Interview by Rob Chadwick
Now autumn is here, do you spend more time in the studio making music, now there are fewer distractions?
Definitely, summer is hard to get in the studio with all the Ibiza trips and festivals, get back from Ibiza and need to recover haha.
And when you make music where do you start on a track, just experimenting or loading old samples or do you hear tunes in your head first?
Sometimes I’ll start with a sample, like a vocal I like or I will start with a beat first, get a nice groove, best to start with a beat and enjoy the groove first I think.
What gear do you have – is that important? Do you use hardware or software?
What gear do you have – is that important? Do you use hardware or software?
I dont have much hardware, just a Minimoog and a Virus, really though I do use a lot of software, I do want to get more hardware but I think it’s more a fun think than a necessity.
How important was that My Love bootleg? Did you know it would blow up? Do you now have to play it every gig?
How important was that My Love bootleg? Did you know it would blow up? Do you now have to play it every gig?
I didn’t think it would blow up at all, I just made it because I like the original but it didn’t fit, I don’t play it anymore really, I have an edit of it I sometimes play. I always play my remix of Deep Inside though, don’t really tire of it.
And after that did you feel pressure in the studio to come up with another big one, to repeat the trick or do something totally different?
No because I was just enjoying myself, it was a great time for music, lots of exciting music around that time, I find now there is a lot of tired sounding stuff around right now.
This last week or so there has been a big fuss about the line between copying a track, taking influence from it, bootlegging etc – what are your thoughts – is there a line between plagiarism and inspiration? Where is that line?
This last week or so there has been a big fuss about the line between copying a track, taking influence from it, bootlegging etc – what are your thoughts – is there a line between plagiarism and inspiration? Where is that line?
I think inspiration is how music is made, I myself need to be inspired, I need to hear a sick track, it gives me that buzz to go in the studio.
Tell us about Simma Black – what are you looking for for that label? Are relationships important or is it just about the music?
Tell us about Simma Black – what are you looking for for that label? Are relationships important or is it just about the music?
We want to work with artists we like and 100% want to build relationships and throw some parties too to tie it all together. The label is going from strength to strength. We don’t over promote the label or the releases, that’s not our thing, we prefer to be consistent and be known for being a solid house label.
You play Soundclash soon. What should people expect – what will you plan or pack?
You play Soundclash soon. What should people expect – what will you plan or pack?
There will be some new music being tested, lots of my own edits, remixes and lots of energy.
How different do you play on a big festival stage vs in a smaller club? Do you switch it up?
How different do you play on a big festival stage vs in a smaller club? Do you switch it up?
They are much different, I would say at a festival I play lots of edits and remixes of bigger tracks, in a club I will be more underground, I always judge the crowd though or the venue and then make my choices. I’m looking forward to some good club shows this winter though for sure.
What else you got coming up are you working on?
What else you got coming up are you working on?
I’m just finishing my new single off, working on a new EP, and a new remix, busy busy in the studio but its all good, it’s a passion so working hard comes easy!
Low Steppa plays Soundclash Festival October 1st – http://www.soundclashfest.com/
