by RAF KATIGBAK

Nowadays, with ancient synthesizers fetching twice their original price and countless magazines dedicated solely to the latest and hottest new music gear, it seems like the term “techno producer” is synonymous with “techno fetishist.” Local electronic-music producer and sound designer David Kristian is no exception. But while many laptop-wielding bedroom musicians chase the latest software upgrade, Kristian’s analog-gear leanings have always taken him back to the old school—this time, way back.

“I’m excited about this new lap steel guitar I just bought!” Kristian exclaimed online in a recent Internet message chat. “I’m starting a new ambient looping project based entirely on treated lap steel—it’s called Malamutant. I’ve also been scouring the dollar stores for gizmos I could use to play it, mainly small vibrating toys. The idea for using them came after I tried an actual ‘toy’ on it and it sounded like it was trapped in a hornet’s nest.”

While it might seem unlikely that the sound of a hornet’s nest will appeal to many outside the world of entomology, the reality is that Kristian’s melancholic melodies, ambient drones, imaginative sound sources and intricate beat programming have found fans the world over—particularly in Japan, where he’s done sound design work for everything from a noodle game to a relaxation bed built for the Panasonic Center in Tokyo.

Closer to home, in the next few months Kristian is psyched to launch a series of Web episodes (with animator Ryosuke Aoike) based on a cartoon character he created in the late ’80s, an evil voodoo doll with Tourette Syndrome called Hellwinkle. “Hellwinkle is what I become when I have a day job,” he confesses. “These days, I only turn into Hellwinkle when I’m trapped in a long line-up at the grocery store.”

But right now Kristian is too busy dusting off old gear—and old friends—to care about his dark past as an administrative assistant. For the launch of his latest album Sweet Bits, Kristian will be joined by his former Thumper bandmate, drummer Denis Albert. “I’m happy that I’m adding yet another live element to my show. It’s a good way to get people into it, as opposed to laptop sets. The sound is really tight—there’s nothing better than improv that sounds planned.”

CD launch with le Monochrome and Montag (DJ set) at Casa del Popolo tonight, Thursday, Jan. 27, 9 p.m., $5

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