Andy Moor Interview

Even though I’ve been a fan of EDM since the mid 1990’s, thanks to the work of people like BT,Ferry Corsten,Paul Van Dyk, Rowan Blades and Sasha. It’s almost hard for me to remember a time in Electronic Music history, before that trademark Andy Moor sound influenced so much of what we now consider to be the modern sound of progressive dance music.

Tell us a bit more about Andy Moor, before every big name DJ in the world knew your name?

When I was young I was encouraged to play musical instruments, and started playing the piano, the recorder was compulsory at school, and then the Bassoon, so I developed an understanding of music theory from a young age. But my real passion was this electronic music that I was hearing, like Jean Michelle Jarre etc. I was desperate to know how to make those synth sounds and as I grew older was frustrated by an M1 keyboard at school that nobody knew how to use, so I started to sequence that from an atari. By this time I was into early Sasha sets and other EDM music I was managing to get tapes of, so I started djing using my friends equipment. I then went to sit in a local studio in any spare time I had and help out and learn how it was done. It all went from there...

While you’re sound has been a major influence on producers both old and new, I would imagine that you have been influenced by a couple of artists yourself, who would you consider to be some of your greatest influences musically?

As mentioned before, Jean Michelle Jarre was an influence, and other artists such as Vangelis. EDM artists such as Sasha& Digweed, Oakenfold etc all helped forge my musical tastes.

After releasing some of EDM’s most memorable tracks and remixes, you’re about to release your long awaited debut artist album “Zero Point One” on July 6th much to the joy of fans the world over, and having had the privilege to hear a promo copy myself, I cannot wait for it to be unleashed on a very expectant industry. Tell us a bit more about the album, what’s behind the name? Who you’ve worked with and why? And any other interesting facts about it?

I have worked with a variety of vocalists for this album. They were chosen due to the qualities they can bring. I saw it as a challenge to create an album with so many vocals from different vocalists yet still make it cohesive and flow. This was a challenge that I really enjoyed, as it was important for me to make it flow yet still take you on a journey through different styles and "areas" of the album.
The name was chosen for a variety of reasons, I have always been into maths, and music is at its basic form made from binary code, and I love the numbers zero and one, everything is made from them. It just sounded good to me I suppose.

For almost as long as there’s been a scene, the UK has been right on top of it… with DJ’s from the UK, like Carl Cox, Sasha, Digweed and Oakenfold ruling polls like the DJMAG top 100 for a very long time. And while most of the top spots these days are filled by the rest of Europe, DJ’s like yourself, Above & Beyond, Gareth Emery and Ashley Wallbridge are making sure that the UK sound is standing strong, including an amazing label of your own “AVA” are there any up and coming DJ’s or artists you think might be the new big thing?

I think that it is going to be hard to be the next big thing in this genre, due to the way that other genre's now seem to dominate things. You need to do more than make + play good trance music to be the next big thing in my opinion, its a shame, but its reality. I like artists such as Rafael Frost, Tom Fall etc who are making some fantastic club tracks that work so well in a club environment yet still keep the foot in the trance genre.

You’ve collaborated with some amazing producers and singers in the past, anybody you’d love to work with in future?

There are quite a few amazing vocalists & musicians out there that I would love to work with. I also like a challenge, so to work with someone who has no idea what EDM is would be interesting for me, and see what we would come up with.

Your remixes are some of the most sought after in the world, what is your approach as far as remixing is concerned?

The main thing I do is analyze the original track, find which parts I want to use as they are, and then find other interesting ways to be creative with it, such as how to manipulate various parts in other ways. Also if there is a theme to the track, then find a creative way in which to be creative with the theme yet keeping it recognisable.

There is no doubt that you have one of the most unique sounds within EDM, are you a hardware or software man, and what specifically stands out for you from a technical point of view? Or is that something you’d have to kill us for?

I like a combination of hardware and software, but with products such as the UAD cards, Virus synths etc you can get the power of digital hardware and analogue emulations directly through software, making the workflow much better. I still miss using my analogue gear, and it is harder to get a sound that is similar to what I could get from using analogue gear, but I'm mostly in software now, its more practical for me personally and helps the creative workflow.

What is there to know about Andy Moor that we don’t know already? Any hidden talents or hobbies?

I try not to live my personal life in public, so there is probably lots, but I am into quite a lot of things. I study a lot of subjects (one of the perks of spending hours on planes is having time to read), I play a lot of sports, I love cars and I have an interest in nearly everything, other than reality tv.

What’s playing on your IPOD/Mp3 Player or Car Radio at the moment?

I'm strange like that, I like to have a bit of peace in the car, taking in the sounds around me. Other than that I listen to the radio, its nice not knowing what tune is about to come on. As for other times, I choose to listen to a vast range of music, from chillout to experimental rock, I even enjoy some of the pop music thats around at the moment, but thats probably because of the production quality, not necessarily the songs themselves.

What can we expect from Andy Moor and AVA in the near and distant future?

I'm constantly touring but like to get back straight as soon as possible to continue studio work. I'm already thinking about my second album and have a few remixes in the pipeline. I'm currently finishing off club mixes of Zero Point One and will be looking at remixers for that too. AVA Recordings has some great music signed, and I'm looking at developing some of the artists on the label to continually keep up front with our sound and sustain the standards that I hope we have set. As long as we keep the quality the future should take care of itself.

For more about Andy Moor,AVA recordings, and Andy's brilliant artist album entitled "ZERO POINT ONE" checkout www.andymoor.com as well as

http://pulserusher.blogspot.com/2012/07/andy-moors-long-awaited-debut-album.html

and

http://pulserusher.blogspot.com/2012/07/andy-moor-feat-jessica-sweetman-in-your.html

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Fire Through The Window Interview

Q:Band names are quite obviously an essential part of any band, and without a doubt, possibly a band's biggest marketing tool (apart from their music off course). Tell us a bit about The Band name and where it comes from?
A:
Sinead read the phrase in play while she was studying drama a while back. She loved it and it kinda stuck. I was re-naming my old band at the time and suggested it to my bandmates but they said no, so Sinead was like 'Fine! If I ever start a band that's what I'm gonna call it!' - and she did :)

Q:
Durban has been a major hot spot for some of the greatest bands to ever come out of South Africa, easily equaling Johannesburg and Cape Town's effort. What is it about Durban and KZN in general that produces such amazing talent?

A:
Ummm I dunno, I guess it's all the Durban Poison? It's weird though, Durban is pretty isolated from the rest of the country in terms of 'the scene' and sometimes that plays in our favour, producing some bands that are fresh and exciting, making music no one else is doing in the country. Sometimes it doesn't work though and bands can be irrelevant to what's going on nationally. I guess it's just hit and miss.

Q:
Even though most of the industry will tell you that music sales are way down, there is no doubt that South Africa, now more than ever is supporting the local alternative scene on a major scale, thanx to channels like MK who have created a stage for just about everyone with a band, which is obviously great for up and coming talent... But, do you think this has flooded the industry and created unnecessary competition for true talents like yourselves, or do you think this has made everyone step up their game just a little?

A:
Oh definitely the latter, bands and the industry in general have stepped up their game by leaps and bounds in the last 5 years or so. And that is no doubt largely due to MK. The only problem is like you said, over saturation. Seems like ANYONE with a guitar, a garage and a handy-cam is making a music video nowadays. That's great and all, but MK needs to be a little more picky in terms of what videos they playlist. There needs to be a standard. I'm sure in time to come when quality content abounds it'll sort itself out though.
Q:
You guys are about to release the first part, of a brand new 2 part EP, called "Live Long" to be followed towards the end of the year by "prosper"... What's the idea behind the titles? Do we have a couple of star trek fans in the band or am I getting it all wrong?

A:
Nope. You are 100% correct. Star Trek for the win! Although we sure do love Star Wars too. Ha ha. We were looking for a title that works together or on it's own. When I thought of that I just couldn't resist.

Q:
What can we expect from the EP's musically? Good old constant FTTW brilliance, or some surprises?

A:
Well, it's a little more serious at times and a little more edgy/alternative but that being said, it's still us. We still sang with smiles on our faces :) We also recorded with a new producer, Jacques 'Jambo' du Plessis, who is crazy talented. The production a whole lot better too. Guess you'll just have to wait and see, oh no you don't cos it's all up to listen to on our soundcloud! www.soundcloud.com/firethroughthewindow

Q:
I always find it incredibly fascinating, how people in a band find one goal creatively between so many people... Are there ever times that you guys struggle to find one common goal, or do you all basically have the same musical influences and ideas?
A:
I think we all like similar music, but the main thing is we all like a LOT of different kinds of music. From country to hardcore to pop to electronica and everything in between we dig it all. So maybe some of us like hardcore more than others, some of us will then like country more than others. Whatever, it all gels together in the end and I think it's important to draw your influences from more than just the genre you play. If not it can end up a little copycat at times. You know, cast a wide net and see what you catch.

Q:
Any hidden talents or hobbies among the members of the band?
A:
Well, Sinead is in marketing and is currently part of the team launching the Mr Price online store, Wok is a graphic designer in CT, keags is in architecture and I run a design company called Milkbox that mainly does web design. I love that we all do other stuff besides the band, I know for me anyway I need loads of stuff going on all the time or I'd lose my mind. Maybe I'll chill out when I'm older but now is the time to get shit done!

Q:
You're quite well known for playing a good number of festival's around the country, what have your best and worse experiences been on stage?
A:
Ah, that's a tough one, worst experiences include mics smashing into faces, bloody noses, throwing up on stage, passing out from heat on stage, crazy stalker fans attacking, amps exploding, guitars breaking, voices cracking and disappearing. Best experiences? Same ones.

Top 10 tracks among the members of the band at the moment?

A:
1.Bug - Wavves
2.Microphone - Coconut Records
3.Traveling Song - The Avett Brothers
4.You See Me - Childish Gambino
5.It Don't Matter - Anchors Up
6.Goodbye - Best Coast
7.Jen Is Bringin' The Drugs - Margot and the Nuclear So and So's
8.Palomino - Mates of State
9.Volunteers - Megafaun
10.Middle brother - Middle Brother



Q:
What can we expect from FTTW in the near and distant future?
A:
Well we're doing some more launch shows for LIVE LONG around the country, we have two more music videos coming along that will be released in the near future, Sinead and I are getting married in June and off to the states (disney!) for our honeymoon, and then it's back into studio in August to record PROSPER. Then it's more touring, more videos, more launches etc etc etc. AMPED!!

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Yesterday's Pupil Interview

We chat to Peach from yesterday's pupil, about his amazing new album, what he's been up to and a love for photography.

Q:

Ok, let’s start with the basics… you’re involved with various bands and acts and known by many names… including P.H, Pierre-Henri and more affectionately as Peach, tell us a bit about “Yesterday’s Pupil” though, where the name comes from and how you started making the music you do.

A:

I started making my own music in 2004 when music production was one of my subjects when I studied music. In 2007 I started playing live as YP and things started happening from there. "Today is yesterday's pupil" is a famous quote by Thomas Fuller. I really like it, I see it like this though: You know they saying "we may be through with the past but the past aint through with us" in that sense it is almost like Yesterday's PUPIL is always watching us. Everything we do and have done will have some kind of effect on our lives in the future....deep yo!

Q:

Apart from being a powerhouse in your own right, many people might not know that you come from quite a famous family , including some of SA’s favorite actors… did this have any influence on your path into the industry? And have you ever considered going into acting yourself?

