UK electronic act Itona releases You EP. Comprising three original tracks and a stunning remix from Italian duo PALLADIAN, the EP explores various shades of house and electronic and is his most fully realised body of work to date.
Itona is the newly launched alias from James Vine, aka ENiGMA Dubz – a creative departure from his signature bass-heavy sound. Meaning ito (love) and na (summer) in Japanese, the Itona project was inspired while James was at home during the UK’s lockdown in the middle of 2020. In response to the challenges many were facing, James set about creating uplifting, ethereal and authentic electronic music to help himself and others escape, but still providing a deep and thought-provoking outlet.
You EP lands on his own Morii Records label this May, with Itona further exploring a range of electronic moods and textures across three original tracks.
The first track to be released from the EP – premiered by tastemaker publication Complex – You Are So is a downtempo electronic cut that uses a combination of shimmering synth lines, crisp, pulsing drums and intricate vocal textures to incredible effect.
The EP then shifts gears with Hold Me which could ostensibly be described as deep house, although that catch-all term fails to do it real justice. Itona demonstrates his incredible skill with vocal manipulation, transforming them into wonderfully evocative sonic textures, layered in amongst warm bass pulses, syncopated synth lines and crips drums.
Leading with crystalline waves of synth and beautifully restrained broken beat rhythm, I’ll Show You How is dense with detail, from the organic-sounding percussion to the half-caught snatches of vocal to the 80s-esque melodic flourishes that appear towards the end of the track.
WWD: Hi James – thanks for talking to us. To kick us off, please can you tell us about when you first felt the need to launch a new alias?
Thanks for having me! In terms of starting the Itona project, it was during the first full UK COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. With gigs not happening, and other work slowing down – the extra time available to me meant I had the space to explore this new venture as it’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while.
WWD: Was it fully formed in your mind from the get go? Or did it take some experimentation in the studio to get right?
Yes and no, it’s an ever-evolving project full of experimentation, however, the overall vibe and vision has been there from the start really. It’s ultimately all about good vibes and an escape for myself – and I hope for others too.
Itona means ito – love, na – summer in Japanese – which worked really well given who the project came about. It also references that element of escapism I’m hoping to achieve.
WWD: You’ve been releasing a few singles leading up to the EP in May – what’s the reaction been like? Have people got what you’re trying to do?
Yeah, the reaction to date has been so good. Both from ENiGMA Dubz fans who also like more chill stuff, but also to a load of new listeners. To be honest, I couldn’t be happier as it’s always tricky to start something brand new. At the same time, it’s a total blank canvas – which makes it exciting.
WWD: How does your experience at Enigma Dubz – as well as any other projects – feed into what you do as Itona?
Having been producing music for over 12 years now, I’ve certainly learned a lot along the way, so it’s been really nice to start a new project with this experience already gained. To be honest, while it’s a complete departure from my harder bass-driven material – the Itona project isn’t a million miles away from the more chill ENiGMA Dubz stuff, but sonically it’s definitely separate, especially in the genres I’m touching on and experimenting with under Itona, including lofi hip hop, house and infusing chillwave elements with the synths. I certainly wouldn’t be able to do anything remotely house with ENiGMA Dubz!
Outside of my own artist work I work as a songwriter, producer and sound engineer for a variety of artists in a huge array of genres, so all of this combined experience feeds into my own endeavors and helps a lot. I just need to make sure I put the right head on each day when jumping in and out of the various projects.
WWD: Do you feel that one effect of the pandemic will be a lot more contemplative music being produced and released?
Absolutely, It’s very noticeable within many scenes. This way of thinking isn’t new to me really as I’ve always approached my own music projects with an essence of emotion rather than aiming everything at the clubs and dance floor though. I think the huge expanse of the streaming market has also turned a lot of heads at the more emotive and contemplative sounds out there, especially during a lockdown – which has led to my creative approach with Itona.
WWD: We read that you’ve been working with some animators on the visual side of Itona – is that as important an aspect as the music in being able to convey a sense of atmosphere with the project?
It really is, I want the whole package to fit together and share the same vibe. The great thing about starting a new project is that it can start as I mean it to go on and it will be the same with the artwork and visual side too. Bon-Psy has done a sick job with the visuals on the ‘You’ campaign.
WWD: Getting technical for a moment, how does your approach in the studio differ with Itona?
Some of the main differences with the Itona project are the genres I’m working on, compared to the mainly Dubstep, Garage and occasional Drum & Bass tempos under ENiGMA Dubz – whereas with Itona I’m going down to 80 bpm at times, alongside some four-to-the-floor tunes at around 120.
Sonically there are some similarities, however I’m definitely experimenting with different sounds, textures, a different overall mixdown and master – and the use of percussion is much more chilled, rather than a big thumping kick etc. I still use a lot of the same plugins but I’m treating them differently to capture the vibe I’m after.
WWD: We see all the press shots are you in nature… are there a lot of field recordings used in the EP?
I’m using a lot of natural and live sounds within the Itona project. To date I’ve not physically recorded any myself but tbh, doing this interview and this question has made me realise I really should! I do have some projects in the pipeline with a live guitarist which I’m really excited about too, to capture those authentic sounds.
WWD: We read in a recent feature that you’re a fan of referencing when creating music – were there any tracks or artists in particular you were listening to when making the EP?
Yeah definitely, there’s a vast array of producers I’ve been listening to when getting my head in gear, out in the car and behind the keyboard. Some of the main ones are; Laxcity, ford., Catching Flies, Two Lanes and the don of downtempo, Bonobo.
WWD: Beyond the release next month, what does the rest of the year look like to you?
Plenty more music! I’m going to be releasing an album this year and possibly another EP before that, the folder of Unreleased material is stacking up so I just can’t wait to put more out. The project is just getting going.
WWD: Anything else you think we should know, or you’d like to tell us about?
Thanks for the great interview! Loved those questions. If your readers can give me follow on their preferred platform, that would be awesome. As a new alias, it all makes a big difference.
You can buy his EP HERE
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