A lot about music, quite a bit about Canada, a little about drugs. Check out what Peter and Adam discovered about those important issues from the maple leaf country wonder kid.
Why has Canada given the international house/techno scene so many talented and original artists over the years? What makes it so special?
Good question. And a popular one. One that isn't so easy to answer, really. For sure our isolation has something to do with it. Depending on which part of Canada you're talking about, you can blame the long winters, the beautiful girls, or the most excellent marijuana. One thing that links all of Canada, though, is the fact that anyone who is invested in this sort of thing is an outsider. This is a loser's game in Canada. There is no glory, no money in electronic music in Canada. Thus, the only people doing it are doing it for all the right reasons.
Seeing as how we Europeans, from time to time, are relatively late in picking up on fresh talent from North America, are there any promising young Canadian producers that you would recommend we check out and keep our eyes, or ears for than matter, on?
Lots. Where do I start... How about all the old Canadian producers that you've never heard of. How about Hreno – Koosh – John the Baptist – Vince Lemieux – Wood – Pilgrims Of The Mind – Ice-E-Fresh – Ekeem – Zoltan and Damon – oh God there are so many it is hard to even imagine. Techno tom! There wouldn't be half the Canadian techno scene without Techno Tom... and Brent Charmicheal.... and and and...
How's Berlin treating you? Glad you moved? Why did you move?
Super glad I moved. I'm having a great time. Berlin is a very welcoming city full of lovely people. It's very international so that doesn't hurt. The why is obvious: music. I do music full time now. The greatest blessing I've ever had.
It had nothing to do with ego. It was all about astral traveling and reaching up. And it's personal so you get to decide what it means to you...
When reading your bio, it's hard not to notice how many times Mathew Jonson's name pops up. Seeing as how he is one of the best known ambassadors of electronic music from Canada, has Jonson had a big influence on your music?
Sure has... He's my roommate and the first guy I saw 'make it' in Europe. I wouldn't be here now if it wasn‘t for his success. To be honest, I remember him as a kid going wild at the raves in Victoria. But you also have to consider that we've been in the same band – Modern Deep Left Quartet- for 13 or 14 years.
Your debut album ended up making it into many best album polls at the end of 2008, very frequently in the top three, which was sort of fitting given its name. Now, we find it hard to believe that you were being arrogant when choosing the title, which begs the question: what's the story behind the somewhat lofty sounding 'As High As The Sky'?
Its' a drug thing. It's a soul thing. It had nothing to do with ego. It was all about astral traveling and reaching up. And it's personal so you get to decide what it means to you...
How many records did you sample while producing 'As High As The Sky'?
No idea... Honestly, tons.
Do you think you will you ever try producing without using samples? By doing things from scratch?
I do it all the time. Check my latest remix for Gui Boratto
When will we hear another effort at an LP from The Mole?
Good question, was just asking myself the same thing when I got up.
Are you working on anything special at the moment?
Yes! A Modern Deep Left Quartet album („Modern Deep Left Quartet“ will be the title of this album that will come out as a Cobblestone Jazz‘ piece – editor’s note). I love, love, love this band... and some stuff with Prins Thomas... and more solo work...
If I have learnt one thing during this last year of traveling it is how beautiful the place I come from is.
What's the best thing about seeing The Mole perform live?
I don't know, I've never seen it... (laughs)
What was the first record you ever bought on vinyl? Do you still have it?
Well I just got off the phone with my mom. Had to ask her about this. The first records I owned, you know the first ones that were mine, were Stevie Wonder's 'Talking Book', The Muppets, and Peter and the Wolf. I still have all of them and probably another 2 or 3 copies of 'Talking Book'. The first ones I bought I'm not sure. I did some digging back then even so I'm not sure. I remember buying 'Super Fuzz Big Muff' from Mudhoney in high school. And a Swans record. And I think I got a Pavement record but that might have been a CD. I was buying a lot of tapes in high school so...
What is it about ”old” funk/soul/disco records that gets the best of you?
The same thing that gets me about pop, jazz and country and really any other good music - the stories, the feeling behind the compositions and arrangements, and the feeling and love the players put into it all. I'm particularly moved by the messages of Bob Marley and Curtis Mayfield. I feel like they and many others are taking this blessing of putting out music seriously. Sending out real messages about peace and love and revolution... and love
What is it about house/techno that gets the best of you?
Boom, boom, boom.
How old were you when you started collecting records junkie style?
Must have been around 18 or 19... After high school around the time I dropped out of university. The junkie habit was part of the reason for dropping out after all.
Last record you bought on vinyl?
Yesterday I bought a ton of stuff including Isolee, Karizma, Curtis Mayfield, Chez Damier, the new Dr. Doom, and Andres. Lots of good time listening there!!! It was a good shopping day it seems. I wonder what today has in store for me.
Favourite pop song of all time?
Don't think I could pin it done to one....
Think you'll ever make the move back to Canada?
I'd love to. I was just talking with my mom about how amazing it is there. If I have learnt one thing during this last year of traveling it is how beautiful the place I come from is.
parts of the interview courtesy of Gazeta Wyborcza
Links
Comments (0)
