How did you start?
In the late 80s, 1986 or 1987 in French class there was a listening station where we were most likely supposed to be listening to French. One day my friend had bought Run DMC’s Raising Hell cassette and we put that in. I’d never even heard Hip Hop before then.. how old was I? 10 maybe. The experience must have been something like the Egyptians receiving sacred knowledge from the Gods. That year in Grade 6 there was a thing called ‘air-band’ which is kind of like a lip-sync performance you do in front of the school. My friends and I asked if we could do ‘Hit it Run’ and mentioned there was one curse word in it to our teacher. “Which one?” she asked. “Motherfucker” we said. We still did the song and I did my first bit of editing ever and ‘bleeped’ out the vile cussing.
Where are you based?
Mostly in Berlin. Although I have been back and forth between Canada, the US and here a bunch in the last year. It would be nice to be based in Bermuda or something.
Please give an example of your music creative process?
It usually takes place in the morning believe it or not. I also find it much smoother if there is terrible weather outside. You can tell almost right away if something is working. If ideas aren’t coming fast, do it another time.
What are you working on right now?
Sorting my record collection in Berlin and listening to records. I would love to have my entire collection here! Every time I’m back in Canada I grab another canvas shoulder-bag full from my storage. It’s like free record shopping! Not to mention you can play all the old stuff again and it sounds pretty fresh. In the last few years I’ve experienced playing music that I used to dance to when I was 20 to people that are currently 20. Very interesting!
I worked on music a lot this Spring and have a number of things coming out very soon. Red Motorbike 016 just dropped. And in July there will be my new EP “Auf Der Ufer” for Mule Musiq/Endless Flight along with a string of remixes I’ve made over the past few months.
What is your gear setup?
a kazoo, 4 plastic buckets, a whoopie cushion, a bag of marbles and an Electrolux microwave oven.
You can make music with anything these days!
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I used to ski every day and write music at night. Now that I only do music and there’s no snow here I’m forced to get a new hobby. I’ve been playing a bit of chess here and there. Started running a bit but it’s not very interesting. Berlin is pretty flat. Lots of beer drinking and second-hand smoking. I greatly enjoy travelling and seeing old friends.
How would you describe your music genre?
It’s the sound of me!
Do you know any music theory?
I do! I took music lessons when I was younger for many years. But it’s like a language, if you don’t get to practice you forget a lot.
How did you get into music?
Late night radio in the late 80s and early 90s really had the most significant impact. I learned about everything through radio until about 1994. I still have all my old tapes.
What are your plans for the future?
I would really love to go for a long drive. Maybe get a van and head to Eastern Europe. I think I’d like to check out the Far East as well. I’ve never really been to South East Asia. Take the Siberian railway there or something. I have a very strong urge right now to go camping.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Mostly Ambient and Jazz records.
Who are your top 5 musical influences and icons?
Tetsu Inoue, Miles Davis, Jon Hassell, James Brown, DJ Aladdin.
When are you playing next?
This weekend at Wilden Renate in Berlin with Telephones, KZA and Dicky Trisco. Then heading east for a while to Bucharest, Pescara, Belgrade and Skopje. Late July I’m back in the US for about a month and then over to Japan… and then back again.. haha… man alive.
