Album of the Week: ‘Dumbles Debut’

Album of the Week: ‘Dumbles Debut’

25 April, 2007 | 8.41AM

• Written by: Terry Church
• Filed under: Music News: agnes

Beatportal’s Album of the Week comes from 31-year-old Swiss producer Agnes, who has created a hypnotically deep minimal and techno LP.

Whilst a lot of minimal can often be too disparate and reckless, Agnès’ ‘Dumbles Debut’ is a record full of intricate drum patterns and deep melodies that will sound just as good on your home stereo as they do on the dancefloor.

Tracks like ‘Controversial Advantage’ and ‘Things Recur’ verge on classical music, with their melancholic strings and cinematic structures, and are clearly not designed for the club environment.

But Agnès’ multi-layered approach to his LP means there are also some dancefloor bombshells like ‘Hi Murda’ and ‘Short On D’.

We caught up with Agnès in his home in Geneva to find out more about his album.

1. Is there a particular ethos behind your album?

I guess I wanted ‘Dumbles Debut’ to appeal to not just dance music people and clubbers, but people outside of electronic music. I want people to listen to my music not only in the clubs, but with a bit of luck in their homes too.

2. So this album is aimed more at home listening?
I think it’s a balance of both, there’s some very dancefloor-orientated works and some really calmer things for home entertainment. Overall I think the LP is clearly aimed at the deeper end of minimal music, which is what I’m really into at the moment.

3. Presumably producing an album with so many different layers was a hard slog?

It took me about 12 months to make, but it wasn’t a hard slog because I invested only as much time as needed to complete this project. Plus it was totally a labour of love, because I love producing.

4. Which artist and producers influenced this record?

A lot indeed, from classical deep house producers to more minimal and techno activists. The list would be too long to mention.
Influences may be one thing but they do not make a record on their own. I’m sometimes fascinated by the work of other producers and wish I could do as good as them, but when it comes to my music I just do my own thing.

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