“Make a beat you can listen to for hours without being bored, then you may have a track.” Lee Van Dowski drops some nuggets of wisdom in the quick-fire Q&A.
Why music?
It was obvious.
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
Painting.
Find something you love doing and you’ll never work another day in your life.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Find something you love doing and you’ll never work another day in your life.”
What inspires you?
Life.
What’s the next big thing?
Me quitting smoking.
Best club experience?
I hope it didn’t happen yet.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Installing air conditioning systems.
How do you know when a track’s finished?
As soon as it’s released.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Ufff, so much!!! At this very minute I would say ‘Draun Quarter’ from Autechre, but in five minutes it could be a different one…
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
I’m still searching for it…
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
I’m curious – you tell me.
Recommend us a film.
Recommend us a book.
The underworld USA trilogy from James Ellroy.
What or who is underrated?
Humans’ capacity for brutality and stupidity.
What or who is overrated?
My taxes.
What are you addicted to?
Nutella.
What do you lust over?
Nutella.
What is your greatest regret?
Nutella.
What one thing would most improve your life?
48-hour days.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
I’m sure it didn’t happen yet.
Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?
Both.
What’s the secret to a great mix?
Never going to the easiest one.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
‘Caresses’ – M83.
How do you relax?
I’m actually working on finding a way to.
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?
Art or money?
They are linked anyway.
Strangest place you ever wrote a track?
In my head.
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
Feeling like a prostitute sometimes.
What’s the worst thing about making music?
Listening to the same shit 1,254 times.
What’s your motto?
Fuck it, let’s go bowling!
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
Make a beat you can listen to for hours without being bored, then you may have a track.
Lee Van Dowski’s 050504 EP is out now on Mobilee. Find him on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud.