The music scene can be a tough mistress and given the destructive impact digitisation and its demons have had on the careers of even the top DJs and producers, it’s hardly surprising that many hang up their headphones to replace them with a pipe and slippers, never to get back behind the decks. It therefore makes it even more special when, after having a break, the occasional maestro actually returns refreshed and ready for action.
Hey Alex, long time! When we last spoke in 2010 you were launching your Into the Cosmos EP with Earthling, which smashed it on dancefloors all over the planet. Over the last couple of years you’ve been pretty quiet, what have you been up to and why did you have a break from the psy scene?
Aloha! Yes indeed it has been a while. Well, since 2010 I have made some other releases, including the Reptilian Genetics in Feb 2012, ‘The Greatful Dread’ and ‘Fatty Bom Bom’ singles with Tron, and since then I have been working on music, but also taking time out from music production and partying for “personal development” and working to pay the bills. Now I’m almost ready to release my next EP, and then the full album soon afterwards.
You've been DJing since 1995 and producing since 2000; how has your musical taste and style progressed over the years? What music gets you in the mood to party these days? And what do you like listening to when you’re chilling out?
Due to my never-ending passion for all music, it’s hard to answer this question. There will always be a place in my heart for the roots of Goa trance, but over the years my tastes have evolved to be influenced by more and more forms of ancient and modern music. I really enjoy the “after hours” techno sounds of the recent years, Trentemøller, Extrawelt, Minilogue, Booka Shade etc. The production is fantastic and you can listen to it anywhere, anytime.
With regards to the psy scene these days, I must admit I’m a little out of the loop, but I continue to be amazed by the likes of Dickster, Tristan, Master Blasters, Laughing Buddha, Hypnocoustics, Tron and Earthling, to name but a few. And to chill out, I really enjoy anything from Sangita Sounds, Greg Hunter, Kaiya Project, Dubmission, 3rd Ear, Eat Static, Dub Trees, Jonny Clarke and Lee Perry, again, to name just a few.
So in conclusion, I continue to broaden my tastes and influences all the time, however, I have spent most of this year just working on my own music, and trying my best to achieve that elusive “higher” production level, while still maintaining that old school, boundaryless dancefloor sound.
The London psy scene has taken some weird and wonderful turns over the last 20 years with epic peaks and troughs. You’ve been involved with the scene pretty much since it’s inception and have been around for a good part of this. What have been the peaks for you? And where do you reckon it’s at now?
Great question. The main peaks for me were back in the mid- to late-’90s when London was a hive of magical party activity. Nowadays, I feel that the scene lacks what really brought it all to life back then; the music itself, the people reacting to the music and the intentions of the party organisers. I think back in the ’90s when we had more freedom to get away with having consequence-free party environments, where the bouncers weren’t in your face and the sound systems towered menacingly over a large crowd of highly enthusiastic revellers. Nowadays we’re lucky to find an environment in London where we can have all the variables that make for a great party, so finding a suitable venue in London is a bit like searching for the Holy Grail.
Essentially the people make the party, however big or small it is. A killer sound system, good music, location and décor are also crucial, but the main thing is to make people feel comfortable and relaxed enough so they can let go of all their day to day stuff, turn on and tune in. The outdoors has always been a great venue, but amazing things can happen indoors if the vibe is right. For example, the recent Elixir of Life party I went to was excellent, despite having to change the venue at the last minute.
20 years is longer than most marriages these days, now that the honeymoon phase is well and truly over where do you see things going?
Indeed 20 years is an age. I see things evolving and as they have, the machines we use have got better, as we have evolved as a species. And therefore the music reflects these aspects. However, I think there is a whole universe yet to be explored in terms of frequential architecture, sonic manipulation, texture, form, production and the increased awareness of the subliminal effects of the music on the mind, body and soul. Essentially, electronic music will keep evolving and there will always be new fusion genres popping up, but the 4 to floor style at about 144 bpm has been around for a long time and I don’t see it ever going away. It’s just the way we decorate the cake, so to speak, that makes it original.
What’s been the most memorable festival or party that you’ve played at over the years? I know what goes on tour is supposed to stay on tour, but what’s the craziest story you can tell from 20 years on the scene?
The best party I ever went to was the first Samothraki Solar Lunar party, back in 2001 I think. Amazing location, happy people and great music the whole way through.
As far as crazy stories go, well, there are a few, but the most extreme experience I had at party was at an Ahimsa/TIP party in Studio 101 in Acton back 1998. I had a mouthful of the punch that was being passed around, soon followed by a mouthful of another punch, by accident, which I thought was just Lucozade. Oops. Ten minutes later I could no longer see people, just the colours of their chakras dancing around, blending with the shapes and colours of the music moving in between. I felt like a pair of eyeballs floating around in some kind of psychedelic aquarium. What followed from there isn’t translatable into words...
Did you really watch the end of the latest Game of Thrones three times or was that just a cover up for all the time you’re REALLY geeking out in the studio?
Yes I’m afraid to say I did. I love a bit of freaky gore once in a while.. But don’t worry, geeking out in the studio is a daily necessity for me. Otherwise I’d probably just end up in a loony bin.
If a movie was made of your life, who would you have play the starring role?
Bill Nighy, and if he can’t do it then Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr Bean.
I loved your collaboration ‘Boomslang’ with Hypnocoustics which featured on their album Into the Light, as well as ‘Quixotics’ with Temporal Coding, and of course the Earthling EP. Are you going to work with any of these artists again… please?!
Thank you kindly. Yes of course, Celli, Ben and Joe are great friends and more collaborations will come, have no doubt, but for the time being I’m just focusing on getting my solo EP and album out.
You’re also one of the headliners in the main room at this Saturday’s Life event, which sees Ross and Shane from Elixir of Life collaborate with the SecretSoma crew to produce a party of epic proportions. Have you started putting your set together or do you prefer to wing it on the day? Why should people reading this come down to hear you play?
I have over two hours of music to choose from, so I always leave things open so that I can be spontaneous to the mood of the crowd. I started as a dj, so I like to have the freedom to choose where things can go next. I never just play premixed sets. I have a lot of new tracks that I need to unleash onto the dancefloor, so I’ll be focusing on those, while dropping in a few of the older belters just for fun.
So, people, if you like banging psychedelic music that twists you up and freaks you out, while effortlessly melting your face off, then come on down and get some… Ooh Rah!
For news and info about Chameleon check out his FaceBook page.
From: Taraon 12th Jun 2014 19:04.02 Big thx to Alex for an awesome interview! It's great to have him back on the scene!
I'm so exceedingly excited to be playing on the same line-up as Alex and so many top artists at Life this Saturday night!
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