With her remix of “Radius” from “Veer Remixed”, the remix album from Tommy Four Seven released last Friday, we put Machine Woman to task on our quick fire QnA which includes her anecdote about bumping into Aphex Twin at Lidl.
Why music?
It makes me happy.
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
I also do other things such as photography, art, video and curate nights. Soon I’ll start Twitch streaming which will be my late-night monologues while listening to weird music.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
If you don’t love yourself, no one will.
What inspires you?
Social media.
What’s the next big thing?
Existing purely in a digital form.
Best club experience?
Bassiani -when I took part in the RA 24/7 event. It was beautiful from the moment I landed including the brilliant team behind Bassiani and RA. The event took place just a few months after the government forces stormed Bassiani. Georgia has a very specific vibe I can’t explain it but it is very unique.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Oh…too many…
How do you know when a track’s finished?
The golden question!
I just jam out and sometimes it can be 12hours and sometimes just five minutes. Some kind of switch inside the brain shuts the process down.
Saying that I have projects that are not officially finished but I don’t care, the process and the moment is important for me and I respect that. Also it’s fun coming back to some projects I saved and haven’t opened for 3 years and now I’m like….. wow this is good even I didn’t think that so at the time.
What was your last day job and when did you realise you could give it up?
I still don’t know if I can give it up. Gigs come and go so you have to learn how to budget and manage your expenses and then put some away for the tax return.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
The other day I listened to the India Jordans Bulbasaur Shuffle track and literally I said out loud “I wish I wrote this coz I love this track”. I played it 20 times in a row!
Massive tune and very talented producer who will go big places. Her DJ sets are pure lava!!!
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
I’ll come back to you on this one! I think I might be the wrong person to ask. All I can say is that the devil is in the detail.
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
Erm here is the thing… I like everything I do…
The secret is that I am not a perfectionist and I make music for myself. So these elements always influenced my musical output.
Recommend us a film.
Import/Export by Ulich Seidl.
Recommend us a book.
Dissecting The Digital Dollar by Chris Cooke
What or who is underrated?
Good Manners. Respect. Being able to look at a situation and say you know what? I messed up here.
Also people who are there for you when you at the bottom and not only want to be around you when life is peachy.
What or who is overrated?
Name dropping…. I really don’t care if Solomun supported your track. If your promo ends up with me, its for two reason: Firstly, your PR company is doing a very bad job and you’re wasting your money or you really want to tell me Solomun played your track.
What are you addicted to?
Cat Memes. Mayonnaise. Going through SoundCloud recommendations. Reading blogs about the music business and self improvement. Finding the weirdest sample packs on internet.
What do you lust over?
Nothing…I try hard not to engage in the Seven Deadly Sins.
What is your greatest regret?
None. As soon as I have started to see my regrets as experiences life became much easier for me.
What one thing would most improve your life?
Getting up early. I love it at 6am time but I also love going to bed late….
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
Oh boy…I messed up a few times. I guess the Lisbon gig and my first time in Paris.
Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?
Depends on the output. I like remix work as long as people who commission the remix understand I can take on full creative control.
However, generally I find it hard to collaborate musically. It has happened positively a few times but for me it’s not really my thing. Perhaps its’ my ego but people tend to fuss about one kick for 6 months and I like to work quickly.
As I mentioned before my sound is not about perfection its about being in the moment and completely giving in to your instincts.
What’s the secret to a great mix?
Balance. Your. Levels.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
Q Lazzarus – Goodbye Horses.
How do you relax?
Exercise outside.
I love coffee shops, book shops, record shops.
I love being by the water. At the end of September I spent a few days at Ligure Finale near Genoa. As its the off season the beach is empty but the water still warm. I went for a swim at dusk and I was the only one there.
The water was salty and the waves were getting a bit heav and in that moment you can truly feel the power of mother nature. Worried I might get flung out to see, and after seeing a huge fish I freaked out and got out as quickly as I could. People say Muraenas live there…I don’t want to be RA’s news flash: “Machine Woman Eaten by a Muraena”
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?
Ableton. It changed my life.
Art or money?
The best money is the money that comes from your achievements and efforts. So money that comes from your art.
Ronaldo or Messi?
Marcus Rashford. Thank you DJ Lyster at Youth records.
Strangest place you ever wrote a track?
On a plane during turbulence.
Must-read blogs/forums?
Music With Flavour, Complete Music Update, Native Instruments and Ableton.
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
Labels not educating themselves or their artists about ownership of the master rights and publishing.
What’s your favourite label? Why?
Impossible to name just one. Youth, Werkdiscs, Jacktone Records, Take Away Jazz Records, Honey Club Records, Bassiani, Union, HumanPitch, Glasstalk records, Patruin, Wetdreams Recordings and 47.
What’s the worst thing about making music?
People assume you are always looking for feedback on your music or you’re asked for feedback. That can be awkward.
What’s your motto?
Don’t spoil a good story with the truth. For example, I once run into Aphex Twin at my local Lidl in Berlin. The truth is I once ran into Liam Gallagher outside Pretty Green store in Manchester. Both legends none the less..
Name something timeless
David Bowie,
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
In Ableton …always Collect and Save..
Complete this sentence: At heart I’m just a frustrated …
Erm…no I’m not frustrated. Sometimes I’m sad but thats a different emotion entirely.
Can music change the world?
Yes of course. In some places music it is forbidden because it has power
What are you listening to right now?
Isabassi, Akiko Haruna, HVL, Actress, India Jordan, Brake Wave, Doc Sleep, Herron.
What should you do before you die?
Get ready for After Life but in Ibiza where Tail Of Us are playing a non stop deep tech set on 1 turntable which is actually an old cd deck from Argos….
Machine Woman’s remix of “Radius” part of Tommy Four Seven’s “Veer Remixed” is out now on 47. Listen below or on Bandcamp.