Ctrl-Alt-Del - Amazing Electronica act for the future!

London, Electrowerkz (Slimelights), UK

The future of Dance music is here and it's Ctrl-Alt-Del !!!

Dan Devour talks with Dub-Step / Electronica act Ctrl-Alt-Del mastermind Paul Batchelor about their music and what makes them tick. This is a band for the future and even Disney have used their music for a cartoon about robots.

Music Trespass: Where do you think your sound comes from?

Paul: Personally I'm influenced by many things, from literally everywhere. I love all musical styles and believe there's something good in everything out there. Song ideas pop out from different places and can start out as just a title or a little melody or bass line. I don't have any hard or fast rules regarding making music. It's always a pretty fluid process and it never takes long once an idea is there.

Music Trespass: How do you think your music has progressed in the last few years?

Paul: Production has definitely improved. We've invested in new technology and are always trying to keep things fresh for both ourselves and our listeners. I think we've come a long way from 'Deletist!', You can hear how different when you listen to '101' our last release.

Music Trespass: 'Destroy all Dance Floors' is that a message or a statement and what does the album mean to you?

Paul: It's a suggestion. That you shouldn't hold back. It's good to let your hair down and really dance your socks off. We're not at all insinuating that we personally destroy anything. That'd be unprofessional. I'm really proud of that release and I'm happy to report that we've sold a lot of copies. All I want is for people to listen to what we do. I think we achieved that.

Music Trespass: Do you think artist like Pendulum disappearing and Skrillex being big at the moment will help your progress?

Paul: Pendulum are still doing great in the guise of Knife Party as for Skrillex for being so successful. Well that's all great for anyone writing and playing Electronic music. As for them helping us personally? If they ever get a chance to listen to and like what we do..... I'll happily join them for a gig of two.

Music Trespass: What equipment do you use?

Paul: We have a huge amount of synthesizers. We love them. We love playing as much live as possible and that requires access to a huge range of sounds. Yeah we could hook up a midi controller to a computer but for us having that hardware at our finger tips gives us more control. Our live load out changes depending on what tracks we're playing. For writing we use Ableton 9 live and pay for studio time like regular folk when we need vocal or instrument tracks recording. You can't beat getting into a studio to do those bits. It feeds the creative juices being in a studio also the time pressure can really add to what happens and gets produced.

Music Trespass: What do you think is the imagery of the band

Paul: Geek chic. Honestly? I'm not sure. We try to look a bit futuristic but most of the time we're rocking jeans, T-shirts and a worn pair of Chuck Taylor's.

Music Trespass: What bands are you listening to at the moment?

Paul: Dr P, Savant, Shirobon, Imogen Heap, Bat for Lashes, loads more old stuff.

Music Trespass: Tell us about Disney stealing one of your songs?

Paul: They may not have stolen one of our songs:) lol I hope they have. What would that be worth? It's probably a case of either them or someone they use, using the same sample we've used. It happens in electronic music from time to time. We are looking into it though. Just in case.

Music Trespass: Your playing the Bearded Theory Festival, Tell me about that?

Paul: Yes we are. We were asked by the people who run the Magical Dance sounds tent. We're very excited to be able to bring our sound to so many people at such a great event and if anyone reading this is attending. All I can say is prepare yourself for a exciting stage show! It's gonna be nuts!

Music Trespass: What's next for Ctrl-Alt-Del?

Paul: Well, we're re-releasing 'Destroy all Dance Floors' for free very soon. It'll feature re-mastered versions of the originals plus remixes of the title track and a huge amount of remixes we've done for other people. We're also very close to completing our next album. It's diverse as usual for us. Full of fun, dark and very danceable tunes. Obviously we have Bearded Theory to play and Daxtonbury Festival in July.

Music Trespass: If you have not heard Ctrl-Alt-Del your in for a shock because the music is magical!

Interview, Questions and Photo's by Dan Devour