DJ Fracus interview July 2007

1. So, where, when and how did it all start for DJ Fracus?

It’s a real cliché for me I’m afraid, I heard a tape and discovered the music that way. I bought decks and started playing small parties locally while I was still at school. It’s been a steady progression since the start really. My first proper DJ break being for a local pirate radio station, I eventually moved on to making music. I ended up doing a degree in Music Technology and now it’s my full time job.

Now that’s done, let’s try and pick away at that brain of yours.

2. As a young man starting out all those years ago, what were your dreams and goals , and have you achieved any of them so far, and what goals are you aiming for from here onwards?

I was very naïve about the music industry that’s for sure. I’ve achieved some of my goals but I wouldn’t say I was anywhere like halfway yet. I don’t really talk about what my goals are, beyond the obvious. Sometimes when you reach a milestone, it’s everything you dreamt it would be and sometimes it’s a real anticlimax.

3. Everyone has DJ’s/producers that they look up to, who are/were your main influences?

I try to take influences from everyone really. There are plenty of DJ’s and producers who I look up to and respect, many of whom I deal with and speak to on a regular basis. I admire independence and strong principles, as well as innovative and well produced music.

4. Roughly how long does it take you to write and record a track from start to finish? Do you have ideas before you go into your studio, or is it best to go in blind and see what you can come up with?

Time varies, I’ve spent weeks on things before and I’ve done the bulk of work in a matter of hours in other cases. It just depends. I try to make music that’s full of emotion. Until that’s achieved then the clock doesn’t really make any difference.

5. Out of all your releases, which 3 tracks are you most proud of and why?

Probably ‘Open Your Eyes To Love’. It’s the most catchy vocal I’ve ever written and Gav’s pianos are just beautiful. There are moments in ‘Into My Life’ and ‘When We’re Together’ that make me tingle here and there still, so they would probably be the three at the moment.

6. Shock Horror, a fire has broken out in your studio, and you only have time to save one piece of equipment, which piece do you save?

In the hypothetical situation where I wouldn’t just sit there and burn with it, can I cheat and say ‘my PC’? Probably would have to be the Roland JV2080 really, if I had nothing else at least I’d be able to make magical string laden soundtracks to accompany my despair ;)

7. Now, onto Hardcore Underground – How did the album come about?

Hardcore Underground is one of mine and CDJays album projects, we wanted to put together a proper compilation that showcased lots of new talent and lots of different styles of hardcore.

8. Hardcore Underground 2 will be released in the very near future, what can we expect from this album that will differ from the first?

Everyone’s done everything they can to make sure this album is 100%. The line up is slightly different and we’ve had to look closely at some of the ‘extravagances’ we afforded ourselves with packaging last time around too, but the ethos remains the same. The album covers a wide variety of styles and people will hopefully embrace the hard work everyone has put in. We have made a few changes behind the scenes as far label and distribution is concerned. This will hopefully broaden the horizons of the project a bit more and reach some of the places we weren’t able to last time. There has been more blood sweat and tears than last time around that’s for sure.

9. Have there been any major embarrassing incidents while you have been DJ-ing? Or are those yet to come? ;)

Only the usual stupid stuff really. Lifting the wrong needle off the record etc when I was just starting out was a highlight. Nowadays I’m more focused and less nervous generally, but the odd dodgy system and setup can let you down. One day I will pluck up the courage to shout out “it’s not me!” when the system cuts out for the eighth time

10. Which 3 moments in your career stand out for you the most and why?

Playing in America was amazing, being with people who knew my tracks on the other side of the world. Every time I’ve felt like giving up, crying, screaming, and every day I’ve spent chasing money I’m owed was worth it just for that. I always love seeing and hearing people singing my songs, even if it’s not me playing them. I couldn’t give you definitive answers. People who speak to me (but don’t know me that well) would think all I do is moan, but I love the music so much, I wouldn’t carry on if the good times didn’t outweigh the bad.

11. Are you looking forward to playing B2B with Force at Flabbergast vs Hardcore 4 Essex? What can we expect from your set?

I’m very much looking forward to it yes. Force is a huge influence on me and I think we have a good overlap in tastes (as far as hardcore is concerned anyway, I’m not so sure about football teams ;)

12. If you could work with any producers in the world, who would they be?

High Contrast is one of my idols. I can say that about him because I don’t know him and I’m not likely to bump into him on the circuit hehe. I think his music’s so deep and although it’s on a totally different wavelength to hardcore, it has an amazing energy that I’d love to know how to create in that way. If you’re talking more about technical ability and nothing else then I guess we could all learn a lot from people like Timbaland, Youth and Dave Lowe (you don’t know Dave Lowe? I bet you know his music. Google)

13. Outside of Hardcore, what bands and artists do you listen to, and do you take influence from them?

Yeah the more influences the better. I love bands and a whole host of artists over a wide time period. I listen to all sorts of indie stuff and a lot of my friends and I go and see people quite regularly. The Verve are my all time heroes (yeah I got tickets for the comeback gig at Empress Ballrooms, gwaan!), Doves, The Smiths, Groove Armada, Underworld, Primal Scream, Big Star, New Order, Mondays, Stone Roses, Beatles etc. I spend a fortune on CD’s and gigs. I love loads of different dance things, Mr Scruff, Quantic. I love trance and D&B too, I love the soulful music. Marcus Intalex, Bukem, Nu:Tone, Cyantific etc. Just anything with emotional content really.

14. What can we expect from you over the next 12 months?

More than you bargained for and a lot of new music.

15. and finally, do you have anything to shamelessly plug?
Everything related to me and my projects is on:

http://www.myspace.com/djfracus

Thanks to Fracus for taking the time to do this interview :)