So originally from Linlithgow in Scotland, a very historic town which is the birthplace of James V and Mary Queen of Scots at the beautiful medieval Palace. How swiftly did you decide to do one and relocate to Leeds, a booming musical city which must have been a little different to your home town?
“When the time came to choose which University to go to, most of my school mates went to Edinburgh, but I fancied doing something a bit different. In hindsight, it was definitely a good move, I’m really enjoying living down here. The nightlife is a slightly better than rural Scotland too.”
A love for Italo House and Disco – who doesn’t – what’s your favourite ever Italo tunes?
“That’s definitely Mr Flaggio ‘Take A Chance’. Scotch ‘Disco Band’ is also so awful that it’s good. I never thought a sample of someone coughing could be used so creatively. And the video is just hilarious.”
A bit of a winding dance the music highway to where you are now – making House music and Trance, then into Techno then Drum n’ Bass. Six years later you discovered Electro and off we go! Who are your favourite artists from each musical style I’ve just mentioned?
For house music I love the old skool French sounds – Le Knight Club, Bangalter, DJ Falcon etc. I think Ferry Corsten did some brilliant stuff around 99/2000. I know it’s regarded as cheesy just now but I’m sure it’ll come back in some form one day and be cool again. Actually I’m not sure whether it was ever cool. I don’t have a specific favourite drum n’ bass artist, but I used to go to the Valve Soundsystem when it was on in Leeds, that was good fun. It made me really understand how powerful sub bass can be. Unfortunately the raves were just full of sweaty men so I moved on from that pretty sharpish.”
So great new single coming out ‘Sound Reaction’ coming out on Heartbeats Records on July 6th. Describe the tune…
“‘Sound Reaction’ is a big, fun, purely club oriented tune. In the electro scene there is a bit of a phenomenon right now with ‘bangers’, and it’s almost a tongue in cheek play on that, by being overtly ridiculous with the sample and pitching synths.”
Each one of your releases has some amazing 2-D artwork, designed by David Ross, the creative genius behind Mylo’s ‘Destroy Rock ‘n’ Roll’ designs. Tell the DMC world what exactly 2-D is…
“The 2D barcodes are officially known as QR codes. Basically the barcode has a web address embedded in it which can be accessed by taking a snap of it with your phone. It’s a superb idea, we were amazed when David showed us the artwork and explained the tech behind it. I love the idea of using technology as an artform. There is also a lot of scope for me to integrate this into my live show, which should be up and running by the end of the year.”
So can you still rinse it on the dancefloor?
“Definitely. I was ‘rinsing it out’ (so to speak) to the sounds of Hostage the other week.”
Best producer in your lifetime?
“That would have to be someone like Quincy Jones or Trevor Horn, the number of hits they were behind is incredible.”
Your debut single ‘Runaway’ got some proper big ups from the likes of Radio 1’s Annie Mac, Tongy, Rob Da Bank and Zane Lowe and you were the second most blogged artist on Hype Machine, just behind Radiohead – how did that feel?
“Brilliant. This whole thing started out as a bit of fun for me, I was just making music, putting it on myspace and seeing what would happen. Things have been gaining momentum on the blogs for a little while now and it’s amazing to see it crossover to the mainstream. I never thought it would be as popular as it is. If I had known I would have chosen a better artist name instead of a monosyllabic nickname!”
What other Electronic artists out there do you rate at the moment?
“There is a bit of a 90’s dance revival going on right now with people like Louis La Roche doing French disco house and The Requesters doing piano house – both are always great fun to drop in DJ sets. I think Simian Mobile Disco are great for pure electronic club music to lose yourself in.”
Best album ever made?
“I can’t name one single album. However my two favourites are Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumours’ and Daft Punk ‘Discovery’.”
What do you think about the Michael Jackson comeback?
“I reckon fair play to the guy, if people want to see him perform then why not? He certainly has a back catalogue that’s still worthy of performance.”
Heard finishing your Degree was a real pain in the arse – what was that in?
“I studied for a degree in Music Technology…to be honest finishing any degree is probably a pain in the arse. I got it done though and ended up with an upper second, not bad.”
Did you grow up in a household that was filled with music?
“My dad was a bit of a hi-fi buff and played a lot of music at home. I have memories of him playing Classic FM rock in the car, stuff like the Eagles, REO Speedwagon, etc. I think the epic sounds and melodies have had an influence on what I’m doing now.”
What is your ‘Guilty Pleasure’ tune?
“My current guilty pleasure is the classic 90s eurodance anthem, Real McCoy -‘Another Night’. If you watch the video on youtube you will witness that the rapper in the middle is the coolest guy you have ever seen.”
Remixes for the likes of big players such as Armand Van Helden, Late of The Pier and Kings of Leon and many more along the way, what’s been your best remix do you think?
“My favourite remix is the one I did of Friendly Fires’ ‘Skeleton Bo’, which ironically didn’t make the release.’Someone’ leaked it to the blogs though and people seemed to like it which was some consolation.”
Favourite ever club?
“I don’t really get much time to go to clubs right now unless I’m DJing. My first ‘big’ gig was at Razzmatazz in Barcelona and I had a wicked time, so it is quite special to me. Fortunately I’m going back to play there next month.”
How important is it to have fun with the music you make?
“It’s very important to convey a human aspect to dance and electronic music, which I think can otherwise be a bit inaccessible. I have the philosophy that when you’re enjoying having fun making your music and you truly believe in it, that feeling is transferred to the listener.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“I’m going to be really geeky here and give a production tip. I watched this FutureMusic studio interview with the house producer Stonebridge(!) who recommended putting a really clicky hihat on each kickdrum. This gives you an instant transient and makes your kicks more punchy. I bet you always wanted to know that.”
You have some great summer gigs coming up – what you most looking forward to?
“I’m playing a couple of festivals which are always great fun. I think Bestival is the most exciting for me as I’ve heard so many great things about it and I know quite a few others who are going. I’m also playing the Oya festival in Norway which should be interesting as it’s my first European festival.”
What did you really think when that plonker from the web-site ‘OneMoreDisco’ asked you in your interview – “If I gave you an elephant, where would you hide it?
“Well, I could think of one place to shove it.”
And finally, what’s next on the release front from Grum?
“Sound Reaction came out on iTunes on June 15th. After that we’ve got the single ‘Heartbeats’ which is one a lot of people have been asking me for, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Sound Reaction is out on July 6th
