Introducing: Ardalan

Introducing: Ardalan

23 August, 2011 | 3.51AM

• Written by: Matt Ferry
• Filed under: Music News: ardalan, dirtybird, introducing

We can all agree on one thing: when Justin Martin gets his mitts on a track, you know that it’s going to be a ghetto-booty blastin’, sub-smashin’, peak-time pipebomb. And ”Mr. Spock” was (and still is) exactly that.

But what about that other name on the release? Who was the mysterious Ardalan said to be responsible for the rough diamond that Martin cut and polished into Tiffany’s-grade perfection?

Simple questions have simple answers, and this one is no different. For Ardalan Noghre-Kar, it took a visit to the annual dirtybird Golden Gate park party to make him realize why he was put on this earth. Now he’s churning out the kind of tech-house/booty-bass tracks that any dancefloor desires, from Tehran to the Bay Area. We had a chance to speak to Ardalan and get the scoop how he goes about his business, what he thinks of dubstep, and of course, the genesis of “Mr. Spock.”

Check it out below, including audio of Ardalan’s latest production, a remix for Nick Monaco on Anabatic.

Ardalan & Justin Martin, “Mr. Spock” [dirtybird]

Hi there, Ardalan, how are things in your world?

Things are looking pretty well! Preparing myself for school and more music! So far it’s been sunny here in the bay area.

Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up, and where’s HQ these days?

I grew up in Tehran (Iran). But I kept moving back and fourth until I completely moved to San Jose in 2006.

What originally enticed you to start making music?

As a young kid, I always had love for music. I remember listening to my brothers’ MP3s on his computer back when Winamp was just released. He had a wide variety of electronic music. But it wasn’t until I went to a dirtybird park party where I was inspired fully to make my own beats. My mind was blown.

“Mr. Spock” totally dominated the top ten when it came out last year, and from what I understand you’re the brains behind the track. How much did Justin Martin tweak it from your original?

When I sent Justin the demo to “Mr. Spock,” it was a long, 10-minute demo. Justin thought that it was great but had way too many ideas, so he put his magic to it by structuring it to the point where it became clean and perfect.

When you’re playing out what DJ setup do you prefer? CDJs? Turntables? Ableton? gramophone?

The grandma-phone is the way to go! Even more of an old-school purist than people with vinyl HA! I used to play on turntables but nowadays I prefer using Traktor Scratch.

It’s obvious you get a lot of your inspiration from the fellas over at dirtybird. What other producers do you look for inspiration?

Inspiration for me is endless! But before dirtybird, me and my high school friends used to listen to minimal / house from 2007-2008. That stuff really inspired me to move towards forward-thinking house music. Lately, my friends from Tech Dolphin have also inspired me with their slapping beats.

What do you think stands out the most about your sound?

What stands out the most is the fact that I don’t really try to think too seriously about a specific sound. I just go with it while having fun making it! 

What do you think about dubstep?

I find dubstep, lovestep, and bro-step musically boring. I like the deeper stuff like Burial. I used to listen to dubstep back when 56k dial up was used. The modem would make wobbles while trying to connect to the internet.

What’s the first thing you do when you sit down to start to making a track?

I start with listening to all sorts of music, samples, etc. And then I go for the bass. I love starting with the bass because when I produce early in the morning, it wakes me up in a good way. It also wakes my neighbors up in a good way. (I hope.)

Where does the magic happen?

I record in my garage under my apartment. Fortunately, my neighbors have been very supportive.

Do you play any instruments?

I never played anything too seriously, but now I’ve been trying to learn the Santoor, a traditional string instrument from Iran. I’ll probably use it for sampling in the future.

Favorite non-techno/dance party record of all time?

I have a lot but I cant think of any other than this:

You go home and your house is wreathed in flame and you’ve got 15 seconds to save one record, which one would it be?

My “Mr. Spock” record. That’s the only vinyl record I own.

What else do you listen to when you’re not groovin’ out to house tunes?

I listen to a lot of everything. From jazz to hip-hop. But lately I’ve been into this guy’s stuff:

What else do you do when you’re not making music?

I drink 40s with friends every now and then, play soccer, and lots of camping.

Straight gangsta, son! If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing with your life?

I’d probably be just going to school; probably dream of being a musician.

Any upcoming gigs/tours? Any other releases in the near future?

I’m playing at Burning Man this year! I have a remix coming out on Anabatic this week and me and Justin’s follow up to Mr. Spock will be released by the end of this month! Lezgo!

Nick Monaco, “Nick’s Episode (Ardalan Remix)” [Anabatic]

And of course to conclude a question from the Proust Questionnaire used by the great Bernard Pivot: Your favorite hero in fiction?

Jake Blues from The Blues Brothers.

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