Get Into a Tryst with Rising Brisbane Producer Tincture

If you are in any way familiar with the electronic scene in Australia (listening to Flume doesn't count), then you may have heard of Luke Dalton. The name might not ring a bell, but his stage name, Tincture, might. Also, you might know of a Brisbane-based label called Silo Arts, who are pioneering the Australian electronic sound and helping to spread it around the world. If these names are unfamiliar to you, fear not, you'll be hearing them a lot in the future, I'm sure of it.

Tincture has been slowly releasing tracks for the past few years and has recently stepped up his game by releasing Tryst, his debut EP. It is a gorgeous piece of production work, with unique beats, soothing vocals and a caressing synth-driven ooze that wraps you up tight.

On the back of some shows (including one supporting Baths) we had a chat to Luke about his music, his live show and what is new for Silo in 2014.

You're having a pretty good 2014 so far, big supports, lots of shows, a new EP, a label to run — you must be a busy guy, right?

Man, it's actually really hectic — sometimes I feel like I've bitten off far more than I could possibly ever chew. Plus I've got uni and work on top of that, and Dark Souls 2 just came out.

Tell us about your new EP, Tryst. How long has it been in the works?

Way too long. Sitting on music and not being able to show people is a very painful experience. I really just wanted to know what people thought of it. It's also mainly my fault as well as I didn't get my stuff together quick enough for a mid-2013 release; then uni took over and the EP took a back seat.

How has your music been received so far?

It's been pretty great, blogs have been responsive and it's got some great radio coverage. I couldn't really ask for much more. I'm not really dwelling on the release though, I'm just determined to try and get more music out as soon as possible.

You've had some big supports lately, including Baths last week. What can people expect from a Tincture live show?

I used an MPD to trigger samples, so there's a lot of that going on. I also play synths using this little panel of squares called a Launchpad, and obviously I'm singing pretty much the whole time too. I try and change it up a bit every now and then with a few darker instrumental tracks, depending on how the crowd are responding.

You are one of the creative minds behind the successful Silo Arts Label. Can you give us any insight into Silo's plans for 2014?

So far the only things we've got slated are releases. We've just dropped Rainbow Chan's LP on vinyl, so we're really focusing on pushing that at the moment, and then we've got a bunch more stuff coming out through the rest of the year. Happy to say our release schedule is pretty packed at the moment, so keep an ear out!

Tell us your thoughts on the electronic production scene in Brisbane and Australia as a whole, how do we stack up to the rest of the world?

I don't feel that Brisbane has a very supportive electronic scene with regards to production. The Kush Club are doing amazing things, bringing out underground internationals, but in terms of an electronic night with a local focus, there's not too much going on. I don't want to be a hater, there are heaps of rad producers in Brisbane, but it could be so much better if there was a stronger local interest to bring all of those likeminded people together. That's what we've tried to do with Silo, but unfortunately almost every Brisbane club has yielded to the almighty dollar.

As a Brisbane-based artist, what do you like about your city, culturally?

Not being able to go anywhere without running into at least three people that you know.

PS, this is a joke.

Do you have any favourite haunts to eat, drink and party?

I'm going to be real and say I barely ever go out anymore. But when I do, my favourite place is probably the Brunno [The Brunswick Hotel, for the uninitiated]. There is something magical about open-mic karaoke on Thursdays; it will always have a special place in my heart :')

Tryst is now available through Silo Arts and iTunes. You can catch Tincture on the Gold Coast at LILT on April 4.