M A N I K “Joshua Park”

Pulling out another prized piece for Culprit, M A N I K moves in with his fifth release for the Los Angeles-based imprint. Through his proliferation of quality productions, the New Yorker-turned-Angelino has established himself as a valuable tenant on the household underground label. Chris Manik is a maniac in the studio, and his forthcoming Nightfall EP is no stab in the dark.

Closing out the three-track package—which includes the Eli & Fur-reinforced title cut—“Joshua Park” brings some dimly lit ambiance. Tightly woven percs, spacey bleeps, and primed-for-the-night basslines act as a guide through an analog-laden landscape. It’s a stroll through M A N I K’s well-polished sound that I would take all day and all night.

Available March 2 via Culprit.

What’s your favorite sound/synth/effect/etc. used here?
I think I like the bassline synth and the lead Fm sequence; the bass was done by combining my Moog and a plugin that I use. The sequence was recorded via an Elektron Analog Four. I absolutely love what Elektron is doing these days.

Do you think advances in computer technology and gear have affected your creativity?
Totally. I think gear and musical recording equipment, etc. really can influence you in more ways than one. Sometimes it’s just by the way it’s intended (the sounds), other times it’s by both sounds and the lights (i.e., Moog Voyager, Roland TR-8) and other times it’s by a vibe. Some of my gear puts me back in 1982, and some makes me feel like I’m heading into 2050. Both are productive and potentially rewarding outcomes.

Choose one feeling that sums up this release, and describe it to us.
Futuristic and classic. Hard to pick just one. To me, it’s like a common ground between classic deep bass and also a bit more futuristic. All about the sub when it hits, though.

Were you impulsive on this track, or did you have a sketch in mind before you started?
Honestly, I always have an idea, but it’s most often than not a blank canvas. I try not to have a goal when starting a track, because I think it hinders the vibe. Some of what people say are my best tracks were done on accident. It’s all about the vibe and getting the flow going—not how you finish. This was one of the last tracks I finished at my old studio, so it has memories attached to it.

Who is the ideal person to remix this track?
I guess I would be curious to hear what Kidnap Kid, or potentially a tougher act like Dense & Pika, would do to “Joshua Park.”

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