UK producer bringing us another scorching groove
Welcome to DMCWORLD Magazine Russ, you are currently on tour Down Under – what have been the highlights of Australia so far?
“It’s good to do a bit more exploring everytime I come here to be honest, nothing like getting some perspective of how ridiculously tiny the UK is in comparison to here.”
Your new single is out next week finally, ‘Back 2 You’ on Positiva, talk us through this cool new tune…
“It’s a bit of a progression from the last EP really, still trying to keep a lot of melody and aspects of drama in the track, whilst trying to find a real groove with it. I really wanted this track to feel more ‘UK’ than any of my previous releases.
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“In no real order…”
Jonas Rathsman – Since I Don’t Have You
Grum – Everytime
Russ Chimes – Turn Me Out
Bonar Bradberry – Lip Therapy (Maxxi Soundsystem Remix)
Lana Del Ray – National Anthem (Todd Terry Dub Mix)
Country Club – Croquet
Light Year – Moderation
Celsius – Must Be You
Russ Chimes – Back 2 You
Jaguar Trax – All I Dream
You studied graphic design at college, was that just a filler or was there ever a serious threat to a career in music?
“Yeah for sure! I worked full time as a designer/art director for 5 years at various agencies in London, before I made the full career switch. I guess it got to the point where the hobby was taking up more and more time, and you start thinking to yourself – “if I don’t make the jump now and give it a real go now, I might always regret it and wonder what might of happened”. I still do bits of design now and again, and take care of all the artwork, branding and online stuff for me and the label, but I definitely don’t miss having to please clients on a daily basis!”
Has your background in design played a big part in the visual aspect of your releases? How important is moving image accompanying your music to you?
“Yeah I think it has, I always seem to have some sort of image of sorts in mind when writing music, and I always think it helps to have some sort of strong identity, theme or brand behind a release. Ultimately it’s all about the music, but personally I respond better to any release or promo when the visual package is strong too.”
How did the transition from playing guitar in a band to making dancefloor smashes happen?
“I guess I turned 18 and started clubbing and fell in love with dance music! I think it was the mucking around on Cubase that I pirated and ran of my parents PC around then that got me hooked, then at uni I bought a copy of Logic Express and just messed around in my spare time. To be honest nothing remotely playable started happening until a good few years after that!”
You used to love a bit of punk rock then switched to hip hop then drum n’ bass. Who were the bands you were listening to as a 13 year old and who were your early dance music loves?
“Haha 13!? I was probably into some Skate Punk, Pennywise, No Use For A Name that kind of stuff, or well into the grunge Soundgarden and Pearl Jam around that time! I’ve always been fairly eclectic and listen to stuff from loads of genres around the same time. Early dance stuff was probably late ninties trance stuff mostly Bedrock stuff, Sasha etc. or equally bits of UK garage or Breaks. But I think it was buying LRD Darkdancer or discovering Homework or early Alex Gopher stuff that really got me into a scene of sorts. The first round of French touch really seemed to resonate.”
Favourite early club you used to frequent?
“I grew up about an hour west of London and remember travelling in on the train and going to Fabric nights, that club seemed so massive at the time haha.”
Was it a bit of shock when people started flying you out around the world to DJ when you had only just began spinning?
“Yeah totally, it was a bit bizarre. Before that I had only DJ’d in my bedroom or mucking about with mates. So it was a pretty steep learning curve playing out to rooms of people. Pretty terrifying too!”
Where has been the best club around the world you have headlined?
“I’d say the Social in Paris is the best that I’ve actually headlined, but the best club I’ve played in lower on the bill has to be Space. Was so chuffed to have been able to do that! Wins hands down.”
How do you start producing a track. What is your starting point?
“I usually start off buy getting some sort of riff going, a loop of a melody which i build other elements around. Usually its the main riff or chord patten of the track, although sometimes it can spawn something else completely and end up as a little intro or something. I just keep going until I have enough riffs to build a full track out of, then I try to get a groove going around it. I’ve found it’s a little different from how other dance producers work, concentrating on getting the beat and groove locked down first. I’ve tried to work this way, but it nearly always ends up taking me twice as long!”
What has been your summer anthem so far?
“I think Todd Terje – ‘Inspector Norse’ has just stuck around for me so far – not just playing it, but I seem to hear it everywhere! And that lead line WILL NOT leave your head!”
Where have been the big gigs in 2012 for you?
“I was lucky enough to play in Mexico earlier this year. It’s the first time I’ve been and loved it! Crowd were super up for it and really responsive too.”
We know you love your fast cars, what are you driving back in the UK?
“I’ve got a serious thing for classic cars, I’m driving something straight out of the 1980’s at the moment.”
What producers around the world are you giving high fives to at the moment?
“At the moment I’m in awe of Disclosure’s production as are many people I expect. I’m loving Dusky’s new stuff and also Grums forthcoming material is super fresh and classic all at the same time. For me though I think Foamo is still one of the most underrated and brilliant producers in the country, serious skills.”
Not many people know this, but Russ Chimes is really good at?
“Consuming pizza.”
How would you describe your style in 2012?
“I’d say it was melodic, housey-ish stuff aimed for clubs but with a slight pop sensitivity? Pfft I’m not sure to be honest, that all sounds massively wanky…it’s just nice tunes hopefully.”
Aside from dance music, what other artists are you digging at the moment?
“John Talabot’s album has been on repeat this year, it’s amazing although still dance really. On the other side of the spectrum I’ve really been digging Lucy Rose’s music recently. Soft heartfelt folk stuff. Absolutely beautiful.”
Do you get any production done whilst on tour?
“I try to, but inevitably it ends up being crap. I’m just a bit at sea without having all my familiar stuff around me to be honest, I can never settle down and get into it. I really do need to get better at plane and hotel room producing though, as there’s so much time that could be used!”
Craziest ever request from a clubber whilst DJing?
“I got chucked a $50 note here in Brisbane and was asked to sign it…that’s fucking ludicrous. Getting asked to say stupid stuff on a microphone is always pretty retarded too. Other than that it’s the standard requests for Dubstep or Knife Party…”
What is your favourite release you have brought us?
“Definitely this one coming up ‘Back 2 You’, although I’m super proud of an EP my label put out earlier this year from newcomer Celsius. It’s called ‘Super FM EP’ and I love it.”
What is coming next studio wise?
“A follow up single to Back 2 You is the next thing to work on, then I’d love to start drafting some sort of artist album together. It’s always been a huge ambition of mine.”
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