A:

I studied acting at high-school and my plan was always to act, I still love it! But my love for music took over at some point or stage and that is what I am happy doing. My parents being actors hasn't affected my music career at all, if anything it helped because I grew up around stages and sets with cameras etc...

Q:

 The first time I ever came to know about “Peach Van Pletzen”, was a few years back, watching probably the best piece of theatre I’ve ever seen, at the KKNK… a show called “2-21”, featuring yourself and Francois van Coke in animal suites, since then you’ve produced some amazing music with Francois, both as Oorlog Frankenstein and behind the scenes “Van Coke Kartel’s” genre defying “Skop,Skiet en Donner” Album… how did the meeting with Francois come about ?

A:

I have met Francois once or twice before and we knew one another from the industry. But then when we were put together by a company called "The President" to create music for this play we really started to get to know one another, we had lots of fun writing the music in the day and doing a bit of partying in the night. I wrote this electro piece of music and told him to sing on it and it just worked. He also loved our chemistry and he asked me to produce their next full length album Skop, Skiet en Donner. Then I really got to know those crazy bastards!

Q:

Since your first album “Errors Of Enthusiasm” came out, you’ve slowly but surely become a major player in South Africa’s cross over market, and built up quite a fan base, yet to spite this increase in followers, you’ve recently made a revolutionary move, by making your brand new album available as a totally free download… tell us a bit more about the album, in terms of style, marketing plan and how the decision was made to “give it away”.

A:

Music is free in one way or another. I decided I would prefer the fans to get the music directly from the source in a decent quality and format as opposed to some crappy youtube rip or something. IT also connects you more with the fans. The position I was in I basically had to choose between some money or more fans and I chose the fans. This album is much much better in terms of song writing and production, I feel as though I have- or I am closer to finding my sound.

The album will be released in five sequential parts with a two to three month interval in between. Each part will consist of two brand new original tracks accompanied by an artwork for each track as well as the lyrics and artist notes.

Q:

Styles and trends, in music are constantly changing, what is small today might end up being huge 10 years from now. As is the case with electronic music, which is bigger now, than it’s ever been… do you feel this had a big impact on you as an artist, and do where do you see music in South Africa and globally going in the future?

A:

It probably had some impact, I don't really follow any scene or trend to be honest. I learn from it and I will borrow whatever I want from it but I will never become it or let it become me. As technology grows music will try to keep up with it, who knows where it is going next... new and interesting sounds are being made and created every day by new plug-ins and apps and software/hardware etc... but all of it doesn't mean anything if there isn't a song at the core. Songs are timeless, the latest sounds... not so much.

Q:

. Another band you play a major role in, which seems to be doing extremely well at the moment, is the incredible “Bittereinder”, tell us a bit more about your role in the band, as well as the idea behind the name etc.

A:

Jaco came up with the name and he will have a better explanation. I am involved mainly in the production side of things, Louis and I write most of the music, although Jaco has also been known to bring some sweet musical elements to the table. I produce and mix the stuff and do a bit of vocals.

Q:

You’ve been collaborating with various artists for quite some time now, is there someone you would love to work with in future?

A:

Mmmm.

Q:

Besides the plethora of talents you’re known for, is there anything we don’t know about? Maybe a secret hidden passion or hobby?

A:

Haha, I really love taking photo's... that is my one solid hobby, I take pictures everywhere I go and keep them well organized. There are a few winning moments in the archives. I truly love it!

Q:

What’s playing on your IPOD/MP3 Player or Car radio right now?

A:

New rough work for Bittereinder that Louis and Jaco have been working on. New Trentemoller, New M83, New Elbow, New Sufjan Stevens and Queen!

Q:

 What can we expect from you in the near and distant future?

A:

Much more music :)

Watch the official music video for Too Tired To Disco here:

http://bit.ly/tzwwf9

Download SINGULARITY for FREE on the new YESTERDAY’S PUPIL website here:

http://www.yesterdayspupil.com/

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