I think Bok Bok and the Night Slugs crew nailed it with these new Club Constructions releases. So many good things to say! First off we have Helix, Georgia based producer ofClub Constructions Vol. 4. His cold, metallic, minimal production style is brilliant here. Deceivingly simple, highly effective music that will dirty up any set in the best way. “Track Titled 1” reminds of Daft Punk’s Alive 1997, their tour around Homework. There’s a part, starting to build around 13 minutes with similar chord stabs.
Hysterics unleashedClub Constructions Vol. 5yesterday, and the stripped back, industrial rave of the future continues. Girl Unit’s new alias is manacing! I hope the Night Slugs are ushering in a time for this brand of sinister Techno. The label’s description of the release clues you into the production process, “The three cuts on this volume are the result of an experimental production processes, incorporating tape feedback, raw drums punched in manually and percussive parts that are allowed to take unusual lead roles….The resulting recordings are intricate but highly robust rhythm trax.”
I really feel like this, along with the Helix release are lighting the way for dance music of the future. We need things to be more primal, step back from the forced euphoria, and just work that rhythm and bass.
Gotta say right off the bat, I absolutely love Wheez-ie. This interview is a dream come true, as his raw productions have influenced my DJ style a lot lately. Between him and Slick Shoota, I’ve got some powerhouse tracks that have demolished audiences. In this feature, I’ve posted some favorites that I frequently play out. In terms of his most recent releases, check out the Remember The Score EPon Well Rounded Records and the All Werked Up EP on Individuals. We talk about a whole host of things here on Disco Droppings; from his work with Embassy Recordings label boss Distal, to acid juke, his musical family and his favorite Busta Rhymes track. You should know that when I post long interviews, it’s because I just have so much to say to this artist and they responded in a warm and inviting way. Let’s get started..
DD Whatsup dude? So happy to have you here on Disco Droppings. Been meaning to write about your work. I first played one of your tracks at Decibel Festival 2012 here in Seattle. I opened the Warp Records Showcase (Clark, Jimmy Edgar, Machinedrum), and included “Keep Yer Chin Up”. That track was one of the ones I was most excited to present. The energy just gets me sooooooo hyped! Have you heard any mixes using your tracks that especially got you excited?
W Dave Q played Keep Yer Chin Up at DubWar. That was a real highlight. I had been going to DubWar for a while and to go from just being a guy vibing in the back to having a track played by one of my favorite Djs. That night really meant a lot to me.
DD “Keep Yer Chin Up” is the title track of your Embassy Recordings EP release. This is a brilliant collection of originals and remixes. That label is run by Distal, who I interviewed for Disco Droppings last year. He’s a prolific dude with a razor sharp perspective on music and life in general. What’s your relationship with him like?
W I met Distal on the Internet in 2010 after listening to “Boss of the South” on Youtube. We exchanged tracks, and since then we’ve become really good friends. He and Mite put out the EP with Keep Yer Chin Up on it and are also putting out my new EP on 12”. I’m really excited for you guys to hear it!
DD I’ve never been to your hometown of Houston, Texas. How would you describe the music community as well as the general environment?
W Houston is an interesting city. Rap culture is unavoidable. I doesn’t matter where you go in the city you’ll hear bass booming out of peoples cars. We also have generally good food, and nice (but sometimes random) weather.
DD One of the free tracks on your Soundcloud is “Dreamz”. This one is INSANE. Acid juke is something I’d like to hear a lot more of. How has the acid sound influenced you?
W HAHA. I’m glad you liked Dreamz. That was the first Acid track I ever made. At the time I was listening to a lot of the old Trax back catalog and was trying to figure out how they were making their tracks sound so raw. I don’t think that Dreamz really nailed that sound, but it turned out to be a banger.
DD You’ve said in a past interview that you “..like the idea of playing around with funny words and serious music”. Can you think of some tracks outside your own that really embody that?
W For a long time I struggled with trying to figure out if words in music even matter. So many pieces of music have no words, yet they are extremely emotional. I’ve always felt my instrumentals were serious while the lyrics didn’t have to be. A Lot of Ghetto House and Ghettotech is like that for me. Trax like “Nut In Your Eye” by DJ Assault or “3 Fine Hoes” by DJ Deeon are really great examples.
