NEWS
EVENTS
Phil Weeks Interview
RnB/Hip Hop | Tuesday 26th April 2011 | Osh
When did your love affair with music begin?
I got into House music when I was 17, I started going to clubs at the age. Before that I was generally into Hip Hop. I got some turntables and a sampler in 1993, but I really didn’t get into DJing until 1995/6.
Why is your record label called Robsoul?
I was in love with the skills of the legendary Bass player Robbie Shakespeare and I made the name Robsoul based on this artist.
It’s been eight years since your last album, what is Love Affair about?
After my first album I just wanted to DJ and make Eps, then last year I changed my equipment and bought a MPC 3000 and it’s now my main sequencer. I found a new way to work with my samples and I decided to write a new album.I always use hardware sequenc-ers, I don’t use computer sequencers to write my music. I only use a computer when the track is done. I do make music on Macs/PC’s with people like Chris Carrier etc and I use Cubase and Logic. I wrote the new album using a Roland MPC 3000, Roland SH-09, a Yamaha 03D mixing desk, my voice and EFX.
So it makes sense why your music has a certain sound as you are using only outboard gear, you don’t use a computer with VST instruments. I had a similar conversation with Steve Bug about the differ-ences with outboard gear and VST’s, he prefers outboard gear as its usually tends to deliver a warmer sound.
It’s true Joe, the quality of the tracks are awesome when you do it that way. You can’t make music sound like mine with just a comput-er. I’m really into Hip Hop and many of the producers are using the MPC3000. The late J Dilla (RIP) was sampling everything with the MPC3000, you can start sampling stuff from 8am in the morn-ing and you will still be having fun 12 hours later. When I’m making music with Chris after a few hours on the computer I feel like I need a break, it feels like work. I like using the MPC as it’s like a game and it makes producing very fun. I felt the same sensation I had 16 years ago when I got my MPC 3000 last year and I had to write the new album. It took me six months to complete the album, I was doing music every day. I could have bought the 4000 or 5000 but they sound more like computers.
The way that you produce is quite different from most, you have taken more of a hands on journey in your approach right?
Exactly Joe, most of the time I listen to Hip Hop and I got inspired by the production techniques used in Hip Hop and I have applied them to House and the Love Affair album.
Who are your 3 favourite Hip Hop acts of all time?
Slum Village, De la Soul & Public Enemy. I actually discovered Hip Hop with Public Enemy, I was in London on a school trip and I bought the album Fear of A Black Planet. It’s really hard to just say three as I also like Ice Cube and NWA etc.
You use old school techniques to produce. Does that mean you also still play Vinyl?
I was one of the last people to still play Vinyl, I switched to playing CD’s about a year ago. I’m not going to talk shit about the difficulty travelling around with Vinyl. I used to play 50% Vinyl and 50% CD and sometimes I would play in a club with an Allen & Heath mixer and I would not be able to match the volumes. The CD would sound super loud and the vinyl would be very quiet and not so bright, even if I pushed the volume gains on the mixer. I’m a little sad about it but it’s easier to use CDs as I don’t have any problems any more. I have around 10,000 records at present and every week I try and digitize a few, it’s going to take a while! I used to spend 300 euros a week on Vinyl but now it’s more like 300 euros every 3 months.
You often work with Chris Carrier and Hector Morales. Have you got some new collabora-tion projects?
Yes I have a lot of plans. I’m tour-ing a lot for the album, Hector has just moved to Paris and he lives 10 minutes from my house. We will be doing a lot of our Fries & Bridges project for sure. I also have some PS project stuff coming out (Phil Weeks & DJ Sneak), I just did a new remix with Chris Carrier and another project with Chris Simons from London and with Joss Moog who is making some amazing stuff. I really enjoyed making this album and it has inspired me to make a lot more.
What new producers are you feeling at the moment?
Joss Moog and TBF, they are making some really sick music right now.
