In this interview, we sit down with Ornery, a Berlin-based Electronic music producer, DJ, label owner, audio engineer and multi-faceted artist. He shares insights into his musical journey, influences, creative process, and future plans, get ready to know the artist behind the dark, emotional, and intense Melodic Techno sound.
Hi Ornery, how are you?
I’m doing very good, thanks for having me. Full winter mode here in Berlin, so plenty of studio time!
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into music?
I don’t have a musical background, and I’m not classically trained. I got into Electronic music mostly through DJing (and clubbing!), and the art of discovering and collecting tracks to create a story. After that, I got into production which opened a completely new reality. Having a “blank page”, the freedom to express yourself, and the possibility to create something that didn’t exist before is really what attracts me to it. I’m fascinated by the craft itself, and by the fact that you can learn by doing and discover something new every day.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how would you say they have influenced your sound?
I have to say that I like, and listen to, a very wide range of music that goes from Rap to Metal, to R&B to Progressive Rock. I do think every genre influences and shapes, even to a small extent, my taste and sound.
But, as far as Electronic music goes, I would say Eric Prydz, Stephan Bodzin, Recondite. There are obviously many others, but these are three different artists that stand out by themselves, set their own trends, and that I really admire and get inspired by.
Which of your tracks would you recommend to newcomers to your music? Is there one track that epitomises your sound?
It’s a really hard question, but I would probably say “Hydra”, which came out on Flemcy Music a few years ago. The right blend of Melodic and Progressive, slightly dark and mysterious, all while maintaining a certain level of energy. I still see it pop up in my “Spotify for Artists” quite often, added and discovered in different playlists, in various parts of the world.
What achievement in your career have you been most proud of?
I guess I can say having built everything from scratch, without any prior knowledge, both in terms of people and music; and having started to carve a space for myself in the music world.
Can you walk us through your approach to creating a new track? What is your usual workflow and creative process?
I always start with the melodic part first. Drums usually come later in the process. It could be a riff, it could be a harmony, or simply an atmospheric sound, something that sets the mood, but essentially, it’s always melody first for me. I try to “commit” to the idea as early as possible, and start developing it and really sculpt it.
We now have some cool outboard gear in the studio, and I love to work with it every once in a while, but I mostly like to stay “in the box”, if possible. As I said in the beginning, creative freedom is a great privilege, but in order to finish projects, self-limitations are the key!
Which of your tracks are you most proud of and why?
Of my releases as a solo artist, besides “Hydra” which I cited above, I would say the latest tracks I have done on my “Audere” imprint, inspired by the main chemical elements of life. These tracks all have a slightly more minimalistic sound and aesthetic, but I think they represent a facet of my style very well. As far as collaborations, I would probably mention “Space” that I made with Austin Pettit, “Trilogy” with JP Lantieri, and the recently-released “Calling” with Michael Ritter, which came out on my new “Daydreaming” label. These tracks were all very well-received, and gave me the opportunity to work with other very talented artists.
Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself that might surprise fans?
I’m an endurance sports enthusiast, and I train year-round. Mostly for triathlon (swimming/biking/running) races, but I throw in some half-marathons as well. You should see the face people make when I tell them that…
How would you summarise your sound and style?
Very simply: dark, emotional, intense. I think my musical style possesses all these elements, in different amounts and at different moments, and I think that they also reflect my personality quite well.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you? Can you share with us any specific goals in mind that you are hoping to achieve in the future?
Artistically speaking, keep growing and keep refining my sound. I think that’s a never-ending process, which is also what fascinates me about this journey as I said before. There’s always something new to learn, some new ways to explore.
I’ve also been developing a live set for a while, all composed by my own original material: it’s still a work-in-progress, but I do want to play it out or record it on video at some point in the near future.
More practically, I’m still finishing the set-up of my new room at Riverside Studios, where I’ve just moved; working on plenty of new material that will be released next year; collaborating with artists which I’ve never collaborated with; signing new music for the label; curating my monthly mixshow and a few guest mixes; and planning a few events in and outside Berlin.
We thank Ornery for taking the time to share his experiences, insights and journey so far, in this interview, we look forward to following his musical journey and upcoming creative endeavors, so make sure to follow him across social media to learn more about his new music and projects.
