“Don’t be bitter, be better.” The London-based Swede takes our quick-fire Q&A, revealing which of his releases he regrets…
Why music?
Why a magazine?
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
I hope I never have to find out!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Not to take things too seriously and not to over-contemplate things. I really try not to.
What inspires you?
Other people’s music and going out to listen to other people’s music in a loud place.
What’s the next big thing?
‘Gangnam Style’, the remixes. Probably.
Best club experience?
Really hard to single one out, but back in the days when The End was running were always good nights, not necessarily when I played myself but just being there was fun.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I worked at an IT company for a year and a half when I was younger. What a waste of time that was. I spent the days wishing them away.
How do you know when a track’s finished?
That’s never easy as there’s always things you feel you can change or improve upon, but luckily there are deadlines (especially for remixes) that make those decisions easier.
When did you realise you could give up your day job?
When I felt I could afford to. I used to work in a bar, which was OK but not very fulfilling, so the moment I knew I could survive from making music in various forms and through DJing, I quit.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
All songs that I love I wish I could have written.
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
Sadly, to do something stupid and easily accessible for people; something to be laughed at rather than admired. Or that’s how I understand it at least. It seems to be the trend these days, seeing how empty and soulless today’s chart music is.
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
Some of my early releases are not my proudest moments any more. But then again it worked at the time. There was an EP I put out a few years ago for Tigerbass that now in retrospect I kind of wonder what I was thinking when making it. Really not happy with that one.
Recommend us a film.
Together, a Swedish film from 2000. Criminally underrated. Or unseen, rather.
Recommend us a book.
Nothing To Envy. Sad insight into life in North Korea
What are you addicted to?
Nicotine and white wine.
What is your greatest regret?
Not having learnt to play the piano as a child. It was in fact something I really wanted to do and got my mom to get lessons for me, but after just one or two I gave up. I wish she would have told me off for not having more determination. It would have been useful now.
What one thing would most improve your life?
Not a lot at the moment, to be honest. I’m quite happy with my life as it is. I mean, one can always do better or have more things but I don’t have much to complain about, really. Knock on wood…
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
I remember one at SE1 here in London, many years ago. When I got on in the main room the place was packed – there must have been at least 1,000 people in there – but 15 minutes later there were about 50 people left! Was a bit of a mis-booking, though, so I blame it on that.
Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?
Rich creative experience most of the time, but pain in the arse sometimes when you are stuck for ideas. I prefer to work on my own mostly as it doesn’t give you as much pressure to come up with ideas on the spot. But finishing a track off together and to exchange ideas is definitely part of the former.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
Do you mean over and over? Not sure what would drive me to insanity more – listening to one track only for the rest of my life or not listening to anything at all. I’d rather not find out.
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without?
Logic.
Art or money?
K-Mart.
Must-read blogs/forums?
I don’t follow many blogs and rarely read forums any more, but the Flight Facilities blog can be quite fun sometimes. They do know how to pick out the good YouTube clips.
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
There’s a lot of frustration over the music industry that probably a lot of people share, but the one I am currently really annoyed with is that people don’t answer emails when you enquire about something (although this doesn’t apply when sending out music for feedback – that’s justifiable). And I don’t mean take their time before answering – but not at all. Seriously, no matter how busy you are, to write an email takes less than a minute and if you don’t have that, just answer with a ‘don’t have time’ or just a simple ‘no’, even. Much more respectable and decent than not answering at all. It’s just fucking rude.
What’s the worst thing about making music?
As a complement to that question about the industry: that it’s not so much about making music always but more about politics. Doesn’t matter how good you are, if you have a friend or cousin in the business you are much more likely to get your music heard or played by the people you need to hear it. Then again it’s also understandable seeing as there’s just too much to plough through in this saturated market and also people sending you SoundCloud and download links right, left and centre. I didn’t know anyone growing up nor had family that is part of the business, so it was definitely a bit of a struggle at times. And still is.
What’s your motto?
“Don’t be bitter, be better.” This interview can’t have shown much of that…
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
Use your ears. What they teach you through books and classes are just guidelines, not solutions.
Blende’s Synapse EP is out now. Find him on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud.