Page 18 - Zone Magazine Issue 012

feature interview [ireland]
Co-founder of KickstreamTV, recording artist for Redbox Records, a surgical mixing style and rich melodic productions, Gareth Lynch, AKA Head Lynch, is a DJ and producer from Drogheda, Ireland.
Head’s productions and DJ sets communicate a developed sound and style influenced by a history in dance music dating back to the mid 1990’s. He has witnessed and embraced the evolution of the sound of his early influences, which can be heard on his debut EP release, 'Emerge' on Redbox Records. Emerge encompasses aspects of electronica, deep house, techno and ambient music that combine to create a deep, rich and melodic sound. Embracing a darker side with his second release ‘Voltage’, Head Lynch also appears on Redbox Records’ Techno Sampler limited edition vinyl release.
As co-founder and resident DJ on KickstreamTV Head is currently involved in showcasing the vibrant and diverse electronic music scene in Ireland. Head hosts his weekly show Techno Tuesday in which he traverses the deeper, darker side of contemporary and classic house and techno music. With new productions on the horizon and with the increasing popularity of Techno Tuesday, Head Lynch is looking forward to a bright and busy future in the electronic music scene in Ireland and globally....
When and how did you get involved in the electronic dance scene?
I first got into dance music in the mid 90s and started DJing on a set of belt drives turntables when I was still at school. I had a great group of friends who were into dance music and it was always great craic getting together, talking dance music and swapping records. Growing up in Drogheda we are also lucky to have a few great clubs in the town. The Kiss and Fusion night clubs have hosted a variety of DJ’s over the years from Judge Jules to Dave Clarke. As I got more into dance music in the early days, I found myself drawn more to the sound of Sasha and Digweed and the Global Underground Series and I’ve listened this sound develop over the past 20 years or so to where it is now.
What brands do you work for, and have done in the past?
I’m currently a recording artist for Redbox records. ‘Emerge’, which was my first EP, was released a year ago and I also have a track, Voltage, on Redbox Records limited edition red vinyl which is out now. For the past year I have also been working with KickstreamTV, which is an online streaming platform for DJs, where I host a weekly show “Techno Tuesday”. Each week I’m joined by local DJs Bobby Heeney and DUVS with regular guest mixes from Irish DJs. Its great to have such an experienced line up for the show and is a great way of showcasing Irish DJing talent.
Top 5 tracks?
Mostly classics but one from a couple of years ago and in no particular order...
Andy Ling - Fixation
IIO - Rapture (John Creamer and Stefan K Remix)
The Chemical Brothers - Out Of Control (Sasha Remix)
Depeche Mode - Dream On (Dave Clarke Remix)
Daniel Avery - Drone Logic
Classics or Nuskool?
I’m equally at home with both. There's
nothing more rewarding than putting a set together of classic tunes but I do like how the music has developed over the past 20 years. I have witnessed the music I grew up with evolve into a more mature sound. I still mind myself listening to Sasha and Digweed sets today and even though the music has changed it still retains the feel and character of the classics. If I had to choose - Nuskool!
Digital, CD's or Vinyl and why?
Vinyl would be my preference but having said that my music is mostly in digital format these days. It’s more readily available in digital and it’s a lot easier to carry round a memory stick than bags of records. But I think vinyl will always be a better DJing experience, it's more interactive and you get to know your music more intimately.
Club/Festival or session?
It’s got to be the club environment for me. For me an electronic music show is always better experienced in an enclosed space. I saw Wolfgang Flur play a set of groovy techno in an underground car park a couple of years ago as part of the Drogheda Arts Festival and it was a special experience. The smell of concrete mixed with the sound of techno seemed appropriate. Either way I think as long as you have a crowd that is up for it, it should be a good night.
What does Head like to do that's not music related?
On my time off from producing and DJing I’m involved in web development and design. This means I can be sat in front of computer screens for hours on end, but it's an exciting and dynamic industry that can also inform the music side of my life. I have designed and developed a few websites, which both need regular updating. I try to keep myself busy but if I’m just chilling out I’ll just read a book, watch a movie/ documentary or play the guitar. Other than that family friends and life take up the rest of my time.
If you where not a DJ or Producer, and there was no EDM scene, what
would you be doing?
I think I would still be involved in music scene in some way either in performance or behind the scenes. I’ve always had a keen interest in folk music and can play a few instruments so maybe in a parallel universe I’m playing banjo in a folk group somewhere. Other than that, I would probably be still working with digital technology in some way.
What plans do you have for the future, both as a DJ and Producer?
The future's looking bright at the minute. I've been hosting techno Tuesday now for a couple of months and the listenership has been steadily increasing. We've had people turning in from Japan, Bangladesh, Germany, Australia and it's great to have that immediate interaction with your audience. Hopefully in the future we will stream Techno Tuesday from a live venue.
As a producer I'm always working on new material and hopefully I should have a new EP out soon enough. I also have a couple of cheeky remixes and vocal tracks which will be available as free downloads on my soundcloud page. I’m also collaborating with some local artists at the minute and hope to have new music out soon from that too.
Best club in Ireland you have played at and why?
I can’t say that I’ve played in too many night clubs over the years but I have always enjoyed playing for familiar faces in and around Drogheda. We’ve hosted a few house and techno nights in the town which went down really well and have plans for more in the new year. I’m also really looking forward to KickstreamTV’s launch night this NYE in the Wiley Fox in Dublin. We’re hosting the terrace for the night so should be fun. All the regular KickstreamTV DJs will be playing on the night including sets from Emma Dilemma and Jay Carey. With Andy Hardy from the legendary 808 State playing downstairs it promises to be a great night and a great way to bring in the new year.
18 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE