Behind the Tracks: Paula van Klar and YellowHeads Discuss HILOMATIK's A-Sides EP 2 Part 3

Earlier this month HILOMATIK released their second EP “A-Sides EP 2”. This marks the start of an exciting new phase for the label. The EP consists of 6 carefully selected tracks where each artist contributes their own interpretation of modern techno, covering the full spectrum, with songs ranging from minimal- to hard techno.

To celebrate the EP’s release, we asked the artists behind the project about their creative process, their favorite record on the EP, and the reactions they have been receiving from dancefloors across the globe. In the second part of this interview series, we talked to Paula van Klar (‘Silence Replayed’), YellowHeads (‘Mind Patterns’)

Is there an element in your track that really stands out to you? Or something special that listeners might only notice once they’re made aware of it?

YellowHeads: There’s one element in this track that really stands out to us: the atmospheric work behind the main groove. On a first listen, it may sound like a very direct, club-focused track, but if you pay close attention there are a lot of textures and subtle percussive details appearing throughout the arrangement. We love creating those kinds of hidden elements that listeners may not notice immediately, but that help build tension and give the track its own personality.

Paula van Klar: The vocal is actually my own voice!

When producing this track as part of Hilomatik A-Sides EP 2, did you do anything differently compared to your previous releases?

YellowHeads: For this release, we approached the production process a little differently than usual. Normally, we start from a rhythmic idea or a specific groove, but this time we focused first on building the atmosphere and emotional energy of the track before developing the more technical side of it. We also spent a lot of time on sound design to achieve a darker and more hypnotic identity while still keeping the powerful energy that characterizes YellowHeads.

Paula van Klar: Yes, I wanted to try something new, so I used my own voice for the vocals. It felt like stepping into new territory for me, but that's exactly what made it exciting to work on.

If you couldn’t pick your own track, which track on the EP would be your favorite, and why?

YellowHeads: If we couldn’t choose our own track, we’d probably pick one of the tracks that stands out the most because of its personality within the EP. We really appreciate when a track manages to keep a strong identity while still working perfectly in a club environment. We think the EP has a great balance and variety, and that’s something we value a lot both as listeners and as DJs. So our pick is Silence Replayed by Paula van Klar

Paula van Klar: I really love the vibe of Rave Generator, it would fit perfectly in my sets, so that one would definitely be my pick.

Have you had the chance to play this track live? If so, where did you play it, and how did the crowd respond?

YellowHeads: Yes, we’ve already had the chance to test the track in several live sets, and the response has been amazing. We’ve played it in clubs and festivals over the last few months, and from the very first time we noticed it worked really well on the dancefloor.

There are specific moments during the breakdown and the drop where the crowd reaction becomes very intense, and for us that’s always a special feeling because it confirms the connection we were trying to create with the track.

Paula van Klar: Not yet, but I'm testing it out next weekend. I’m super keen to see how the crowd reacts!