Manjit Makhni Opens Up On Techno Banger “The Frog Prince” In Interview

The story of Manjit Makhni with electronic music started two decades ago as a pioneer DJ at the London’s rave scene. Today he is focused entirely on music production. Some years ago, he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but this is not a major impediment for him when it comes to creating brilliant Techno releases like “The Frog Prince”. Learn more below in this exclusive interview.

1 – When did you discover you have a passion for music?

It was around the late 1990s just after I started clubbing. I started putting on my own parties and ended up buying a pair of Technics 1210s, collecting vinyl, and beginning to learn how to mix.

2 – We know you were active in the underground music scene two decades ago. What is something you really miss from those times?

I miss the parties, the vibe, and the friends I made. Clubbing in London in the late 1990s was truly special. It is now such a long time ago, I’m just glad I had that experience which shaped my future in being involved with electronic music.

3 – How long did it take you to complete your recent Techno track “The Frog Prince”?

I think it was about a week from start to finish. Although I did it in a few different settings. It was one of the first few occasions I started doing my own sound design rather than using presets. So at times, it became frustrating trying to get the sound just right and make it fit within my mix.

4 – What inspired you to come up with that song title?

The credit for the names of the tracks must go entirely to my wife, she is amazing. When she occasionally chills in my studio with a glass of wine, I make her listen to my new stuff and we have a drink and chat about the track, and voila! she comes up with cool names.

5 – What was the process of recording “The Frog Prince” like?

I finally got my head around LFO modulation so it was fun experimenting with different bass wobbles and then making the patch and sound fit to the melody I wanted. There are some little melodic stabs that sound like a frog jumping into the pond. I like to make a sound and then pick a name with the artwork that tells a story. I want you to get lost in both the sound and image I tend to showcase.

6 – Do you have any tips for creating great Techno beats?

There is a lot of Techno that is made today with just one note. Although that’s okay sometimes if the track is heavily drum oriented but I generally like harmony and melody in my music. So my biggest tip would be to learn the basics of music theory because that will help you generate new ideas all the time and avoid a mental block. You see a lot of midi packs on sale these days but if you know how to write your own then I think your music goes a long way and sounds more cohesive.

7 – If you could work with any producer to remix “The Frog Prince”, who would it be?

Ah… there are a few but if I had to pick just one then it probably has to be the awesome Stephan Bodzin.

8 – Are you still active as a DJ? What’s the longest set you have played?

No, unfortunately, I don’t DJ anymore. I retired in 2012 when my RA became too severe. But this also gave me a lot of time to spend on learning and making music. I found that in music theory, synthesis, sound design, and Techno I could get lost and not think about my pain much. This really helped and as a result, I have ended up making a lot of music. Although some days it’s almost impossible as the pain of my RA is just too much.

The longest set I ever played was a very long time ago in the early part of 2000 for around 4 hours plus at a very underground club called The Kool Eddy’s on Tottenham Court Road, in London.

9 – What’s your honest opinion on mainstream dance music?

Now I don’t go out much so wouldn’t really know. I have never been much into the mainstream, I always preferred the smaller, underground parties like in the old days.

But I know many underground producers and DJs in the scene and believe the club scene in London is not what it used to be. The great vibe now is with the bigger festivals which have put Techno on the mainstream like Tomorrowland, The Junction, and Cercle around the world. Although Covid-19 has changed that too. I don’t know if the dance music scene will really ever recover to its former glory. I hope it will.

10 – Are you working on new projects?

Yes, many. I have a new release coming out every two to three weeks up until November. I am just about to finish some tracks that I will be looking to release at the end of November and December.

So far out these releases are confirmed.

‘Perfect Elasticity’ 4-track EP releases on 4th September 2020

“Amphibian” single releases on 25th September 2020

“Swarm” 4-track EP releases on 9th October 2020

“Going Downtown” single releases on 14th October 2020

I include a link to all my new projects releasing soon 👇

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