On this page we are now adding exclusive Tronic interviews with Artists within the Electronic scene.
With our first ever interview we managed to catch hold of Dextro who will be palying in our July Tronic and also will feature in the up and coming Tronic volume 2 album.
DEXTRO INTERVIEW
Like the prodigal son, Dextro returns to Glasgow in July to join Christ, Araya and The Lava Experiments. Having played a set with Tronic last January, we’re excited to have him back for more, especially cos he’s been so busy since then. That said, he happily took some time out of his busy schedule to catch up with Julie to discuss the re-release of his 2006 album Consequence Music, the inspiration behind his music, life in Newcastle and nasty toilet experiences in China:
I heard you were recently in China. I spent some time working in Shanghai a few years back so was just wondering what you were up to out there, was it just for some travelling? If so, where did you get to?
Yes I was recently in China. We were travelling and visiting some friends in Xinjiang as well as visiting Sichuan and finally Beijing. We went up into the Tian Shan mountains near Kashgar, and out into the Taklamakan desert which was fantastic.
Any good toilet stories? Lost in translation moments? Highlights from the trip? (earthquakes aside).
We did visit an Uygur toilet which was basically a mound of crap 3 ft high, I tell you it was smoking! Thereafter we were in Sichuan visiting the Le Shan giant Budda and the Emei Shan holy mountain.
Is it true you were caught up in the earthquake tragedy?!
We left shortly before the earthquake hit, so we were lucky not to be caught up in it. It was devastating to see the scenes of destruction later, and having thoughts of entire generations being wiped out was really really sad.
Can you tell us a bit about your experiences and if this has influenced you or your music at all? What else has inspired your music?
My experiences certainly do influence what I try to express in my music. Whether that actually comes across in the music is another question all together. However, I often think of places and feelings, and associate it with sound. I'm sure most people are stimulated by music somehow. I am stimulated by reminders within music, and the emotive nostalgia that it gives me. I think people can derive their own meanings and attachments in music, I try to offer something that they can do that with, perhaps in a cathartic sense.
You recently moved to Newcastle. How’s life in a new city? Have you had a chance to check out the electronic scene?
Yes I'm enjoying life in Newcastle. There are lots of things happening musically. I'm not sure about a specific electronic scene; however there are plenty of experimental shows and electronic acts in town. I recently went to see Stars of the Lid at St. Thomas's church at that was fantastic. Distraction Records seems to be quite involved with local goings on. http://www.distractionrecords.com/
What do you like most about Glasgow? Do you have any favourite acts on the Glasgow scene?
I love Glasgow for many reasons. Particularly, because it's my family home and it has many different meanings and memories attached to it. It's a great place to meet people, and there are lots of people making music. One of my favourite Scottish acts is Graham Richardson's project 'Last Days' http://www.myspace.com/lastdaysmyspace, but he's from Edinburgh, so I'm not sure if that counts!
How has the re-release of ‘Consequence Music’ on Gronland Records been?
I think it has been good for the project in that they have opened the music up to more listeners. They have also managed to get me in touch with some others musicians such as Alias of Anticon Records. I would like to do more collaboration and expand my musical ideas as much as possible, so it’s great to meet other people with ideas.
You’ve had some very positive feedback for Sanna. Was there any specific inspiration behind this track?
What’s the best way to listen to it? (I sat in the office with earphones on but imagined myself driving on an open stretch of road with the window down. But then I always do that. Probably being in work wot does it).
Well, it makes me think of open spaces too, and the title makes reference to a specific place in Scotland that I love and will always re-visit. Headphones are always a more consuming way to listen to music!
The artwork on your albums and website(s) is pleasing on the eye and I think helps to convey the ambience of your music. Is this your own work and if so where do some of the ideas come from? Is it just eye candy or is there something deeper you want to convey?
It’s my own photography and I guess I try to capture moments and images that inspire me. I like to observe things that offer the same emotive content as the music, perhaps invoking memories. Some of photographs are of places that are important to me personally.
Finally, do you have a favourite gig (played or attended or both)?
Tell us why it was so good! So far Stars of the Lid is top of my list! However, I hope to beat it later in the year.
