OscarUnderdog: The Punk Spirit of Modular Jams

When OscarUnderdog teams up with Surco, it’s like two old punk mates meeting up for a jam session. Oscar recounts their plan: to unite their modular techno systems for a live improvisation, syncing gear and creating on-the-spot magic. They spend a week in the studio, culminating in a gig for GIMIC radio in Brussels. It’s the kind of collaboration that embraces the raw unpredictability of techno.

Surco’s kit is nothing short of a wizard’s workshop. Delving into his philosophy, it’s clear Surco values simplicity in sound design over melodic structures. His approach is reminiscent of a punk gig where the energy takes precedence over the polish. The conversation turns to his gear, highlighting the use of internal envelopes and mod indexes, allowing for a wealth of sound transformations. Playing with wave shapes and taking signals through filters like the WMD carbon, Surco creates impressive effects like delays and reverberations. It’s this flexibility that allows Surco to switch from bass tones to crystalline leads with ease. His description of the setup feels like preparing a dodgy kebab; throw in a bit of everything, see what sizzling result you get. Surco’s approach is all about capturing the chaotic beauty and harsh grit—a blend of technical mastery and intuitive improvisation. He demonstrates how a single modular voice, akin to a background bass hum at a rave, can transform and offer an entire spectrum of sonic possibilities. It’s a sonic adventure, one knob twist at a time.

Oscar and Surco take on the Erica Synths Bassline, exploring the versatility and deep tones it offers. This device isn’t just about bass; it’s about transforming that foundational rumble into something explosive. The duo exhibit how, with just a shift in tuning or waveform, the bassline can reshape into a completely new entity. Picture trying to predict the next move of a lively pub brawl—that’s the unpredictability at play here. Whether for growling basses or ethereal leads, the bassline holds its own, a stalwart in their modular arsenal.

As the moment for the GIMIC radio performance draws near, Oscar and Surco pack up with excited anticipation of their set. With their week-long preparation, the focus shifts to the immediacy and energy of live performance—a spirit infused with the essence of what makes live techno thrilling. It’s similar to setting up for an underground rave; the anticipation is electric, and the thrill lies in the unpredictability. The setting they’ve crafted is what Oscar describes as ‘The Techno of Patience.’ This performance style doesn’t rely on drastic shifts or flashy effects but rather on subtle, evolving tones that accompany a driving groove. It exemplifies how minimal changes can captivate an audience, turning complex modular setups into a coherent auditory experience. It’s live techno that dances on the edge of chaos, bringing the crowd along for a ride through soundscapes of intrigue and intensity. Oscar and Surco have laid the groundwork—a duo ready to push the boundaries of live electronic performances.