89 - Destination Unknøwn

Author

Giannis Kampiotis
June 27, 2023

Artist Interviews 🎶 Studio Tours 🎛

Hello music people 👋

Today in the spotlight, Destination Unknøwn

Coming from Germany, he began his musical journey in 1996 as a DJ and gradually transitioned to performing live techno music using hardware and hybrid DJ setups. Facing challenges in the music industry, he took matters into his own hands 🎶

Read Time: 9 minutes 📰

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Interview

Who are you and what is your relationship with music?

My name is Nuno Bessa also known as Destination Unknøwn.

I'm a techno Artist that performs live music using Hardware and Hybrid Dj. I'm naturally from Portugal but living in Halle / Germany.

My relationship with music started in ‘96 when I started by becoming a DJ. Resident of various clubs and eventually starting to play in bigger techno events/raves building my carrer, taking me to perform in many European countries.

I always made my income from my gigs and my music.

Soon after I started to produce music I found out that it's very difficult to make an income only by making music. The music industry basically is a broken system and it got much worse with the entry of the streaming platforms that basically don't give us nothing for our music. Unfortunately many Record labels want your music but that's it. No artist support, no bookings, no rights, or royalties. That makes it very difficult to be a musician.

To go around all that and be able to continue to make a living of my art I created my own structure and environment. I have my own label "Sunora Recordings" where I release my music & sample packs, I make my own events, give DJ courses, have my own Club and manage my gigs. I also enter in various competitions for film score or Remixes and have a partnership with Seedj where I scout artists.

Which piece of equipment in your studio is essential to your production process?

All of my gear is essential to what I do.

Every piece of gear in my studio has a function and a place in every track. It's like having band members. I love all my machines like if it was my band of friends and I count on all of them when I perform or record.

What is the least expensive piece of gear that gave you the most results?

I would say probably my Volca modular from Korg.

I have other Volcas that are slightly cheaper but the modular has been a great weapon teamed up with my Modular system.

Walk us through your process for creating and producing music.

I always start by sound designing patches on all the different synths and drum machines, creating first all of the background ambient, room and tone of the track.

Then I make my way to the drum sequences, percussion work, hi hats and rides creating a structure for the track.

Following by programing bass sequences and all of the main sounds like modular, keys, leads pads among other things. I also program all effects on the mixer and EQs.

After I have all the machines talking to each other I record various live takes of the track. All machines go through an analog mixer that records directly to ableton live. I use ableton live to record all the different channels and for any editing necessary plus any extra work.

There I can do the mix of the track. And finally do the master.

What is a production technique that you always come back to?

Spending time listening to music and musicians that I love and mean something to me.

Learn with them and have as an objective to reach the same quality on my next work.

How would you describe your style?

Deepspace & 909s.

I create futuristic hypnotic soundscapes that are driven by hard dark drum sequences. It can be techno electronica or ambient the dark the hypnotic landscapes and tension is always there.

What is a big challenge you have as an artist?

My biggest challenge is restarting my career in a new country.

I made my 25-year-career in my home country where I would play regularly in the main clubs and events. I was known by most people on the scene and had many good contacts and friendships I created along the years. When I decided that I needed more and feel in love with the German dance scene and culture I knew that all that would kind of end. I followed through with my decision to move to Germany because I believe I can remake my career here and even reach higher grounds.

Managing all of that can be a big weight and there are days of frustration depression and disappointment but that's also what makes me keep coming back everyday to the studio.

It gives me drive to evolve and to work harder.

But it all pays off every time I'm on a stage and see that people are there to listen to my music and more and more people go to our events.

Has building a hardware setup changed your perspective on music or life in general?

Yes definitely.

I produced many years with just a laptop. When I brought my first synth I became much more creative and I felt like a real musician quickly thinking of taking the step to start playing live.

Gave me confidence to be more artistic, to create and design all sounds from scratch making me learn a lot in sound design. Therefore understanding the core of music production and performance.

It made me see music in a completely different way and it made me find my musical signature.

One tip on how to spark creativity?

For me creativity can come in a movie scene, an image, by listening to another artist perform.

But the biggest spark comes after a show. It's when I get back to the studio and translate all of my experiences and emotions during the night and turn them into music.

A book, movie, article, or album that has inspired you?

The album Ghosts by Nine Inch Nails

Where can people find more of your music and connect with you online?

Instagram for dailly content.

My record label Bandcamp page for my music.

My YouTube channel for long format videos.

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