If you’ve been out and about Sydney electronic music institutions such as Mad Racket and Frigid in recent years, you’ll have no doubt come across one of Alphatown’s tech-infused and unpredictable live decks and FX sets, the trio of Adam Zielonka, Andrew Maher and Luke Mynott hunched over their machines, whilst all manner of sounds and beats pound out onto the floor. First meeting up as high school friends, Alphatown have managed to build a sterling reputation as a local name to bank on when you’re looking for a crowded dancefloor to lose yourself in, moving from their shared obsession with toilet humour to fuse their mutual love of Peacefrog, Clear and Skam records via countless live gigs and hours spent logged in the studio exploring new directions and possibilities.

With support slots for the likes of Derrick May and Mr C under their belts as well as an ongoing association with local label Floating Point, the Alphatown boys have apparently recently been racking up the hours in their studio, and have a whole new swag of material that they’re positively itching to unleash on live audiences. ITM’s evilchris caught up with Alphatown to find out what dancing freaks can expect, as well as getting a glimpse of what might be on their forthcoming debut album…

Alphatown: We first met at high school where it was actually an obsession with Carry On films and toilet humour which cemented the friendship rather than anything highbrow like musical taste. Andrew and Adam teamed up early on to form a psychedelic rock covers band called Gutbucket (Luke’s folks wouldn’t allow drums in the house, so he wasn’t part of this early Alphatown incarnation). Then we all started going to Virtual Bass parties, discovered Disco City (R.I.P), Reachin’ Records and Hardwax and the rest, as they say, is mildly interesting history. Andrew is still obsessed with Led Zeppelin, he secretly believes he’s Robert Plant.

Alphatown: We’re much more interested in adapting what we love about DJ-ing into our live performances rather than going down the traditional band path of stopping after each song, working through the playlist and so on. We all have the bare bones of tracks prepared, and improvise a way to mix them all together. It all happens on the fly and works 99% of the time! This is probably because we have played together so often and for so long now it’s instinctive. . .

Alphatown: We’ve always wanted to make music that represents the diversity of our influences, but as time goes by we’re having more success at achieving that while still creating something that is uniquely ours. The other major progression has been in our production skills. There used to be quite a stark improvement in quality when we dropped something off vinyl during our live sets, whereas now our stuff is getting pretty damn close.

Alphatown: Well we don’t want to reveal too much but I think we’re mellowing in our old age, which is not to say that we won’t absolutely tear shit up, but things might go a bit deeper and smoother.

Alphatown: Definitely! Sydney can sometimes be a daunting and desolate place if you are involved in counter-culture but this only strengthens the resolve of people who are truly motivated. It creates a strong sense of community because people have really had to work for it! We’ve worked hard, but it would have been much more difficult to do without the support of those mentioned and others like Luke & Seb from Sub Bass Snarl amongst others.

Alphatown: It’s hard to pick a real favourite, although it was pretty cool to share a stage with the flamboyant Derrick May. We definitely want to travel OS – anybody?

Alphatown: It’s been vital for the album tracks which are aimed at the dancefloor, because there is obviously no better way to test a track’s potential than playing it to a sweaty throng of dancing freaks. However, we’ve also been writing a lot of downtempo material which is in many ways quite removed from our live sound but no less smooth.

Alphatown: We have quite a few gigs coming up – looking forward to Dirty House Sessions on Boxing Day, and we’ve also been asked back to play at the Big Day Out which should be a ripper!

Alphatown play Dirty House Sessions 03 on Boxing Day at Candy’s Apartment. They’re also on the bill for the Big Day Out in Sydney on Wednesday January 26th (SOLD OUT). Check out ITM Whatson for more info.