Creative Conversations 023: SYNES Wave Remix Pack
Words by Luke Byatt
We caught up with with Wave collective SYNES to talk over their recent compilation album, PATCH 2.1. The record contains 10 reworks and remixes from the aptly named previous record, PATCH 2.0. The likes of Pholo, Eone, Sombra, and Vexxy have all lended their creative inclination to the pack, resulting in numerous floor filling records.
Futuremag Music: Hey SYNES, how're you doing?
Synes: Hey ya! We’re doing good, staying healthy, keeping busy, glad to be talking to you again!
Futuremag Music: Congratulations on the release of the PATCH 2.1, but before we jump into it could you outline the collective and what you do?
Synes: Thanks so much, it's been a long time coming! SYNES started as a monthly podcast put together by Druid and myself in his bedroom in West London, showcasing our favourite tracks and featuring mixes from up and coming wave producers. Cadena and raffy helped us with social media, art and keeping on top of all the great music we were discovering together. We started receiving so many track submissions that we decided it would be a good idea to try and put some of them out, and from there came our first release, PATCH 1, a free 14 track compilation. We now host a monthly show on Subtle Radio, have 8 releases under our belt and have made friends with producers all over the world who keep us inspired to do more and more.
Our goal is to push forward thinking electronic music that excites us, and although our roots lie in the wave scene we are very open to exploring all kinds of sounds. First and foremost SYNES is a group of friends with a passion for music and we are forever grateful for everyone that is a part of what we do and those who support us.
Synes - Patch 2.1 (Facebook)
Futuremag Music: The release of PATCH 2 was another stellar compilation for the Wave scene, what went into the process of selecting the artists for the original release and now the remix pack? Are there any remixes that you want to highlight?
Synes: The four of us will brainstorm ideas for artists, trying to cover a few different styles and including a few smaller artists, then we will start reaching out to people to gauge interest and availability. The music comes first for us, so if something gets submitted late into the process but we really love it, then we can normally make arrangements. Pholo played ‘Butterfly Noose’ in a mix for us and I had been obsessed with the track for months, so was thrilled when we signed it. We were so happy with the calibre of the tracks on PATCH 2, everyone smashed it, so we thought it would be a great idea to get everyone to have a go at remixing their favourites off the release. Luckily enough people were keen to make it happen! I don't really see a lot of remixes of wave tracks by other wave artists, but maybe we can inspire some change! The HEATDEATH1992 remix really stands out to me on this release, it's an absolute belter, shake your floorboards kind of track, and Pholo's remix is absolutely gorgeous, don't think I've ever heard a Pholo tune I didn't like.
Futuremag Music: What does the future hold for SYNES?
Synes: Our next release is going to be a single from Druid with 3 remixes from new names to our roster, it's a bit more intense than any other release we've put together, lots of loud drums and distortion, I think people are going to love it. Expect a PATCH 3 showcasing more of the future sounds of the underground. We are going to keep releasing music as long as we can find music we love, and we know lots of very talented producers so I don't think we'll be going anywhere any time soon!
Futuremag Music: To wrap it up, if Synes was a cocktail, what would be in it to best describe the collective?
Synes: 2 parts reese bass, 1 part grime, 100% online.