One of the original techno pioneers live, direct and exclusive
Interview by Jimmy Coultas
In the twenty five years plus since the electronic ripples from Detroit impacted on the British techno lover, we’ve rightfully had a scene to be proud of. Electronic legacies have been built in Sheffield via Warp Records, Leeds with the seminal Orbit club and Glasgow with Slam pushing label Soma and clubnight Pressure…not to mention the lauded acid house experiences of London and Manchester. A figure who has been central to that lust for techno exploration throughout that time scale is Billy Nasty, a man who has filled pretty much every role within the scene. He was at the forefront of introducing the idea of the commercial mix CD with the first ever Journeys by DJ offering, and has been behind two seminal labels in Tortured Recordings and Electrix. Billy’s passion for techno has also filtered into electro too, and by that we mean the proper breakbeat driven sound of the streets by synth as opposed to any shiny stadium sounds of now. To this day he’s a figure that manages to exemplify everything good about both genre’s past with the underlying purpose about what has made them exciting throughout – that thirst for the sound of the future. The first May Bank Holiday weekend will see him head to a UK city with its own legacy in Liverpool. There he’ll join a line up which embodies British house and techno par excellence, helping 303 turn two alongside Justin Robertson, Andrew Weatherall and another blistering champion of techno and electro, Dave Clarke.
DMCWORLD checks in with the main man…
Billy you’re heading off to Liverpool shortly for 303. Can you tell us about the experiences you’ve had in the city playing for the likes of voodoo and Bugged Out in the past?
I remember the first time I played for Voodoo at Le Bateau (around 1993/4) there was a massive queue outside, so by the time I started my set the whole of downstairs was rammed and with a great crowd – fantastic club! I had many a great night there and also at the 051 club which Voodoo moved to a few years later. Bugged out was also a great party, I played there many times funnily enough with Justin Robertson and Dave Clarke who I’m playing with this Sunday…it’ll be like the old guard reunion.
How does it compare historically with the other great cities of the UK techno scene like Leeds, Birmingham, London and Glasgow? Are you a fan of any of the local producers such as John Heckle?
Each of the cities you mention has its own identity which is what makes it so cool to play in the UK but Liverpool has always had its own unique vibe with some legendary nights. It has also produced some great artists – as well as Heckle there is Carl Finlow (aka Silicon Scally) who is one of my favourite Electro producers, he’s not only a genius but a super nice guy as well.
The line-up is a real celebration of the stalwarts of the UK techno scene. What’s your relationship like with Dave, Justin and Andrew, and do you get to play together very often still?
We all get on really well, partly because we’ve all known each other so long and have a mutual respect for each other but also because we see each other often. I regularly bump into Andy & JR now that I’m back living in London and often see “The Baron” (DC) in Amsterdam as we both share the same group of Dutch friends and often work together. I moved to Amsterdam around the same time he did and we’ve both lived in Brighton at one time or another so we have lots of things in common…not just our love of Techno & Electro!
You’ll also be playing at 3b Records before the show. How important is vinyl and record shop culture to you in this day and age?
Vinyl is the reason I’m where I am now. I only play Vinyl out so it couldn’t be more important to me! I find it very sad that so many of the best loved & longest running record shops are slowly being forced to close down (BM Soho being a recent casualty). Fair play to 3B and all the shops still going for flying the flag for Vinyl. I’m really looking forward to playing there. In-stores are a great way to get people back into record shops and remind themselves what a great ‘experience’ it is as opposed to downloading a track! It’s a place to meet likeminded people who love music and get introduced to new artists that you might not have discovered sat in front of your laptop. I opened a small record shop myself in Brighton called ‘The Vinyl Curtain’ around a year ago and its going really well. It’s a boutique, appointment only shop but we also sell on Discogs http://www.discogs.com/seller/thevinylcurtain/profile.
On the label front how have you managed to keep Tortured at the forefront for so long? And what can we look forward to from the imprint in the future?
As a true music/record fan you love new sounds, styles and artists so I’m motivated to keep an eye & ear on the scene through passion for good music. I regularly find new artists that I’m impressed by so the new sounds have come fairly easily (so far!). I’m really proud of the work & releases both my labels Tortured & Electrix have put out over the years. We have just released a killer ep from Paul Mac on Tortured which will be followed in a month by Dutch artist, Ritzi Lee. The next Electrix release will be by Fleck E.S.C.. We also have other eps lined up by Pip Williams, The Advent & Mazzula. In addition, Carl Finlow has just given me 10 great tracks for an LP we’re planning for release later this year. My own production schedule is also pretty busy with new tracks in the pipeline for RadioNasty (my collaboration with Radioactive Man) plus a surprise new collaboration I’m keeping under wraps for how…so I’m pleased to say that there’s a load of new projects ready for blast off!
What producers have been exciting you so far in 2015?
There’s quite a few I’m into…apart from the guys I’ve already mentioned, I’m a big fan of the likes of Developer, Phase, Monolake, Objekt, Lakker and of course long serving techno legends like Robert Hood, Ben Sims, Surgeon, Mark Broom and James Ruskin.
Where else have you got shows coming up?
I’m really looking forward to getting back out to Holland to play at Awakenings and Dance Valley festivals this summer, and we’re currently working on a mini tour of Asia, including Japan, which I returned to last year and had an amazing time playing at Sound Museum Vision. Following on from the fantastic return of Bloc Festival last month I’m looking forward to joining them at their London venue. Lots of great UK gigs coming up in all the cities you mentioned plus I’m looking forward to a more unusual gig… a small festival in Devon run by friends in a 17th century chateau – good friends, good food and good music.
Final question, you’ve been entrusted with three records to give to NASA to best represent techno to alien life forms on an interplanetary education mission. What would you go for and why?
Planetary Assault Systems “in from the night”
Red Planet “Star Dancer”
Joey Beltram “Energy Flash”
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