Recognise 081: Wata Igarashi

Listening closely to Igarashi’s productions, it becomes obvious how much of his composition takes inspiration from the natural world. Within his finely-tooled techno there’s an organic quality that evokes the elements. On tracks like ‘Steaming’ from the ‘Kaleidoscopic’ EP, the pulsating rhythm is enveloped in textures that conjure the hiss of the wind, or the splash of waves breaking on a shore. “It does have wind: real wind!” Igarashi reveals. “It does have waves. I put them in because they have so much impact. I can make these sounds myself, but the real sounds are so unique. It gives a special kind of energy.” 

Does he make field recordings? “Not a lot, but yeah, I do. It’s a completely different skill, so I’m not the best field recordist. But I love it… I just like using these sounds because they are some of the most trippy sounds you can hear. Like the sound of a river flowing — if you pitch it down, it gets really trippy. I like to try these things out. I’ve done a lot of insects, too. Cicadas can sound just like [techno producer] Mike Parker,” he laughs. 

The power of observation. taking the time to appreciate the little details all around us, and refracting them back in a way that heightens the senses — all of this is perhaps what makes Wata Igarashi’s music feel so intuitive, and essential to the moment. “If we’re talking about the techno music that I make, a lot of my inspiration comes from me playing in clubs. I often think, ‘I want to play this kind of music’, but because I’m a producer before I’m a DJ, it’s just faster for me to make it than to find it. I love making a missing piece of the puzzle.” 

Looking forward, there’s another full-length album in the works, due out later this year. He can’t say much about it just yet, but it will definitely be a techno album, Igarashi confirms. “It’s basically a summary of me, and my current vibe — but I’m also trying to make something that will last forever. That’s my kind of techno.”

Listen ot Wata Igarashi’s Recognise mix, and check the tracklist, below.