-------------------------------------
You have been playing and releasing electronic music for over 10 years now and you’re also a multi-instrumentalist. Tell me a bit more about your journey before electronic music and after?
I started similarly to many producers I guess, with some classical training! I started learning the piano when I was 7, but within 3-4 years I was already into rock and metal, so the piano wasn’t “cool” enough for me, I wanted to quit. I was lucky to have a very persistent father, who didn’t let me, and told me “one way or another, I want you to have music in your life.” He told me stories about how loved he was amongst friends because of his accordion, so as a teenager with low self-esteem I thought this might help! So then the compromise was “I’ll switch to the guitar”! Unfortunately, pretty soon I was a proper 90s raver, so the guitar was out of sync with my musical taste again and that was dropped too. Finally, there was a last ditch effort for a year of drums with the help of a friend, but my focus shifted to studying and that was that. You are correct that the world only found out about my music 10 years ago, but I actually tried making music using an MS-DOS software called Voyetra, 27 years ago, yikes! This is pre-Windows, believe it or not! And it was painful, let me tell you…
What would you say to artists beginning their career in the electronic music industry? Is there any message you would give? If you had the power to do so, would you change anything in the music industry?
One thing I regret is what I eluded to just now – the fact it took me so long to send demos out. I know full well my music wasn’t ready to be released, but when I did start sending demos I got some invaluable feedback. So my advice would be to not hesitate to send stuff out! Most times you won’t hear back, and this can be tough to deal with, but when you do it will definitely help. Also, find a way to fund some proper training for yourself, be it musical or DAW. I worked poorly for far too long, and I never utilised the full power of my software, never mind how many bad habits I’ve picked up through the years. Get on a course, and send demos!
Sadly, there’s plenty wrong with the music industry, even if you only focus on electronic music. I think things are moving in the right direction, especially with representation and inclusivity. There is also some amazing work being done by people like Rebekah on making our scene and spaces safer for everyone, especially women. Given the right position or platform, I would definitely try my best to contribute towards these efforts. Another major issue is of course the returns. Steve Jobs decided a track is worth a measly 79p, and Daniel Ek decided a Spotify stream is worth $0.003, while they both became billionaires off our backs, so it’s nearly impossible to make a living as an artist. Pile on that promoters that don’t pay for gigs and you have the perfect storm…
We all need to push for change in all these issues, together, as allies to each other.
With 3 aliases and a great variety of tracks, going from house to techno, is there a particular way you make music or is it something more spontaneous?
This is my strength and my weakness, I feel. I am extremely spontaneous. I start with an idea, and let it flow through me and become whatever music or genre it wants to. And when this started happening early on, I had the example of my personal biggest influence, Novatek (aka DJ Savage, Digitalia, Neuro-D, etc), who had 20 different aliases depending on the output, and also took advice by Tony Thomas who suggested I produce everything under a single name, because “it’s all you”! Both valid points… I went down the middle, with just three aliases. So, I have a very chilled out catalogue of tracks, under Forgetting Factor, then the more techno or acid productions under mikaelantony, and everything else, like house and tech or minimal, under Sahpe, which is also my main one. I do only DJ under Sahpe though, just so I can be easily recognised on a flyer from anyone that knows me. And with that, I have the freedom to explore my entire record collection and digital library (as well as CDs, yes CDs haha!).
With all your experience as a DJ throughout these years, when and where was your best and worst performance?
Believe it or not, my most enjoyable experience as a DJ was at the Purple Turtle in Reading, back in December 2016! Two dear friends ran a night there and somehow got the most random crowds to accept that the only late venue in Reading was playing techno on a Friday! I had complete freedom to play whatever I wanted, for the first time ever, and I played records spanning two decades, mainly techno. I’ve never had a set flow so effortlessly, and the crowd loved it too! Honourable mentions go to sets I played at Le Yono in Paris in 2016, Jaded at Corsica Studios in July 2018, and also my closing set for Minimal Force in November 2021! Oh, and an 8-hour set at AntiChic in Greece back in 2012! That was insane…! In all of these instances, the music, the flow, and the connection with the crowd made for a very special moment and hyped me to perform at my best…
My worst performance was mainly because of my mood to be honest… It’s a testament on how a DJ or artist can’t really be allowed to have a bad day… You have to be smiling and at your best, ready to entertain… I got some devastating news just before getting on the decks, and I barely made it through the set… Damned if you do, damned if you don’t…
From all of your records, if you could pick 5 all time favourite records, which ones would you pick and why?
This is a tough one! Let me see…
1. Depeche Mode – Violator (1990)
a. Probably the best musical body of work ever put together for me; every single track, every single lyric… Also includes my favourite piece of all time, “Personal Jesus”.
2. Inner City – Paradise (1989)
a. Another brilliant album, also includes another absolute favourite of mine, “Good life”. Those iconic chords just make me weak in the knees!
3. Kraftwerk – Man-Machine (1978)
a. Do I even need to explain this one?!
4. Jamiroquai – Emergency on Planet Earth (1993)
a.This guy and his band are just incredible, masters at their craft, and never ever disappoint! I could have easily picked any of their albums, even their 2010 Rock Dust Light Star! This one was just too impressive for me, as a debut album to have smashed it like that, and the dude was just 24!
5. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)
a. So much of the music we love was influenced by or originated in the Manchester scene, and Joy Division played a major part in that. Ian Curtis’ voice, Martin Hannett’s recording techniques… Just unique… This is actually one of only two records that I have an original mint condition first pressing of. The other one is New Order’s Blue Monday.
This was distilled down from very long list including New Order, Shamen, Nitzer Ebb, Faith No More, Pearl Jam, Booka Shade, Paul Kaklbrenner, and others!
Indoor or outdoor party?
Oh definitely indoor! The whole rave culture was build on dark and sweaty basements and warehouses! Wouldn’t have it any other way, I never have the same experience with outdoor parties. The feeling is more intense indoors, the connection with the people around you, the sound is miles better… Just no comparison whatsoever.
Tell me a bit about your mix. What can we expect from it?
This is only the third time I’ve ever done this, believe it or not! I mean, I’ve recorded hundreds of spontaneous or live sets, but I’ve only been asked to plan and curate a mix on request thrice. Every time it has been an absolute mammoth task, with weeks of listening to records and digital tracks, boiling things down to something particularly special, and hence why it took me so long to get you this too (sorry!). Hope it’s worth it! I can’t just pump the latest promos I have, or top 100 or a copy of my favourite DJ’s playlist. I have to create a journey, as with all my DJ sets, and it has to span the entirety of the electronic music’s history, plus some diverse genres too! There have to be some classic flashbacks, some IYKYK moments, some unexpected curveballs and obscurities, and several fresh tracks too, of course. There has to be electro, acid, and techno at least, and sometimes even beyond that too. You should expect an energy build up that seems like a warm-up, ups and downs like any journey and experience, and a finish that you could end your night with! Well, that was the intention anyway… Enjoy!
Listen to the mix here:
Follow the artist here:
No comments:
Post a Comment