Indent
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Troubleshoot Mix
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Episode 005
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Indent | Troubleshoot Mix | Episode 005 |
Originally from Dorset on the south coast of England, London-based DJ and producer, Brad Hardman, has been grabbing the attention of some of the most exciting artists and labels in electronic music with his stellar productions under his Indent alias.
In February of this year, Indent’s debut single “Falling” was released on Desert Sound Colony’s acclaimed label Holding Hands Records and received a multitude of rave reviews. With plenty more releases planned for the rest of this year, 2021 is set to be a big one for the 25-year-old.
For his Troubleshoot mix, Indent guides us through an hour of dark techno, electro, dubstep and breakbeat club rhythms. The mix is paired with an interview where he shares how he got started in production and DJing, his favourite pieces of equipment and software to produce music with, and his plans for when clubs reopen.
Interview
Words: Jake Stock
25/06/21
When did you first get into production and DJing and which artists influenced and inspired you the most growing up and why?
I first started producing when I was 16 making hip hop instrumentals in FL Studio and collaborating with amateur rappers on internet forums. I used to organise and run music production competitions online and really got into trying to make different genres of music.
I started my deep dive into UK dance music when I was 17. Me and my mate Jamie would really search through SoundCloud together and we quickly got into the 140 scene with labels like Deep Medi and artists like Kahn, Asa and Sorrow. From there we moved onto the new Bristol UK techno sound with labels like Swamp 81 and Livity Sound. A lot of those earlier Livity releases from the early 2010s had a big impact on the music I like and want to make now.
Having a mate that was really into dance music helped me to develop my taste and we discovered a lot of music together.
What is your favourite piece of equipment or software to produce music with?
I use quite a lot of hardware when producing and I later record it into my DAW to do the arrangement and mixdown. The biggest breakthrough for me in terms of production was when I started using my Elektron boxes, the Digitone and then the Digitakt. I find it so much easier to write new music and get an idea going quickly when using my hands to write it and not looking at a screen. Software VST wise, I’ve really enjoyed using Output Portal lately to do soundscapes and weird granular reverbs.
Has it been a challenge to produce music during lockdown? Or has staying at home for such a prolonged period of time been a blessing in disguise?
It has definitely helped, although it did take me a month or so during the first lockdown to get out of a rut and start producing again. Back then I was living with my two mates who also both produced and DJed, so we would often do jam sessions together with all our hardware, just making a brick wall of sound. When you are just walking around the house and you hear someone working on music it motivates you to start writing yourself.
How did you find recording the mix? Has it been tough to record mixes with everything that's going on at the moment?
I really enjoyed recording the mix. I've got a nice spot in my flat where I can have my decks facing out of the window. I did get a few weird looks from the neighbours walking by who could hear the bass through the walls.
I’m enjoying DJing a lot more lately. I think the main reason for that is all the Bandcamp Fridays that happened over lockdown. They gave me a good excuse to buy a bunch of new tracks every month and support some friends.
What are the standout moments in the mix for you?
The blends near the start of the mix were really tight, especially with that Ayesha track really coming through for that percussive blend. But my favourite bit of the mix has to be in the second half where I really brought the bass with some 140 stuff and then took up the BPM into some breaky cuts near the end.
What are your plans for when clubs reopen?
I’ve got a few nights out planned. I’m proper looking forward to going out dancing again. I really miss hearing loud music in a dark room. My usual spot is front left…
Have you got any releases planned for this year or projects you're currently working on that you can tell us about?
I’ve got a release coming out on Noire State, more to be announced soon on that one so keep your eyes peeled!
I’m also working on a collaborative EP with my old flatmate, First Crimes, who is now based in Berlin. We’re going for a more broken, breakbeat sound and I really like how that is coming along with the stems that we are sharing with each other.
Tracklist
Andrea - TrackQY
Will Hofbauer - JBU ('18 Mix)
Adlas - Tidal Lock
Thoden - Heides Gade
Ayesha - Magic Eye
Cosmin TRG - Put You Down
Color Plus - Dogscan
VC-118A - Plonk
Pugilist - Chrysalis
Rene Wise - Pleasure Note
Pangaea - Stimulant Dub
SP:MC - Slugfest
Biome - Cromos
Skream - Phatty Drummer
Icicle - Anything
Talik - I See Faces In The Trees
Farr - Bassline Interferometry
Henry Greenleaf - Taking First
Human Resources - Thorpe Cloud
Adlas - Search Signal
Unbalance - Four Twenty
Breaka & Frazer Ray - The Loudest Woiioii Ever
Chevel & Wallwork - Carbon 12
Walton - Rewind Riddim
LCY - 2020