September 1: No longer quite summer but not quite yet autumn. There’s growing expectancy as the seasons slowly morph. We begin to migrate from fields and open spaces to more intimate settings. Underground spots, club spaces, house parties, homes.
Journeys seem longer as the days gradually shorten. Deeper beats seem to hit with more poignancy and connect more emotionally as this happens.
It’s the perfect backdrop to introduce Bairn.
Another exciting debutant on 1 More Thing, following the successful introduction of both Fireworks Factory and Sonnet in recent months, Bairn is the latest member person to make a bold debut on 1 More Thing. If you follow our output closely you will already be acquainted. The latest member to our growing family of artistic misfits, Bairn first came our way at Fireworks Factory’s launch release on BMC Radio in June. One of his guests, their set adventurous set ranged from ambient to jungle via numerous shades of breaks and house music.
To put it simply, the mix blew us away. Listen to it right here and check the interview that precedes it for more background and context as they explain their journey from an emergent DJ named Katamine to Bairn, a conceptual alias with super deep meaning and inspiration behind it.
Three months later we have a release. Bairn’s debut EP – It’s You.
Things move fast when your music hits the right spot and this music really does hit a lot of spots for us. A five track odyssey comprising ambient, breaks, deep techno and progressive house, the EP was already complete at the point we recorded this interview. Some final tweaks and a lot of planning over the summer, it is now out into the universe on 1 More Thing and we couldn’t be prouder or more excited.
It’s You is a deeply personal moment and pivotal waymark for Bairn and is a major statement for us at 1 More Thing. While a lot of our releases have led with a dominant D&B edge and flavour, this EP marks the start of us revealing a much wider sonic picture. As we continue to build up our label catalogue and seek and support truly unique artists with something different, original and important to say, you can continue to expect the unexpected.
No borders. No limitations. No bandwagons, playing safe or passive consumption. The only certainty is that we will only ever release music that has true meaning, comes from a genuinely artistic place and deserves – demands – to be heard. And it will always come with a story.
This is an introduction to Bairn’s story. Expect plenty more information, art and revelations as we push Bairn’s sounds to as many people as we can. You can help us… Listen to them, follow them, share this article, help us tell the world!
September: A new month. A new release. A brand new artist. An exciting new chapter for all of us. Get to know…
Your debut release! How do you feel?
I feel so much I’m not sure how to process. One feeling prickles my cheekbones and fizzes in my chest. I think it might be pride? Or self-assuredness? Happiness? It’s amazing to think that just over three years ago I had never opened a DAW, and now I am releasing an EP I am very proud of.
Making music has made me feel very grown-up. I love the feeling I get right after I shut down my computer, the lights on my midi controllers turn off, and I’m still hearing the music I made in my head. The pure joy of knowing the world has another piece of art that was thin air, an addition to humanity’s tapestry.
Yeah! It’s out in the universe now!
That said, sometimes I am overwhelmed with fear. Making the music was the easy part, but as I put it into the world, it is no longer mine. Suddenly, it’s not just about me anymore. I spend a lot of time wondering, will this resonate with people? Will anyone listen?
You’re not alone with those thoughts…
Even my friends. I worry that even those I care about may not view my work the way I do. It’s incredibly intimate, to share the inside of my head with the world. I don’t think the fear is a bad thing. It shows how much I care. Now comes the time to turn that care into charisma, to sell myself. It’s nice to have the support of a label for that, I feel far less scared. I got very lucky. Though maybe this project is worth it simply for that feeling of purpose. You wouldn’t believe.
Perhaps it is. You won’t be able to see that without hindsight or with knowing what will come of the release. Tell us about the concept of It’s You. The inspiration. The message.
At its core, It’s You is a symphony of self-love. The tracks are movements in a journey through grief, shame, forgiveness and growth. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a concept album, but I took heavy inspiration from the concept albums I have been listening to over the past few years.
I want it to be a dance record which can be appreciated both in a sitting, and as tracks by themselves. My classical background also influenced my approach. Composers often use the same elements throughout many movements of a piece. Rachmaninoff once composed a piece by playing another “upside down.” So I found ways to re-sample my own work and make the tracks reference each other.
I wanted this EP to be beautiful and unsettling. Melodies formed of luscious pads and synthesised versions of the types of instruments you would find in your school music room. Yet the basslines and percussion are imposing. The final track is the most obvious example. It ends with a lonely voice singing it’s past and present. It’s sweet. It’s You.
