Interview: Yorkshire Modular Society

Meet Yorkshire Modular Society, the ambient project of Bradford-based artist Dominick Schofield. With 30 years of musical experience and a decade dedicated to serene modular explorations, Dominick creates soundscapes designed to soothe, focus, and move. Deeply inspired by artists like Aphex Twin and personal moments of emotional resonance, his work is both introspective and immersive. In this interview, he opens up about his creative process, favorite gear, and the balance between self-doubt and artistic drive. Dive into the world of a modular artist whose ambient output has been steadily flowing every Friday since 2019.

General info

Artist Name: Yorkshire Modular Society

Real Name: Dominick Schofield, 41

Location: Bradford, United Kingdom

Social Media / Music Links

instagram.com/yorkshiremodularsociety

yorkshiremodularsociety.bandcamp.com

How long have you been making music?

30 years in various forms, 10 years as Yorkshire Modular Society.

Do you release music under a label or independently?

Independent

Creative process and inspiration

What drew you to ambient music in the first place?

The first time I ever really took notice of ambient music, would probably have been Lichen or Rhubarb by Aphex Twin. They were used in sketches on Chris Morris' Jam, which not only influenced by sense of humour, but also my taste in music. This was back in 2000 when I was 16, so quite a significant point in my life.

Can you describe your creative process when starting a new track?

Sometimes I will approach my modular system with an idea or a sound that I want to try and create, sometimes I will just start patching and see where it goes. Both approaches can be very satisfying.

Where do you find inspiration? Emotion, nature, science fiction, or something else?

All over the place: video games, films, television, more often than not my family too. My father sadly passed away in 2024 and the amount of emotional music that has poured out of me since than has been quite surprising.

How would you describe your sonic identity or the mood you aim to create?

Personally, and possibly selfishly, I try to create serene ambient. Something to either help you sleep, or focus at work. I say selfishly, because this is exactly what I use my music for.

Are there any artists that deeply influenced your style?

Aphex Twin, William Basinski, Stars of the Lid

Gear and setup

Are you using hardware, software, or a hybrid setup?

Hardware. I do record into a computer, but it is essentially used as a recording device.

What’s your favorite piece of gear or plugin, and why?

Make Noise's Morphagene, which is a tape and microsound module - its my favourite because it is so powerful in terms of what it can do. Great for finding the sound hidden within sounds.

Challenges

What’s been the biggest challenge so far in creating ambient music?

I suffer terribly from imposter syndrome and wonder whether I am deluded that the music I make is as nice as I think it is.

How do you stay motivated or inspired when you're in a creative rut?

Being in creative ruts used to be something that I stressed about. But I find creativity comes in peaks and troughs. Sometimes you can create, and create a lot. Sometimes that isn't the case. I have learnt to just go with the flow.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I self release on Bandcamp with an ambient subscription, as well as releasing on labels. Every now and then something so beautiful and moving comes along and I will send it out to labels. I am fortunate enough that the labels chosen have been interested. 

The ambient subscription has been releasing a new track every Friday since 2019. It is £12 a month for 17628 minutes of music. 

A music reviewer once posited that I seemingly record everything that I make. That is not the case. But I do record everything that I like.