We recently caught up with the Canadian-artist to get some insights into the release, and some other topics.

Hey Reece, thanks for doing this! Have there been any notable inspirations behind the release, particularly outside of music?

Hey! First off, thanks for the coverage and the chats. Very happy to get involved with Rendah Mag - big fan of the platform, aesthetic and of course the dedication toward pushing underground community/culture. Big ups!

There were quite a few inspirations that helped guide me through crafting the EP. The songs were written on/off over the course of the last 1.5 years, I'd say. A lot has happened throughout that time. Typically, the music I write is an extension of what I’m feeling and experiencing during those sketching stages. I will admit that after a period of being quiet, if not reclusive, I really had to strive to come back to my centre. I never stopped writing music, I was just unmotivated to share anything or get involved with external scenes. Perhaps that has something to do with the hangover of the pandemic, or even some other personal complexities; either or, as the title of the EP states, I feel at a place now where we’ve broken through that inertia and are now more than ever re-energized. So in ways it feels like we’re just beginning, I’m excited.

I should also note that getting back into throwing events and programming a weekly radio show in Calgary with 3 of my best friends has really helped breath life back into what I do. I owe a lot of my inspiration and getting my feet back on the ground to Josh (Wolf Machina), Alex (Mother Mary) and Michael Benz.

Huge fan of the snappy transients from each track, are you using any special processing or tools to achieve this?

Really appreciate it. Over the last 3/4 years, I’ve been focussing more on programming beats through drum machines and synthesizers. This has allowed me to be more restrictive with my process, which ultimately makes me more focussed on the groove/dynamics of the beat. In other words, less distracted in the DAW. Resampling, layering and automation is also at the forefront of that. For example, creating a nice patch or arpeggiated synthetic percussion loop through the Virus TI, recording a couple of takes, layering them together, then applying some automated audio effects from Ableton plug-ins like Corpus, Grain Delay, Frequency Shifter to create cool textures and evolving sounds. It’s really tedious sound design, but I can honestly say that spending hours. Sometimes, even days making trippy, polyrhythmic loops and patterns are the most enjoyable parts of music production for me.

What would you say was the biggest challenge in putting this EP together?

Since this EP is being self released, I would say the main challenge of putting it all together has been the administration aspect of it. Setting up a schedule for effective posting and pushing the release myself opposed to having a label do that for me is tough; however, it’s liberating because I do have total control over how I want the release to be perceived. Writing the music, creating the artwork/animation is all fun, but the admin and business side of self-releasing takes a lot of energy from you. You have to commit, though, as there’s no way around it these days.

Can we expect some more sonics in this style, or are you seeking a new direction next time around?

100%. I’m finally starting to feel like I’m on a healthy path of creating my own original sound and identity. Hypnotic, drifty beats with a hybrid manipulation of jungle/break elements. I feel like it’s still bass music. Either or I’m motivated to continue to try and create my own pocket in that world. I’ll also say that the goal has always been to have my music identifiable throughout any tempo or style - so on that note, I’m insanely curious to continue exploring different tempo ranges. I’m inspired by it all.

Any other artists/labels that you're feeling right now?

I’ve been really into a producer/DJ from Lyon, France named Vardae. Can’t say I’ve played a set or radio slot in the last year without at least one of his tracks. Forest Drive West has always been a huge inspiration of mine; pretty excited about the label he recently launched with localhost titled OODA. Midgar Records is another label that’s consistently delivering sick music. Toma Kami and Aquarian for the more contemporary rave & jungle side of things. For emerging Canadian talent, I’m very aligned with everything that Captivate, IHA, and Adam2 are doing out of Vancouver. I could go on forever. There’s so much interesting music being created and shared with the world right now.

From speaking with Reece, it's obvious this release is the result of a lot of time and work—seeming as a turning point for his own development as an artist. We're excited to see what the future holds for OpenEnd. The whole EP is out now, and you can purchase it here.