Release Radar: Sublee - A Peace Of Mind [CADENZA143]

Shaped by Romania’s underground scene and a deep connection to mood, melody and atmosphere, Sublee has developed a sound that moves naturally between intricate grooves and more introspective spaces. A long-time follower of Cadenza, his debut on the label A Peace Of Mind brings together influences that have stayed with him since his early years in electronic music, resulting in a deeply personal release shaped by instinct, memory and emotion.

You recently performed your first-ever live set at Platforma Wolff in Bucharest. How was the experience and what did it feel like presenting your music live for the first time?

Indeed, I was invited by my friend Kozo to his Intuit FM night to experiment with a different approach and I thought it was about time to take my studio routine outside its comfort zone. So I brought out some of the gear I use daily and went with the flow, thinking it would be nice for people to hear tracks as they build up, transform and reshape, rather than hearing them already completed. It wasn’t a pre-recorded live set, but more of a live studio session and jam, improvising on downtempo/ambient grounds, a side of music I really enjoy exploring. Most of my tracks are really long-playing, and the outros often run ambient for whole minutes.

I’m also working on a dance floor live set that I would like to present this winter.

Looking back to where it all began, what first pulled you towards electronic music and eventually into producing your own?

Music has always been part of my life. It got me through my lowest moments and was also beside me at my highest. I think electronic music really got me when I first started going to clubs and felt what was happening there: people dancing as one, the energy shifting and being shared back and forth between the DJ and the crowd.

As it grew on me, I wanted to dig deeper into that music. Then I started getting the feeling that maybe I could add or take out certain elements in what I was hearing, thoughts that would stay with me for days after a party. So I started digging, going through forums and music platforms for days and nights. Once I downloaded my first tracks and my first production software, I never stopped from there.

Romania has played such an important role in shaping minimal music over the past two decades. How much has growing up around that culture influenced the artist you’ve become?

What was happening and how the Romanian club scene was evolving at the time I started was truly amazing. It was the golden age of Romanian clubbing and almost every town in the country had a dedicated spot where they invited many DJs from Romania and abroad. Everything was in bloom. They were playing music I had never heard before and it got me hooked immediately. I’ve followed the underground scene ever since. I feel really lucky and grateful that I grew up and refined my musical senses around colleagues who were so dedicated and passionate. I learned so much from them over time, attending so many unreal sets and parties. And I still am.

There’s a real musicality to your productions, with elements that often feel organic and jazzy, with a classical influence. Where does that side of your sound come from?

Mood and melody are so important to me in a track. What I listen to day-to-day when I’m not in the studio or preparing for a gig is usually jazz radio, trip-hop radio or some ambient, moody music. It could be this that influences the musicality of my work, or maybe it’s just how I feel I can express myself, since words are not my strong point, as you can probably notice :)

A Peace Of Mind marks your debut on Cadenza. What has your relationship with the label and Luciano’s music been over the years, and what does releasing here mean to you?

I’ve been following Cadenza, Luciano and Quenum since my early years of listening to electronic music. I was introduced to the label through releases from Luciano, Rhadoo, Petre Inspirescu, Ricardo Villalobos, Thomas Melchior and Los Updates, just to name a few from the incredible discography.

I’ve had so many moments at parties with these tracks that have stayed with me forever, and they’ve played a big part in developing my sound for sure. Releasing now on Cadenza is a dream come true and I’m really thankful for this opportunity.

Across the five tracks, A Peace Of Mind moves through some beautifully detailed and immersive spaces while maintaining that rolling Sublee groove. What was inspiring you while you were creating the release?

It makes me happy that the connection and immersive landscape this EP has as a whole is noticeable. Actually, the tracks were made in the same week, while I was hooked on some wavelength of inspiration, so maybe that’s why they work so well together.

I get inspired a lot by what is happening around me at the time, but I can’t put my finger on one specific moment. What I can say is that when I finished recording Will Be Mine, it opened a new door inside me. Many childhood memories and trapped emotions came rushing out. The power music has is nearly impossible to confine to spoken language.

How is your setup in the studio these days? Are there any instruments or machines you continually find yourself returning to?

I’ve kept my studio as tight and small as possible because I want to focus on creation more than anything. I have a few synths and drum machines that will always stay near me for as long as I’m doing this. Some come and go, but my Roland TR-8, Electribe, Analog Four and Nonlinear Labs C15 will always be there.

Away from music, what helps clear your head and give you fresh creative energy?

My head clears as soon as I get home to my family, including our pets. I love hiking, swimming, forests, going to the sea, cooking and barbecues :)

What are you working towards next, is there anything new from Sublee that you can share with us?

I’ve had an intense period of releases from last year until now, so for the moment I’ll let all of that settle in and focus more on producing and playing. Some already-planned remixes will still come out in the near future, and I’ll continue releasing music from other artists that I feel fits Density Recordings. And as I said at the beginning, I’m focusing on putting together a proper club live set. I feel it is time.

Check our A Peace Of Mind on Beatport and Bandcamp.