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The DJ Kicks record seems to be an extension of the debut. The latter felt like it already had this mix tape ethos, which is what the DJ Kicks essentially is.
"Playgroup is all about diversity. So the most important thing for me was
obviously to do a DJ Kicks record which represents the Playgroup aesthetic.
This is about love and knowledge of music from the past but put in a
framework of contemporary music. I think there is a real sense of lack of
history. A lot of younger people aren't interested in music that has come
before; they are only interested in music that comes now. For me, so much
music now is inspired from so many different forms of music; I think it is
really important to show that. Kids that listen to hip-hop now think, 'Oh I
don't wanna listen to that kind of gay, electro stuff. Why do I wanna hear
that for?' Whereas the fact of the matter is that a lot of the music they
listen to now has evolved through various forms of music. That is where my
head's at, really. I am probably old and fortunate enough to have lived
through all these eras of music and that is what it [DJ Kicks] represents.
Most importantly, with the DJ Kicks, people always talk about the '80s,
whereas most of the music on that album is new music by new producers. I am
not the only person that has a love of the past. There are loads of people
out there who have that appreciation as well. Do you know what I mean?"
On what basis did you select the tracks?
"I didn't have very long to put it together. So I thought to myself: What
are my favourite record labels at the moment? What are my favourite
producers? What are my favourite artists....? I tried to put them all on
one record, mixed in with a few classics as well. 'Cause the album comes out on
vinyl, so there are three or four records on that mix which are very, very
expensive and which are very hard to get on vinyl. So I thought it would be
very good that deejays and people could get these records now."
Were you going for a particular mood?
"What do you think?"
The debut seemed to be more pop, whereas this one seems to be focused on
the dance floor.
"Yeah, possibly. I am not so much into instrumental dance music. I tried to
put a lot on there with vocals. I am always into party music so the mood is
supposed to be fun and a little bit educational maybe, at the same time."
The debut seemed to be more of a listen-at-home type of record.
"Yes, perhaps you are right. At the time, when I made that record, I wasn't
so much into club music. Now there's a lot of club music that I really
like."
Is it also because you have been doing DJ sets?
"Possibly. I used to hate deejaying. Now I am enjoying it a little bit
more."
The choice of tracks aren't very obvious. Their obscurity made me think of
the fact you're an avid record collector yourself. What have you been
buying lately?
"Do you know Closer Musik on Kompakt label? That is is one of my favourite
acts at the moment. I love BPitch Control. The stuff on my label is
fantastic. I have been listening to Edwyn Collins' new album, which is a
really great record. A pile of the record is actually in front of me now...
I always am listening to the new Timbaland or Neptunes hip-hop production.
I am a big fan of their stuff. My favourite record of the moment is the
Legendary Marvin Pontiac, which is a record from a year-and-a-half ago on
John Lurie's label. That is my favourite record at the moment, even though
it is quite old. I just listen to tons of stuff."
Some of the tracks on the record are Garage classics. Is DJ Kicks, in a
way, a tribute to that era?
"Not so much. I respect their open-mindedness. I was always more into this
DJ called Ron Hardy, who played in Chicago. I am more into his attitude
than what you call Garage. I am not so much into spiritual, uplifting music. I
like more raw, more sensual, more sleazy type of music."
When you compare Playgroup with the Undergroup project, it seems to be more
lighthearted. Was it a conscious decision to turn the mood completely
around?
"You can't make dark music all the time. It got to a certain point where I
got bored with doing the same moody music when actually I am a fun person.
So I was thinking, let's make a fun record for once. So yes, it was
definitely a conscious decision. I don't want to make dark music all my life."
I read you severed your ties with Virgin. Can you give the background story
on that?
"What can I say about that... I can't really talk about that. I am still
going to work with Virgin but in different ways. It was just a clash of
personalities. I am actually not allowed to (laughs)."
You've done a lot of remixes under the Underdog moniker. Will you be doing
that as well with Playgroup?
"There's actually quite a few coming up. I have done something with Justin Robertson, for the Nuphonic project. I have done a Soft Cell remix, which is really good. I have done a band called Minimal
Compact — a band from the '80s, actually. I think they are from
Belgium, actually."
Do you still design covers?
"Mainly for my Output label, which is going to release a Rapture record.
They are actually on the DJ Kicks album as well."
What else will be released?
"A band called 7-Hurtz. A project called Dempsy, which is me and Keiran
Hebdan from Fourtet. I have a project called Black Strobe. They are going
to blow up this year."
On what basis do you sign bands?
"Just good music (laughs) that I love and sounds kind of unique to me."
You were trained at art college. I wonder how that influenced the way you
produce music.
"When I was at college I was studying graphics. Graphic design is all about
ideas and concepts. So a lot of the work I do is more conceptual. I also
learned my music through hip-hop, which is a cut 'n' paste type of
technique — collage. So there is an affinity between sample-based music and editing,
and in a way, graphic design as well. It is a lot about taking ideas from here
and ideas from there and putting them together. It is a similar style."
So you never learned to play an instrument then?
"No, never. I still can't play an instrument. I can whistle a good tune
though (laughs)."
http://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/playgroup/playgroup/1686/
Meer Playgroup op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/playgroup
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