Splitchecks Recordings: The Next Phase of Inland Empire Techno
From Inland Empire Events to Techno Imprint, Splitchecks Launches New Label with their Debut VA Compilation
After years of being a staple techno event in Riverside, California, Splitchecks enters the next chapter with the launch of their record label 'Splitchecks Recordings.'
Their debut compilation features an array of raw, hypnotic, driving techno, while dipping into broken beats and ambient offerings.
Hi Alex Casillas and Lake Hills! Thanks for taking the time to talk to 6AM how are you?
Hey guys! We’re great. Things have been pretty full speed over here lately but no complaints!
As Splitchecks you’ve been throwing events in Riverside for years, and now you’re stepping into the label world. What made you feel like now was the right time to expand into releases, and how does this new chapter tie back to your history in the Inland Empire scene?
Growing up in Riverside, it’s been a constant struggle to find proper techno parties, so creating our own seemed necessary. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of good music here, but finding a home for the kind of techno we like has proven tough. Groups like Kenopsic have done an amazing job at keeping the scene alive by bringing quality international acts to the IE.
Now that we’ve established a level of quality with Splitchecks, it feels like the natural next step to begin the imprint and expand beyond just parties. We’re excited to grow and see where this leads!
The debut release is a VA compilation dropping September 12th. For someone who hasn’t heard it yet, what’s the idea or vibe you wanted this compilation to capture? Did you give the artists direction, or was it more about letting their own sound flow into the project?
There wasn’t too much direction given to the artists. We reached out to producers whose music we genuinely love, and just let them do their thing. I think that approach worked great as we have a diverse range of sounds and energies in this compilation, with a cohesive overall vibe. It’s groovy, driving, hypnotic, and peaceful at times, which in my opinion is the recipe for a perfect night out.
The release party the next night brings together names like Lorely Mur, Pleasures b2b Aztekan, Lake Hills, and Materielle. When you were putting this lineup together, what kind of journey did you want people to experience in the room? This lineup showcases the range of the music we’ll be putting out, and there was a lot of intention in the set times / overall flow. It can’t just be hammers all night – there has to be that journey. These artists all know the importance of how to set the tone, build the energy, and send it home til sunrise, keeping the dancers locked in without exhausting them.
Splitchecks started with events that leaned into multi-sensory experiences. With the label, are you keeping that same vision in how the music and art come together, or are you planning to evolve the way people interact with the Splitchecks world?
The multi-sensory approach will always stay at the forefront of what we do, and we plan to lean even more into that with our label output. We try to put equal emphasis on both the art and music, creating timeless experiences that leave a lasting impression. You can expect progressively crazier shit at our parties :)
Looking at this first release, what do you hope listeners walk away with? Is it more about showcasing a snapshot of where your community is right now, or about setting the tone for where Splitchecks Recordings is headed long term?
Both! This VA does a great job at showcasing the direction of the label long-term, but at the same time it’s a reflection of the current state of techno, especially the sounds and styles coming out of the IE + LA.
Thanks so much for talking to us! Is there anything else you’d like to share?
We appreciate the chat! Stoked to keep participating in the scene we love alongside likeminded
crews like yourselves <3