Today’s interview is with Alex aka Revised Philisophy talking about how he got started as a dj/producer and his ways of working.
Tell us something about you? A short introduction about Revised Philosophy.
My real name is Alex Snell. I am a recent graduate from Loughborough University and reside in Cheltenham, UK. Having never been a classically trained musician – with the exception of dabbling in the guitar for around a year – it was at university that I found a real passion for DJing and producing. Through a residency with DBE and a number of other nights I was able to explore this passion. I became increasingly interested in how to make music and now here I am.
Tell us about what first got you started into music?
I have always loved music, but what first got me started with deep house and techno was a trip to Berlin. I fell in love with the Berlin scene and from here I started trying to recreate these sounds.
When did you start producing – and what or who were your early passions and influences?
I first started producing around two years ago, but more seriously in the past year. My influences, as previously mentioned, revolve around the Berlin scene and more specifically the likes of Tale of Us, Mind Against, Recondite and everyone in Innervisions. More recently, though, I have taken on board a much wider range of sounds including the likes of Few Nolder and more techno orientated sounds such as those produced by purveyed by the likes of Function, Rodhad and Hunter_Game.
How do you usually start when preparing for a new track?
I normally have drums, or a melody, going in my head, as well as a feeling that I am going for. I am always in a certain kind of mood too prior to producing. I have to be very open minded and in a good headspace. I then start playing around in Ableton – normally with Sylenth1 – and see what is working for me. Getting the atmosphere of the track right, with those deep pads, white noise, random sounds or whatever it may be is critical for me. There is usually no order to my method but always a vision.
Tell us something about the gear you use to produce?
My setup is really simple but it seems to work for me. I have a Macbook Pro, Ableton Live Suite 9 and a MIDI keyboard. With regards to what I use to make sounds, I tend to sample my drums, although I do occasionally use drum machines, and use soft synths – most notably Sylenth1 and Absynth – to make anything from basslines to pads and stabs to keys. I find that this really works for me. I love using Waves gear for the mixdown and Sonnox gear for the mastering process.
What are currently your main challenges as a producer?
There are so many. But if I had to just pick one, I’d say that keeping to a consistent sound, as well as fitting into label’s specific sounds, is a real challenge. Due to my very diverse range of influences, I find that although I can maintain the core, raw, deep sound, the specifics of the track vary depending on a whole range of factors. This can be quite frustrating when, say, trying to make a consistent musical piece such as an EP, which doesn’t sound repetitive or boring! Also, getting my music to the right label is so difficult. There are so many fantastic labels out there but finding the one to fit my specific sound is tough.
What releases have you planned for this year that you can tell us about? Like when and on which label?
I very recently released an EP on Teleksopik Recordings which was extremely exciting as it was my first release in almost a year and it gained support from Slam and Richie Hawtin. With regards to upcoming releases, I will have to keep quiet about that but I can say that I have just finished a brand new EP. The EP moves through the depths of atmospheric deep house/techno into more conventional deep house and techno and back into atmospheric house. I am extremely excited about it as I feel that it’s my best piece of work to date.
Listen to his latest EP ‘The Trip’, released on Telescopic Recordings. The release is for sale on JunoDoanload »
What was your biggest accomplishment & best moment to date & where do you see yourself going this current year, any big plans or you just going with it?
Musically, I absolutely loved my time with DBE. In that regard, there are far too many instances to mention. Also, getting my first EP release on Teleskopik Recordings with Richie Hawtin support is special! Otherwise, I would say something like graduating and landing my current job.
Something totally different to end. What’s your guilty pleasure when listening to the radio?
Old school rock! To my mind Linkin Park’s ‘Hybrid Theory’ album is the best album of all time. I was in the gym the other day and was rocking out to Kerrang. That is most definitely my guilty pleasure.