Steve Rachmad (aka Sterac) and Jochem Paap (aka Speedy J) are no strangers to the techno scene. Independently, the Dutch DJs and producers have been flying the flag for proper techno since the 80s and 90s, with releases on a myriad of labels and performing all over the world. With thumping four to the floor rhythms, Steve and Speedy have garnered an impeccable reputation as two of the best techno DJs around.
During lockdown, they collaborated together on a brand new concept, playing 100% improvised live sets. After their ADE performance saw rave reviews from DJs and ravers alike, we were excited for revered promoters InterChange to bring them to the London for their UK debut performance at the inimitable East London venue FOLD. With an unforgettable line up consisting of residents Brass Traxx b2b Mindbreak, Lady Starlight (Live), Lockhart b2b Nakamo and of course the 3hr live performance from Speedy & Steve, it was an all night long spectacle of enchanting music.
We sat down with Steve Rachmad to get his thoughts on his live act, InterChange, and FOLD!
Hey Steve, thanks for taking the time to talk to us after your headline show at FOLD for InterChange, your set was incredible! Your improvised live duo was born out of the pandemic, after jamming together for Speedy’s Stay At Home stream from his studio in Rotterdam. Tell us more about the motivations and story behind why you chose to pursue this new collaborative project.
During the pandemic we did two live jam streams from Jochem’s STOOR studio and it was great fun. I never planned to go live; but in this new setting with guidance of one of the live masters, I felt confident that I could overwin this one – in the end, it’s an extension of my studio production process so it also felt familiar in that way. Making it work with the ever-changing input of another artist is of course where most of the excitement was in. And it worked really well, we complemented each other in a very organic way.
We also did a jam with Colin Benders during his Etmaal stream and finally also for the real public during ADE in 2021 during STOOR at Paradiso together with Colin Benders, Lady Starlight and Surgeon. I got hunger for more and I specifically wanted to keep it in the live jam form which means 100% improvisation in the moment; with Jochem there is a great mutual musical respect and while this was for me all in a way a new area, I felt very confident that together with Jochem we could create something totally new.
So the idea of a new act was born. Some studio sessions and preparations further, almost a year later the first Speedy & Steve live show echoed for the first time in the club setting. A start of a new era for me, in different ways.
Talk us through your live setup. Are there any specific tools or techniques you utilise to enhance performances and push the boundaries of electronic music?
The main challenge was to fit all I need in the hand luggage. If I could have, I would have brought much more on stage; when we have Dutch shows or shows that are drive-able, I also use the opportunity to bring more gear along. My part of the setup consists of Arturia Keystep 37 controller / keyboard / sequencer, 2x Korg SQ-1 sequencers, Allen & Heath DB4 mixer, Arturia MikroFreak digital synth, Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02 analog synth, Dave Smith Evolver hybrid digital/ analog synth ,TT78 for additional analog drums while doing international shows; and when going by car, I also bring Arp sequencer because it’s more hands on. The SQ-1’s are just to fit in my hand luggage.
If it was not too fragile, I would bring some of my vintage synths and drummachines like Linn Drum and Mini Moog, but I had to be wise about my choices and think compact but quality.
What sets your improvised shows apart from when you perform as solo acts? How do you complement each other’s styles and strengths?
To begin with, I don’t play live on my own. Never say never, but I have no concrete plans to do so either. Solo you can know me only as a DJ and producer, so a very different story. As a live act – now with Speedy J but in the future also with Colin Benders and more, it’s about the exchange, inspiration you give to each other in the moment to create something new.
I could definitely not do this with just anyone. There are only a few producers who inspire me and challenge me in this way and that I would do this with. A new well of opportunity has opened before me and now there is a lack of time which stands in the way but the seeds of ideas have been planted and I have a wishlist to work through in terms of collaborations with artists I have a personal click with and respect for as musicians.
For me, the creating part without practice has to come mostly from within; from the machines that offer me diversity and are easy to use for me. I just need easy and quick access to a lot of sounds and a hands-on easy-to-use and inspiring sequencer to get me going.
Improvisation can of course be challenging to maintain a cohesive and engaging experience for those in attendance. How do you strike the balance between experimentation and delivering a captivating musical journey?
It’s not easy indeed; we are no robots; for me, emotion is always central in my music and it can be a challenge to balance the internal when you have to deliver and make things external. But that’s where we step in as a team, to challenge each other and inspire, trigger ideas.
Of course, we keep it in our thoughts that people didn’t come to a seated concert – otherwise you would probably get quite a different result; so there is a need to keep the things exciting, moving, take the people on a journey that is intriguing and new. I think we both have more than enough musically in us to keep things in balance and refreshing for the listener.
You’ve both had successful solo careers, playing a key role in the definition of underground techno over the past 30 years. How does your collaborative work as a live duo contribute to your individual artistic growth and evolution? Has it allowed you to explore new sonic territories and expand your musical horizons beyond your individual projects?
Definitely; I owe Jochem a big thank you for challenging me into the unknown; this new endeavour has added a complete new dimension to my performing career and has extended my production side to the dancefloor in a new way, which is amazing as my favourite thing to do is to make music and now I can do it on dancefloors around the world.
It has also challenged me to think of more musical collaborations with other amazing artists, and I truly believe it’s so much more fun when doing it together with someone you have a good personal click with. Touring is becoming more fun again!
Your latest EP on Luke Slater’s Mote-Evolver encompasses the raw and driving sounds which you’ve become known for, layering gyrating pads with rolling kicks. Are there more releases from you in the pipeline for this year?
The response to the project has been overwhelming, the amount of interest in us as an act is great; it all started rolling out so quickly that our schedules showed tendency of getting jammed, leaving little to no space for our individual projects and other collaborations we both do.
We have more music ready to release; we discussed possible labels; but we consciously decided to put a pause to the project until the 10 booked shows are behind us mid-summer; then we will re-evaluate in which way we will continue the project in the future. In the meantime, we both have a lot to focus on separately from each other.
Your set at Fold was everything we hoped for and more, littered with mind-melting synths, intense drums and all underpinned by a raw, unpredictable energy which was unlike anything we’d witnessed before. Talk us through your experience of the night and how you found the set went.
I notice that there’s a certain evolving ease added to each of our new sets; better flow with each show, more confidence at my end, and so here I also felt more comfortable and could find the creative flow go easily and naturally. This makes our musical conversation also more fluid. I am glad to hear you enjoyed it.
How did you find playing to a UK crowd as a duo for the first time?
To be honest, I have always experienced the UK crowd as nice & warm. And also this time they were totally going for it. Always fun to play in the UK.
The set marked not only your UK duo debut, but also the first time playing FOLD together. You have a special fondness for club, what is it about FOLD which stands out for you?
I did a DJ set at FOLD before on my own and I had noticed that it was different than any other place I’ve played in the UK. I could feel there was a crew there; People that regularly come back and all have this connection that makes them a crew. It feels very international out there.
It was so much fun with you guys and with Colleen and Jochem all together. I miss this a lot nowadays; this nice warm personal touch instead of just business.
Follow on Instagram :
Steve ‘Sterac’ Rachmad
Speedy J
InterChange
FOLD London
ratemyrave 