Londam Records welcome Jan Steiner to the label. Jan has released on Traum Schallplatten and Mesh and here he gives us two delicious downtempo organic cuts.
‘Meet Her At The Jazzkantine’ has an infectious swung groove supporting a pulsing layer which is certain to get people moving. In the second half a soaring flute takes the track to a completely new and optimistic space. ‘Call of Abnoba’ maintains the vibe with a sumptuous mix of rich sounds and atmospheric leads over an ever-evolving groove. Easy to get lost in!
Two cutting-edge tunes perfect for a day set or chilled party under the stars. With the EP out now, we invited Jan into our Little Talk series.
WWD: Welcome to When We Dip! Thanks for talking to us – how’s 2023 treating you so far?
It has been treating me really well so far! A bit crazy as in too busy and scheduled but I guess that’s a rather good complaint to have when you’re rather “new on the scene”.
WWD: What are your earliest memories of music?
I have memories of music back to when I must have been three or four which apparently is rather early. I remember performing “Old MacDonald had a farm” with my pre school music school I attended when I was four or five. I absolutely wanted to play drums. I used kitchen utensils, old 5L Persil cardboard boxes, etc. Somehow my parents managed to persuade me that playing piano was the better choice. Certainly, for their ears I guess.
WWD: How would you describe your music style, and who are some of the artists that you draw inspiration from?
I find it very difficult to describe my style. I also think it’s somewhat eclectic. In the broadest sense it surely is electronic music with influences from Techno, House as well as Pop and Jazz. I draw inspirations from anything and everything I hear all the time.
There are such an enormous number of fantastic artists and musicians out there who are truly exciting and inspiring. I guess, in the last while it has been Oora who’s live sessions are really magic, David Hilowitz whose YouTube channel I love, Jay Hosking (dito), Neil Cowley, Ben Lukas Boysen, Tom Ashbrook, Keinseier and of course the “old” constant inspirations such as Stimming, Robag Wruhme, Hainbach, Kiasmos…
WWD: What were the first records you can remember being into, the ones that really made an impression on you?
I remember being absolutely fascinated by “Mammagamma” by the Alan Parsons Project. Still one of my favourite albums actually. I also for years had this song in my head that I must have heard when I was very young. I couldn’t think of the name which drove me nuts for years actually. I only “discovered” it recently: “Egyptian Reggae” by Jonathan Richman & Modern Lovers! Totally underrated track that I would love to remix! Other very early memories are that of my father listening very loudly to “Yello” which opened up such a weird and wonderful electronic sound world. They were truly visionary and pioneers.
WWD: Your next EP ‘Meet Her At The Jazzkantine’ landed this month – what can you tell us about this one? Is the title a reference to the Da Hool classic??
Ha ha, you would think so, wouldn’t you? It certainly is a wink to it. I love that track. “Meet her at the Jazzkantine” actually started like a lot of my tracks, i.e. by chance. I had been particularly fascinated by Granular synthesis and this is how the initial motive started. I really liked the Jazz-like feeling to it.
The story that evolved with it in my mind was that of two teenagers meeting at a fun fair in front of a tent where some cool music plays. The break with the kind of Glockenspiel motive is when they first shyly meet. The energy they feel generated by their attraction to each other then leads to the Jazz flute which I particularly love.
WWD: How did you hook up with Londam for the release?
That’s one of the few positive COVID stories, I think. After having watched and admired a lot of Janus Rasmussen’s YouTube clips I joined up to become his Patreon. Through that I joined his Discord community. Which is where I met Mark from Londam. All virtual to date but I definitely am planning to visit him in London!
WWD: When you’re not working on your music, how do you like to spend your time?
Well, most of my time is occupied by my “day job”, that is working in theatre as an Anaesthesiologist or in the Intensive Care Unit. I like spending time outside working in the garden or going for walks in the absolutely stunning countryside I’m blessed to live in. To me there is something magic and certainly very inspirational to the Irish Atlantic coast.
WWD: What else do you have coming up in 2023 that we should be looking out for?
I’ll be releasing at least two upcoming remixes and possibly a third. I really enjoy taking “finished” material and mixing it up completely. I’ll release another slightly harder techno track in June published by a new local label in Galway, another track will be on the next Tour de Traum, possibly another EP with Londam later this year and maybe even more…
I had initially planned to play live at the 25-year anniversary of Traum but unfortunately had to cancel it due to too many things going on. And me not being comfortable enough to perform live. Yet! But I’ll work on that, too!
Jan Steiner: SoundCloud // Instagram