Inigo Kennedy

A mainstay of the British techno scene since the mid-'90s, Inigo Kennedy's prolific release schedule is matched by the sheer creativity of his work. While highly respected by those in the know, the innovative artist has remained sorely under-recognized. First surfacing in 1996 with a handful of EPs, followed by 1997 full-length debut Specific Formal Patterns, he was initially known for fast, pummeling techno with unconventional beat patterns and twisted sequences. Over time, his tempos have slowed down a bit and his tracks have gotten more atmospheric and melodic, but they've continued to grow more complex and expressive. Kennedy has been closely affiliated with Belgian label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Token%22">Token</a> since its 2007 formation, and has released two albums (2014's Vaudeville and 2018's Strata) for the label, as well as numerous singles and EPs. He has also released dozens of EPs on his own <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Asymmetric%22">Asymmetric</a> imprint, including 2021's Recovery Mode.

Kennedy first began releasing techno records while he was still a student, attending university in Manchester. Four EPs appeared in 1996, including two on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22ZET%22">ZET</a>, an early label founded by Karl O'Connor (aka <a href="spotify:artist:4erwZm1JybuSPTUg5Bu7nT">Regis</a>). An album of paranoid, convulsive tracks titled Specific Formal Patterns was released by the label in 1997, and Kennedy began playing gigs around his home country as well as Eastern Europe, thanks to his frequent collaborator <a href="spotify:artist:5Hini2nQyoglzpdKe41cZt">Umek</a>. As he became increasingly more prolific, he released records under the pseudonyms Helki Törsnum, Reducer (on his <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Instillation%22">Instillation</a> label), and Tomito Satori (on Exhibit Records), as well as his own name. He also founded the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Asymmetric%22">Asymmetric</a> label in 1999, through which he released some of his most challenging, experimental productions.

Kennedy's second full-length, The Bigger Picture, appeared on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Missile+Records%22">Missile Records</a> in 2001. He continued releasing a steady stream of singles, mainly on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Asymmetric%22">Asymmetric</a>, while maintaining a full-time job instead of trying to make a living strictly as a DJ/producer. In 2004, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Asymmetric%22">Asymmetric</a> stopped pressing vinyl records, and all of his subsequent releases through his label were free downloads. Belgian DJ Kr!z founded the dark techno label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Token%22">Token</a> in 2007, and Kennedy soon became one of its flagship artists, releasing hordes of well-received records for the label. September Pieces, an experimental full-length CD, was released by Swedish label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Electronic+Desert+Recordings%22">Electronic Desert Recordings</a> in 2010. Kennedy's first <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Token%22">Token</a> full-length, Vaudeville, appeared in 2014, and was easily his most cohesive album to date. Following several more singles for the label, Kennedy released the vast, expressive Strata in 2018.

After releasing another EP on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Token%22">Token</a>, 2019's Trajectory, Kennedy and <a href="spotify:artist:5UVeKRyD2EOSsARHXrWaAF">Samuli Kemppi</a> collaborated for Catalogue of Errors, issued by Blacklabel Distillery. The acid-influenced Arcadian Falls was issued by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Voltage%22">Voltage</a> in 2020. A handful of EPs appeared in 2021, including XX 4 (with <a href="spotify:artist:6tBXgxCdrzUiVJswQMnCk7">Marco Lenzi</a>) and Recovery Mode. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi