Ike Release

After a half-decade of ever-more essential releases on only the most cultured labels, Chicago native Ike Release is now a revered producer and live performer. Whether working solo or as Innerspace Halflife with friend Hakim Murphy, Ike’s house and techno is a deeply emotive, individual and hugely textural affair. Built on the foundations of the Chicago sound, it draws on the soul of Detroit, the blissful moods of ambient and the spirit of various legends past, from Drexciya to LTJ Bukem. Releasing on labels like Dutch stable MOS Recordings, Skudge Recordings, Finale Sessions and Machining Dreams, Ike also runs his own raw outlet, Episodes. It is here that he has developed his own singular sound with cuts like his Subsequent EP, before going on to win wider acclaim for Wind/Phazzled, a standout split release with Hakim back in 2012. “I use whatever is handy (and working) to produce my sounds,” says Ike of his variously acid infused, seriously deep or blissfully atmospheric cuts. “I come across as a bit of hack producer in those early stages of an idea, but once I find something interesting to my ears I can fashion a respectable tune out of it. Once I’ve got an idea, I play out an arrangement and fine-tune/edit from there. That way, I’m not dealing with week-long or marathon sessions, it’s more like get in, get out.” Currently holding down resident duties with Hakim at Chicago’s legendary Smart Bar - where he has long been a patron – this unique pair also play live at places like Panorama Bar in Berlin, Concrete in Paris, Golden Pudel in Hamburg and Bootleg in Bordeaux. Having recently completed his debut solo full length, Noir, it’s fair to say Ike Release is now a very real voice in the on going stories of house and techno. - Kristan J. Caryl (teshno.com) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.