Many dance music artists are aptly described as producers, but when discussing Andy Butler the titles of songwriter or composer come to mind. He’s the brains behind Hercules & Love Affair, an ambitious project whose 2008 self-titled debut dropped jaws and shook asses with thoroughly composed, soul-baring disco/house hybrids. Tunes like the Antony-fronted club smash “Blind” or the wickedly propulsive “You Belong” illustrate an approach that is mindful of tradition without being shackled to history; the desire to create something new with disco and house templates is plainly apparent. H&LA is also a full band with whom Butler embarked on world tour in 2008; try to imagine your favorite house producer undertaking such a feat. These days he’s spending more time DJing (which has yielded the recently released Sidetracked mix CD for Renaissance) and writing the second Hercules & Love Affair album. We caught up with Butler by phone at his San Francisco apartment in anticipation of his appearance at NYC’s Electric Zoo festival. He filled us in on the sound of album number two, his take on contemporary production styles, and the vanishing influence of gay people in dance music culture.
interview
Talking Shop With Innervisions
We’re happy to report that the subject of our latest interview is the spectacular Innervisions label. Born under the auspices of Sonar Kollektiv, Innervisions ventured off on its own with founder Steffen Berkhahn aka Dixon (and later Frank and Kristian of Âme as well) at the helm. Although there is no one Innervisions sound, it’s fair to say the label releases deep and innovative house music from a stable of in-house artists including Âme, Henrik Schwarz, Marcus Worgull and Tokyo Black Star. Forward-thinking 12″s from Laurent Garnier, Château Flight, Stefan Goldmann, and Culoe De Song are further signs of the label’s stringent quality control; compilations like Muting the Noise and the Innervisions-curated The Grandfather Paradox (for BBE) underline how their vision extends beyond the dance floor. And with the recent launch of the Innervisions web shop they’ve begun sharing their taste-making insights with fans directly. Dixon was kind enough to let LWE pick his brain about filters, how to best present a record and the label’s unusual birth before playing live at DEMF as part of A Critical Mass.
Little White Earbuds Interviews Luke Slater
Luke Slater is, as they say, a man who needs no introduction. A stalwart of the international electronic scene for almost 20 years, much of contemporary techno owes Slater a debt of gratitude. Without his mid-90’s releases as Planetary Assault System, it’s hard to imagine the output of labels such as Sandwell District, Ostgut Ton or Do Not Resist The Beat! sounding quite the same. His shadow looms large over Toby Frith’s recent list of 20 classic UK techno records for FACT magazine, and his new album under the PAS moniker Temporary Suspension is a blistering tour de force; so it’s an apt time to ask Slater a few questions about his new album, his renewed love for DJing, and his future ventures into the world of ballet.
LWE Podcast 25: Peter Van Hoesen
His name on the tip of many a techno aficionado’s tongue, Brussels’ Peter Van Hoesen is accountable for quite a few of the year’s most heart-racing records. With their reanimated bass lines, unremitting kick drums, and penetrating atmospherics, his productions have a functionality that can’t be denied and a presence that can’t be shaken — the perfect pairing for the “dark, sweaty venues” he mentions in the interview below. Meanwhile, choice remix recruitment and the recent release of Donato Dozzy and Cio D’Or collaboration “Menta” have upgraded his fledgling Time To Express imprint from Van Hoesen home base to a growing leader in harder techno. The busy producer, DJ, and sound engineer generously took the time to talk with LWE about his label, his work with Brussels’ contemporary dance community, collaborating with Donato Dozzy, and his upcoming album. Our 25th podcast, meanwhile, offers an exclusive example of Van Hoesen’s propulsive live sets and an ideal primer on the producer’s latest work.
