Minotaur Shock: The Ransom Note Mix

Today marks the return of Bristolian producer Minotaur Shock as he releases his first album under the much-loved moniker since ‘Orchard’ in 2012. On ‘Orchard’ Edwards embraced the "folktronica" tag that had previously been a burden, but, nearly seven years on, he has renounced the acoustic guitars, drums and woodwind instruments to make ‘MINO’ – the sound of a man getting to grips with his machines without relinquishing his innate musicality and ear for joyous melodies. 

Although electronica was integral to the Minotaur Shock sound (he has also released purer excursions in the form as Principal Participant and Oligos), Edwards felt that he'd never got to grips with the basics of production. "I knew what effect certain knobs on a synth had, but had no idea why they did that or what was really going on." So he embarked on a prolonged period of experimentation, “basically dicking around in my studio, focusing on the process of creating tracks and sounds, rather than the end result, trying to grasp the fundamentals of synthesis to better understand how it worked. Occasionally I did press record or save, and these experiments formed the basis of ‘MINO’.” 

In celebration of the release we invited him to contribute to our beloved mix series, which he does with flair and imagination. 

Strap in and read the interview below: 

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?

David, Bristol, producer, Pisces.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)? 

I think it sounds welcoming. I can't draw that.

Where was the mix recorded?

My house, on a 2010 Macbook Pro.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Driving alone somewhere unfamiliar

What should we be wearing?

Satisfied grin.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

In the middle of nowhere, maybe on a boat in a lake. Newer computer.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Temple – Bambounou – deceptively simple and so efficient.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Coldcut's Journeys by DJ/70 Minutes of Madness.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

My DJ skills would not hold up, but Luke Vibert has been a consistent inspiration.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

Some Technics knock-offs and a Realistic mixer. Now it's Ableton.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

Start.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Always on My Mind – Pet Shop Boys
Kankyo Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music 1980-1990/Light in the Attic boxset

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Lettuce.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Roe Deer.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

I Saw The Light – Todd Rundgren.

Upcoming in the world of… 

Working on a live set.

Anything else we need to discuss?

I think that's everything.

Buy the new release HERE.