DJ BEC In Conversation With FAULT Magazine
DJ BEC launches EMBARGO: Pioneering a New Era of Techno with AI Collaboration
Berlin-based UK techno artist DJ BEC is no stranger to innovation. From acclaimed gigs at Burning Man to EDC, DJ BEC now embarks on a groundbreaking venture with the launch of her record label, EMBARGO. The impact of AI on the creative industry is a topic of much recent discussion, both for its potential benefits and its negative ramifications. With the label’s debut release, “ARTIFICIAL MALFUNCTION,” in collaboration with Bulgarian studio sorcerer KiNK, EMBARGO seeks to blur the lines between visual and audio art, utilizing technology to pioneer new ways of consuming music.
With a fascinating new journey ahead, we caught up with DJ BEC to learn more about EMBARGO, Ai and of course, her FAULTs.
FAULT Magazine: What inspired you to launch EMBARGO, and how does the label’s philosophy align with your personal and artistic vision?
BEC: I wanted to do something different that could be a home for producers to be as artistic as they wish. The label really focuses on creativity at its core – I love how collaborations can bring about a unique outcome rather than if one artist were working on their own. So it will be mostly collaborative projects between two or more talented artists. And definitely going for quality, one-off special releases over quantity.
FAULT Magazine: EMBARGO is a home for artists to explore, create, and present raw, experimental, and forward-thinking electronic music. Did the creation of EMBARGO come from the feeling of being stifled in other creative endeavours?
BEC: No, not at all. I’ve been wanting to have my own creative outlet for a long time. The setting up of EMBARGO came from feeling the need to create something super artistic that can be unlike anything I’ve done before. It’s a home to focus on pure creativity for creativity’s sake. It’s somewhere I can really do anything that resonates with me and get it out in the world. And so can anyone else. I really admire so many other labels, but sometimes they are looking for something just slightly different from the sound that comes out naturally in the studio. Embargo is a platform for diverse and experimental sound that is of the true essence of the artist. It allows more creative freedom.
FAULT Magazine: EMBARGO focuses on breaking free from restrictions. How do you see the label challenging existing norms?
BEC: To expand on the previous answer, Embargo is a home for artists to express themselves however they want, without too many restrictions. The centre point of Embargo is to be a bit more diverse and challenge this existing norm, and allow other sub-genres to be released on the label. Of course, everything should be mainly raw techno-focused, but I welcome with open arms experimentation and my ideal would be to have other genres influencing the releases and you should clearly be able to hear “oh this track has a bit of psy in the synths and break” whereas another track is more ambient, breaks, or has a super nice bass-line inspired by drum and bass. It’s very rare that an artist only enjoys listening to one genre, so why should we have to only release one sound? I believe it would be far more interesting if labels offered more diversity in the sound they release.
FAULT Magazine: With your design background, you oversee the visual identity of the label. While it’s fair to assume the music will always inspire the visuals, can you ever see it working the other way round – or even as a simultaneous development?
BEC: For sure! This is a huge focus for the label. The visuals and the music should go hand in hand. That’s what I feel has been missing from a lot of other existing labels and where my background in design and creative direction comes in really handy. I conceptualise and art direct the artwork for each release. In collaboration with the producer and the artist, it’s a three-way collab, which is really what the label is all about. Joining forces in creativity and just being as creative as possible, without focusing too much on the end outcome or having certain restrictions for the label.
FAULT Magazine: The debut track’s visual identity delves into the world of artificial intelligence – as the technology continues to rapidly develop, do you worry about further integration of AI or welcome it?
BEC: I definitely welcome further development of AI – It’s such an interesting world, it’s going to completely revolutionise our planet like nothing has before. Technology has been exponentially enhancing civilisation for decades, but now this will be the biggest change yet. I’m very passionate about it. The “Artificial Malfunction” release does explore its dark side though. As with everything in life, there are of course challenges and difficulties that come with all the goodness. There will be mistakes, errors, and malfunctions with AI, and we can expect to experience hurdles we need to overcome, that could be out of our regular “human” control. My release with KiNK explores that concept, with the rising drums and synths, tension really builds into the super energetic breaks, the peak being the stretching out of the word “MALFUNNNCTIOOON”. I love it, it works so well on the dance floor.
FAULT Magazine: When you look back on your creative journey, what would you say has been the most challenging creative hurdle you’ve had to overcome?
BEC: Quite honestly, it was how to move from music that wasn’t truly “me” at my authentic core, into fully letting go of focusing on the outcome of my music and moving into tuning deep into music I want to create which I believe comes from a higher place, at soul level. I do believe that art is an expression of the soul, and everyone has the ability to connect to their true creative essence. It requires surrendering, letting go of self-doubt and stepping into being a channel and getting into that state of flow. To do this, I had to move away from what I had been doing for so many years, all the labels I was associated with, the tracks I played in clubs, and even what I dressed like. Everything has changed for me, but 10000% for the better, I almost feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.
FAULT Magazine: What are you most looking forward to this year?
BEC: I’m REALLY excited to have the closing slot at EDC festival in the US this year. I’m also going to be touring East Asia for the first time, with countries such as Korea, Japan, and China on the list, none of which I’ve been to before. I’m super excited to experience the different cultures there and see how techno has influenced that part of the world.
FAULT Magazine: What is your FAULT?
BEC: I often find myself being overly critical, scrutinising every detail and relentlessly striving for perfection. I won’t let myself get out of the studio until I’m well and truly happy with what I produced. I know, getting some distance and coming back to things is healthy, and I am working on giving myself some more slack these days :)