BEU: Hey there fracture thanks for taking the time to do this. After reading some of your previous interviews you seem to be into record digging and a year or so ago you posted a mix on subvert central called “Rotten Fruit and Cow Foot on Ridly Road” this mix was filled with classic records but unlike many “influences” mixes it was filled with classic rock and phycidelic records, not funky breaks and soul records. when your create digging are you focusing more on this side of the sound spectrum? have you found this to be a untapped sample source that has been over looked?
F: Yeah i’m well into digging and records in general. I love everything about them, the sleeves, the smell, the info on the sleeves, the amount of room they take up… seriously everything. Basically that mix came about from my earliest memories of digging, my Dad’s record collection. He doesn’t have a huge collection, but it’s pretty comprehensive. Big enough for a kid to get lost in. He dosen’t really have much of the ‘classic’ digging material like funk and jazz and what not. He’s a blues man and his collection was more stuff like Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Steve Miller and Hawaiian Steel guitar records.
BEU: Is there anything you look for when you go digging?
F: I tend to look for unusual stuff really. I always check anything eastern European at the moment. Polish and Hungarian stuff can be dope. Also Turkish psych stuff is nuts, but hard to find where i am. I guess you unconsciously develop a sense for stuff, you check for certain labels, artists, years, that kinda thing. It depends on what mood i’m in. Recently i’ve been writing a lot of Dubstep so i’ve been checking lots of late 70s early 80s for drums and percussion. That’s an area i never really checked when i was primarily making D&B, at least not for drums
BEU: Is art a factor for you?
F: Yeah i often pick up records because of the art, but as you say it no way guarantees a good find!
BEU: do you carry a portable record player with you when your diggin? If so what do you bring It when you go Digging?
F: I don’t have a portable record player at the moment. I’ve got a lovely 70s wood paneled Music Maker portable but it doesnt have a headphone out and it’s pretty delicate so it’s really just for decoration in my room… or days in the park.
BEU: Do you research what you are looking for? or use resources like rare record guides or blogs such as Soulsides or Flea Market Funk?
F: Erm, i’ve never heard of those blogs actually. I sometimes google a song to find out what LP or label it came out on or whatever. But no, i don’t really regularly check the internet for what’s ‘cool’. I’m not that interested in if the record is rare or not. I’m more interested in if it’s good or not. Of course if a record is dope and very rare it makes it more desirable. But i think people spend a lot of money on shit records and beats and stuff because they’re rare.
BEU: There are so many places to find records, thrift stores, record stores, antique stores, ebay. Where do you think you are able to find the best digging and sampling material? Do you avoid any of these?
F: I don’t really have any strict rules on where to dig. I’ve found stuff everywhere as i’m sure most people have. A lot of my early digs came from my Dad’s collection as i think i’ve mentioned earlier. I’ll never so no to anywhere really, just as long as you know you’re not buying and sampling what everyone else is. You can get some amazing stuff that other people have over looked from a big high street chain… HMV or whatever. Do they still even exist?!
BEU: What has been you favorite find in the last year and all time?
F: Wow. Ummmmmm. Last year? hmm. Well off the top of my head, last year Nelson and i found a ridiculous Lithuanian Jazz record for like £3 when we were in St. Petersburg (shout to the Respect Family!!). Its very experimental and ambient with some amazing atmos and stuff on it. Its also got some wicked loops and shit.
Fave dig of all time? Man that’s too hard. When i was in Sacramento i managed to score a copy of Roy Ayers’ “Coffy” OST for a stupidly small amount of money. I love that record. I don’t know really, i don’t really consider a super rare record as ‘a good dig’, more just if i’m into the record and if i sample it or not. I’ve got loads of stuff i’ve sampled that i consider good digs but they’re right under peoples noses so they’re not rare or anything it’s just no one else has used it.
While i’m here can i just plug my mate Andy’s shop in Dalston, London. It’s called Eldica Vinyl and it’s on Bradbury Street just near Dalston Kingsland station or check him out at http://www.eldica.co.uk
BEU: Is their a price limit you will pay for a record?
F: At the moment, yes because i’m fucking broke! ha! Last year i bought the Lightnin’ Rod - Hustlers Convention LP with the Sport break on it for about £30 and Soul Pride 7″ for about £20. I remember thinking that was quite expensive at the time but i know thats peanuts to some of the prices out there. The thing is i don’t really sell stuff so it can get expensive. I should start selling!
BEU: Could you tell us what you are up to these day were can we see and hear you in the near future?
F: Yes i can! Neslon and I have just started our label, Astrophonica. This will be our home from now on! Expect to hear all sort of Fracture & Neptune action. We’re just about to release the first 12″, Clissold / Killerwhat?, on vinyl and digital. It will be available directly from our site and all other record stores. Distributed by ST Holdings.
www.astrophonica.com
I’ve also been running my Dubstep label, Compound One, for a few years now. You can check that out at www.myspace.com/compoundoneuk
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