CoolBPM Interviews The Spoon Wizard

How does it feel to be part of this exciting nu skool breaks scene? Bangin' beats, stompin' bass plus groovey bits - nu skool breaks scene rules. Been the first style of music to turn my ear since '95.In your recent live performance at Glastonbury, there was a techno feeling around, closer to Underworld than to a breakbeat rythmic pattern...

Are you exploring new musical dimensions? The techno/rave scene was a big creative period for me back in the early 90's - in fact I think there is still some of that acid magic coursing through my veins. :) In my tunes, I like the way the old style complements the new - not just techno, but almost retro. So maybe not exploring, but perhaps merging my favourite bits out of the musical and rhythmic styles. Check out my remix of Silken's Gizmo (FB003) to see what I mean.

Tell us more about the Amiga demos and DivX files on your site...

Well. Going back a few years, I did music for an Amiga demo crew. Although only the die-hard Amiga enthusiasts of the time may remember such LSD productions as Grapevine, Jesus on E's, Total Kaos etc, but feel safe in the knowledge that I had a hand in them all. And the DivX bits? Well, thats just combining the thrills of modern technology with the joys of reminiscence. There's many more great demos of the Amiga era that I want to get on the site, if only I had the time...

What about the internet? Do you believe it will play a major role on your music in the future? Same question for the mp3 use... Internet? Mp3? At the moment all they seem to me is distribution. Most people's connections to the net are pretty slow, so I think composing with others over the net is still a little way off, but hopefully ADSL will help close the gaps...You have remixed other artists as well... Is the remixing task a rewarding experience? Does it influence your own material?

What is your approach when starting a mix? I find mixing other bands tunes fun. The only pre-requisite for me is that I have to like the original in the first place. :) I do take some ideas from mixes I've done and add them to my ideas, but its method I gain from remixing, not riffs. Starting a remix is much easier than making an original as you already have a vague idea what it will sound like, so just take a few riffs from the original, fuck with the bassline and polish the groove. It's all pretty automatic from there on in.The term Big Beat is almost a joke, and trip hop is invisible these days...

Is breakbeat going to rule the world? Do you see other musical ways coming up shortly? It's always progressing, always changing. The only thing that slows it down is thinking up a new name for the genre. :)Most of your releases are only available on vinyl...

Could you tell to the cd eaters out there 3 good reasons for buying a turntable? In general, do you think that the vinyl culture is growing more and more every day? 3 good reasons? No. But you can apply a simple formula to this; If you're a DJ, stick with vinyl. If you're a DJ who makes your own tunes and want to play them out, then get a CD mixer too. If you're at home, just use a CD. Vinyl is great for mixing compared to CD, but CD is a bit more robust and suited to the home environment.

Is there any particular track which has attracted your attention these days?

I'm still pumped up from Hybrid's visit last weekend at Exeter's Beatz & Bobz nite. Want me to humm some? :) What are your forthcoming projects? Working on an album at the moment hopefully ready for release early next year. Keep watchin'.

Any artist/web site you'd like to share with us?

Just check out my site www.spoonwizard.com and leave some messages!