Low-end sounds from Malmös bass ambassador Ekaliff
A 100% production mix, recorded live at this year’s Trans Metro Express.
Blending heavy, syncopated drums, and yearning vocal-infused production, the versatile Malmö-based musician moves within the framework of dubstep and beyond with their subtle but forward thinking bass music.
With DJ appearances on Rinse France, Subtle Radio, and releases on labels like Bait and the Paris-based De la… je l’espère, their sound has reached audiences across Sweden and Europe. As a co-founder of the Melt crew and part of FNGRLCKN, Ekaliff has played a key role in Malmö’s bass scene through club nights and collaborations and continues to push it forward with their bass label Feeler Rec, a home for weight and personality.
Hi Ess, thanks for sharing your thoughts and music with us. You played the opening set at Trans Metro Express earlier this year. What was that experience like?
Playing at the Trans Metro Express is for sure the craziest gig I’ve ever done and it’s a memory that will last for me throughout life! It was the first time playing solely my own tracks as well so it was a very special gig for me in that sense too. This past spring and summer has been a very productive period for me so it was really cool to be able to collect all the new tracks into something like a production mix for the Trans Metro. When all the tracks were collected I rehearsed a lot, wrote down the track order and every little effect to be used at what specific time. I didn’t have any certain expectations rather than enjoying a very rare setting for playing and I heard from people that have been on the train before about the heat in the train and I can confirm that yes, it was sweaty, but I would say it really added something to the whole experience. Being in a moving, small, tight vehicle, together, sweaty listening to my music, was very intimate. People were very hyped and it almost gave me tears to be honest!
You DJ, produce and have organized events as one of the key players in Malmö’s bass scene with the MELT series and now FEELER REC – how did it all start for you?
I grew up in a household with a drumset because my two brothers are drummers and it turned me into a drummer as well. Music was a big part of my upbringing, trying different instruments and having fun with my brother playing the drums and dancing with my family on our blue carpet dedicated for dancing and listening to CDs.
It wasn’t until I moved to Malmö from my home town Kalmar, I started to explore producing electronic music in a daw and this is about 8 years ago now. During my years I connected and became a part of FNGRLCKN, a collective that taught me how to DJ and curate parties and we also built a studio together that is still in use and where I have my drums.
Dubstep and UK bass music caught my interest when I was in college in 2010. A girl in my class played Kid Sister – Pro Nails – (Rusko Remix) at a party and it was a holy experience for me and a door opened to the wonderful world of Dubstep. It shaped me and I’ve loved it ever since. As soon as I learnt how to DJ I played hiphop and after some years I started to play Dubstep, even though the scene for this music is very small in Malmö. I want to give a huge thank you to Andrés aka Sound and Fury, for always encouraging me and for teaching me so much about curating dubstep and sound system events.
About 3 years ago, Mod Sens, Bolam and I started Melt collective with a goal to push the bass scene in Malmö with bookings like Kessler, Beatrice M. Axle, Ehua, Ema, Jess Hands and more, it was truly a success and we had so much fun creating these nights. Now I’m onto a new chapter in life. I’ve been studying Music Business Development since last year, and it really inspired me to pursue my absolute dream: starting my own label Feeler Rec, which is my full focus right now.
What have you got coming up next?
With Feeler Rec I have a label launch party coming up on December 6th featuring a few of the artists from the forthcoming V/A album release: S8jfou live (FR), Sound And Fury (DK), DJ Clockwise, Rumina and myself. Extra subs from Øka soundsystem will bring the low end pressure.
On December 12th, I’ll be playing at Jolene to celebrate the V/A release, which I’m also contributing a track to, curated by Katla To Records and on the 19th I’ll play at Rust in CPH for the first time, a very good way to end the year!
Tracklist
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – GIZMO (FNGRLCKN)
Ekaliff – Starting to feel (Forthcoming on Feeler Rec)
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – Ooze (Bait)
Ekaliff – There (De la… je l’espère)
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – Unreleased
Ekaliff – Nektar Dub (earworm)
For more news, music and mixtapes, stay up to date with Ekaliff on Instagram , Soundcloud, and Bandcamp
Listen to the previous Strøm Mixx with Dubrunner – or browse the archive here.