Ripping up FACE at The Rainbow in Birmingham this weekend
Interview by Rob Chadwick
A huge welcome to DMCWORLD ahead of the big event in Birmingham. So, kicking off…how was your summer?
Summer was nuts! I played a lot of parties and visited a load of amazing cities. Highlight had to be playing Space in Ibiza for Enter. A totally overwhelming experience and that sound system was the best I’ve ever played on!
Do you get much music writing done in summer, or is it more about partying?
Partying or playing? Ha, I like to party now and then but I tend to separate it a bit from when I DJ. My set up is pretty in-depth so I like to keep one eye on the party and one on the job at hand. I can’t stop making music, the only reason I stop is when I have gigs and in between each and every one I write music! Easy!
How are you enjoying being on tour alone – what’s are the pros and cons?
It’s different that’s for sure! To not have a sidekick with me to joke around with and share these experiences it takes some adjusting. There aren’t too many pros for touring alone, unless you like your own company. I tend to listen to podcasts all the time in airports, last week I was listening to astrophysicists talking about string theory and the life and death of stars in our solar system, it gets the mind in a pretty intense state!
Cons would have to be not having a mate to go round the world with, whether I am trying amazing local food or just walking around cities that were never on my radar I know that people travelling with me would love it as much as I do, which is a shame I guess.
Have you found your sound has changed much as a result?
Not at all. The WHYT NOYZ sound is the WHYT NOYZ sound, forever. It may lean left or right melody wise but it’s techno and it grooves, simple.
Give us an insiders view on hanging with Richie Hawtin – whats he like?
Richie is a polarizing figure as you can imagine. Whenever there is a bunch of people he gets bombarded for pictures etc. but on the flip side when we are travelling alone or eating somewhere he is pretty reserved and kind of just sits back and takes things in. It’s pretty calming being around him at these times as his life is usually so busy, you can see how he balances it.
How much feedback does he give you on your music, does he get involved and ask for edits etc.?
No, never for edits. It’s a case of I send him a bunch of tracks (all bombs 🙂 ) and he chooses his favourites. The rest go into a melting pot of tracks that will either end up phatting up the album or at least to play live in WHYT NOYZ sets.
You play The Rainbow in Birmingham soon – what’s your relationship with the place like, any great stories or fond memories?
The guy who owns the Rainbow has been a mate of mine for years. He has followed WHYT NOYZ’ career and is buzzing to see me get more and more established. It’s pretty local to where I live also so we are in talks of a possible residency or something along those lines, we will see. Fond memories would probably be Maceo Plex playing Rip Groove outside to a full capacity Arena. It is a track that is synonymous with the bass house scene from Birmingham and is a classic that everyone there has heard a million times.
What will you pack, what should people expect, what you into right now?
Production wise is more of the groovy melodic driving techno which I suppose is the WHYT NOYZ sound now. DJ wise I am really getting into live edits of tracks, I love finding a driving track and melting a melody from another into it. Obviously all that craziness with live drums over the top as always, ha!
What else have you got coming up/are you excited about?
Enter. ADE is going to be dope! It sold out ages ago so you know how wild that party is going to be! FACE 5th Birthday at The Rainbow with Jamie Jones and a bunch of others. I am really excited about my return to India at the start of November, 10 days, 7 cities. It’s going to be bananas!
You recently did a mix for Pete Tong – what’s it like having his support? Tell us about the mix…
Pete Tong is a person I have been listening to since I can remember. He introduced me to underground artists that have inspired me so much over the years. His show on BBC Radio 1 will go down in clubland’s folk law! To have him not only play my music but ask me for a mix for his All Gone Pete Tong show was a great nod from the big man. The mix is all WHYT NOYZ tracks, some classics and some new. The track list is on my SoundCloud so be sure to check it out and tell me what you think!
Peace & Techno!
You can catch WHY NOYZ this weekend for FACe final soiree – www.therainbowvenues.co.uk
