Federsen discusses all things Alt/dub

Alt/Dub might be a young imprint, but it already moves with the confidence of a label that knows exactly what it stands for. Founded by Federsen, who’s spent nearly two decades refining his craft, the project is shaped by ‘deep roots that go way back’ and a desire to let dub-infused techno push beyond its usual borders. Across its Artist Series, the label draws in producers who each explore ‘their own energy’ while still aligning under a shared identity. Collaboration sits at the heart of it all, with Federsen calling it ‘a really important aspect of the label’, and the vision stretches far beyond the music alone. As he puts it, Alt/Dub aims to be ‘a synthesis of music and design’.

Read our full conversation with the man himself below...

Alt/Dub is still a young label, yet it already feels fully formed in its identity. What vision did you have when you launched the imprint in 2024, and how do you see it carrying dub techno’s lineage forward?

Yes, it’s a young label, however I have been working and producing in the genre for nearly 20 years. Having that heritage behind me and also having worked for many labels and collaborated with lots of great producers has really helped shape my vision for what I want for a label. It’s been something that has been at the back of my mind for a long time. So although it’s new as a label, it actually has deep roots that go way back to before its formation.

This new Artist Series brings together Forward Memory, Thomas + James, Gradient and Beppu, each with their own interpretation of depth and space. What drew you to these particular artists for the second instalment?

The purpose of Artist Series for Alt Dub is to find ways to allow both recognised and unknown talent to present their work. The idea is for it to be open and wide enough that it can be a platform for musical expression with artists working in the dub genre. That could be more towards the traditional dub techno sound we know and love, like Gradient, or more contemporary productions like Thomas + James or Forward Memory. Or work that is experimental in nature and perhaps not what you might expect, like the Beppu track on this release.

Dub techno is often described as timeless and slow-evolving, yet this VA feels full of movement, from oscillating synths to broken, delayed rhythms. What kind of narrative or progression did you want the release to communicate as a whole?

That’s a good observation. It’s fundamental to what the label is aiming to achieve.
While yes, it is a platform for dub techno, it’s also a space to allow productions that exist slightly outside but still have dub elements. Alt Dub is short for alternative Dub. So the idea is to allow for the releases to push outside the dub techno genre slightly. Pushing against the edges and allowing a few tracks to explore slightly outside what you might expect from dub techno.
So this EP is aiming to do just that. Each track has its own energy while being able to sit well together as a collection. A lot of time and effort goes into both track selection and order on the vinyl. Each track has a dub element in how it was produced or the sounds used, but each has its own signature and takes you somewhere different.

Gradient, cv313, Fletcher and others have appeared on Alt/Dub releases, shaping a very international sound. How important is collaboration and cross-scene dialogue in defining the label’s future?

This is a really important aspect of the label. I think the strongest work comes out when I’m bringing artists together and finding ways to foster collaboration between everyone. Having established and less-known artists collaborate is also interesting. What happens when you take music from some young producers and have them work with an established and well-known producer? What comes out of those interactions is really unique and unexpected sometimes.

From your own production practice, what qualities or philosophies do you hope listeners recognise across Alt/Dub’s catalogue, whether it’s in your own tracks or those of the artists you curate?

My vision is for the label to be a synthesis of music and design. So the brand itself and the way it looks and feels is just as important as the music. I’m aiming to craft an identity that sits well with the music being released. So you know instantly it’s Alt Dub and can expect high-quality, curated music across the dub genre. I have a lot of great people helping with this vision: mastering engineer, pressing plant, distribution. Having that support is helping me build a strong foundation for Alt Dub to continue into next year and beyond. Expect a lot of new and exciting projects in 2026. Collaboration, remixes and artist EPs.

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