Fifteen Years of Dynamic Reflection: A Journey into Dark, Hypnotic, and Energetic Techno
In the ever-evolving realm of electronic music, staying true to one's roots and maintaining a label's distinctive identity over 15 years is a substantial achievement. Dynamic Reflection, is a Dutch electronic music label run by Dave Miller and Paul Boex, also known as Abstract Division. This year the label marked its impressive 15-year anniversary, and for the occasion they are releasing a number of VA compilations, featuring friends of the label and a lot of aspiring artists. Today I am happy to feature a track premiere from the upcoming fourth instalment of the celebratory releases by non-other than Luigi Tozzi. Before we delve into the music, let's take a moment to explore the lifetime achievements of Paul and Dave as label owners. Join them as they fondly reflect on the memorable experiences and valuable lessons gathered throughout their journey.
The first time I discovered Abstract Division, was at the almighty Trouw back in January 2014 when they played a killer set. Of course, after a magical experience at night, a true music lover goes home and starts digging everything there is to find about the artist. I made no exception, and that’s when I learned about Dynamic Reflection. Since that moment on, I started to admire the label and collect records. Fast-forward 9 years, and here we are talking about it and celebrating how far it has come.
Paul Boex and Dave Miller commonly known as Abstract Division
I always wondered what is it like to have built and maintained such a successful label for so long and what is the journey like? ‘’ We are super happy with how the label has grown over the years and the support it gets. It established its own place in a so called "niche", especially during difficult times for the techno we represent. I think the best part is that we created a label on which we have been able to give (young) talent a place to showcase their music to a larger audience. For some we have even created a stepping stone to bigger respected label(s) like Klockworks or Token and the opportunity to have a career in the electronic music industry. It's been quite the ride with a lot of ups and downs, but we're happy that we always stuck to our roots and vision. ‘’
One of the things that I love and respect the most about Dynamic Reflection is exactly that – the showcase of young talents. Paul and Dave have always been really good at building up talent, not only with their label, but in general with their overall activities and presence in the Dutch electronic music scene, as event organizers and bookers. Still, 15 years is quite a long time, in which the scene has gone through major transformations, and I cannot help but wonder how did that affect them and their curation and work with the label? ‘’ We started the label back in 2008 when hardtechno/trance & minimal came up and pretty much dominated the scene. The range of techno that we were passionate about was scarce, so that is why we started our own label to add our own taste & vision to the musical landscape. We never had the intention of making money from this, but for us it was important to just add good timeless techno and electronic music to the scene. Stuff we could play in our own DJ sets. How the musical landscape has changed over the past 15 years has never really had much effect on our taste and vision. Of course, the tempo of the music has changed sometimes over the years, but the goal has always been and still is simply to bring quality contemporary electronic music for the dancefloor.’’
‘‘I think the best part is that we created a label on which we have been able to give young talent a place to showcase their music to a larger audience. For some we have even created a stepping stone to bigger respected labels like Klockworks or Token and the opportunity to have a career in the electronic music industry.’’
Indeed, as a listener I can absolutely confirm that there has been a common thread of timeless music being released over the years, by artists like Ness, Deepbass, Troy, Jeroen Search, Viels and more, but still what is the one thing that has remained constant for them while running the label? ‘’ We've always been pushing the darker, hypnotic and energetic no nonsense techno that has been meant for the dancefloor. Proper sweaty dark basement club vibes!’’
As mentioned earlier, part of Dynamic Reflection’s power is bringing artists together to collaborate and create, which we can also see in the five celebratory VA compilations. I wanted to know what was the message that Paul and Dave wanted to send with this project in addition to celebrating the anniversary? ‘’The 15 Years project needed to be a project with only artists who have had a major influence on the "sound" of the label over the years. Artists where we have created a personal relationship with. People who have become friends or sometimes even family. For us it's the perfect balance between established and young talented artists where we have worked with over the years. That is what the label is all about. It's the perfect reflection of what we've been pushing for the past 15 years and we're super happy and grateful with the result. ‘’
The EP’s: Infinite Oscillation, Liquid Solids, Quantum Realm, Equilibrium and Eye of Agamotto, each representing one of the five elements of nature. In this fourth instalment ‘’Equilibrium’’, Troy makes a return to the label with a subtle yet compelling offering. The track is driven by sharp percussion and enveloping, filtered chords that captivate the listener's attention. Following this, Ukrainian artists Svarog steps in, showcasing his signature style characterized by evolving pads and dreamy soundscapes, resulting in another enchanting piece of music ideal for the early hours.
Luigi Tozzi once again demonstrates his mastery in blending ambient influences with dubby atmospheres, creating music suitable for both dancefloors and laidback listening environments. Meanwhile, in the EP's fourth track, Jonas Körbl, known for his 2017 debut album on Dynamic Reflection LTD, melds energetic percussion patterns and synth rhythms. His composition, "Primal Grade," serves as a fitting successor to Tozzi's "Haboob," as both artists exhibit a shared commitment to meticulously crafted techno.
After painting you a picture of this wonderful EP with words, it’s time you got a sneak peek into the story of ‘’Equilibrium’’ by listening to the full-length premiere of Luigi Tozzi’s ‘’Haboob’’track.
Luigi Tozzi once again demonstrates his mastery in blending ambient influences with dubby atmospheres, creating music suitable for both dancefloors and laidback listening environments.
To conclude our wonderful chat, I wanted to hear from Abstract Division what is their most important takeaway from the experience of running a successful label and if they had any word of advice for the new generation of label owners who look up to them and have the same goals? ‘’Never let yourself be distracted by whatever you see happening around you. Always stick to your guns and let your gut feeling speak. Stand 100% behind what you do and believe in it! Be honest, so that later you can always look back with your head up high at what you have added to the musical landscape. And last but not least... don't have the illusion that you will make any money from this, because you probably won't. ;)’’
Words of wisdom for you dear readers, and a heartfelt congratulations from me to Dynamic Reflection! Don’t forget to buy the music and support the artists and the label!