Alongside his remarkable contribution to the series, we sat down with JERM who shared his thoughts about his career, inspirations & aspirations!
- Hi Yiannis, we are glad to host you on Paradox. Can you introduce yourself to our readers? Hi Mario, thanks for answering our paradoxical questions! What have you been up to lately?
Hello and thank you for having me on Paradox ! My artist name is Jerm and I’m a techno Dj & producer, based in Athens, head of Analogue records and CoMA events. I have been professionally Djing the last 12 years and have released tracks & EPs on Soma, Analogue, Blue Hour, Renegade Methodz, Emerald, Diffuse Reality & HEX.
- You are behind Analogue, a techno label. Can you tell us a bit more about that project? How and when did it start etc… By the way, how do you feel the crowd’s “open-mindedness” has evolved over the last 10 years in the techno scene?
Analogue started back in 2014 as a very successful event project series with international guests, taking place in various classic techno clubs in Athens. The thought of making it also a label was always there and in late 2015 the procedure started till mid 2016 when ANA001 with Birth Of Frequency was out. The mentality and direction of the label is simple and has been the same till today, pure, proper Techno that provides any kind of energy to the dance floor. Never following trends, just searching and providing to the Djs & the techno heads all over the world, quality tracks. Luckily, the whole catalogue consists of great releases with very serious artists. Feeling blessed about this.
- As a label manager, what were the main challenges you faced from the start ?
Running a vinyl label can be very challenging, as to the production costs, the music and the distribution. The financing part was taken care of from the Analogue events. So, the initial challenging step was to scout and confirm the first releases with artists that would trust Analogue and deliver proper techno tracks which would fit the label’s mentality & purpose. After having the first two releases confirmed we got a great opportunity when Analogue was endorsed by one of the biggest & serious distributors of the scene, Triple Vision. And that’s how it all started back in 2015 and is still going on.
- Are there any upcoming releases on Analogue in 2025?
Yes. Currently I am working a lot to step up the game of the label by increasing the releases per year including music by great artists, focusing on solo EPs or split EPs and (finally) having a Bandcamp account. ANA014 & ANA015 are already on the pressing stage and soon expecting the two following ones to be sent for mastering. I feel that it is crucial for me to provide quality techno music for the scene but more importantly for the Djs. I want all the releases to be weapons in the dj’s vinyl bag or USB stick. I am very excited for the artists that are going to be on board in the future so, stay tuned, proper techno incoming!
- Athens is for sure a must visit spot in the Techno circuit. Any special venue you would recommend there?
Athens has been steadily growing in the last years as a must visit spot in Europe. The local crowd is not big so it is great to see foreign techno heads attending the events and appreciating our scene. We really need this. As a promoter, owner and booker of CoMA events, I recommend SMUT, Astron & Temple Athens since these venues produce/host quality Techno events.
- Do you have any mentor or someone to thank for what you achieved until now? Or did you start finding your own role in this art by yourself?
My connection and passion for Techno goes back many years ago. I am 41 years old and I started attending raves and parties when I was 16 to eventually have my first dj set in 2004.. So everything started on the dance floor for me ! That being said, I would say, my mentor was all the events and DJ sets I was listening to as a young boy. The music, the vibe, the groove and the energy I was getting from all the parties I was attending, became my mentor. I was constantly searching, exploring and buying the music I was listening to and ultimately started to train on mixing vinyls. So yes, I found my way into what I specifically like to represent and deliver as a Dj and artist.
- As a DJ, you must come across loads of promos. What do you think about the current production in the techno circuits? Is there enough sense of creativity or innovation according to you ?
Yes I do receive a lot of promos. I think that currently, there is a great amount of good music coming out. There are many super talented young artists that do not follow the mainstream trends and provide quality tracks. I have to say though, besides the young generation, I feel very grateful for all the founders of this music that keep giving us amazing material to use and help in keeping the techno real, it is so crucial.
I find it really a shame though that many amazing tracks are being released digi only, because while they are so good, they get kind of lost due to the huge amount of digi releases. I firmly believe that music has to have a physical form (vinyl) in order to stay timeless. I understand though that production cost & time are two very serious factors to consider when you are running a label and have to make a choice if you are going to press vinyl or not.
Regarding creativity and innovation, yes they are here, and you can detect that when listening to new productions. Furthermore, the evolution of technology when it comes to plugins and new hardware, helps new and old producers to discover fresh ways of producing and expressing their creativity to their productions. So, I am always looking forward to listening and receiving new stuff !
- What would be your advice to a young artist that is emerging on this scene ? Be focused on what is being released and go with the flow or always keep in mind what was done before ?
My advice is very simple. Explore, listen, dig and find the style that represents you the most. Stick to it, work it, evolve and good things will happen.
- How did you record the podcast for Paradox ? Can you pick a record from the mix and tell us why you like it or how you found it ?
As I am in love with mixing and djing, the podcast was recorded with 3 Cdjs and an Allen Heath Xone 92. I always try to record a set that will represent the way I am playing at a club. Hope that this was achieved on this one! Picking a certain track from the mix is difficult as I included some of my currently fav tracks. They are all so, so good. But if I have to pick one for your question, that would be Endlec’s “Clockmaker”, an amazing track, really sucks you, deep & groovy at the same time.
- What artists/labels are holding your attention this year?
There are so many, that I really have to make a big list here….I think the tracklist of the podcast gives a small taste of my likes this period.
- Can you give us a glimpse about your future projects?
The future plan is to try staying active and relative in one of the most weird and tough points in the history of the techno scene as it has lately shaped up. That translates to, new releases from me & hopefully more international gigs, more proper Analogue releases, strong CoMA events in Athens, while always trying to stay true to my values and to the music that has been keeping me alive and energised in all this insanity that we all experience worldwide!
Thanks a lot Yiannis, we hope to see you very soon somewhere, keep the good vibe on!
Love and respect