Premiere: TAMA - Dual [Predawn Records]

TAMA is an electronic music producer coming from Stuttgart, southern Germany. In his work, he is reflecting the reconnection to natural balance through the medium of synthetic means. The word "Tama" itself derives from Slavic languages meaning the absence of light. He plays exclusively live performances and is running the label Predawn Records together with Laima Adelaide and Nils Edte. His first EP "Night Water" was published on Indefinite Pitch in November 2023, reflecting the experimental attitude of his work. His forthcoming EP "Chasma" is a club-oriented sound exploration, trying to deal with the energy of activity and relaxation from a rhythmical perspective, set to be released on the 28th of June. Today I have the pleasure of premiering the track ‘Dual’ and to tell you a little more about who TAMA is and what he is up to.

‘’I actually have Serbian roots as my parents are from there and moved to Germany during the war. I was born and raised in Stuttgart where I am currently based. Originally, I am a pianist, musician and composer. I studied composition in Stuttgart, in the university focusing on electronic music, but very avant-garde, abstract and kind of nerdy, because it's like a science more than anything. It's not groove based music, but rather textures and soundscapes. This is my approach to deep techno - this abstract way of thinking or searching for colours in sound. I met Laima Adelaide at the university, she also studied with me, and we just started making music, also techno, and we listened to all various artists together. At that time, I came across Luigi Tozzi’s music and Hypnus records, and so my journey into this sound aesthetic began. Laima and I are working together for 4-5 years now and it’s quite nice as I think the best way to learn is with someone else.’’

I met Laima Adelaide recently at her performance at one of the Embodiment events, and all I can say is that she is a truly great person and artist with very solid knowledge of music, and fantastic at both production and DJing. She opened the night that time and it was a very gentle and deep set that put the perfect beginning to a great evening. When I came into contact with TAMA, I was happy to sit down and have a chat not only about his career in electronic music, but also about Predawn Records – the label run by himself, Laima and Nils. Going back to our conversation, I wanted to understand if meeting Laima and becoming friends has been the turning point for the young artist to get deeper into producing techno and enjoying more of the rhythm-based genres.

‘‘For me it's the connection of two things - sophisticated thinking in terms of colour coming from the mind and then groove, so you feel the connection to the body.’’

‘’For me it's the connection of two things - sophisticated thinking in terms of colour coming from the mind and then groove, so you feel the connection to the body, to the earth and dancing. It's something you don't learn in your studies, where for example your mind is overemphasized in this kind of music, I want to make people dance, and not think.’’ I see where he is coming from, but in my opinion, it depends on the context. I personally love music that challenges my mind even if it’s meant to be for dancing. If you are in a listening session that’s one thing, a club is another indeed, but it’s nice to always have a good balance between the physical and the mental aspect, right? ‘’Yeah! Basically, it's an experience where in the end everything is connected.’’

Having mentioned Tozzi I shared that in fact hearing TAMA’s ‘’Chasma’’ EP for the first time made Luigi pop into my head as the first artist whose music is close to this sound. I quickly recognized that his sound and way of producing in general could have been a big inspiration for this composition. But before we dive deeper into the EP and ‘Dual’, I wanted to learn more about the other side of TAMA as a composer and live performer and his involvement with Predawn Records. For those of you who are not familiar with the label, it is an imprint run by Laima Adelaide, Nils Edte, and TAMA with a main focus on deep ambient techno, exploring the changing flows of nature. Their events are firmly grounded in live-based performances. In addition to publishing regular EPs and various artists (VA) compilations, they also release unconventional formats, opening themselves up to new influences from contemporary composition and art.

‘’It was Laima's idea to make the label. She began working on it, and at some point, myself her and Nils sat together and decided to work on it as a team and grow it together. If you are alone, it's one thing, but if you are having support from two other people who are thinking almost the same way, then you get quicker to some results maybe also because we are so different and share our skillsets complement each other. Now we just do what we feel like. When we have a wish, we just make it happen. For example, last year we booked Feral in December for an event. Actually, for me he is the biggest influence. Everything he does is very much on point and in general people like him, Tozzi and Rambadu are my helping inspiration sources.’’

