Originally from Brighton and now based in Berlin, acclaimed techno producer and DJ Radio Slave aka Matt Edwards, is returning to Australia in the New Year, for shows as part of Summadayze and a stint at Space Ibiza at Greenwood Hotel in Sydney on New Years Day. While Matt was in Mauritius (it’s a hard life), he spoke to Larry Heath about the tour and more…
You’re touring around the world at the moment, how has it been going?
2011 been a great year. I’ve done less gigs but the quality of the shows have been incredible. It’s been a great year for dance music and even though they’re an global economic crisis the clubs are packed and people are partying like crazy.
Best thing about touring?
It would have to be the fact that you get to see the places you visit in a totally different way to being a tourist. You get to hang with local people, eat at their favourite restaurants and get a real feel for how they live.
Worst/hardest thing about touring?
This might sound lame, but airports have to be some of the worst place to visit in the world. Bad food, rude people…the whole experience can ruin your weekend.
What was your experience like putting together your Fabric collection? How long does that sort of project take?
These things can take forever and the hardest part is licensing the tracks. With the fabric cd over half or around 70% of the intial tracklisting couldn’t be used or licensed in.
I imagine you get to play some pretty interesting venues, what would you say has been the most bizarre or strange?
Probably some of the free parties I played at in the Welsh mountains. My friends would do what they called extreme parties and take a generator out to these remote spots and just set it up with some turntables and call their friends. I saw cars come off the tracks after these nights and all sorts of crazy shit !
You’re about to head back to Australia for the Space Ibiza as well as Summadayze festivals… What can we expect from the shows?
Lots of new music and some classics thrown in ! It’s a new year but it’s always great to represent the past and there’s so much great music out there ! It’s just hard trying to squeeze in what `I’m about musically into just 2 hours !
It’s not your first time to our shores, what have your experiences been like here in the past?
I was over in January and I had a great time. Rainbow Serpent festival was just out this world and it’s exactly my kind of fectival. Loose and a bit rough around the edges. Oh, and the veggie burgers were incredible ! Also loved playing at Revolver. That spot is like Australias’ own little version of Berlin’s Panorama Bar and I love playing there as I can always go on and on. Last time I managed 5 hours !
How do you put together your sets and how do you gauge the crowds reactions?
I just take a lot of music with me wherever I go so I’m always ready !
Do you cater anything particular to the different parts of the worlds you visit?
It depends. When I play in Berlin I take two crates of records and can play anything from classic Detroit techno to modern trippy micro house but as I’m travelling so much I spend a huge amount of time recording music from my collection as I’m always looking for undiscovered gems. And I can’t travel with my vinyl. 3 years ago I lost my records 6 times over one summer. I always got them back but it just became a nightmare and I don’t wanna disappoint the people who come to the parties.
You’re considered a pioneer of acid house by many… How has the scene changed over the years and how have you moved with it?
I’m just a music lover and essentially a collector and horder so I’ve always been searching for new music. I also love to party and go out . I live in berlin and I’m extremely lucky to be able to go out on a Sunday afternoon and hear some of the best dj’s in the world play at what is probably the best club in the world ! I’ve also been doing this for 20 years and I’m still addicted to it !
What advice would you give to someone thinking of following in your footsteps?
Follow your own path and try not to imitate others. Dance music is now just about replication and very few are innovators. Also listen to as much music as you can and buy good monitors if you’re producing tracks. You have to be able to hear what you’re making .
What’s next for you in 2012? Any remixes on the way?
I’ve actually just finished a bunch of remixes and the next one out is for the band “Motor”.The original track features Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore and is really industrial so I got my friend Thomas Gandey (Cagedbaby) to play rhodes and Jo from the band DOP added etc vocals and I’m really happy with the results !
What can we expect from your label Rekids?
Next year will see the release of Nina Kraviz debut LP at the end oF February. She’s already a star and we’re super excited about the album and I’ll be touring with her around Europe in the spring.
And finally, looking back on 2011, are there any particular highlights that stick out for you?
Not really. It’s been such a rollercoaster year for me and full of surprises and I’m just happy I’m still alive.
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Radio Slave will be touring Australia with Summadayze and playing Space Ibiza on New Years Day in Sydney.
http://www.futureentertainment.com.au/summadayze/
http://spaceibizafestival.com.au/
