Photek

Photek is the recording name of Rupert Parkes, a British electronic musician from St Albans, England, born in 1972. He is active from the early 1990s and becomes closely associated with the UK jungle scene and with the development of the so-called “intelligent” drum and bass style.

Early work and labels

Parkes begins by making tracks as a teenager, listening to electro, techno, hip-hop, jazz and fusion, and using a sampler bought with a loan from the Trust of the Prince of Wales. He first appears on Certificate 18 Records under the name Studio Pressure, then records as Sentinel, the Truper and other aliases, including Aquarius, Code of Practice and, most famously, Photek. Early releases also appear on Basement, Street Beats and Good Looking, and he works through harder street-level jungle and more spacious, atmospheric drum and bass before developing his better-known style.

He sets up Photek Records, later records through Photek Productions, and also releases material on Metalheadz, Good Looking and Virgin’s Science imprint. After more than 80 drum and bass tracks across several labels, he signs a five-album deal with Science while retaining the ability to continue releasing on independent labels.

Sound and key recordings

Photek’s work is characterised by highly detailed drum programming, abstract sound design and influences from jazz and classic techno. Tracks such as “The Hidden Camera” and “UFO” become notable for their intricate rhythms and tense atmosphere, and he helps define a more experimental approach to drum and bass that moves beyond straightforward dancefloor function.

His Science releases include the Hidden Camera EP and “Ni-Ten-Ichi-Ryu,” followed by the compilation Risc vs. Reward. His debut album, Modus Operandi, appears in 1997, and Form & Function follows as a compilation of original tracks, remixes and new material. In 2000 he releases Solaris, an album that moves away from drum and bass and draws heavily on early Chicago house; Robert Owens appears on two tracks.

Later work and film music

In the 2000s, Parkes becomes increasingly involved in film music and scoring. He works on projects including The Animatrix and The Italian Job from his base in Los Angeles, and he also assists Trent Reznor with programming on Nine Inch Nails’ With Teeth in 2005. Some of his recordings from 2000 to 2007 are gathered on Form & Function, Vol. 2 in 2007.

During 2011 and 2012, he releases several singles and EPs through Photek Productions, collaborates with dubstep producer Pinch, and contributes a mix to the DJ-Kicks series. That mix includes his own tracks and focuses on contemporary techno, downtempo and atmospheric dubstep rather than drum and bass.