It’s so great to hear that artists like Rambadu are such inspirations for new producers on the block. As I have had the pleasure of working together with him, I have seen him grow over the years into this unique artist with his own special voice and it’s heartwarming to see that being recognized by others. TAMA goes on to share further about his upcoming release:

‘’It’s actually my second release. In general, I don't release so much because I tend to take my time with it. This one is special for me because it’s the first EP made with clubs in mind. My previous work on Indefinite Pitch was a lot more experimental. With ‘’Chasma’’ I tried to understand the craftsmanship of how to make music for the dancefloor and it was exciting to try that for the first time.’’ I wonder if that means that the artist wants to focus more on producing this kind of music in the future versus experimental compositions, or try to keep a balance between both worlds? ‘’Both is important. I think on the one hand with the experimental I get to new sound experiences, and with club music I can ‘stay on the ground and see what is working’, what is making the people dance and what is attractive for them. I like both ways, and I just follow the flow, and this time it took me to the club. Maybe next time it's not like this. It really depends on the situation, but I'm open for both. In addition, this time Laima has been a big influence on how I work. She kind of pushed me to explore that side deeper.’’ I find that really great and it shows how good of a team they are together. When there is someone that knows you and you trust, they can sometimes see things that you are good at, but maybe won’t necessarily go that way on your own. It’s always great to have that friendly push into the unknown, which can lead you to a great new experience within music. As I am getting to know TAMA for the first time, I was curious if he is also performing DJ sets next to his other gigs.

‘’I'm doing live performances, usually at our Predawn events that we organize by ourselves. I don't DJ. I never learned it, so I'm not experienced with that, and I also won't do it live. I focus just on producing and live performing. That's usually my way of presenting my music.’’ That’s quite cool. It’s definitely a first for me to speak to someone who is a producer but not a DJ. It’s usually the other way around or both, but never only a producer who makes really good club music, but never actually plays it himself in a club setting.  

We already kind of touched upon the main theme of the forthcoming ‘’Chasma’’ EP, but I wanted to learn more about the track we are about to hear today and the story behind it. ‘’There is a huge process behind this EP. It starts with one track, completely different, and then discussing with Laima that it should be more than just one, which leads me to three tracks - all completely different styles. I even made one that was 160 bpm highly influenced by the Omen Wapta sound that inspires me a lot as well. What I want to say is that behind the end result of this record is a lot that maybe has nothing to do with it actually, but it’s part of my process. I just follow my thoughts, my intuition and change it over and over until I feel like it’s ready to publish. It’s a journey from feeling, to trying out to the point of ‘It’s done, I can make my point now’. The name Chasma came actually from Laima, she shared this word with me and it kind of stuck. It’s describing a gap in a landscape. It’s not philosophical, but rather describing nature. Then I have the three names which are a result of a gap. A gap is dividing a unity into two sides (dual), one is infra (below) one is supra (above). All three tracks are very different energies and fitting to these names. ‘Infra’ brings you in the subconsciousness. ‘Supra’ takes you back up in an energetic way pushing you higher, and ‘Dual’ is the middle, the heart of the EP. Because it has both sides inside, it's like connecting earth and sky.’’

‘‘All three tracks are very different energies and fitting to these names. ‘Infra’ brings you in the subconsciousness. ‘Supra’ takes you back up in an energetic way pushing you higher, and ‘Dual’ is the middle, the heart of the EP. Because it has both sides inside, it's like connecting earth and sky.’’

Strong concept, with clear direction and a great first club music experience production wise. As a professionally trained composer, TAMA shows a structured approach loaded with emotions and feelings that translate into a deep and hypnotic techno story. The meaning of TAMA is darkness, and ultimately, that’s how the music translates to the listener. ‘’I'm not a dark person. The night time for me is the inspiration, or the reason why I make the music. And of course, the subconsciousness like something you don't understand, you cannot see.’’

As we are coming to the end of our chat, I wanted to know about some of the future plans for Predawn Records. ‘’There are some releases, like a VA compilation, and we have some nice artists coming up like Klara Vedis or Pianeti Sintetici. At the end of September we will have a small label gathering in Stuttgart where all three of us will perform featuring Pianeti Sintetici as well. Lastly, towards the end of the year maybe there will be a solo EP of Laima as well.’’

Interesting collaborations and exciting new music is coming our way. It’s been a pleasure getting to know TAMA a little better and sharing his story with you, as well as being able to premiere such a lovely debut into the hypnotic techno world. Hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to buy the music and support the artist.