Fresh from the release of his Retrospective LP for Rekids, we caught up with the tech house legend about rum, MPCs, lusting after the perfect beat, and more rum.
Why music?
It’s what I love. Why not?
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
Cocktail barman.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
What inspires you?
Life always turns up something new when you least expect it.
What’s the next big thing?
Vinyl, again.
Best club experience?
Berghain Berlin was amazing… spot on!
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
As bad as it was, it still taught me something about myself and life.
How do you know when a track’s finished?
When you feel you can do no more or need to move on.
When did you realise you could give up your day job?
Didn’t, just believed in myself… took a while.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
‘Nature Boy’ by George Benson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQjZ00ram7s
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
Make great music, and work hard… also go to great record shops!
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
Now that would be telling… horses for courses?
Recommend us a film.
Recommend us a book.
Little Man Little Man: A Story of Childhood by James Baldwin
What or who is underrated?
Me haha.
What or who is overrated?
Life. Everything has a price.
What are you addicted to?
Rum.
What do you lust over?
That perfect beat.
What's overrated? Life. Everything has a price.
What is your greatest regret?
No time for regrets.
What one thing would most improve your life?
Drink less rum.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
It’s as good as you want to make it.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
Life’s eternal soundtrack.
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?
MPC – she’s my queen in the studio, does as I tell her… sometimes?
Art or money?
Need money to buy great art.
Must-read blogs/forums?
What piece of kit I could not do without? MPC - she's my queen in the studio
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
Too many bad records to get the juice.
Favourite label?
What’s the worst thing about making music?
Getting the mix the way you hear it in your head.
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
Make music quietly. If you can hear the bass in the mix working at a low level, imagine what it’ll be like when you turn it up. You’ll be amazed… trus mi.
Mr G’s Retrospective LP is out now on Rekids. Check him out on Facebook.