Since our outing to Budapest on early Spring 2004, where Slacker, with his marvellous music and amazing DJ skills simply took possession of myself, I couldn’t stand waiting his arrival in Poland. He belongs to the narrow team of artists who must be seen and heard, what unfortunately escaped Warsaw clubbers’ attention in majority. It’s a shame, because Slacker deservers a packed club, what in any case has been proved by his performance in front of almost empty Piekarnia and heavily crowded Sfinks. Nevertheless we couldn’t skip such occasion to have a short chat with him.

Sound Revolt: Who’s „Best Boyfriend” about?
Slacker: Nobody in particular. It’s a song I found on a p-funk record from the middle 80’s. I liked the quality of that. Also the sound of samples and this voice speaking over telephone line, which is a bit weird actually. So I liked to use these samples and I stole them.

Sound Revolt: What’s the original producer’s name?
Slacker: I don’t know. I never know, I just steal samples.

Sound Revolt: How about “Hymn To Her”? Isn’t it from you to anybody?
Slacker: No, I’m alone at the time.

Sound Revolt: So maybe you will dedicate it later to someone.
Slacker: Oh yes, retrospectively.

Sound Revolt: Do you still listen to hip-hop records?
Slacker: I don’t have much time for that really. So hard to keep up with just the house scene. Sometimes I catch hip-hop videos on MTV but nothing more.

Sound Revolt: Do you think that music evolution from hip-hop to house is something which has happened to more people than you?
Slacker: No... My evolution happened in the late 80’s, when I was studying in the University in Brighton in England. Then I discovered house music scene, where everyone was taking extasy and loved another people. Hip-hop in England was totally different, with all those negative feelings and reserve. I was converted from that easily. But I think I still have some influences from punk and groovy samples that I used to play during the hip-hop era.

Sound Revolt: So what is you look for listening to music? Energy? Melodies?
Slacker: Energy is important, I think. Melodies too, but the most important thing is atmosphere. I need the right mood, sometimes even with a sense of humor.

Sound Revolt: You had your first live performance on Bedrock Birthday party. How did it go?
Slacker: Very good actually! I spent quite a few weeks before that working very hard, so everything went as planned. It’s very enjoyable to work with music in a different way. I had a lot of my tunes cut on in strange ways. Then I could play with filters and effects, all live. I think it’s quite an exciting thing for the future.

Sound Revolt: Do you dance during the shows?
Slacker: I chick around a little bit. I jump to the CDJ, then here and here [shows different places on an imaginary DJ booth]. I try to move around because it can be a little bit boring otherwise.

Sound Revolt: How would you describe the difference between Slacker and Head Honcho?
Slacker: Head Honcho is a little bit more clubby, a little bit more dark and... maybe not techno but more electronic in a sense. But to be honest it’s just a different name. If I make a Slacker record and then I make another record quickly, then I can’t put out it straight away as Slacker or Head Honcho. It’s the same people so it’s the same thing.

Sound Revolt: But the name comes before you make a track of afterwards?
Slacker: Probably afterwards. Head Honcho is less sample based, more groove based.

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