The producer behind the biggest underground record of Ibiza 2014
Interview : Dan Prince
Alex welcome to DCMWORLD…where on planet dance are you today?
“Thanks mate, feeling right at home! I am actually sitting in my hotel room in Portsmouth in the UK. I am playing tonight at Love Amplified so I am just chilling at the moment, listening to some music.”
Well you have had The Buzz Chart Office jumping around like lunatics recently with your ‘When I Play This Record’ smash. The underground tune of the Ibiza summer? We think so. Firstly, talk us through the history and sound of the track…
“Haha good to hear. Yeah, the record is definitely doing very well. I produced the record in 2012 after doing a lot of records. At that time I was struggling trying to do the whole music thing and I wanted to get a break from doing the records I was doing back then. When I was in the studio I decided to just drop everything off my shoulders and produce something I really like and that’s when I produced “When I Play This Record”. I had the beat rolling and the vocal just popped into my mind. If I remember it right, I recorded the vocal in two takes. I just wanted to keep it as real as it could be, no gimmicks, just something I really felt and what I could say was truly a reflection of myself.”
2 absolutely MASSIVE remixes have just landed, zooming straight to No. 1. Why did you choose RED and Eddie Fowlkes for rework duties and what was your reaction to their work?
“I have to give the props to Andy Daniel from Defected for this, he got in touch with these guys and I just had to wait to hear the final remixes. Very happy and excited with the outcome. There is something in there for everyone. Also another mix is added to this package, the S.Chu 90s Bump Mix, also an amazing remix and I am very glad to have him in the remix pack.”
You have been producing and DJing for over a decade, but is has only been these last few years where you have been grabbing the major headlines. What changed, why did it so long to get to the position you are today?
“Before I started up the whole Man Without A Clue project, I was producing and DJing under a different moniker: “Alex Sandrino”. Even though the records I did got some major support from various DJs, it never took off like it did right now. At one time in 2012 I was kinda sick of everything, producing within boundaries and just trying to get to the next level, so I decided to drop it all and just create records I really enjoy myself. Since I decided that things turned around for me. It’s all about working hard and never giving up. I had some good times and bad times, ups and downs but as long as you believe in what you do, it will all work out, one way or another. The only things I definitely learned is that if you want to be successful as an artist, you have to be “pure”, don’t copy anybody, do what you do and be humble and nice to people. I always follow my own instinct and “Man Without A Clue” is truly a reflection who I am as a person, because I really don’t have a clue…!!”
So let’s kick back for a moment. How old were you when you first started to take notice of dance music, who were the producers/DJs/tunes that first grabbed your attention?
“Wow, I can’t really say – the one thing I do remember is that when I turned 13 I got a cd gift voucher for my birthday and I bought a dance album. I don’t recall the name but it was a compilation of lots of records, all dance orientated. From that age I started producing, but not dance music, I started doing hip hop beats. When I was like ‘yeah, I gotta produce’ I got a very early version of Fasttracker and started out. Later on I used Fruityloops (which is now FL Studio) and switched to Cubase which I am still using today. I believe I was somewhere in my early 20’s when I started out trying to make dance music. At that time I was into the more uptempo breakbeats.”
What was the original idea – to be a DJ or producer?
“Even though I would DJ at my birthday parties waaaaaaay back (just two CD players with no pitch and a mixer with no eq), I kinda let that one sit aside and got into music production. This has always been #1 for me, it still is. Things naturally evolved because people wanted me to play the songs out, so I started out DJing about 8 or 9 years ago and I love doing it!”
First steps in the industry…
“Playing guitar at the age of six.”
First real break in the industry…
“The real break was signing “When I Play This Record” to Defected. The amount of exposure was insane, they played the record 4 times in the Defected Radio show.”
Big MWAC Remix of Kort’s ‘Holding On’ coming out on August 18th through Tropical Velvet. Talk us through your rework…incredible basslines!
“The guys contacted me and they just asked me to do a remix for their upcoming single. After hearing the record I said yes and started working. I wanted to do a raw version, with a huge bassline so I got around messing with it in the studio. I remembered a record I heard with the old skool stabbing vocal cuts and because all the MWAC records have a certain old skool sound in it, that was the thing to do. I can never really tell how a record is gonna turn out because it just evolves when I am working in my studio, but I am so happy with this one. It got airtime on BBC Radio 1 already so very excited for the release.”
What are the big 5 records in your box this weekend?
“Well, I am going to play a lot of own edits and records tonight, but I got ‘Groove Me’ from Doorly in the box. Also Byron Stingly – ‘Get On Up’. MK defo comes thru with ‘Look Right Thru’. Of course I will play ‘When I Play This Record’ and the release on DFTD from Krankbrother – ‘Thank You Baby’. I do lots of edits from records, I almost never play a record as it is. The hard part of being a producer, always wanna change things… hahaha”
Big announcement from Skream in his interview with the South West Four festival crew about a tune you’ll be doing on his label soon. Tell us more…
“Yeah, really excited about that one. I knew Skream was playing “When I Play This Record”, so I got in touch with him and started sending him new records. I sent him a new joint “Out My House” and he really liked it. I never actually sent that record out for signing, so I told him if he was up for it that I would like to sign it on his new label. He came back at me very positive so this will be out in the near future. We also talked about doing a record together, but more info that soon.”
You have had some great props from mighty house superstars of late, Kenny Dope and a certain Roger Snachez big fans. You played at his night at Lio in Ibiza last weekend, how did that go…how did you like the stage acts?
