SNAT preview with Paul Maddox
Reported by Jazzy
/
Submitted 18-03-07 23:51
Now here’s a man that definitely doesn’t need an introduction. He’s somebody that’s been ripping apart dancefloors far and wide with a tirade of throbbing baselines and exciting riffs. A man, they say, that’s one of the undisputed kings of hard dance production, with an inimitable style that embraces innovation and dancefloor mentality in equal measures. I decided to catch up with Paul Maddox ahead of his live PA performance at Twist’s forthcoming Saturday Night At Twist at the newly redone Area on March 31st...
Firstly, thank you very much for taking the time out for this, I understand how busy you must be. I can’t tell you how much we are looking forward to having you down at Twist for SNAT...
Yours will be the first ever Live PA at Twist; can you tell me a little more about what exactly we are in store for?
Well, it’s essentially a selection of my own tracks and remixes chopped together on the fly, with me adding extra loops, vocals, and other parts over the top.
You have played a host of different promotions in the past, including Tidy, Polysexual, Frantic, Storm and many more, but so far never at Twist, and as far as I’m aware never at Area. What are you most looking forward to?
I’ve heard many a tale about Twist’s after-hours exploits, so I’m keen to find out what you can conjure up with a Saturday night to play with!
Over the last couple of years you have endured some amazing successes, is there anything in particular you can pin point them to?
I’ve never had any kind of plan to do well. I always just make the music I want to hear and play tracks I’m into, which makes it all the more satisfying if other people feel the same way.
You have been churning out productions since you started. How many releases have you had to date and what have been the biggest tracks for you?
I’ve not actually had that huge a number of releases under my own name, but if you include all the engineering and collaborations then I suppose there’s a fair bit! The biggest success would be the Sunset bootleg I did under the Azure pseudonym, getting Radio 1 airplay was a real landmark. In the hard house arena, ‘Tension’ and more recently ‘Have Faith’ have been big releases.
Is there a production you are most proud of, and if so why?
That’s a bit like asking a parent if they have a favourite child! I love them all, but for different reasons.
Who have you most enjoyed working with in that respect and are there any artists, producers or vocalists living or dead that you would really like to collaborate with?
I always find I enjoy working with people more when I’ve done a few tracks with them and build up a bit of an understanding, so Paul Glazby, Ben Stevens, GRH and Filthy Rich (on the Spektre project).
Producer-wise I’d love to work with BT — he consistently pushes the boundaries of what can be done in electronic music.
Vocalists? Liz Fraser from the Cocteau Twins, Brett Anderson of Suede and Dave Gahan would all be amazing to work with, I can dream I suppose!!
On a production front, which of the current new breed have been capturing your attention the most in recent months? Do you feel that there is still a healthy resurgence of new talent pushing through?
Yeah, there’s loads of cool new music coming though. Digital Kid, Dave Owens (and Munkjack) and a few others are all doing cool, original stuff.
You’re a regular feature at the Weekenders, and have made several appearances at tidy London; what are the key differences for a DJ between Weekenders and standard club nights?
The Weekenders do have a special vibe about them. I usually stick around for at least 24 hours as well so I get to soak up the atmosphere a bit more than usual club nights!
How much of your own sets comprise of CD material these days and do you see the future of DJing lying within the confines of 4” plastic disc rather than a 12” vinyl one? Do you feel you get equal sound quality from either?
100%. I’ve not played any vinyl out for a couple of years now. I think most of the difference between the two as far as sound quality is concerned is due to the mastering process records go through as opposed to the media itself. I’ve never had even the geekiest of clubber come up to me and tell me that the CDs I’m playing don’t sound as warm as the vinyl of the guy before — so that’s good enough for me!
It’s been quoted that you are established as one of the most talented and innovative producers in hard dance. Was there any particular moment when you realised you had a certain amount of dance music fame and how did that make you feel?
It’s very flattering to hear stuff like that. It probably became apparent at one of the early Weekenders when I was trying to chat o my mates and people kept coming to speak to me — strange, but nice too.
Is there anything in particular that got you started in doing live PAs? Do you enjoy them more than other sets?
I just wanted to do something to incorporate a bit more studio technology into my sets. I wouldn’t say I enjoy them more than DJing, but seeing people go off to a set solely comprised of my own stuff is definitely satisfying.
Can you let us in on what you have been cooking up in your studio lately?
Been working a lot on Spektre tracks (tech-house project with filthy rich: www.spektre.co.uk) and a new dance/indie crossover act which are both going really well. Hard house wise, I’ve nearly finished a new single for Vicious Circle, as well as a couple of collaborations with Ben Stevens and a rather cool bootleg which may well get a debut at twist!
And lastly, If you could have any superpower for the day what would you chose and why?
I’d love to have a really good singing voice, so I could get some of my ideas down without having to rely on the talents of others!!
Thanks again very much for you time, roll on the 31st!
Photos courtesy of Ben Thomas and brentrostwood. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Saturday Night At Twist
|
|
On:
|
Saturday 31st March 2007
|
|
At:
|
Area [map]
|
|
From:
|
9pm-5am
|
|
Cost:
|
Tickets from Twist Crew and Ticket sellers: £10 Early Bird Tickets (limited numbers)/£14 there after
Tickets from Ticket web: £14 +b/f
£15 guestlist/MOTD
|
|
More:
|
Saturday Night At Twist
Get ready as Twist prepares to take you to the newest club in London!
If your fed up of the same venue being used over and over again for Saturday Night Hard House Parties get you arse down to Twist annd check out AREA!
State of the art sound system and decor this club really will blow your mind!
|
|
|
Share this ::  :  :  : 
Follow HarderFaster :: 
Other Features By Jazzy:
Listen up! It's Batten and Brow
Warning! This Is Brow
Brow gives us a Warning ahead of his new residency
Grady G gets ready to explode at Blast!
Tim Shaw does SNAT
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
|
|
![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1.gif)
Good interview, not long too go now!
Wicked interview. Keep up the good work & all the best for the future. Glad it went well at SNAT. See you soon x