NEWS
EVENTS
Guestlist Interviews Asadinho
House | Thursday 21st August 2014 | Francesco
Without giving too much away, Asadinho is the Kendo Nagasaki of deep house. So, for now, the mask remains. But we can tell you this. He’s been making a living from this lark for about 20 years, both as a producer of some note, having sold over 100,000 units. Guestlist had the possibility to interview one of the most interesting new House Dj, of the independent music scene
How did you get into the music scene? Have you been into music snce very young?
I was the weird nerdy kid at school who preferred to muck about in the music department than go out and smoke fags in the bike shed. There was a synth and a four-track there and I ended up coming out with some pretty odd music. People said it reminded them of Warp & R&S stuff, so I started listening to Colin Dale’s radio show around 1993 which introduced me to a wealth of great music. I started buying records and one day, someone asked me to host a chill-out show on a local pirate. I had no idea to mix, although that didn’t really matter with that kind of music so the first time I used a pair of 1210s was live on the air. I started to practice, put on a party with some friends and gigs started to happen. Around that time, I met Tom Gillieron, whose Dad had a studio in Brixton. I started to work in there and produced my first 12, which came out in 1995. And here we are now, no wiser, almost 20 years later.
Where do you take your inspiration from as an artist?
Subconsciously, it comes from life events, places I have visited and the people around me. But when looking for inspiration, I try to listen to as much different kinds of music as possible. There might be a mood in an old song from another genre that sets me up to make something. I also try to listen to how classic records have been arranged, rather than examples from the same genre. I find this keeps your ideas fresh. Sonically, I’ll reference tracks that might have a certain tone and attitude that I like.
Do you prefer working as a promoter, Dj or producer, or do you love being kept busy by all three professions?
Well, I don’t promote full-time by any means, but when we do an RvS party, we put so much into it that I’m all out of energy by the time we’re done. I do love promoting though, not so much for the process, but for the effect of bringing lots of people together, which can bond friendships.Really my passions lie in making music (which includes writing lyrics and melodies, as well as producing), and DJing. The former is a more introspective and solitary process, whilst the latter relies upon interaction and energy from the people in front of you, so I can’t say I prefer one over the other. They’re both incredibly satisfying, especially when you know you’ve managed to give it your best.
In the world of music, what were your first experiences?
I had a fairly standard British musical upbringing, but let’s just say I’m glad my childhood was in the 80s! I played a few instruments when I was a kid but I don’t think it’s so unusual.
How did you go about building your profile?
When I first started out, I didn’t plan anything. I just put out records and played gigs, and it just built organically to the point that I was away gigging every weekend for a few years. Since changing my artist name to Asadinho, it’s been like starting from scratch, which has been great fun as it’s allowed me to shape things in a more specific way, learning from past lessons. Essentially, I just wanted people to respond to the new music, and not refer back to the legacy of my old stuff. I felt it was time to start afresh and it’s allowed me change things up a little bit.
What kind of music do you love to listen to? Do you have a favourite band, singer, DJ?
I listen to all sorts of music, from all genres, eras and locales. At home, I try not to listen to too much house, except when preparing for gigs. I’ll listen to anything from the most obscure jazz and electronica to the most shameless of 80s pop so finding favourite artists is a difficult task for me. Off the top of my head, some artists close to my heart include Mazzy Star, Talking Heads, Stevie Wonder, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Boards of Canada, Mood II Swing, The Jones Girls, Siouxsie and the Banshees, King Tubby, Milton Nascimento, Low, Depeche Mode, D Train, etc etc. In terms of DJs, all time favourites include Harvey, Laurent Garnier, Gilles Peterson, Greg Wilson, Doc Martin, Three, the Wiggle guys and Paul Soul.
What’s your musical guilty pleasure?
I’m not scared of the odd slice of a vintage cheese, and I’m not scared to say it! The funny thing is you listen back to some of the songs you liked as a child that you may not take seriously anymore, yet you start to appreciate them for their incredible production values.
How did you get the opportunity to remix Lana De Rey’s Summer Time Sadness?
Her manager very kindly sent over the parts on spec. I really didn’t think they would go for it, but they used it on a promo 12, then let me release it on RvS.
How do you go about choosing a song to remix or produce? Do you follow your own musical tastes and instincts, or do you experiment with genres ?
To remix something, the parts must have some sort of identifiable theme to build around. It’s why I really like remixing vocal songs, as it allows me to build up a new composition and sonic landscape around a strong central idea. With originals, I try to find that central idea before producing the track around it, but sometimes it happens the other way around.
People are calling you the Kendo Nagasaki of deep House, would you agree with that definition?
That was a joke written by Bill Brewster on the inlay for my Dendrology album. I don’t think my wrestling skills are worthy of mention, so I think he was referring to was the secrecy over my true identity in interviews and press, since adopting the Asadinho name. Sooner or later the time will come to unmask and reveal all, but for now, if I told you, I’d have to powerslam you.
If you had to choose three words to describe your music, what would they be?
Biotic, bionic and sciurine (pertaining to squirrels)!
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
That I’ve always stuck to music I believe in.
Skream has been championing you and your music, what was it like appearing on his Radio 1 show?
I have done lots of radio before, and Radio 1 a few years back, but going on there as a new name was a bit like doing it for the first time. I was quite nervous beforehand but Ollie (Skream) and his production team were just really down to earth and welcoming. It was really an honour to go on there.
Do you have any collaborations in the pipeline?
Working on some new songs with vocalists Natamiq, Ingrid Hakanson, Natalie Conway and US rapper, Capitol A.
Your album Asadinho presents Dendrology is out in August, it’s amazing by the way, what made you decide to release on a USB twig?
Thank you – I’m glad you like it. The theme of RvS is nature. People just aren’t interested in CD albums anymore but we wanted to create something tangible. I thought a USB stick would be the perfect stopgap between vinyl and digital, and why not create something that physically ties in with the album’s name, Dendrology (the study of trees)?
You’ve just finished a US DJ tour of LA and NYC – any highlights you care to share?
Pretty much every gig. URArt Festival in LA was one of the best events of the year for me, and DJing sky high above Manhatten at the Mondrian and Le Bain, was something really special. I also played in Seattle and San José both of which were amazing vibe too. One thing I love about the States is that people REALLY move on the dancefloor. It’s definitely inspiring.
Is there anyone out there you would love the opportunity to collaborate with?
I’d give a limb to record with Hope Sandoval, Roisin Murphy or, dare I say it, Prince.
You are granted a super power for a day - what would it be and what would you do?
Multiply myself tenfold so I may, one day, clear off my to-do list!
Asadinho presents Dendrology is out on 25 August. You can pre-order here http://rvsmusic.net/dendrology/. Listen to his new mix: https://soundcloud.com/asadinho/asadinho-rvs-radio06-nautilus
[Francesco Bacci]