DD I’ve also gathered that everyone in your house plays music. Your mom is an orchestra director, dad’s a retired band teacher, your brother is in school for classical piano and you play the oboe. How does your family react to your music as Wheez-ie?
W I think by now I’ve written this answer like 6 times. Everyone has been really supportive. As I’ve progressed and my arrangements have become tighter and more musical they’ve really started to like a lot of my music. I’ve been writing electronic music in various forms since I was 11, so they’ve had to hear every stage of the process lol.
DD Your “Woo Hah! (Wheez-ie RMX)” is hilarious. Every time I show it to friends it makes them laugh. What’s your favorite Busta Rhymes track?
W My favorite Busta track is “Break Ya Neck.” I remember seeing the video for that track on MTV back when I was in middle school and I thought it was AWESOME. HOW DOES HE RAP LIKE THAT?!? Busta might just be my favorite rapper that isn’t from the South, and he just DESTROYS that track.
Every time I listen through Surkin’s “USA” album, I feel like it’s been overlooked. Maybe it’s from living in the U.S., but this album is one of the strongest releases I’ve come across recently, and I want to take time to profile it. The tracks “White Knight Two” and “Fan Out”, which have been floating around for a while, are sat inside a confident, colorful album that instantly transports you into Surkin’s dreams of 80’s US nostalgia. Although it draws inspiration from the past, Surkin is innovative with his presentation of old grooves in a new, modern environment. This producer has consistently delivered stellar art; from his solo work, to his collaboration with Bobmo as High Powered Boys (hear “Udon/Work” via Juno), to his work as co-label head for Marble. Do yourself a favor and pick up “USA” throughBoomkat. Just when I thought this marvelous album was enough, Surkin has released the USA Club Mixes featuring reworks by Bok Bok & L-Vis 1990, Strip Steve, Para One, Djedjotronic and Noob + the RIDICULOUS Rustie remix of “Lose Yourself”.
I’ve got quite the crush on this guy, Surkin if you’re reading this you’ve got a friend in Seattle ;]
Interviews with Surkin on this release can be read at Nashville NightsandPulse Radio+ get a rad look into his studio techniques below.
The fine gentleman currently being featured has quickly become a favorite of mine. Anyone who caught my ableton set at Jade Garden may recognize bits of his Gold Panda remix, posted below for free download. Here’s to The Get! Go forth and please make many more tunes.
INTERVIEW
x DD: OK. “Inception”..sexy and dirty!!!! Cannot wait to play this in DJ sets here in Seattle. Welcome to Disco Droppings!
TG: The welcome is well-received. A little bit about that song; Inception was a track that I popped out in an afternoon a while back. I haven’t finished it proper yet, but I think it will have it’s place as a banger track when it’s done. I plan on releasing it under a different alias though.
DD: Was there a certain show or moment when you knew electronic music was “it”?
TG: Discovering Warp records is when I knew without a doubt electronic music was for me.
DD: How would you describe the sound your developing?
TG: I suppose there is a certain timbre to my overall sound but it’s hard for me to put a finger on my own work. Everything ends up being different stylistically although at this moment in time I am developing what my friends and I call Lush Haus. In order to develop that sound as well as showcase whatever else we happen to be into we started a monthly down here at this traditionally indie rock venue called Propaganda in Lake Worth Florida.
DD: I have to keep going back to your overall music mood, it is so sexxxxxxxxxxxy. What artists really help you hold this sexy mentality?
TG: Camel by Flying Lotus immediately comes to mind as it definitely has some dirty sex factor that I really fell in love with when I first heard it. I wouldn’t say that any artists are particularly sexy as to me it’s more based on the track but at the moment I am really into Mount Kimbie and James Blake. Also Gold Panda is my number one go to artist right now for inspiration with the Lush Haus sound I’m experimenting with.
DD: What plans are you making as an artist for 2011?
TG: Plans for 2011 include an EP/LP, finalizing a live set, DJing a lot more, and touring the east coast with Sumsun (Check out the debut album, Samo Milagro on Leaving Records).
dd 