Today, Hybris‘ new Prague-based label Pseudoscience Recordings celebrates its first release: The Say Hello to the Future EP, produced by the label founder himself. We asked Hybris some questions about Pseudoscience and the influence of music distribution services like tunecore on the Drum&Bass-Scene.

the Interview with Hybris

TuB: Now, just a few days away from the start of your new label Pseudoscience (The Interview took place two days ago. [Editor’s note]). How was your week?
Hybris: Not too bad! Lots of time in the new studio recently, lots of new things in the works.

TuB: On your website you say: „I’m starting my own label to do whatever I want.“ Do you need more freedom?

Hybris: That’s an interesting question. When I started the label, I thought maybe people would misinterpret me saying that as me implying that Invisible hadn’t been giving me enough freedom, which is totally not the case.

It’s not that any one label doesn’t allow me enough freedom, but it’s more that labels have their own tastes and visions, and I have my taste and vision, and sometimes the overlap of the two is a very narrow and somewhat unrepresentative cross-section of my music.

I decided I needed the freedom to release what I wanted, when I wanted, because I felt that only releasing the music that impressed established drum and bass labels might be a bit confining for what I’m interested in doing. I’m not interested in making „Neuro, but not REALLY neuro, it’s a little bit different, but you can still play it in a neuro set.“ For me that is such a weak compromise, I want to make what I want to make, period.

I should also mention that I’m not releasing music that other labels have turned down, this is not a „bottom of the barrel“ label where I release the scraps for a little extra cash. I’m releasing my newest and freshest material on Pseudoscience, without having sent to any other labels first.

Pseudoscience is not a „bottom of the barrel“ label where I release the scraps for a little extra cash.

TuB: Services like tunecore or RouteNote offer easy distribution on all major platforms. There’s even a wikihow article on how to start your own label. Has publishing music online become too easy? Are ‚amateur-songs‘ flooding the market?

Hybris: Maybe so, but the beautiful thing is, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to listen to it! I personally don’t really notice that much amateur music, because if it sounds amateur, I hit skip. I see no problem with kids releasing their own music, though I think maybe people should have a bit more patience before putting stuff out there.

I’m personally kinda glad that my productions from 15 years ago aren’t available online, and that’s where the roll of labels filtering out the noise used to be very important. But also, Google didn’t exist, the internet was quite primitive by today’s standards, so today it’s pretty easy not to be overwhelmed with stuff you don’t want to listen to because you can search more effectively.

TuB: Many producers now start their own label, they pop out everywhere. Do you think it damages the scene if the music is distributed over many small labels with lower impact each, or is it good for diversity?

Hybris: I guess it relates to my previous answer, I think it’s fine. I can’t speak for any other producers as to why they started their own labels, but for me this was the most natural step forward as far as continuing to evolve as an artist. I’m not sure what would be damaging to the scene about it, I think it’s more damaging to have a handful of established labels acting as the gatekeepers and taste-makers for everyone else. I don’t particularly love what’s popular right now, and so I don’t want to have to cater to more established institutions to get my music heard. They’re off on their thing, I’m off on mine.

I think it’s more damaging to have a handful of established labels acting as the gatekeepers and taste-makers for everyone else.

TuB: We already got some tastes from your label. But, how will the sound of Pseudoscience be like and develop?

Hybris: I’m not really sure to be honest, that’s the fun of it. I’ve got two EPs finished, the first one dnb, the second one not, and the third one I’m still trying to figure out how to put it together from my every growing mound of tunes. Right now I’m very interested in syncopated, micro-scale rhythms and strangely organic textures, and in the future I’ll be releasing whatever it is I’m genuinely interested in at the moment, so if that happens to be polka or happy hardcore in the future, that’s what I’ll be releasing. However, I really don’t see polka or happy hardcore being future interests of mine, most likely the progression will be a various tempo journey into intricate and immersive sounds.

TuB: Do you plan on getting other artists on the label, besides you? Can you already tell a name?

Hybris: I’ve been saying if I hear anything I like, I’ll put it out, but I haven’t received any demos as of yet that have blown my mind. I’ve got some collabs going with DLR, Safire, and Abstract Elements, so we’ll see, maybe those will eventually find a home on Pseudoscience.

TuB: Will the releases be digital only, or do you plan to press some vinyl?
Hybris: I’m just doing digital to begin with, maybe if there’s demand or budget in the future, I’ll do some vinyl. Really the name of the game is keeping overhead costs down, so it’s much less of a risk when I release something that is a bit off center. Unless I somehow end up rolling in the dough I’m gonna continue with that philosophy.

TuB: When is your next gig in Germany?
Hybris: Nothing planned at the moment, but I hope to make it back soon!

TuB: Drum or Bass?
Hybris: Drums!

Say Hello to the Future • 13/09/17 • Pseudoscience Recordings • PSR 001
bandcamp • juno • SoundCloud
  01 Hybris - Say Hello to the Future
  02 Hybris - Beetle Bag
  03 Hybris - River Rat
  04 Hybris - Cabin Pressure

Pseudoscience Recordings
SoundCloud • facebook • bandcamp

Hybris
Website • SoundCloud • facebook

The german translation of this interview with Hybris is available here.