Skurken’s 808781 isn’t choosing between creative melodic synths and beautifully complex IDM groove, it’s delivering both. This kind of blend is a rare find, but Skurken pulls it off effortlessly. Read our interview with the artist below to find out the story behind the track and maybe the meaning hidden in those six digits.
Describe your sound in 3 words
Atmospheric, Melancholic, Clinical.
Tell us a few things about 808781. What is the story behind it?
808781 was a little bit my way of honoring Ikutaro Kakehashi,the founder of Roland Corporation. He died in 2017 and shortly following that I made this tune. The name of the song is a collection of product names/numbers of Kakehashi’s creations, 808 and CR78 drum machines, and the Alpha Juno 1 synth. All used on this song.
If 808781 was an answer, what would the question be?
How can one make a 40 year old drum machines swing?
You aren’t fond of categorizing music, and your work often jumps between tempos and “sonic flavors.” What is your creative process like?
There is no specific Creative Process that I follow, maybe I should though! Sometimes I start doing a beat, sometimes I start doing the melody or chords – It’s absolute chaos usually. However I find it crucial to have reference tracks(for the sound, mostly) and also to feedback from trusted music-friends regularly.
Do you feel Iceland, your environment, the light, the isolation, or the landscape, is an active collaborator in your sound?
Sure, probably but I don’t know! However I find that I’m the most creative in winter time, the darkness and bad weather(most of the time) makes me do stuff. We have almost 24 hour daylight during summer and that’s no good for the creative juices. I imagine I would be a terrible musician in warmer climates. So yes, in fact I think the environment is an active collaborator, now that I think of it!
Artists and people that have influenced you?
Well, I grew up listening to UK rave/hardcore music (well, before that I loved Wham, Modern talking and Europe.. but I was 10!) and then it evolved from that. My biggest influences are probably early Warp artists, Squarepusher, Black Dog/Plaid( actually opened for them when they played in my hometown Reykjavík. Awesome guys, very nice and down-to-earth.). In later years I’m very much into Rival Consoles, Max Cooper and the like. There is a lot of great electronic music being made right now, I try to follow and not get stuck too much in the past.
Having had your music featured in film and TV, do you find the constraints of composing for a visual medium refreshing compared to the total freedom of a solo album?
In the last few years I’ve mostly been doing music and sound design for advertisements. I really love doing that, mostly because it pays well 😀 It’s also so refreshing to be working with very short timeline, the average ad is maybe 15-60 sek, so I can get really anal on all the details and polish everything.
In which place or state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I really hope my music works both at home and on the dancefloor, whereever, really. State of mind? Don’t know, I just hope people really listen, this is not made for being background music, there is a lot going on. My favorite music is the one I can listen to a million times and always find something new, I’m trying to do the same thing with mine.
What is next for you?
I’m just starting work on the next album, looking at a 2027-2028 release, hopefully, we will see how it goes. And besides that, hopefully continuing making and listening to music while juggling my normar 9-5 job and 3 kids. Thanks!
Thank you!
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