so knowledgeable about how Live set works but does this mean that your Live shows will essentially be a rendition of the album stitched together or can fans expect something more?

Some of the album tracks are in the live set but no, it’s not just the album turned into a set. I guess that’s the traditional way to do it. Do an album and then play all of those songs but I want the set to be a bit more open, so I can switch things up easily. I have loads of my older tracks and unreleased bits in the set. I can play the kick and bass from one track with the vocals from another. It keeps it interesting for me that way suddenly finding parts of different tracks that work really nicely together.

So, safe to assume there’s an actual tour planned for this Live project? Where will you be playing?

I just did Chocolate Festival in Laussane which was at the most amazing venue. I have Lief Festival locked in and we’re still trying to get a couple more key shows for it.

What gear will be a part of this Live setup?

Ableton Live 10 (currently)
Push 2
Pre Sonus Quantum
Elektron Machinedrum
Moog Sub37
Allen & Heath Xone 92
Eventide Pitch Factor
Minifooger Delay

How different will this live show be to your DJ performances from the standpoint of the listener, the clubgoer?

It’s different because I’m sequencing the tracks live and playing drum patterns along with the synthesizer so it probably isn’t as smooth as a DJ set. I think it has a bit more of a raw feel which I like. I can see people really react when I jump on the Sub37 and start playing with that.

And how about for you as an artist: what are some of the fundamental differences you experience performing this Live show versus a DJ set?

I actually feel more comfortable doing the live set. There’s a lot more to do but I really enjoy it. I think the fundamental thing is that you need to constantly be thinking about the next move and where you want to take it.

Are there any other live acts out there who have inspired your live setup and show?

100% for me its KiNK. He’s amazing and has so much energy

As far as the tracks themselves, have you tested these out on DJ sets and if so, how has the reaction been?

For sure. I’ve played the more dancefloor orientated tracks in my sets and they all seem to work well and sounded pretty good too. As long as it doesn’t clear the floor then I’m happy.

I have listened to the whole album and it’s beautiful, deep yet so diverse from one track to the other. Was this calculated as a kind of journey, or did it just so happen that the inspiration in the studio took you to this result?

Thank you very much. That means a lot! I had the feeling I wanted to put an album together at the beginning of 2018. I kept working on tracks until I had a good body of work. I sent it to Alan and he felt it still needed something more. After that, I made ‘Are You Ready’, ‘Denial’, Ramp and Meadow.

Obviously, Alan loves the album and has spoken highly of it. What is your relationship with Alan and does it extend beyond music?

We’ve been friends since our school days. We have a great relationship now. We can work together closely but put that all aside when we socialize together.

While on the subject, can you tell us what are three things you love doing outside of the studio and when not on tour?

I love spending time at home with my family. I play a lot of tennis at the moment and really enjoy that. I also love to cook!

What do robots eat?

Oil

What do you like to eat?

Oil

Oh one last Q, back to the music and your live shows. Most live shows are 60-90 mins max. Will yours be the same?

Currently, I’m getting booked for 60-minute sets but I could easily do more!!

Pre-order Spiral Of Silence HERE today

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