“Lio was great, the whole vibe in Ibiza is just insane, so much positive energy. Everybody out there is ready for a party. So yeah, party was great and felt really good to play there. I played after Roger and after 30 min into my set, Roger jumped next to me and we played B2B. Roger has been really supportive from the start and I respect him a lot, as a person and as an artist. He actually advised me to take the “Man Without A Clue” very serious and fully focus on that after sending him some MWAC tunes.”
A funny photo on Facebook where you claim you have had a studio lockdown. So what is your solution to producers block, how do you lose a bit of stress outside of your music box?
“Yeah man, sometimes that stuff happens. When you want something happen the most, it won’t work and you have to snap out of it at some point. Last summer I started to do something way different then music as a hobby. You could find me on the beach on a surfboard. Even though I really suck at it and all I can do is paddle and almost drown, it’s just a lot of fun. A few years back I went to a seminar with a radio host from New York and he said something there what I always remembered; ‘Don’t forget to live…’ – and I think when you do get a block, don’t push it, you cannot push music, because it will always find it’s own way. Just get out the house and do something way different and inspiration will find you again.”
So DJ Sneak’s letter of advice over the summer… “Believe in your fucking self. Stay up all fucking night. Work outside of your fucking habits. Know when to fucking speak up. Fucking collaborate. Don’t fucking procrastinate. Get over your fucking self. Keep fucking learning. Form follows fucking function. A computer is a Lite-Brite for bad fucking ideas. Find fucking inspiration everywhere. Fucking network. Educate your fucking client. Trust your fucking gut. Ask for fucking help. Make it fucking sustainable. Question fucking everything. Have a fucking concept. Learn to take some fucking criticism. Make me fucking care. Use fucking spell check. Do your fucking research. Sketch more fucking ideas. The problem contains the fucking solution. Think about the fucking possibilities.” What parts are you going to take on board?!?
“All of ’em, maybe not in the way it’s said, but there is something that can be said about all the parts in there. That’s why I reposted that one. You always have to learn and better yourself, but also be proud of what you already did. For me it’s all about staying as real as I can be. Even though I playing international, I will never look down on nobody. I think Kenny Dope is a perfect example for this. When I met him for the first time we sat down and just talked. I realise what a major player he is in the game, but you won’t notice that when talking to him, such a humble guy and I think people should take an example from that. You should never act up like you are better or something, just be your fucking self and have some fucking fun.”
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
“The Flintstones theme song…”
…always get you dancing?
“H-Foundation – ‘Hear Dis Sound’, freakin’ love this record.”
…reminds you of being broken hearted?
“Justin Bieber – ‘Baby’………LMFAO.”
…you wish you would have made?
“Yass ft. Lt Brown – ‘I Am Free’… just love the feeling of this record, such a good vibe and also Byron Stingley – ‘Get On Up’, love that tune.”
In your opinion, is it possible for someone to make it as a DJ in 2014, without any production behind them?
“At this time I think if you want to get yourself to a bigger audience, you have a to make records. Of course you can DJ in your local bar or club, or even do some gigs in the country without having tracks, but in my opinion, if you want to get yourself to a bigger crowd and try to get a career, you have got to make records. I would not be DJing if I wasn’t be making records, simple as that.”
Who is the last GREAT young DJ/producer you have spotted around the world?
“There are lots of producers who make amazing records, but here are a couple I follow, not necessarily young or whatever, but just producers I think who make hot records; Doorly, Weiss, Bontan, S.Chu, Dennis Ramoon, Shiba San Cristoph…and lots more.”
A recent quote from a certain superstar DJ…”I believe true DJing is actually an art, but it’s a dying art, as everyone is pushing the sync button…it’s a real shame when you see a ‘DJ’ plug his laptop in and call this DJing. Music will always evolve but sometimes not in the best way.” What are your thoughts on that?
“Because technology is evolving as it is, it will get easier and easier to pick up a laptop and get an illegal version of Traktor, download free records and suck up to a club owner and play there…that is what is happening right now. What I do think is that it’s good that young people are very interested in music, but I do hope when they start they look beyond the “easy way of mixing” and learn everything that it’s about. I always play live and yeah, sometimes a mix between two records don’t go well…that’s the “risk” of playing live but that is what I do. I do believe that if I do make the switch to playing with a laptop, I would take a 10 steps further then just play with 1 controller and a computer program. If I would do it, I would like to make music live on the spot, but I will stick with the CD players for now.”
In your opinion, what makes Man Without A Clue a great producer. Why are you in so much demand right now?
“Hard question to answer…hahaha! I am just doing what I love to do and I try to keep it as real as it can be. Everything gotta be “pure”, from being online, talking to people, playing in a club or festival or when you make records.”
Best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“There are two:
1: Never quit…
2: Make records…and when ya done, make more records cause that is what you do.”
The last great studio toy you bought yourself…
“Novation Bass Station 2.”
And finally…what is coming out next from the Man Without A Clue Studio…?
“A lot…
The remix package for ‘When I Play This Record’ drops August 11th. Then my remix for Kort –‘ Holding On’. First up single release will be on Dopewax “Take You Out” with a Kenny Dope remix added to it. After that my remix for Kenny Dope & Raheem DeVaughn – ‘MJ’ is coming out. As mentioned earlier the record “Out My House” forthcoming on Skream’s new label. I am also working with Roger Sanchez on a collab which is almost ready to go and a collab with Kenny Dope. I did a new remix for Hardsoul which is coming out in the next couple of months. Lots of solo material ready and so on and so on.”
Thank you man. Appreciate your time.
“Anytime ! Thanks !! You have a clue Dan!”