Little White Earbuds Interviews Seth Troxler
In the mostly faceless world of techno, a little bit of character can go a long way. This explains, at least in part, Seth Troxler’s speedy and seemingly effortless rise in the international house and techno scene. Musically and personally, he has a lot more charisma than the average DJ/producer (and for those of you who haven’t already heard it a dozen times, he’s a 23 year old Michigan native currently DJing full time in Berlin, which in this culture earns him quite a few cool points). I found Seth in the shadowy back room of The Marcy Hotel, fully reclined on a dirty sofa with his head cradled in a girl’’s lap, smoking a joint. He looked pretty relaxed, but sprung duly to his feet when I said I was here for the interview in anticipation for his appearance at Electric Zoo Labor Day Weekend. We moved to a room with more sufficient lighting, and Seth gave me an earful about his background, his goals as an artist, and the downside to DJing in Berlin.
Little White Earbuds Interviews Swayzak
With a minimum of fanfare, Swayzak released and album of sly, deep techno called Snowboarding In Argentina in 1998. For several years previous James Taylor (not the reformed junkie folk singer) and David “Brun” Brown had been working on their particular brand of late night electronics, releasing a few pieces of vinyl on their own self-titled label, including the now classic “Speedboat/Low Res Skyline.” Since then they’ve released a further four studio albums as well as two highly revered DJ mix comps, all under the banner of a not so subtle bastardization of Patrick Swayze’s name. With the other half of Swayzak now living in France, Little White Earbuds caught up with Brun at his local pub in London to talk about the re-release of Snowboarding In Argentina, Paul McCartney CDs and their new Serieculture DJ night.
Talking Shop with Mule Musiq
Mule Musiq, one of Japan’s leading techno/house labels, is the focus of our attention this time around. Owned and operated by Toshiya Kawasaki, Mule Musiq (and its sub-labels, Mule Electronic and Endless Flight) offers a uniquely Japanese point of view that’s helped popularize Force of Nature and Kuniyuki, while also hosting standout releases from Terre Thaemlitz, Minilogue, Henrik Schwarz, Lawrence and even Lydia Lunch (among many others). Mr. Kawasaki was kind enough to answer our questions about the differences between Japanese and Western music industries, the label’s origins and Mule Musiq’s philosophy for running a successful label.
Little White Earbuds Interviews Joris Voorn
Rotterdam’s Joris Voorn has been spinning and producing house and techno for over ten years now, with no shortage of accolades along the way. His debut EP, “Muted Trax pt. 1,” was tipped by Carl Craig and Laurent Garnier, and By 2004’s “Lost Memories pt. 2,” the fervor around Voorn had become virtually unavoidable. After founding the Green label the following year, Voorn landed a gig mixing the fourth CD in the Fuse series. Taking the Ableton Live brochure to task, he blended, layered, and combined forty-odd tracks for the mix. We were impressed, but Voorn figured he could do one better, which brings us to 2009’s hundred-track Balance mix. Easily one of the most discussed dance-music releases of the past year, Little White Earbuds had plenty of questions and Mr. Voorn was gracious enough to explain how one undertakes a project as ominous and daunting as Balance 14.
Talking Shopcast with Diamonds & Pearls Music
Number four brings us to the eclectic and far-reaching Diamonds & Pearls Music, a distributor, record label and production studio in one. DnP has taken its time releasing records, selecting a coterie of top notch producers to fill its diverse slabs, such as Henrik Schwarz, Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano, Matthew Styles, tobias., Efdemin and more. DnP is also responsible for getting records from Mikrodisko, Beatstreet, Contentismissing, Enliven Music, Pastamusik and many more in shops around the world. All three of DnP’s founders were gracious enough to answer our questions; and although they insisted on relative anonymity, it didn’t stop them from giving us one of our best Talking Shopcasts yet. To top things off, Efdemin crafted an exceptional exclusive mix (available below) that might make it difficult to sit still long enough to read the interview.
Talking Shopcast with Echocord
This time we’re examining one label that’s been prominent in dub techno’s popular renewal, Denmark’s Echocord. Founded in 2002 by Kenneth Christiansen, a staple of Copenhagen’s record shops and renowned DJ, Echocord proved a launching pad for Mikkel Metal and hub for Quantec, Rod Modell, Trentemøller, Brendon Moeller, Fairmont and more. In 2008 it gave birth to Echocord Colour, a vibrant new series of releases on, you guessed it, cherished colored vinyl. We talked with Mr. Christiansen about Echocord’s origins, why its records stand out, and his predictions for the future of dub techno. He’s also provided us with an excellent exclusive mix of recent and long time favorites.
