Who'd have thought the quiet market town of Hitchin, on the outskirts of London, would be home to a passionate purveyor of riveting techno... That's Rob Kirkaldy, or Fossil Archive and R.M.K as he's known to many. 

Like we said, techno is his bread and butter, having first been inspired by its Detroit roots, but rest assured he's exploring all facets of the genre which brings a distinctive energy to his output. It's the many years he's spent honing his craft that have seen to that, not only through his releases but his DJ and live sets too.

Having shared releases for the likes of NECHTO, Obscure, Fachwerk and ARTS over the years, in 2015 he decided to step into the label world too with his eponymous Fossil Archive imprint, which is powered by the idea of not compromising on his sound. It's been a home for his own productions first and foremost but also welcomes other artists for collaborations and remixes, including the likes of Trevino, Stephen Brown and Kiara Scuro's ZaaZaa.

For his 'Ransom Note' mix she shares the recording of a special live show performed under his R.M.K moniker at De Helling in Utrecht last year. It's techno in its purest form - stripped back, room shaking, thunderous - but full of groove and soul. Let him help you shake off those residual cob webs...

Fossil Archive/R.M.K: The 'Ransom Note' Mix

Valentina Cordido is a Venezuelan DJ based in Costa Rica with over 20 years of experience. She began her career in 2003 in the USA, inspired by the rave scene in Venezuela, and has since played in Spain, Venezuela, the USA, and Costa Rica. Starting with hard and acid techno, she has also explored minimal, electro, and drum & bass, always returning to her techno roots. Active again since 2018, she is currently studying music production to expand her creative journey.

Roberto (real name: Rob Kirkaldy) is a London based Techno producer, DJ and Remixer. Considered to be one of the most exciting new UK Techno artists in recent years, he combines influences from Detroit and Amsterdam to create his own sound unique to the UK.

As a DJ, he brings a special energy to the dance floor that is the product of many years of dedication to the craft. Never one to let an audience get bored, his sets explore many angles of techno, which has seen him play at some of the most well respected clubs around the world, including fabric in London and both Tresor and Berghain in Berlin. His DJ skills have also made him a popular choice for podcasters, having been called upon to deliver mixes for esteemed shows like the CLR Podcast, Slam Radio and Electric Deluxe.

With an already impressive discography, Roberto has built his production credits with EPs on the likes of Rekids, Fachwerk, ARTS, Solar Phenomena and Obscura, as well as a host of remixes for artists like Jamie Anderson, Roberto Clementi, DJ Rolando and Shinedoe. His own tracks have been remixed by artists such as Steve Rachmad (Sterac), Mike Dehnert, Trevino and Peverelist.

At the beginning of 2015, Roberto launched his own Fossil Archive label. Predominantly a vinyl label (though releases are also available digitally), the ethos of the imprint is that it must not compromise on the sound.

As Roberto said in a recent interview with Data Transmission: “I love the fact that you can hold a piece of music in your hands. They are art pieces in their own right. Music is the product of many years of development; much like a fossil that can be buried deep underground for millions of years, until it is discovered. I wanted to ensure the music is of the highest quality, which means not rushing things.”

We’re also booking Fossil Archive label showcases!

Andreas was born here in June on the beautiful planet Earth in a magnificent solar system. He is very grateful for this, and since then he has enjoyed all kinds of lively music, which plays an important role in his life. He thanks all artists and music lovers for allowing him to continue to experience his life with all its ups and downs ;-)

Music is a special kind of safe in which you can give free rein to your boundless creativity to continue to record positive events in life and process less positive ones. In this sense, time does not stand still, but music remains timeless....🎶💜🎶

Mi a Dread, yu a dread, we all a dreadrin.
Dreader than Dread in a babylon. Dread sa Dread
Techno I Love You So Much. Best Music in all universal space. In my opinion. 
All Techno lovers know why they love it so much.
What is it about it. Straight into the frequency bass hertz zone. No more worries bout worries.
The journey is beautiful 🙏🏾🌚x

Nznznznznznznznznznznznznznznznznznz x
Thankyou much, to all producers, djs, like minded beat lovers. I personally get immense pleasure from techno mixes now at 54, has i did in the nightclubs of london in my 30s. Now i really feel old, but good with it🙏🏾
Hertz Frequency Bass Vibration Heel the Body the Mind the Soul. 
I support, salute, appreciate, respect, love you. Stay safe..
Peace👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Unlimited Hertz.🥳🤩😎🍾🥂
All Campfire thunder and lighting sounds
All Native American Flute sounds
All African Drum sounds🪘🪘🪘🪘🪘🪘🪘🪘🪘
All Didgeridoo Sounds
All Tribal Shamanic Sounds
All Drill Grime MoodyAssRap
All a Jamdung Dub Roots Culture 

All Steel Pulse OneLove x
3691215182124273033Love xxx

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.