“Basically, if Jamie XX and Hudson Mohawke had a baby…I’d be that baby”. Glaswegian producer Liam Doc has just released his EP Not For Love Or Money on Monki’s &Friends label. We asked him to introduce himself.
Who are you?
Liam Doc, Sub Club and Fly events resident, owner of Eyeangle records and co-owner, alongside Chris Roux, of Roux Records.
Where are you from?
Scotland, based in between Glasgow and Edinburgh in a town called Livingston.
What do you sound like?
Eclectic, nostalgic and obscure.
My productions and DJ sets vary. I don’t like to be pigeonholed into a specific sound or genre and I play a multitude of styles ranging from disco and house to techno, electro, garage and UK funky. I’m also partial to a nostalgic pitched vocal – reminiscent of 2k6 hardstyle bangers that you used to listen to on your phone at the back of a bus.
Basically, if Jamie XX and Hudson Mohawke had a baby- I’d be that baby.
Why should we follow what you’re doing?
I love music and have for as long as I can remember. It’s my passion and there’s no better feeling than seeing people having a great time dancing to tracks I’ve made.
I want to keep pushing and releasing music for as long as I can and hopefully they continue to be well received. One release is never the same or even similar to the last for me. If you like being surprised by wacky sampling and like a multitude of styles then click that follow button!
Which of your tracks sums you up? Why?
I think Fluid, the collab with Alex Martyn on Monki’s &Friends label, sums up my sound quite well. It chops between an uplifting disco sample and a moody piano-driven break. I like combining styles and throwing people off the scent by taking songs in a direction you wouldn’t initially think it was going.
What have you got coming out in the near future?
I’ve got the EP dropping on &Friends and I have my second release on Denis Sulta’s Sulta Selects Silver Service imprint confirmed, as well as an EP sitting ready to go on my own label Eyeangle Records.
What or who is your biggest influence and why?
Jamie XX without a shadow of a doubt. I was a massive fan of the XX when I started producing music and basically wanted to sound like them (but unfortunately wasn’t much of a singer) so my productions got more dancier and more similar to Jamie’s solo projects.
Everything about him just oozes cool, his use of samples, his drum work and his sets. I saw him play at T in the Park a few years ago and it’s still the best show I’ve ever seen.
What have you released so far? What else have you got coming out in the near future?
I’ve had releases out of a few labels, Sulta Selects Silver Service, Céad, Huntleys and Palmers, Shall Not Fade and my own imprints Eyeangle and Roux Records. My release on SSSS was a big turning point for me, having the backing of one of my heros was huge and it felt like people really started to take notice.
How did you get into DJing/ producing to begin with?
I was in bands for years and when it got to the point where I came to terms with not being able to sing I still wanted to pursue music. It’s an addiction it’s not something I can just stop.
Without the singing my productions took a turn and became gradually dancier and from there I wanted to play live so learned how to DJ with the help of my mate Chris Roux and spent a solid year in my studio every day with two shitty turntables I got for £50 off eBay learning how to mix vinyl.
What are three things on your studio shopping list?
The majority of my production is done in the box just using my Mac and plugins but would love to get my hands on some modular gear to try it out. I like going into Rubadub in Glasgow and having a look but I know what I’m like- if I was to start buying modular stuff that’d become an addiction as well and I’d be permanently skint and I don’t think my girlfriend would be too happy that I’ve spent all my money on synths…!
Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?
Time. For the best part of 7 years, I’ve spent most nights after work in the studio working on tracks of my own or doing mixdowns and mastering for other bands and artists.
I think if you want to be successful in any field you have to be open to sacrificing a lot of time to become the best. I read years ago that 10,000 hours makes a professional so you’ve gotta put in the work.
What’s been your favourite place to play so far?
I loved playing b2b with Denis Sulta at Room 2 in Glasgow, the vibe was electric. We bounced so well off each other with our tunes and it was an absolute dream to be able to play with and become good friends with one of my heroes.
Where can we hear your music?
At all good record stores, Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud- the usual haunts.
What one song would feature on the soundtrack to your life?
It’s a toss up between “All under one roof raving” by Jamie XX and “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Sometimes you just need a shredding guitar to break up to day.
What motivates you?
Gigs. I love the feeling of playing to a lot of people, I watched School of Rock for the first time when I was like eight and I knew from watching that I wanted to perform. Nothing gets me going as much as knowing I’ve got a big gig coming around the corner.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I have the same birthday as Henry VIII.
Complete this sentence: At heart I’m just a …
Music junkie.
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve received?
I’ll always remember having a conversation with Denis Sulta when we were flying back from London after a BBC Radio 1 show we were recording and I was talking about how I felt I was frustrated that my music career wasn’t moving as quickly as I wanted it to. I didn’t have an agent at the time and felt like it was me against the world.
He told me patience is key and you’ll drive yourself insane trying to keep up with your vision in your head. He said wait for the right opportunities not necessarily the first opportunity and what’s meant to be will be. Seriously, the guidance that man has given me is priceless.
Where will you be in five years’ time?
Hopefully travelling the world playing my music to big crowds, there’s no better feeling for me than being received well by an open-minded audience. A dream of mine has always been to play Glastonbury so who knows! Anything could happen.
Liam Doc “Not for Love Or Money” is out now. Listen on Soundcloud.