It really is sweet. What a journey. Both musically and personally for you. How about the alias Bairn? This essential means child or childish doesn’t it?
Childish has been thrown at me as both insult and compliment. It’s interesting how we deride childish qualities in adults, yet we constantly fear age. My childishness may have meant I was a bit of a cry-baby, but it also means I experience deep levels of joy. I find that many artists hold on to their youth because they never stop learning. Artists can always know more. For many, we are expected to stop learning at a certain age. We’re meant to just know things by now. However, my childishness propels my art, or vice versa. I make up rude songs which I send as voice-notes to the people I love (sorry).
Haha brilliant. Humour is so important. What other influences have been in the mix?
As you may guess from the track titles, Bojack Horseman has been a big influence on me. I love any television shows which probe into human psychology and behaviour. So, in a way the EP is meant to be therapeutic.
Also, I conceived this release last year during a time of upheaval; graduation, farewells, moving out of my childhood home. The thematic concept developed organically as I was creating the work.
Wow so a huge chapter of change and contrast.
Yes. Originally, this EP was intended as part of a pair exploring ambient drone-style music to be released together. One being the light, melodic side, the other dark, heavy. Ambient music can both soothe and heighten anxiety, depending on its craft. I love that dichotomy especially within soundtracks.
Yes! I love that about ambient too. It’s a new world for me but you’re the second artist to release ambient music on the label and we have more coming on the next release. Can you highlight or recommend any other works that have influenced you or played a role in your current creative process?
A huge inspiration to me was Martin Stig Andersen’s score for the game Inside. One track Shockwave begins as this menacing, assaulting layer of distorted rumbles and percussion, intended to emulate the deadly shockwave the player avoids. The puzzle to escape this area is dependent on the rhythm of the piece, and once solved glorious melodic pads are brought in (one of Andersen’s trademarks). Suddenly these menacing bass sounds are harmonising. I could go on, but there are already many critical analyses of this piece.
Ah wow that sounds amazing. So this is EP is part of a pair?
Originally I had intended to release two EPs together, yes. Funnily enough, I think this light EP ended up taking concepts from the dark, and its features loaned from dance music means it’s a lot clubbier than I originally intended! I’ve heard it described as psybient, but I’m not sure. Carbon Based Lifeforms were a huge inspiration, and I went to see them live as I was working on the EP.
The second EP I am still working on. It was meant to be dark and angry. I haven’t generally comfortable feeling or expressing anger. Last year I felt angry for what felt like the first time in years. This bubbling rage I kept a lid on. I wanted to make some really dark stuff, but the more music I made, the less angry I felt. Now I am releasing the “light” EP, I don’t know how I could return to it. I don’t feel that anger anymore. I’m comfortable with myself. I may have to just play a lot more spooky games!
Haha. I think that’s testament to the catharsis of creation, too. You’ve done the artwork and vocals – please tell us about that and tell us how important it is you to articulate yourself in a multidisciplinary way?
Honestly? I’m a bit of a control freak. I’m only half-kidding- by creating everything myself it can be exactly how I envisioned. Though really it’s because I am passionate about art and music performance. I like anything which allows me to tell a story, writing, art and music.
Since I was little I wanted to do everything. I was stubborn in trying my hand at any skill I could. I’ve wanted, and still want, to be an animator, a comic artist, a musician, a songwriter. At one point I wanted to be a curator. A true jack of all trades, master of none. For a long time I thought it was a bad thing. Life was slipping me by as I was figuring out what I wanted to do. Whatever I picked I felt some doubt. I still doubt if I am doing the right thing. Should I not just get a safe job and put my degree to good use? As it happens, doubt doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path, it just means you’ve got your head screwed on. No other path in life for me could fulfil so many of my passions at once. This project ticks every box for me.
Most importantly, I want people to know how thankful I am for all the support, friendship and inspiration those in my life have given me. Producers who gave feedback, my dad for his endless encouragement and love, my friends for the same. And I want to thank the people in the community I met who have inspired me over the last few years, who taught me about Ableton, who gave me reasons to play out, you know who you are. If you’re reading this, I owe you so much.
Bairn will always be changing and growing. I think my persona reflects this. I’m willing to age into my music, with curiosity. I want to eventually move into genres such as dream pop, explore sound design like PC Music and more clubby sounds.
