Quality over quantity is the mantra for the Berlin based duo Irakli & Yacoub also known to many as I/Y.
Releases with the likes of Fracture Label, Dynamic Reflection, Inkblots, Weekend Circuit and Tommy Four Seven’s “47” project have cemented a high credibility. Their sound borders between a love for experimentation and club ready ammunition, keeping things edgy, yet very receptive and always exciting for whichever shape or form they choose from one track to the next.
We are very happy to introduce them for the latest DT:Feature following a new outing on their own label that we Premiered recently…
> 01. Which artists and genres inspired you to start producing music?
I: There are plenty of them, hard to name, Depeche Mode, Phillip Glass, Jeff Mills, Eric Satie, Cio D’Or, Luke Slater, Prince to mane some.
> 02. What production hardware or software do you get the best results from and what does it bring to your work?
Y: We’ve been working with Elektron and Eurorack gear - on the one hand the total recall on the Elektron Analog boxes is incredibly practical, on the other hand the sometimes chaotic and unpredictable behavior of modular gear opens up new doors to creativity. I recently picked up an SH101 also, which is a fantastic sounding piece of kit and lends itself to coming up with ideas quickly through its rather simplistic (but efficient) control surface. As long as I don’t have to stare at a computer screen for too long, I’m happy!
> 03. Which track from your own back catalogue are a staple in your DJ/Live sets?
The A side off of our first release - we obviously still have a special connection to this one. It was the first representation of our sound, so we still play it every now and again to satisfy our nostalgia for when we first started out.
“0000.015” [I/Y] (2013)
> 04. What aspect do you enjoy the most from working in music?
I: The flow and process of it in general, when nothing else matters…
Y: Getting lost in a loop for hours on end, really. And that moment when an idea pops up after you’ve been stuck in a loop for ages and everything suddenly comes together. I live for that feeling!
> 05. What would you change or improve about the music industry and/or club culture?
I think what club culture needs more is free spaces for more experiments, more music with soul and personality.
> 06. What’s your passion outside of making music?
People, new places, experiencing different cultures and the arts in general - anything that can serve as an inspiration to, in turn, make music!
> 07. Where has been one of your most enjoyable gigs to date and what made it so special?
Without a doubt our 10-hour closing at Berghain in January. It is and always will be a magical place to play at and having the opportunity to play such an extended set is really an experience unlike any other. Having this monumental cavernous space and accompanying sound to express yourself in is definitely an unforgettable experience.
Other than that, we recently had quite a big surprise playing in a small and intimate club in Verona - Veniceberg. It had an absolutely stellar sound system and was just such a great space, truly a little gem that made a rough weekend of gigs completely worth it!
> 08. Which tracks by another artist have really caught your attention recently?
Marc Lansley - Copyright Protection [Supermoll Labor] (2016)
Dimi Angélis - Spitzer [ANGLS] (2016)
> 09. Which artists do you keep a close eye on and rate highly for the future?
There are lot of very interesting and promising artists out there right now, as DJs we definitely have to mention Caleb ESC and Haiku. They both have something very personal in the way they play and in their record selection.
> 10. What forthcoming projects or releases are we yet to see?
We just released the second Moments EP, another VA featuring tracks by Stanislav Tolkachev, Christopher Joseph, ourselves and a solo track by Irakli. We’ve got further releases lined up for the coming months - keeping ourselves quite busy this year…
