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A chat with Ragnar Atari and his remixers Boyesen, Future Self, and OTH.
Ragnar Atari's latest release, "Sing," marks a pivotal moment in his career as he steps into the spotlight as a vocalist. In this group interview, Ragnar opens up about the personal journey that led him to sing for the first time, and how this creative leap has transformed his music. The EP, which also features stunning remixes from Boyesen, Future Self, and OTH., shows Ragnar evolving from his acid techno roots into something deeper and more melodic. Join us as we explore the inspirations behind this shift, the emotional stories embedded in tracks like "It Comes in Waves," and the energy each remixer brought to the project. Discover how this collective effort adds new layers to Ragnar's evolving soundscape, offering fans a fresh perspective on melodic techno and deep house.
You've just dropped "Sing," and it's a significant shift with you stepping into the role of vocalist. What prompted you to start singing, and how has it changed your creative process?
Ragnar: I've had a couple of years with a lot of traveling, new people and new experiences, and this inspired me to try to do whatever I felt like in the studio. Singing, even though I've always told myself that I can't, was one of those things.
Vocal melodies bring a natural variation to the track that synths rarely can, often prompting me to use a more sparse arrangement to leave room for the voice.
"Sing" blends vocal melodic techno with deep progressive house, a departure from your earlier acid roots. How did you decide on this new direction?
Ragnar: My taste has evolved quite a bit recently, and felt I had refined my acid techno enough for the moment. There's a deeper level to explore and I love it, but my roots in techno are not forgotten of course.
"It Comes in Waves" and "Deep Into It" seem to reflect a deep emotional journey. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind these tracks?
Ragnar: Clubbing in different parts of the world definitely made me feel part of something bigger, and I wanted to give other people that feeling. Both tracks are basically stories about experiencing something more profound through dancing.
The remixes on this EP are fantastic. Boyesen, Future Self, and OTH. all brought different energies. How did you select these artists, and what did you hope they would add to the project?
Ragnar: Well, they're all good friends of mine actually, but I'd like to think that it's not as simple as asking your mates to do a few remixes! Your music taste is intimately tied to your personality, so it's not a fluke that I also find all three to make absolutely beautiful productions. I'm happy it all worked out.
For all the remixers, working with Self Control previously or first timers, what kind of music do you usually work with and what drew you to being involved in this release?
OTH.: Nowadays, I often create pretty leftfield electronic music, though with roots in techno and similar. I enjoy many different styles, and my work tends to fall somewhere between ambient, techno, electro, and acid.
I really liked the original version of Sing right from the start. I loved hearing Axel sing like that. But I also envisioned a harder version of the track, thinking it would work great on some floors. I had initially planned for it to be more stripped-down than it ended up being, but it's nice to surprise yourself now and then.
Future Self: I produce a lot of deep and progressive house as Future Self, as well as more left field music under the Slow Assembly monicker. As the label owner, I decided to sign Axel's tracks based off hearing It Comes In Waves and Deep Into It and when he sent me Sing it really completed the release. It's great to hear Axel on the microphone and I hope we get to hear more of his vocals on future releases.
On Boyesen's remix, in particular, feels like it leans more heavily into melody. How do you see the balance between melodic and rhythmic elements in your music?
Boyesen: I see melody and rhythm as two parts of the same thing. The tonal drums, staccato bass, rhythmic vocal detail, and finally lead arpeggios need to be unified. A balance of timbre where there is nothing more to add, and nothing more to take away.
For Boyesen, when working on a remix like that, what are your main goals?
Boyesen: Because Ragnar Atari asked me specifically for a melodic techno remix, the main goal was to create this interpretation of his original work. A listenable journey where every element is something to look forward to, not just another dj tool.
Future Self has a unique touch. What do you think sets his remix apart, and how do you feel about his ability to bring nuance to your tracks?
Ragnar: Jan has a real knack for ethereal melodies and ambiences, and his tracks are always both smooth and driving. My version of Waves isn't nearly as dj friendly as his!
For Future Self, what was your idea for the remix and how did you make it happen?
Future Self: I wanted to stay true to the original in so far as the flow of the different parts, but I wanted to stretch out the arrangement further and make it even more progressive. Towards the latter half of the track I introduce some more driving stabs to make it more dance floor oriented, and the final touch was the track coming back one more time when you think it's all but finished - with the vocal saying "it comes back" - that made me smile. I produced the remix in FL Studio, which has been my DAW of choice since 1998. I use a lot of Softube, Soundtoys, SSL and Arturia plugins to compliment the built-in plugins in FL.
As you continue to evolve as an artist, what do you think is next for you? Will we see more of you as a vocalist, or are there other aspects of your music you'd like to explore?
Ragnar: You'll definitely see me exploring more intense dance floor experiences, as well as even deeper landscapes. There are so many directions to go and if singing is needed to tell the story - I'm down for it.
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