The Artists Behind Fragment / 2.
As with our previous VA albums, the Fragment series is a direct snapshot of the label's diverse musical landscape. Encapsulating the broad spectrum of 1985's growing group of artists, we welcome some new names and see the return of regulars.
To mark the full album release, we get to know some of the names that helped bring this to life.
Fragment 2 / Pencil drawing by Thelem
↘ Killjoy
Introducing Sydney based producer Killjoy to the label. Making his debut with the rugged, dancefloor dubstep cut 'Badness'.
How would you describe your sound to someone that isn’t familiar with your work?
It’s UK bass music at the core, rooted heavily in early dubstep and garage. Hard to pin down, because I like to drift across genres, but the mindset and approach always comes from dubstep of that era.
Is there a particular song or moment that inspired you to start making your own music?
I was a massive hip-hop fan growing up, the beats in particular hooked me, and hearing rappers shout out producers made it seem attainable somehow so i started messing around on turntables, scratching, and eventually making beats. But the turning point was hearing a Youngsta b2b Hatcha set in the basement of Stealth, Nottingham. It was dark, smoky and I'd never been moved by bass in that way. Me and a mate went home straight after, fired up Cubase 5, and tried making some wild LFO-driven basslines. I reckon that night sparked a lifelong obsession with bass and synthesis.
A book or film that changed your perspective?
Graham Oakley - Magical Changes. Something about the way it plays with form and expectation is always inspiring.
If you could have one musician’s skills for a day (dead or alive), who would you be?
Aphex Twin. I think we’d all benefit from spending a day inside that mind.
What’s the first record you ever bought?
My first haul was a mix of scratch and breaks records, a few R&B acapellas, and Diplomatic Immunity by The Diplomats.
↘ Molecular
We welcome Porto-based Molecular, a new name to the imprint. Featuring on Fragment / 2 with his track 'Crowd Control', Molecular continues to secure himself in the scene with this solid dancefloor contribution.
How would you describe your sound to someone that isn’t familiar with your work?
I'd say my sound is a melting pot of jungle, dub, funk, punk, dubstep, and anything minimal. A mix of grit, space, texture, bass pressure, psychadelia, funk, and me being a sound design nerd.
What’s the best piece of advice another artist gave you?
To try things myself before blindlessly believing what I read online, to be mindful of my decisions and to experiment and find my own path, whatever that path may be.
A book or film that changed your perspective?
Probably a cliche but Trainspotting or the series Dark.
If you could have one musician’s skills for a day (dead or alive), who would you be?
King Tubby with today's technology would probably be insane so I'd say him.
What’s the last record you bought?
Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching - amazing stuff.
↘ Pruvan
Another new name to the label is Průvan. The Prague-based producer kicks off the VA album with the stripped back, moody hybrid garage track titled 'Ronnie Elbows', setting the tone for what's to come.
Is there a particular song or moment that inspired you to start making your own music?
I saw The Prodigy play Smack My Bitch Up in a massive stadium when I was like 15, and that sub rumbling my rib cage completely blew my mind. Then I bought Photek - Form & Function, and I was sold.
What’s the best piece of advice another artist gave you?
I remember right after SHADES came out, I asked Alix how they made those off-time beats, and he said, "You just have to not give a fuck, man". That really resonated with me, because learning to properly harness not giving a fuck is pretty key to making good music.
A song that is nostalgic or marks a good memory?
I remember driving back from a festival in Baltimore (where Photek played what would later be named Baltimore for the first time), and I started Portishead - Dummy when I left the parking lot of the festival. The last song, Glory Box, ended when I rolled into my driveway, just as the sun was starting to rise. That was a good night.
If you could have one musician’s skills for a day (dead or alive), who would you be?
I feel like I should go for some legendary jazz drummer or Stevie Wonder or something, but the truth is, I'd just love to be able to lay down beats like DJ Premier does for a day. Get into the mind of how he approaches making something so simple but so distinctive and weighty every time.
What’s the last record you bought?
Uz Nejsem Volna - Petra Janu. I'm not sure if I bought it or found it, but I definitely picked it up because of the cover. The singer is cuddling Golem, and it's pretty retro and creepy and dope.
↘ Submarine
Berlin-based producer Submarine needs no introduction - a core artist here at 1985music, consistently renowned for his deep and cinematic sound. On Fragment / 2, he leans deep into his soulful side with track 'You Do'. Featuring lush chords, an infectious bassline, organic rolling drums and a catchy vocal topline.
How would you describe your sound to someone that isn’t familiar with your work?
My sound blends deep, emotional atmospheres with sharp percussion and weighty low-end. Cinematic, yet club-ready. The goal is to create tracks that hit physically but resonate emotionally — something that works on a dancefloor, but still tells a story when listened to alone. It’s cinematic in feel, but functional in structure. I want people to feel something without always being able to name what it is.
Is there a particular song or moment that inspired you to start making your own music?
A key moment for me was when Requake – Dubthing came out. At that time, I was already experimenting with FL Studio on and off, but never really stuck with it. Hearing that track made me imagine what it must feel like to be able to produce something like that myself – and that thought really pulled me in.
A book or film that changed your perspective?
A film that really changed my perspective was La Haine. The raw energy, the social tension, and the way it portrays life on the margins had a huge impact on me. It made me reflect deeply on society, injustice, and how important it is to give people a voice.
If you could have one musician’s skills for a day (dead or alive) , who would you be?
If I could have one musician’s skills for a day, it would be Pharrell Williams. His versatility, creativity, and ability to move so effortlessly between genres and roles – from producing to songwriting to performing – is something I deeply admire.
What’s the first record you ever bought?
The very first record I ever bought was actually on CD – Nirvana – Nevermind. I was around 8 years old and bought it with my pocket money.
↘ Visages
Core artists and all round accomplished producers Visages continue to cement themselves in the electronic music world. In collaboration with Monty & Trail, the Toulouse-based quartet slow things down on this razor sharp, 2 step minimal cut. Draped in their signature production.
Is there a particular song or moment that inspired you to start making your own music?
I think it's the era of French rap in the 2000s - IAM, Shurikn, NTM, Alpha 5.20..
What’s the best piece of advice another artist gave you?
Work hard, don't hesitate to make mistakes and constantly renew and challenge yourself.
A book or film that changed your perspective?
The entire bibliography of Hermann Hess & the movie Sheitan by Kim Chapiron.
If you could have one musician’s skills for a day (dead or alive), who would you be?
Succeed in writing a text like Alpha Wann or playing the piano like Sofiane Pamart.
What’s the first record you ever bought?
The same day I bought 'IAM' - L'école du Micro' d'Argent & System of a Down - 'Toxicity'.