Alek Száhala

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Alek Száhala (born Aleksi Sahala in Helsinki, Finland, April 4, 1982) is a Finnish electronic music producer. He's been called one of the biggest talents in the freeform hardcore/NRG scene. His music often clocks over 180 BPM.

[edit] Biography

Alek started producing music in 1993 using PC-running trackers. First of his tracks were uploaded into various BBSes under such nicks as BwD, Apofis, Apokala and Apofish. His tracks during early 90's were mainly humorous stuff with lots of samples from various cartoons. He also made lots of co-operations with jazz musician Teemu Vehkala.

Alek's track 'Apofis - 15th. Dynasty' was placed third in MBnet's Paukekompo music contest in 1999.

He continued to produce music until 2003, where he was noticed by various Finnish harddance DJ's and promoters. Later that year, he performed his first live set at Säde club, and signed his first record contract from Electronica Exposed. He consistently continued to increase his reputation, through vinyl releases by Camel Records, Finrg and EE. His hit tracks, "Ngarnuuk" and "Man eaten", also appeared on one of DJ Proteus' mixtapes "The Hellfire Club" released by Teflon Bullet. Alongside with Carbon Based, Re-form, Epilim and Pain on Creation, he became one of the key members in the development of Finnish hard dance sound. His music varies from very melodic trance and trancecore to dark, fast and evil freeform. He has performed at such events as Godspeed and Utopia (Sydney), Mayhem 2005 and 2006 (Brisbane), Pharmacy (Melbourne), Logic (London) and Koneisto, Finland's leading electronic music festival.

Alek currently studies computational linguistics and computer science at the University of Helsinki.

[edit] Performing Live

When performing live, Alek uses a laptop running Microsoft Windows and one deck as a backup. He uses Reason to play synths and various other software to play synced loops over the tracks. Alek's black skirt he wears at his gigs has become one of his trademarks.