Common Factors is the meeting of minds of producers James Welsh and Alexander Church. The pair, both based in rural Yorkshire, have had their fair share of individual achievements stretching back decades: Alex with his Configurations of Self imprint and output both solo and in various groups like Dronelock and Figure-Ground, and James with his long-running partnership with Phantasy Sound and work as part of post-punk group The Rise.

Like their name suggests Common Factors celebrates their combined influences, at times conjuring up an early 90s nostalgia, and their shared passion for synthesisers. The beginning of the year saw their debut release on the newly-founded sub-label of Alexander's imprint, and they're already gearing up for instalment number two in April.

We handed the reigns over to them for this week's Ransom Note mix which is a fusion of recent Common Factors productions which showcases the different sounds at the core of the project.

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Common Factors: The 'Ransom Note' Mix

Hand picked promo's to DJ's that deserve to hear your music.
We have recently worked with with Sudbeat, Selador, Bedrock, Frau Blau, Re-Plug, Colorize , Awesome Soundwave, Bondage, Learning to Love, Ray Of Light, Renaissance, Maccabi House, Sprout, 3000Grad, Atmosphere, Configurations Of Self, Cubism, Metro Dance, Asymmetric to name a few...

e-mail steve@smp3.co.uk for more info

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.

☆ NEW Configurations 22 | Blackheart Pt.2 https://www.beatport.com/release/blackheart-pt-2/4114312

🗿 Configurations of Self

We are a niche imprint, established in 2019 by producer & sound designer Alexander Church, fusing academic teachings, music, & passion for visual media.

The concept is based on psychological theories & ideas, with each piece of music representing emotional responses to the processes, feelings, and self-awareness that label boss Alexander Church has experienced through his study of psychology and counselling. The track titles are a direct reflection of these, allowing for greater awareness of the multiple defences, behaviours, and personality traits one has.

Each EP, some of which are vinyl-pressed, is themed around a particular part of Church's life and academic journey, with accompanying media showcasing Church's own photography of rural & empty places, lakes, and the coast. Melodic, atmospheric and expansive sounds paired with deep, futuristic dub, breaks, & techno that connect on both the mental & physical level is what we strive for. 

For more please visit: https://configofself.com/

"a configuration of self is a hypothetical construct denoting a coherent pattern of feelings, thoughts, and preferred behavioural responses symbolised or pre-symbolised by the person as reflective of a dimension of existence within the self" (Thorne and Mearns, 2000) 

🗿 Life Scripts

As an off-shoot of Configurations of Self, the new Life Scripts imprint will focus on more experimental, ambient, minimal, and breakbeat sounds, inspired by the use of boutique analog synthesizers from Buchla, Black Corporation, Portabella, and Erica Synths, including the Syntrx and Sky Dada System. It stems from the collaboration of Church & frequent studio partner, James Welsh, who together make up the newly formed duo, Common Factors. A name and idea which arose from the two producers’ first encounter and the realization of their many common interests, particularly synthesizers. 

While most of the releases will be from Church & Welsh, they are also open to other stand-out producers with whom they may collaborate.  

Already receiving outstanding early support from the likes of BBC's Erol Alkan & Tom Ravenscroft, NTS Radio, John Digweed, Sasha, Nick Warren, Jamie Stevens, and more, the label has seen 7 EPs since its inception in Jan. '21, including the latest 2022 release with @just-b-4.

"Life Scripts are unconscious relational patterns derived from childhood reactions and experiences. They begin at birth, are reinforced by parents, justified by subsequent events, and culminate into a chosen alternative, outside of awareness, for the remainder of adult life. They can be either extremely empowering or severely limiting."

Electronic music DJ/producer from Amsterdam

Contact:

skabomusic@gmail.com

I am a graphic designer / music producer, loads of influences from classical, hiphop, skweee, electro, techno, dubstep, rock, dark jazz, drum n bass and gabba. One thing remains true throughout......and that my friend, is the GLTICH <|