Their combined history of 25 years behind a drum kit becomes evident in the intricacies and minute changes of rhythm and patterns. TD’s style of music is self-described as progressive and its jazzier elements are reminiscent of LTJ Bukem’s Progression Sessions.

there is a certain structural element to D&B, the balance is finding a way to generate that structure through one element of the track while using another to break that structure

Fly’s Jeremy Balius got in touch with Carl Raponi to get a closer look at their fresh start with their first track and first label.
How would you describe the current state of Drum & Bass?
There’s a resurgence of progressive music in the scene now. There have always been great producers and labels, but those people have been overlooked in this region to some extent for many years. Their influence hasn’t been lost and it’s good to hear the sounds that they pioneered becoming so integrated and dominant in the D&B culture today.

How do you want to create a temperal (or temporal) disturbance?
We want to make people think about the music their listening to and create that “temperal (temporal) disturbance” in the norms of D&B by pushing ourselves and not resting on that last completed production. The satisfaction that comes from production is about tearing down some of the constructs and expectations of our scene’s music and worrying about where we “will be next” when the time comes. Each individual track is the sole focus at the time of its production.

In what ways do you see your productions as pushing D&B forward? What sorts of elements are you bringing into your D&B?
We hope to push the sound by not being afraid to experiment when in the studio. Understanding that there is a certain structural element to D&B, the balance is finding a way to generate that structure through one element of the track while using another to break that structure. For us, the musical aspects of our productions tend to hold things into structure, while the percussive push deviates from it.

Please discuss how the two of you met and how that led to a production partnership.
We met through mutual friends and we were all in the learning phase of DJing. We had an attraction for similar styles in D&B and the partnership just took hold. Temperal Disturbance originally started out as a Tag-Team D&B act. Our distinct styles, while linked by common ground, reflected genres that had demonstrated intricate complexities (temperal, or “temporal” as the Webster’s dictionary would have you believe) on the one hand, as well as aggression (disturbance) on the other.

How did it come about that you decided to start ‘Clandestine Agents’?
There was a question we had to ask ourselves: “Is it better to compromise the type of music you play and be a headliner getting the 1 or 2 am time-slot playing in front of hundreds of people, or is it better to stay true to your roots and passion and get the 5 or 6 am time slot playing for fewer people who are still there because of a musical passion we shared?” We chose the latter of the two.

As for the label, it was just a move we felt was right to make. We’ve talked about it for years, and through a residency at a club here in Columbus, Bento Go-Go, we final started to accumulate the capital to make it happen. So we took our opportunity and we’re going to role with it for as long as we can. The hope is to always release progressive music that reflects our influences and the direction we’d like to see electronic music go in.

What sorts of visions or goals do you have concerning the label?
We’ve actually completed our next release, Kanashibari, in terms of production. This time, we’re going to branch out from having an all D&B record and have lined up a broken beat remix of the title track by Titonton Duvante. The future holds whatever. While we always want the label to reflect our D&B roots, we’re looking for ways to introduce other musical elements in the form of remixes and B sides to try and keep things fresh and to reach larger audiences.

Please describe your geographic location and the scene that is there.
Sweaty and Hot right about now! We’re pretty centrally located in terms of Ohio itself. For years this city used to be a hub for progressive drum & bass. Over the years that has dwindled, but it shows sign of life! The industrial nature of Northern and Central Ohio has also played a part in the edge you see in much of the music that comes out of this region. It tends to acquire that “blue collar” hardness. Our location in the states has created a specific musical freedom as well. You have influences from all over the country that all converge here and create a very unique sense of what music should and turns out to be.

Are you out playing?
Right now we’re focused on our residency @ Bento Go-Go and keeping the night fresh. We constantly rotate local and regional DJs of all genres in, to not only keep the vibe ever-changing, but also to show respect and support for the people who come out on a weekly basis and make the scene so eclectic and rich. While we play as individuals there for the most part, we do have nights where we perform as Temperal Disturbance.

What does the near future hold for you?
The start of a new school year, snow, and if all goes well, another good year at Bento Go-Go with many more projects to come.