Interview by Julie Mcgahan
With our first ever interview we managed to catch hold of Dextro who will be palying in our July Tronic and also will feature in the up and coming Tronic volume 2 album.
DEXTRO INTERVIEW
Like the prodigal son, Dextro returns to Glasgow in July to join Christ, Araya and The Lava Experiments. Having played a set with Tronic last January, we’re excited to have him back for more, especially cos he’s been so busy since then. That said, he happily took some time out of his busy schedule to catch up with Julie to discuss the re-release of his 2006 album Consequence Music, the inspiration behind his music, life in Newcastle and nasty toilet experiences in China:
I heard you were recently in China. I spent some time working in Shanghai a few years back so was just wondering what you were up to out there, was it just for some travelling? If so, where did you get to?
Yes I was recently in China. We were travelling and visiting some friends in Xinjiang as well as visiting Sichuan and finally Beijing. We went up into the Tian Shan mountains near Kashgar, and out into the Taklamakan desert which was fantastic.
Any good toilet stories? Lost in translation moments? Highlights from the trip? (earthquakes aside).
We did visit an Uygur toilet which was basically a mound of crap 3 ft high, I tell you it was smoking! Thereafter we were in Sichuan visiting the Le Shan giant Budda and the Emei Shan holy mountain.
Is it true you were caught up in the earthquake tragedy?!
We left shortly before the earthquake hit, so we were lucky not to be caught up in it. It was devastating to see the scenes of destruction later, and having thoughts of entire generations being wiped out was really really sad.
Can you tell us a bit about your experiences and if this has influenced you or your music at all? What else has inspired your music?
My experiences certainly do influence what I try to express in my music. Whether that actually comes across in the music is another question all together. However, I often think of places and feelings, and associate it with sound. I'm sure most people are stimulated by music somehow. I am stimulated by reminders within music, and the emotive nostalgia that it gives me. I think people can derive their own meanings and attachments in music, I try to offer something that they can do that with, perhaps in a cathartic sense.
You recently moved to Newcastle. How’s life in a new city? Have you had a chance to check out the electronic scene?
Yes I'm enjoying life in Newcastle. There are lots of things happening musically. I'm not sure about a specific electronic scene; however there are plenty of experimental shows and electronic acts in town. I recently went to see Stars of the Lid at St. Thomas's church at that was fantastic. Distraction Records seems to be quite involved with local goings on. http://www.distractionrecords.com/
What do you like most about Glasgow? Do you have any favourite acts on the Glasgow scene?
I love Glasgow for many reasons. Particularly, because it's my family home and it has many different meanings and memories attached to it. It's a great place to meet people, and there are lots of people making music. One of my favourite Scottish acts is Graham Richardson's project 'Last Days' http://www.myspace.com/lastdaysmyspace, but he's from Edinburgh, so I'm not sure if that counts!
How has the re-release of ‘Consequence Music’ on Gronland Records been?
I think it has been good for the project in that they have opened the music up to more listeners. They have also managed to get me in touch with some others musicians such as Alias of Anticon Records. I would like to do more collaboration and expand my musical ideas as much as possible, so it’s great to meet other people with ideas.
You’ve had some very positive feedback for Sanna. Was there any specific inspiration behind this track?
What’s the best way to listen to it? (I sat in the office with earphones on but imagined myself driving on an open stretch of road with the window down. But then I always do that. Probably being in work wot does it).
Well, it makes me think of open spaces too, and the title makes reference to a specific place in Scotland that I love and will always re-visit. Headphones are always a more consuming way to listen to music!
The artwork on your albums and website(s) is pleasing on the eye and I think helps to convey the ambience of your music. Is this your own work and if so where do some of the ideas come from? Is it just eye candy or is there something deeper you want to convey?
It’s my own photography and I guess I try to capture moments and images that inspire me. I like to observe things that offer the same emotive content as the music, perhaps invoking memories. Some of photographs are of places that are important to me personally.
Finally, do you have a favourite gig (played or attended or both)?
Tell us why it was so good! So far Stars of the Lid is top of my list! However, I hope to beat it later in the year.
Interview by Julie Mcgahan