Afrodeutsche

British-born producer Afrodeutsche, otherwise known as Henrietta Smith-Rolla, has built a formidable reputation in her adopted city of Manchester. It was there, aged 24, that she first started exploring an interest in techno, turning her hand to selecting and producing, a move which later led to her first live show at Ibiza’s Pikes alongside Carl Craig.

Earlier this year, she made her production debut with the LP Break Before Make released via the reputable Manchester label Skam. It comprises raw analogue jams made from synths she’s collected for the better part of a decade. And as for the inspiration behind her moody productions, she cites the disparate influences of The Sound of Music, Bernard Hermann’s work for Alfred Hitchcock, Afrofuturism and Detroit electro. Her heritage, which is Ghaanian/Russian/German, also finds expression in her sound – and her moniker (itself a nod to a Dopplereffekt track).

Her mix for Crack’s series retains the dark mood of her productions; an uncompromising attitude that seeps into mutant techno and electro. Hit play above.

Afrodeutsche plays at No Bounds Festival, Sheffield, 12-14 October