Local Rockstars: Sinfol on the flourishing techno scene

Mar 16, 2016 | by Chloë Arkenbout | Music

About the author

Born and raised in Amsterdam, lives to dance and dances to live on electronic music, has a small vinyl addiction, appreciates a little sarcasm now and then, thinks musicals are annoying and loves those moments where you lose track of time completely.

Whether you went out last weekend to check out an uber-geeky beat magician or a depressingly awesome indie rock band, we all know there’s always some serious musical talents rocking around the Dam. You might not recognize them all yet, but don’t worry, you will soon. In this series of interviews we talk to remarkable artists about their music and their inspirations.

Sinfol has become one of the key figures of the Amsterdam techno scene. His vision is clear and this guy isn’t going to let anything get in his way. If his name doesn’t ring a bell (yet) his label Anagram probably will. With tracks from Francois X and Stefan Vincent the label has released some pretty impressive stuff already. You might also know Sinfol as one of the Reaktor residents. I met up with him at Coffee & Coconuts while he basically just came back from Berghain. Luckily I was pretty hungover as well so we were on the same level.

You started playing in 2011. How did you see the scene change since then?
“The scene hasn’t really changed that much because a small group of big guys dominates every line-up. On the other hand the Dutch scene has been influenced by a lot of great things from Germany and the UK. By making it our own we’ve been playing a bigger role in the international techno scene. Back in the day Awakenings, one of the parties that represents Dutch techno on an international level, booked artists such as Adam Beyer. Now guys like Surgeon, Blawan and Pariah are playing there as well.”

Techno is not an underground niche anymore. What’s your opinion on that?
“That’s a positive thing! Techno is something really beautiful and contemporary. It attracts people that have good intentions for their surroundings and the world around them. With other environments that’s not always the case and aggression can be a real issue. A downside is that when techno gets bigger it might attract people that don’t share those open values. You don’t want to exclude anyone of course, but I hope techno will keep attracting the right crowd.”

Can you give me an example of a track that reminds you of the time you started playing, that you still play today?
“It’s very hard for me to pick an all-time favorite but this track is definitely on the list. The amazing 909 groove, the organ; I just can’t stop loving this. I occasionally use this to wrap up a night because it has this kind of energy and positivism that I tend to strive for in the end of my sets.”

Any exciting things happening with Anagram?
“Somewhere in April or May we’ll release an EP by me and Octual. We’ve been friends for a really long time and our styles have grown in the same direction of the past years. This EP will be a representation of our interaction as friends and artists.”

Shout out time. Any other Amsterdam-based initiatives or artists you dig?
“I’m impressed by JP Enfant and what he’s doing with LET. They managed to create a great entourage. Tape Records are doing good as well by releasing music I can really relate to. And then there are of course the rocks in the scene, Rush Hour and Clone.”

Empathy and discipline brought your where you are now. How?
“The empathy in my character has played a big rol in my life. I usually have a good sense of what goes on in people’s minds, what they feel and how they are in life. That gives me so much inspiration. When I talk about discipline I mean it’s also a case of hard work. You have to believe in what you’re doing and stick to it. I can be a bit of a control freak, haha.”

In your productions you build suspense by adding specific elements of human emotion. How does that work?
“Good music will evoke a certain emotion when you hear it and at the same time it reflects the emotions the artist was experiencing while writing the music. I try to find the perfect balance between major and minor harmonies to create a sad and happy vibe at the same time. That’s when the magic happens.”

You’re playing at the LET Easter Weekender. Are you excited?
“Yes! I’ve been playing Ø [Phase] tracks for a long time, those are one of the best tools you can have in your record bag. His music is pretty rough so you should know when to use it, but there’s this amazing hypnotic emotion present as well. Deniro is on fire as well with Tape and releases on Nina Kraviz’ label трип. So it’s nice to be in the same line up.”