wAFF

“In Berghain the sound system is a complete joke…” wAFF takes on our quick-fire Q&A.

Why music?

Well I guess I’ve always loved music, but it wasn’t always house and techno. I’ve gone through so many different stages in my life of music, from hard house to hip-hop to indie and rock music! I used to be a dancer and actor – actor before anything to do with music – but then when I was 17 I got given my first ecstasy pill at a house event, and that was me completely addicted to house music! I left dance college and all my acting shit, and just started producing music at home on my own because I was bored during the day when everyone was at work or college, but I was on my tod with nothing else to do.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

I’ve only had one proper job, which was working at Welcome Finance. It was a call centre giving out loans, selling insurance and ruining peoples lives, but it actually was quite fun as all I did was piss around and had some of the funniest people working with me.

What was your last day job and when did you realise you could give it up?

I didn’t really give it up, we all got made redundant, which was the best thing ever. For about two months before we all left, we had hardly any people calling in for loans as the news had got out we were closing down. So we just watched films and pissed around all day every day. It generally was a right laugh – we were getting paid to mess round with loads of mates in an office. It was actually really class.

If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?

I would be doing acting full time. Maybe dancing still, but definitely acting. I’m gonna get back into acting very soon.

What’s the next big thing?

Maybe my collaboration with Kenny Dope. Plus we’re going to be doing some gigs together.

How do you know when a track’s finished?

Well I guess you just know. I mean, you could always add little more improvements but I generally just feel it and know when it’s got all the elements it needs to have the impact you want it to have. I think each drop you have has to be as effective as you can to really make the crowd react, but this all depends on the type of music you make. Also, make sure you don’t rush it or make shortcuts – this will leave the track ultimately unfinished, I think. It’s better to spend longer getting it right than to just quickly finish it so it’s done with.

Which song do you wish you wrote?

Dr Dre – ‘The Next Episode’. Who wouldn’t want to have written that song? It’s badass.

What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?

Erm, maybe a remix I did for Hot Since 82 on Suara Music called ‘Planes & Trains’. It’s not that bad – at the time I liked it – but now looking back, I’d say its one of my worst ones.

Best club experience?

Gotta be Berghain in Berlin! The best techno club I’ve ever been to, and also Panorama Bar is upstairs so there’s just two amazing clubs in one. In Berghain the sound system is a complete joke – they’ve got the most Funktion One speakers stacked up on top of each other I’ve ever seen, going down each side of the club. I’ve seen some right fruity shit going on in there, but that makes the whole experience even better. If you’re an open person you will love this place. If you’re not, well, fuck knows, but just go anyway.

Recommend us a film.

The Revenant. I’ve just seen it and it was absolutely class. But if I could choose another film that is old and one of my favourites, the original Old Boy. Check it out.

Recommend us a book

The Damage Done: 12 Years of Hell. Proper mental and the true story of a heroin trafficker who gets caught trafficking between Australia and Thailand, spending 12 years in the worst prisons in Thailand. So brutal and scary. I loved it.

What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?

I reckon just release music that’s shite – that generally seems to work great for people. Just make loads of wank commercial tunes – I reckon that will do it.

What do you lust over?

Sophia Miacova – she’s banging.

What are you addicted to?

Xbox one and PS4! Love it.

What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?

My first time playing in Miami at WMC for Paradise! I was closing the main room after Eats Everything and the room was completely packed – maybe 1,000 people or more. Then just before I come on, the room starts to get less and less busy. Three tracks into my set there was one person left in the whole room – I couldn’t believe it. I was so confused. It turned out that the terrace where Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler were playing got closed off for most the night as it was too busy, but they re-opened just before I came on and then the fire warden came and shut down the main room for some safety reason.

If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?

Hard one, but the first that comes to mind is Ed Sheeran – ‘See Fire’. Sick song.

How do you relax?

Play computer games and listen to Enya.

What inspires you?

Watching people perform live. Burning Man. People expressing themselves. And being in hot countries.

Art or money?

Art, but it all depends on what situation you’re in.

What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?

Airports. Fucking hate them.

What one thing would most improve your life?

Getting shit done on time, and less computer games. Basically focusing more on what’s important and stopping being sooo relaxed and care free.

What’s your favourite label? Why?

I generally don’t have one, mainly because I actually don’t even know the names of any. I don’t actually pay attention to the whole music scene. I just know how to make it and what sounds good.

What’s the worst thing about making music?

Having a massive creative block for ages or running out of samples to the point where you’re not inspired by any of them anymore so you can’t make anything.

Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?

Always stay true to yourself when you make music and don’t worry about other people’s judgement and opinion.

I find this instantly blocks your own creativity and makes it a lot harder for you to express yourself fully. Don’t worry about what other people are going to think about the music you make, because if you do you will never get anything done and have shit loads of music you don’t finish or release because you think whoever won’t like it, which doesn’t even matter because they’re not important. The people who will like it are important and will love it because they get it. You are your own artist, so love what you do and that love will come through to the right people… who will love it too.

wAFF plays Hideout Festival, Croatia, which takes place from Sunday 26th to Thursday 30th June. Find him on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud.