One of New York’s finest absolutely smashing it all around the world
Interview : Dan Prince
Chris welcome to DMCWORLD, where on the planet are you today?
“Hey Dan, in LA at the moment, I have just moved here!”
DMC are absolutely loving some of your remixes out there at the moment; Eli & Fur and DJ Anna both causing major damage right now. How do you approach a new remix when you first sit down in the studio…have you a rework process?
“Thanks a lot. Well normally I will just listen to the track and vibe out. If I have a gut feeling about something, I tend to go that way! Some can be quick, other times the track takes a little longer.”
So let’s talk about Shadow Lanes. Hammer’s studio was on the same hallway, he has a massive love of synths and drum machines but can also play the guitar…and the idea is to be unique, unapologetic and not afraid to be pop. So what are the plans…what can you tell us about the vocalists/collabs?
“We are going to debut with the first single “Sea And Back” and then we have one more single slated after that – with the same vocalists. After this, we are aiming to feature a whole array of vocalists hopefully. We like so many different kinds of music, so we don’t want to limit ourselves. Hoping this project turns some heads as we can’t wait to play live. These singles for now and then possibly a full EP.”
Your little black songwriting book and pen never leave your pocket in case words drop into your head. So, what gives you inspiration as a songwriter and how do you solve the dreaded writers block?
“I just have a beer if I have writers block – sometimes it is easy it just comes naturally. Other times it does take some time. Sometimes it really does just hit you.”
A quote from you… A lot happens as you know – even in a month, so in three years my overall outlook has matured.” Discuss…
“I think you grow up on some things in life. Some people know right away. I know what I want out of life now more than when I was 24/25. My outlook on life has matured in the last 2/3 years.”
Your home city is one again showing the rest of the dance world how to do it musically. Great clubs, festivals and a whole host of new producers creating cool house music. So what happened – why did the Big Apple have such a quiet time for so long before bouncing back?
“When the city has a watchful eye on you, that isn’t good. For a minute there, and by minute I mean almost a decade, you just didn’t have that same vibe in NY. Parties were bing shut down left and right- I also think the US market in general didn’t have the dance music buzz it has had the last 2 years. The last couple years has really changed. Now the vibes and mind set is back and the city is ready – lots of internationals are moving there too and ready to explore. Investment money is piling in at record rates into Brooklyn. Output, Verboten are shining through. NYC is in a good place musically.”
You are a big fan of iconic 70s and 80s films. Throw some names at us…
“Goonies, The Warriors, Lethal Weapon, The Shining, loads more. Can’t hate on Die Hard too.”
Summer time in New York is fabulous. Music blaring out on every block, pizza and ice cold beer in the park…where are some of your favourite places to hang out in your city at the moment…?
“I would say McCaren Park is nice. I would also argue Coney can be cool too if it’s not too hot or touristy.”
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
“’Juicy’ by Notorious B.I.G.”
…always gets you dancing?
“Anything by Miguel Campbell…”
…you wish you would have made?
“’Retrograde’ by J Blake…”
What is the latest cool studio toy you treated yourself to?
“I got an OP-1 by Teenage Engineering a few months ago. That thing is awesome.”
When are we going to see you in Europe next?
“I am back in September for a short 2 weekender – playing in Spain and London and Dublin. Some of my favorite places.”
Who are some of the producers from around the world you are giving high fives to at the moment?
“Leon Vynehall, Kaytranada, Fennec & Wolf…”
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?
“Well I agree, but you can still be spinning on a laptop. I use Traktor scratch via my laptop- which is still mixing. Or a USB sometimes. So yeah, I agree with that principle but no need to put blame on the laptop. Sync mentality is definitely the problem.”
Okay let’s rewind for a moment. True or false – your first musical experience was playing the trumpet?
“True. 7th grade until 10th grade.”
Around this time you started to teach yourself how to write musical programs…who were the dance artists that were influences to you at that time?
“Mostly hip hop, like Biggie, Nas, Mobb Deep. But I started to get into Prodigy and the likes. My first taste of electronic music was around the late 90s through them and also Portishead.”
Hand on heart – would your family have been happier if you’d have followed the basketball route or the musical route in life?
“Either. They just want me to be happy. #truth.”
You put out your music on some motherfuckincool labels – Nurvous, Black Butter, Culprit and Ovum have all received the MANIK treatment. Is owning your own label one day part of your plans?
“100%. Just waiting for the right time. It would be more a labour of love then anything else, as these days, its near impossible to make a living by running a label. Having said that, I can’t wait to embark on the path of my own label.”
You have DJ’d in over 40 countries over the years. Where is your favourite to return to?
“I love it here in the States, but I love to play in England, Germany, Japan and Ireland. So far these have stood out more than any. All my gigs are cool though!”
What would we find on a MANIK rider at one of your DJ gigs these days?
“Pale ale for sure – sometimes Whiskey. But I gotta find a way to get fresh Pizza on there too.”
The EDM scene in the States continues to go spiral. What though are your thoughts on the ever increasing amount of DJs who are changing their usual soundtracks such as house and trance, to fit in with the more mainstream sound of EDM in America…?
“I have no issue with any one doing their own thing. I just want people to be happy. If that makes them happy, good. I know what that means to me, and everyone is different. I am just glad this music is getting its proper exposure here in the USA.”
And finally – what is the next release hitting our hears from the mighty MANIK…
“I have a new remix out currently on Toolroom. Big room deep house stuff. Been going down well. I also have a new Solo EP on Anjunadeep coming early October. Otherwise I am aiming to finish up some new stuff this month. Both solo MANIK as well as the band, Shadow Lanes material.”
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