Little White Earbuds Interviews Lindstrøm
When Hans-Peter Lindstrøm abdicated the cosmic disco throne a couple years ago, his admirers (including myself) wondered where the Norwegian producer’s sound would end up. Lindstrøm documented his sonic travels and brought listeners along for his second album, Where You Go I Go To. Knowing that he wouldn’t stay in one aural place for long, I asked where he was going next when he stopped in Chicago for a show. Lindstrøm filled me in about what it was like to win a Norwegian Grammy, his collaboration with Solale, and the future of his sound.
LWE Podcast 16: Mike Shannon
For the latest LWE podcast Mike assembled an exclusive mix of forthcoming and never released tracks in the old fashioned, two turntables and a mixer way he describes as “a little raw (no effects or edits), just the way I like it…” Help celebrate the tenth anniversary of one of Canada’s vanguard techno labels by peering into this sonic crystal ball of up and coming Cynosure exclusives.
Talking Shop with Wagon Repair
This time we examine the Canadian-born Wagon Repair, which started as the home of pals Mathew Jonson, Konrad Black, Graham Boothby and Loose Change and has blossomed into one the most versatile and sought after labels in techno and house. Favoring quality sounds over particular aesthetics, WR boasts releases from The Mole, Tobias Freund, Seth Troxler, Deadbeat, Minilogue, Hrdvision and more. Mr. Jonson kindly answered our questions between gigs, shedding light on his favorite Wagon Repair release, the odd origins of the label name and the reason people love vinyl.
Talking Shopcast with echospace [detroit]
Welcome to the twelfth edition of our series of interviews and mixes affectionately titled Talking Shopcast. The majority of media and fan attention gets showered on the artists who create the music we love to listen to/DJ with/dance to, and for good reasons. But without the hard work, keen ears and business savvy of label […]
Little White Earbuds Interviews Cassy
When discussing her music, Berlin-based producer/DJ Cassy Britton admits she wanted to start “as simple as possible” to leave room for improvement and details as time went on. The simplicity tying together her productions for Perlon, Beatstreet, Uzuri, her own Cassy imprint and others is absolutely captivating, locking listeners into single-minded grooves too effective to […]
Talking Shop with Mojuba
Welcome to the eleventh edition of our series of short interviews affectionately titled Talking Shop. The majority of media and fan attention gets showered on the artists who create the music we love to listen to/DJ with/dance to, and for good reasons. But without the hard work, keen ears and business savvy of label staff, […]
LWE Interviews Dave Aju (part 2)
Photo by dCOY In part two of our interview with Dave Aju, we discuss the balance between fun and function, the reception to his music, and his plans for the coming year.
LWE Interviews Dave Aju
Photo by de’fchild productions (defchild.com) Marc Barrite, better known as the producer/DJ Dave Aju, once quoted George Clinton when describing his musical mission, aspiring to “rescue dance music from the blahs.” But a more popular Clinton quote tidily sums up the San Franciscan’s approach to making music: “Free your mind and your ass will follow.” […]
Talking Shopcast with Workshop
Headed by Jens Kuhn, known to many as Lowtec, Workshop is as much a label as it is a series of EPs. Since 2006, Lowtec and crew have put out a new EP every few months, each comprising three untitled tracks. Some showcase a single artist (Move D, Kassem Mosse and Lowtec have each commandeered one), while others feature a handful at once. LWE’s current favorite is Workshop 004, a collection of shadowy house tracks by Move D, Even Tuell and Sascha Dive. With its gray aesthetic and cryptic design, Workshop has chiseled a distinct identity and landed a distribution deal with Hard Wax, arguably Berlin’s most respected record shop. Lowtec gives us the lowdown on the snacks that inspired the label’s creation, their stratified demo system, and how smaller release runs could save the vinyl business.