Time to visit Another Place
Using vintage gear, constructing glorious walls of sound and developing an intuitive understanding of the power of repetition, Pachyman’s work is steeped in the methodology of 70s dub but given a subtle twist that not only brings them bang up to date but also gives them a flavour all of their own.
The Puerto Rico-born, Los Angeles-based musician is about to drop album number four – the supremely sunny sounding Another Place – and hitting Europe on tour, having already got Australian and US dates under his proverbial belt this year. Time, in other words, for Juno Daily to have a word…
Your new album Another Place has a more expansive and cinematic sound—what inspired this creative shift from your earlier, more minimalist dub recordings?
I wanted to try new ideas with the same sounds; maybe see where dub could have gone if pushed further and into different genres. dub has always had that experimental approach to music and I wanted to continue that tradition of exploration.
The title Another Place suggests both escapism and exploration—what does that phrase mean to you personally and musically?
Another Place could be a safe space. It can be a place to be emotionally vulnerable as well. Your physical location can also move you to create different ideas. I’ve been on the road a lot since I released The Return Of… and its changed my perspective of my own music. I’ve strayed a lot from the original sound of the project and this album felt like the one most departed from that. It still retains a lot of the same flavor but its definitely somewhere else, at least for now.
How did your Puerto Rican roots and time in Los Angeles shape the sound of this record?
My Puertorican roots will always be the foundation of my sound regardless of what kind of genre im working on. Los Angeles exposed me to producing and sparked an interest in carving sounds and molding them into records. The project started in LA so the influence of those two locations are well present in my music how ever it may be.
You’ve been known for your DIY studio approach—what gear or techniques were crucial in shaping the sound of Another Place?
I still use most of the same gear from my last record Switched-On. A lot of the process came down to knowing when to use less or more microphones, when to record the room rather than just the instrument and so on. Capturing a vibe is essential in my records and producing alone takes time. Finding the right take is important too.
Is there a particular track on the album that felt like a turning point or breakthrough during the recording process?
‘False Moves’ was definitely a turning point. Its something that ive been wanting to do since the beginning of this project; to combine both that post punk sound with dub like back in the day but with a fresh outlook. It immediately follows up with ‘Strikes Back!’ which is a sort of prog jazz fusion interlude. Im happy how those turned out; they make the record feel like a journey.
Dub is often associated with tradition and history—how do you navigate the line between paying homage and pushing the genre forward?
The way I did it was putting in the work on my first three records; making them feel as authentic to the original feeling of those dub records from back in the day. I payed my dues in that genre but I also felt like something was still missing; like it could have gone further or in a different direction. I channeled that feeling of exploration and experimentation.
You’ve mentioned in past interviews that you think of dub as a “mindset”—how does that philosophy come through in this new project?
Through experimentation and writing things outside of my comfort zone but looking it through the lens of my own sound. I know how to make dub tunes; how can I use those techniques to create something new? I just work on it a lot and I don’t commit to anything that isn’t exciting to me.
There are hints of ambient, synth, and even Latin influences throughout Another Place – were you consciously expanding the sonic palette this time around?
Yes, I wanted to bring a lot of my different influences into the mix. A lot of these different genres can co-exist together. We hear it in parties and DJ sets all the time, why not on a record?
As a solo artist producing, mixing, and playing most instruments yourself, what keeps you inspired and creatively fresh in the studio?
I try to have fun in the studio. I do a lot of demos and I try not to think about them too much. I just put on mic in the room and record whatever ideas seem fun at the moment and I move on. Not overthinking is crucial for me during this process.
Looking ahead, what role do you think dub can play in shaping contemporary music across genres?
Dub has already shaped music across all genres for decades! Dub changed music completely. I’m just another artist using that medium to create my own world.
Pre-order your blue vinyl copy of Another Place, out on May 22, by clicking here
Pics: Alex Bulli
Pachyman tour dates:
May 21: Hamburg, DE @ Knust
May 23: Stockholm, SE @ Hosoi
May 24: Gothenburg, SE @ Nefertiti
May 25: Copenhagen, DN @ Ideal Bar
May 28: Berlin, DE @ LARK
May 29: Munich, DE @ Import Export
May 30: Zurich, CH @ Moods
May 31: Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
June 1: Utrecht, NL @ De Nijverheid
June 3: Paris, FR @ Le Point Ephémère
June 4: Brighton, UK @ The Hope & Ruin
June 5: London, UK @ Jazz Cafe
June 6: Bristol, UK @ Rough Trade
June 7: Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade
