Welcome to DMC Update Austin aka A:xus, you are known as a recording artist that have appeared on some of Chicago’s finest labels… but you live in Toronto and have been influenced by obviously house and techno, but also anything dance… electro, soul, acid jazz and hip hop. You must have listened to a lot of different artists growing up therefore… who stand out?
It is not so much artists but more tunes and sounds that stand out for me . When I heard “planet rock” as a youth I had never heard anything like it before. I really felt the future. I have been going to record stores from my early teens, sometimes buying but also just listening and over the years there are many tunes that captivate me still. I am into “black music” , for me that means disco, soul, reggae, techno, and jazz. Some tunes that i will always feel are “dancing in outerspace”( atmosphere) “numbers – kraftwerk”, e2e4 (Manuel Gottsching) …but also the clash, loose ends… there are too many really to list.
It seems like you tread very carefully in your production work when you were beginning, making sure every release was perfect. Your tracks for Guidance and 83 West, your first A-xus production which was the Samba House groove Baghdad Cafe ‘(Callin’ U)’ and in early 2000 and then Guidance with your first album ‘Soundtrack For Life’ – this album has been acclaimed a timeless classic. What are you most proudest of? What was the inspiration behind ‘Soundtrack For Life’?
The Relics EP (prescription/balance) was the first set of tunes that I was able to really grasp the gear and “get out” what I wanted to say musically… Credit is due to Ron + Chez , as I never had any intention of doing anything with it. My setup in my bedroom at the time was minimal, mono cables , a broken DJ mixer, synth, drum machine and a 2 trak sequencer… Lots of noise… mixed to a cassette. I felt accomplished when it was done. With “soundtrack for life” I had a bunch of ideas, some new a lot of them old sequences, 16 bars of this , a wicked bassline and pads, just sketches really. I had a gig DJ’ing at a bar/lounge, the owner said he wanted to do a night call “soundtrack for life”, when he said that, the concept for the record fell into place… we never did the night but the title gave me the motivation to produce those sketches into a record that I am really proud of.
Tell us about life in Toronto…? How did you end up there and what’s life like now for you?
I was born in london, and my family and I moved to Canada and now I live in a suburb called Brampton , just outside Toronto. The wife and I have two boys, so I m a family man these days.
Best Album ever made?
Anything Stevie Wonder 1973-1979
Best DJ on the planet?
I dont know, but he/she doesn’t use a laptop.
You claim to be a DJ/Soulsonic provider – when you were at school and dreaming of what to do with your life, did you ever think you’d ever become a Soulsonic Provider?
Not at all!
What is with the pseudonyms? You record under the tags of Abacus, A-xus and Charlie Brown… a big Snoopy fan?
I liked the music in the Charlie Brown cartoon, but hated the cartoon…. And everybody should have an alias.
Who out there would you really like to remix/perform on stage with?
Duffy.
You have collaborated with some incredible talent…Esthero, Lisa Shaw, Ivana Santilli, Badmarsh + Sri on labels including Sony, EMI, Balance/Prescription and NRK. Who was the best person you hooked up in the studio with?
Esthero for the voice, Naomi N’sombi for her vibrations.
What are your big 10 tunes on your i-pod today?
I dont own an ipod!!!? ?Your new single ‘Suite Disappointment’ coming out on Rebirth, this Italian label was one of last year’s major success stories bringing our trainers and high heels classic after classic to wear away. Graph Nobel’s vocals just beautiful and Heller’s, Motorcitysoul and James Teej all come in just to make this a rather beautiful, atmospheric, melodic and shimmering soundtrack. Happy with the track and remixes? Talk us through it…?Thanks for the kudos… I love all the mixes, it is a great A&R job by Shield. The original came together quite quickly, once the strings were sorted , and the tone was set, graph nobel nailed the vocal right away – I felt it resonate. Pete heller’s mix is brilliant, great energy and a lighter brighter dancefloor vibe. Motor City Soul bring the goods ….their mix is like Godiva Chocolate…. rich , succulent and dark. James Teej I am not familiar with but I like how he moved the vocal start time… and the reverse shit is cool.
Best vocal artist in the world?
No answer for that mate… The world is a big place.
Dinner date… Kylie or Danni?
If the Mrs. Is cool it would be Kylie, but I would sooner invite Sade round for dinner!
Quotes from some of the big players out there about your new tune…
Paul Jackson – “Fantastic mate, love Pete’s mixes, in fact there’s not a weak mix there.”
Jon Marsh – “A fantastic track, so original.
Russell Small from The Freemasons – “The Original Mix or Stripped Soul for me, but all good.”
“Really love this, can see this becoming an underground classic.” From Robert Owens, “The rebirth, nice smooth warm feeling, all mixes are cool.”
– Well young man, lotta love out there, lotta love…
…Thanks
Next from you musically?
Well I have 16 brs of this, mostly sketches, some new, a lot of them old sequences, 16 bars of that, a wicked bassline and pads… just waiting for a title to bring it all together…
A:XUS “SUITE DISAPPOINTMENT” IS OUT NOW ON REBIRTH RECORDS WITH MIXES FROM PETE HELLER, MOTORCITYSOUL AND JAMES TEEJ.