Touch The Sound [Interview]

Ukrainian project based in Bali, Touch The Sound is a house duo of two talented DJs and sound producers Kos The Greek and Dima Deep. This week finds them making an impressive debut on Muse Department with 'El Telefono'.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Touch The Sound to learn more about the release of 'El Telefono', their background and growing up in the Ukraine, DJing and much more. Enjoy.

Hi Guys, thanks for joining us. How has your spring season been so far and please tell us something interesting about your day today?

Hi guys, It's a pleasure to speak with you!

The first six months were very productive, and since we have been living in Bali now for 4 years, we always have something to do here, a lot of performances, a lot of new acquaintances, it's never boring, today is a sunny day, we went to the beach in the morning, drank a cold coconut, recharged and came to the studio to tell you a little about ourselves

How did growing up in the Ukraine influence your music taste and direction into the industry? Or did it all?

We have been with music since early childhood, different periods, different artists, most important for us is Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, Cypress Hill, Massive Attack, it will be a very big list....

You guys are based in Kiev which is known for electronic music out of the Ukraine, how do you perceive the scene in your hometown and where do you see yourself fitting into it?

Kiev electronic scene for the last few years, very confidently gained and continues to gain momentum. We always try to release some of the material on the Ukraine labels, proud to know such representatives of the Ukrainian electronic scene as ARTBAT, Cherry, Artaria, OFFNIGHT very cool guys, the potential is incredible they are the part of the creators who continue to keep afloat Ukrainian electronic and of course a special respect to Miss Monique, which rattles around the world under the yellow-blue flag) Of course, there are many more artists and all of them are a small brick in the electronic wall of Ukraine

So we’re curious how Touch The Sound came to existence, please tell us how you guys met and eventually started collaborating on music? And what musical projects were involved in prior to Touch The Sound?

We met each other a long time ago, guess it was 2007, we had only two clubs in our city where we were residents and somehow we started talking about future about music and realized that we had very similar tastes of music and ideas, after a while we decided to start doing some parties and later began to learn how to produce music

Your musical style traverses various genres, from Progressive House to Melodic House & Techno and Indie Dance, often incorporating techy or deep elements as well. What fascinates you about these genres, and which of your tracks do you feel best represents your musical vision?

We have no restrictions in music style, everything comes from the heart, from the mood, we always try to do something new

A successful partnership is generally based around balance and compromise; how do you manage these things within your production dynamic? Do you have different roles in the production process?

Sometimes it can be difficult, opinions differ, someone may just be in a different mood. But basically we are on the same wavelength and there are no problems in the process of musical jam. Sometimes we send each other demo tracks and if our ideas coincide, we immediately going to studio. The scenarios of the day are always different, we can gather in the studio with a clear plan of action, whether it's to finish a track or work out a playlist for an upcoming performance, it happens that we sit down and just listen to music, surf through libraries of presets for synthesizers, samples, old tracks

Working as a duo is an interesting dynamic. Do you guys share a studio where all the sessions are together or do you produce separately and pass files back and forth? And if you have done both, what do you prefer and why?

Kosta has small studio at his house, we usually gather at his place, and when the track comes to the finish line, we rent a professional studio here in Bali

You have a new single ‘El Telefono’ out now Muse Department. Please tell us a bit about the track and how it showcases your current sound?

It was full improvisation, without any plan, we had this Spanish speech in our library and we wanted to use it somewhere a long time and it got into our mood. 5 hours and done)

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in your recent productions and more specifically your Muse Department single?

Our setup simple, FL Studio, a pair of YAMAHA HS8 monitors, an Audient ID 4 sound card and an Arturia Minilab 3 midi keyboard. As for the sound in the track on Muse Department, Serum and Diva vst were used there. vocals from the sample pack, guitars we don't remember where they dug up)

This is your first release on Muse Department which is a new fresh label, why was it a good home for this particular track?

Muse Department is the label of two our old friends from Ukraine Dj Lutique and Stas Underhill. They are both DJs and musicians with good taste and close-minded thinking. They asked us for our unsigned track and we gladly agreed

You guys also operate as a DJ duo and have played some impressive events, most recently at the Burning Beach Festival in Indonesia. So, how would you describe your approach to DJing? And how do you function as a duo while DJing?

The festival is always a big event, we are preparing very seriously, as it is an opportunity to show what you are capable of, it is also new acquaintances with big artists who make their experience, and it is very inspiring, it is very important. And about djing, we are very lucky with each other, it is a pleasure to play back to back, we easily catch the mood of the site and each other, plus a couple of shots of tequila unites us like never before

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ duo has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks, and also, your work as producers?

We have a very similar musical taste so we have a sufficient symbiosis in our work and a minimum of contradictions in the creative direction and preparation of the material and its writing)

How much prep do you put into the tracks you choose to play?

For each party we preparing tracks individually, it depends on the place and at what time our dj set, usually we improvise, adjust to the mood of crowd

Current Top Five tracks in your sets?

MAXI MERAKI & Samm (BE) - Everybody Get Up (Original Mix)

Super Flu - We You (Adam Ten Extended Remix)

Christian Smith - Here To Stay (Original Mix)

Rivellino, Juanito State - Gotta Cry

Far&High, pizzaaftersex - Grime Dust (Original Mix)

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

Kosta: I like to spend my time with family and friends, traveling, glamping, family barbeque, chilling on the beach, sometimes playing football with friend

Dima:  My second hobby is photography, video shooting, I like to ride around the areas of Bali and take pictures of anything, as well as my girlfriend does yoga and we very often shoot something for her social networks and then in a cozy evening with a plate of fruits I do editing and flower arranging, I'm crazy about this process) And of course, trips closer to nature, eating something delicious in different places)

What are some of your favourite TV series?

Kosta: I rarely watch TV series, but one of my favourite it's Breaking Bad

Dima: how many cool ones are there and so little time)

What made an impression is

LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS

The Black Mirror

For a good mood, definitely Ted Lasso

If you were not a DJ/Producer what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

Kosta: Bank worker, Credit analyst

Dima: Psychologist

What does 2024 hold for you in terms of releases and gigs? Anything you can share with us?

In the next 4 months, we are preparing 4 releases, one of them will have remix from Marc DePulse, and few new tracks waiting thier contracts. We promise that this year will be productive

'El Telefono' is available now via Muse Department: https://tinyurl.com/4bhfkpw8