Akasha FX are a new name but the producers behind it, Kristian Townsend and Darren Beale, are anything but. They first worked together as part of legendary hardcore rave outfit Orca in the early 90s before going there separate ways to produce drum & bass (Kristian as Alpha Proxima and Darren as Decoder).

They've always remained friends and recently started working together again as part of breaks outfit Ways And Means (alongside Gary Eccles) and on the experimental electronic project they call Akasha FX. With a new EP called Without Limits out now on Filter we spoke to Kristian and got an exclusive guest mix into the bargain...

Tell us how you came to start working together again after all these years...
 
Darren and I have known each other for many years, we have grown musically together since the early rave days so we understand each others ideas and generally are moving in the same direction even now! It is very rare to have a relationship like that, it has been a long time that we have been good friends and studio partners.

I think that working together more proactively again brings a bit more fun back into writing tunes as well, it is genuinely exciting getting that musical buzz back for the music and doing it together, it works well for our ideas as we push each other and are not afraid to try anything.

You also work together as Ways And Means, can you explain the differences between the two projects...
 
Ways And Means allows us to experiment within the breaks scene, using our experience with drum & bass, techno and breakbeat and putting the knowledge in a musical melting pot, trying to create our own sound and identity within the scene.

With Akasha FX there are no boundaries, least of all the tempo, we can literally do whatever we want and we both find that a very attractive proposition!

Tell us more about the tracks on your new EP...
 
The Without Limits EP is a very personal project as it goes, there is a message throughout the whole EP and each track works well with the others and it creates a bit of a journey. We have used elements of our musical influences and created a nice slice of all-back-to-mine electronica with attitude, it may be quite laid back but it's got a groove and it's definitely bass heavy.

We are fortunate to know some great singers so getting them involved adds a lot of depth and takes each track to a new level. The track Stars features Frances Mary and Conscious features a long time friend MC Junior Blind. Different tracks need different vocalists depending on the vibe and we're sensitive to that so there will be more collaborations in the future with these two as well as other exciting vocalists that are coming through right now.

How did you come to work with Filter?
 
I remember listening to Tripnotic on Filter and really liked what I heard so checked out other artists on the label, looking for synergy between us as artists and Filter, and once we completed the EP I naturally sent it over.

Once we started working with Filter what really got us 'bought in' was Tripnotic's passion for what he does and his belief in the music he promotes. I believe there is a lot of synergy regarding how we view the music scene itself and that is reassuring. His music catalogue on Filter is varied and inspired so naturally it is something we would like to be a part of and we look forward to growing with the label.

Will you be producing an album?
 
Most definitely, an album of this style allows us to really experiment with electronica, pushing the boundaries and creating a real journey. We are not restricted by fitting into a certain tempo or sound.

We have some great tracks in the pipeline waiting to come out and I think we will naturally release a few more EPs to build up an awareness of who we are. Once everything is in place, from the audience and the label relationship to the music, then we will release the album. It's got to be at the right time however and we are prepared to wait.

Got any Akasha FX DJ gigs or live shows you can tell us about?

We are playing at the Manifest Festival in the Isle of Man in September, we will have the whole tent for a good period of time so we will be able to have a chance to really show what Akasha FX is about. Ee will also be able to bring in vocalists to such performances which will again add another dimension
 
What are you currently working on in the studio?
 
There are a couple of great vocal tracks, very chilled with dark undertones and we have also been reworking several tracks that we have written some time ago that now would fit in perfectly but at the time, we either did not have the avenue to release them. It's interesting as some of these tracks we wrote in the mid 90s and they now finally fit in perfectly!

Done any interesting remixes recently?
 
Yes, we have just completed a Kosheen DJs mix of Ways And Means' What I Want which will be coming out on Dusted Breaks and a Ways And Means remix for Dylan Rhymes which will be going out on Lot 49.

What tracks, producers and labels are you feeling at the moment?
 
Afrojack is producing some good tracks at the mo, along with Tripnotic on Filter and Mon Basarra which is a new project from Mark Pember aka Meat Katie.

Anything else you want to tell us about?
 
Just a big thank to everyone who is supporting us, we will really be pushing our sound with Akasha FX, so if you like your beats experimental and different then keep your ears to the ground for us.

 

Akasha FX - Exclusive DJ mix for K Mag by Filter

 

Tracklisting

• Akasha FX - Conscious
• Radiohead - Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors
• Akasha FX - True Self
• LFO - Track Fourteen
• Akasha FX - Without Limits
• Autechre - Nil
• Aphex Twin - We Are The Music Makers
• Akasha FX - Stars
• Tripnotic - Departure
• Boards Of Canada - Chromakey Dreamcoat
• LFO - El Ef Oh!
• Max Cooper - Automnemonic
• Crystal Castles - Tell Me What To Swallow

• Akasha FX

Related Links:

• Guest Mix: Ways & Means
• In The Studio: Silkie
• Sontronics Saturn Microphone
• New TC Electronic Audio Interface
• NI release Absynth 4, Guitar Rig 4, Kontakt 4

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