Abstract Travels _ Interview with Claudio PRC

Has techno the potential to be therapeutic and how?

Of course, with me it has always had this affect, it makes me feel good. Music in general includes this aspect, even techno music. In this regard I agree with the choice of a dear friend, Dino Sabatini, who with his album Shaman’s Path, has developed a concept of techno music tied to ancient primordial rhythms, such as those of the African and shamanistic culture, in which the use of percussive rhythmic structures, straight and repetitive, help to maintain the concentration needed to rise and get in touch with one’s self or with higher entities. These rhythmic structures are very close to techno music, just think of the work of artists such as Maurizio (Basic Channel), in which repetitive rhythm is very strong, something that plays in the minds of those listening and allows us to enter fully into the track and reap the many hidden aspects. This aid in concentration is therapeutic, and in my opinion techno has this very important feature.

What are the characteristics of this ‘culture named techno’?

First of all I think techno is the last real music revolution. A culture capable of moving people from every remote corner of the planet. Techno music now has a history of more than twenty years, with roots tied to the oldest musical rituals practiced by our ancestors and eyes constantly focused on the future, a music able to combine completely different worlds, just think of the famous quote by Derrick May, “… like George Clinton and Kraftwerk closed in an elevator.” Thanks to techno I met wonderful people all over the world with whom I can share this passion, we are all bound by the same thing even though we are in different parts of the world, we share concepts, ideas and thoughts. Techno has strong contents that are born and evolve over time, not only musical, but also contents related to social life. For me these are the characteristics that make one music one culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK2GI0BC6Pw

Do you think ‘The Underground’ still exists?

Absolutely yes. With the internet it is a lot easier now to find music, anyone can find an artist with ease, but I still see a dense undergrowth composed of real artists, some are still in the shadows, fighting against the usual names and the usual labels to be able to take the proper credit they deserve, others decide to stay there because above there is an ugly world or because they want to stay anonymous. The underground exists and will exist, It’s up to us to decide what we want to do. As far as I am concerned, I am of the opinion that if what you’re doing reaches more people, what you’re doing makes more sense. Others say that “potatoes” are underground, if people don’t like your music then people simply don’t like your music, many take refuge in the “underground” because of this, which could be pure fiction.

In a previous interview with Droid, you spoke about your passion for techno and electoacoustic experimentation and mentioned that you are studying music technology in University. How has this informed your approach to music production in recent times?

So much. I started a course of study related to experimental music that put me in touch with high-profile artists and teachers and helped me to grow both artistically and personally. It opened up to me many perspectives about methods of composition and sound processing, and also about the development of ideas and concepts.

Would you mind describing your current production set up?

My set up is very simple. A computer. Software for editing and audio recording. Portable recorder. Studio monitors and sound libraries.

Has the Italian techno scene changed much in the last 5 years?

A little bit, many veteran artists have received the proper credit they deserve, and new talents with great projects and ideas are coming out more. Perhaps there is a bit more of a meritocracy, but at the end of the day, Italy is always a hostile place that follows what the market dictates.

Your last album on Prologue went down a treat, are you working on a new album? How is that going?

I am currently working on lot of new techno stuff, let’s see what comes out. My friend Ness and I will release a new album for sure with The Gods Planet project and other new stuff under our name (Claudio PRC & Ness), I’m also working on a new project with Sardinian artists Svart1 and Saffronkeira, we are re-doing the music for a famous film.

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