HCBXCast Vol 60 - Interview with Pardonax

HCBXCast 60 – Interview with Pardonax

We welcome Pardonax back to the show. One of the best and most prolific of the current crop of hardcore techno producers (in my humble opinion, of course). When he first jumped on HCBXCast back on vol 13 he played a live set of his own productions and, of course, it was fucking excellent.  This time he's swapping the DAW for a mixer and he has mixed an set of acid flavoured hardcore from the early 90s.  To accompany this cracking set, we got him to answer a few questions.

When did you get into Hardcore Techno, and what was the track that hooked you?

Must have been around 2011/2ish... Not sure when exact. A friend introduced me to what was hardstyle at that moment. But I found it soft too quick. After that I discovered hardcore and soon also early hardcore which quickly grabbed me... Especially with Citrus - Fascination (UK, 1993?) which also helped to grow my love for breakbeats!

What’s your best memory of a party you’ve attended or played at? I take it the Fuckparade event last year where the police cut your set short wasn't one of the best, but what was your memories of that?

Probably the first time I did a performance as Pardonax in 2023 under the public eye. A new era for myself and a step up in my production game. Regarding the Fuckparade thing... It was before my set. Felt more sorry for the crew who organized all. It wasn't their fault but the police avoiding the made up agreement around the dB levels...

You are pretty prolific in releasing tracks. What made you decide to start producing?

Simple as I was bored of hearing the same shit over and over again (same reason I dislike most radio music)

How did you learn to build a track? What did you use at the start, and how have you refined your process? Do you still lean on digital DAWs, or have you worked in any other methods?

I tried to remix parts in traxx that I liked or rebuild them to discover techniques. Which also allowed me to build parts around it into full traxx. But as I like a lot of styles I don't have a certain style element except a raw edge perhaps? I still do use inspirations from other people their work, emotions or just what's in my head.

Regarding equipment... I have used a broken copy of fruity loops 10 since I started. On a more and more broken laptop also... before that I did pure noise music on my iPad. Some off which I sampled in my own work too. But you can't call that a studio really...

Are there any tracks that you’re particularly into right now? And do you have a favourite of your own that you want to talk about?

Mmm... Been digging a bit more in UK hardcore lately. But for me that is all but the Deathchant kinda style. Labels like Tuff Shit, Surgeon 16, Sensory Violation & Outcast Clan kinda material. Decent bpm, dark & rough. As it should.

I will always have a love for gabber styled traxx where I am still more into faster, industrial material. And my number 1 track will always be Final Revolution by R. Wagner on DOM. It also helped raise my interest in lesser known and faster gabber, as heard in UK sets. Which I mainly used to discover new tunes. 

As for my own works... I'd like to put some focus on my Parting Ways track, which I initially made as a sorta goodbye to the scene (at least the production corner). I was so fed up with some things I mention in the last question...  I made this prior to my first performance too and had to use it there for myself.

When I made Parting Ways, I posted it on SoundCloud with a sorta text where I threw out all my irritations at the time.  A lot of people resonated with them and felt sorry I wanted to stop, which surprised me.  But with this track, I more or less got the needed inspiration and motivation again.  As other traxx started to sound like I wanted them. It was meant to be perhaps?

You co-run Speedcore Worldwide, but which other record labels do you follow closely, or feel a connection to?

Not really any. But I check what my friends release on and French labels. Especially France still has interesting releases as they are more open minded as most countries at the moment. Also some Italian, UK or German labels but nothing specific.

Also a I mostly dig into older labels on the regular... As I can discover more material I didn't yet in a better moment of our music. Say period 93-07 for me... Afterwards it got more and more boring for me.

Who’s inspiring you in the scene right now, and what stands out about their work both from a producer and DJ aspect?

ATM... No one really? At least production wise. I take inspiration from older artists more. As more do these days. It's all rinse and repeat.

DJ wise... I must mention L.S.A. or Wolffy. They both do a eclectic mix of more than just traxx which can be seen as hardcore techno. But also from other ends of the spectrum like acid, trance and more. Which makes for a interesting / eclectic tracklist and atmosphere. And also... Avoidance of the known classics...

I would also like to mention Core25 & Soulkeeper. Who have a ear for dark & lesser known material. In the corners where I like to be...

What prompted the switch to DJing recent—or is it something you've always dabbled with?

Always wanted to but vinyl is ATM too hard. My girlfriend also helped me get around with Rekordbox and motivated me which made it a easier step into digital area's. Sometime in the future I'll work on my vinyl skills probably too.

Tell me about the DJ set you've submitted for HCBXCast. Some cracking old school acid hardcore tracks in this.

Well... I have a big love for the sound of 1993. When all the styles of this "house music" which are now subgenres started to merge to their own respective style. But around 92/93 a lot was really more of a crossover and easier to combine...*

Trance, Acid or Techno could easily work in what we saw as the first actual hardcore (techno) records. Which I wanted to show and try and combine... Like a lot did back then and now less and less sadly (take Wolffy, Tec-9 & L.S.A. for example). And I wanted to give my take on it. Also it uses some of my favourite tunes from 92/93... Which I know through my biggest inspiration... Liza N Eliaz.

What does your current studio or live setup look like. In the past you've said you like to restrict your set up and make sound just with what you have. You mention the old faithful laptop. Any hardware, controllers, or effects you rely on for performance or production?

Old crappy laptop still (for the productions...) and I have a slightly newer, working laptop for Ableton for the pure Pardonax sets. Which some redeem as live sets... Which is up for debate. I always called those dead acts (as they weren't that live...).

I use samples mostly and avoid using VSTs or so... Less choice means a more creative thought process to get what I want. And less is more right? I just like to fuck up sounds from others...

Also as I don't wanna sound like every other artist who uses the same pre-set in their VST or watched a bass drum tutorial from DJ Arjuna...

You have a good few records under your belt now. Do you prefer working with vinyl, digital, or a mix of formats?

For now digitally as I can see BPM. I find it hard to hear these ATM which makes it difficult for me... But I've already got enough records for to do something interesting perhaps. But I just can't play them in a set.

What have you got coming up—new releases, shows, or projects?

There should be a 7" with 2 traxx, various digital releases and 2 parties atm. Also have a demo ready which I am sending around atm. Party wise... I probably play at the Fuckparade again or the afterparty... And a set with Wolffy in September.

Besides that... Let's see! I'm more into producing and pissing off people as performing. I don't ask / suck people's dick to get spots on a line-up. The music I do isn't that favoured in Holland anyway I always feel that at least... But I appreciate those who like me for what I do and book me.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

I love this music and a good amount of it's people who make it. But I hate the biggest part of this scene (these days even more).

There are too many wannabe/cocksucker artists who only work with like minded organisations who don't have passion for what they do. There are a lot of copycats especially when it comes to producers.

Nobody tries to go a bit over the line with different styles. Those that do get shut away... Which is a shame. Dare to experiment a bit! Be it your own traxx or artists that you book for a party. Don't rely on friends and big names. Most are a big name in their head and the people who carry them onto a throne made op bullshit. Don't feed what already has had enough...

I'm happy I have people around me who know what I mean. And a good amount are the people who I talk about. At least some keep it real.

Hardcore is dead, it's just more of the same...

Check out the excellent Pardonax set for HCBXCast 60 here:

You can follow Pardonax on SoundCloud here:  Pardonax