Roaming Data on Bristol’s shifting scenes, hardware-led workflow & the instinctive energy behind his latest EP ‘Once Again’ | Faux Poly Interviews

Roaming Data is a Bristol-based producer whose sound has been shaped by hardware jams, late night sessions, and the city’s broad electronic scene. His new Once Again EP, out now on Faux Poly, reflects that mix with a set of raw, personal tracks that lean into instinct over genre, without trying too hard to fit a specific mood or style.

In this interview, he talks through the process behind the release, how bits of gear like the MS-20 and Digitakt keep him inspired, how location and gear feed into his sound, and where things might be heading next.

Hey Carter, where are you based, what’s your background in music and what’s the local scene around you like?

I am currently based in Bristol where I’ve been for the last couple years. When moving here I expected a strong techno/drum and bass scene but there’s so many pockets of varied music across the electronic landscape. Has defo had a big influence on my sound, from the proggy house nights to the sit down live modular jams.

What’s the story behind the Once Again EP? How did the tracks come together, and was there a particular idea or feeling driving it?

I don’t make much conceptual music, it’s always been an inspiration thing. Usually from a piece of music, a good club night or a hardware jam. The tracks came together pretty organically, some quicker than others. However with this EP in particular I really tried to think less of what an audience would like and just produce tracks I wanted to hear.

You’ve mentioned your hardware as a key part of your sound – the Digitakt, MS-20, RE-20 pedal. What do these bits of kit give you that software doesn’t? Are there any go-to tricks or happy accidents you keep returning to?

It sounds cliche but I really love the sound you get off a hardware synth rather than a digi replicare. Something as simple as pushing the resonance on the MS-20 filter to the point of screaming sounds so satisfying to my ears. I think it can add a ‘human’ quality to my productions.

Can you walk us through a few of the key inspirations – be it producers, records, or sounds that played a role in shaping this release?

A big inspiration for me has always been visiting Giles Peterson’s We Out Here festival. I think the diversity of contemporary UK music I've experienced at that festival gets me very motivated to try and contribute to our scene.

Sonically I’m a big fan of anything leftfield and wiggy, which I’ve tried to portray on the EP. Whether it’s tech-house, techno or breakbeat, I like anything on the experimental/modular sounding side of things.

What does a typical day in your studio look like from when you're coming up with the ideas and developing the tracks into an EP?

I usually start off by rinsing some mixes from my favourite DJs just to put me in the right headspace. Then I’ll grab a coffee and probably have a hardware jam or just start programming some drums in Ableton. I always try mixdown tracks simultaneously as they develop rather than doing it all at the end. I find this way of working keeps things moving and fun.

How does this EP represent your evolution as an artist compared to your previous works?

I’d like to say on particular tracks I've really blended the euphoric and darker sound together. I’ve always made murky tracks and euphoric tracks alongside one another, but I'd say this is my first body of work where I've amalgamated these two attributes and made it sound cohesive.

What’s next for Roaming Data? Any live sets, collabs, remixes, or future projects in the pipeline?

I think at this moment in time I’m really focusing on collaborating with Fonzo. We’ve released a couple tracks together and they’ve been really well received in the community and on the festival circuit. I’ve always been a solo producer, but he’s the first person I’ve found that I think when we come together we can produce something better than we could individually. We have a really exciting release in the works but I can't say much more.