Saturday before last something fairly interesting happened. An auditorium stage was given over to a quintet of both underground and commercially interesting musical talent. In front of a seated audience Jammer, Camelot, Mumdance, Sampha and a chap named Rodaidh McDonald (he mixed The XX’s album) took spontaneous cues from a crowd and proceeded to co-create a piece of music. With a 55 minute time limit my expectations weren’t particularly high, and sure enough the end product (yet to be made available) was pretty basic. But, most worthy of note were the levels of engagement and response to participatory portions of the process from spectators. As an effort to create an informative experience I have to tip my hat to The Creators Project. As just one of many features among an array of talks, installations and performances on the night I’m sure Jammer and crew will be happy to hear that through a series of chats and eavesdropped conversations it seemed clear to me that this show of interactive improv had been the highlight to many. Nice one VICE, nice one Intel. It’s clearly what the people want, so, here’s to more of the same…
Remixes for The XX and Ellie Goulding have been followed up with a solid debut release on legendary dance music label R&S. Fresh from recording his debut mix for Mary Anne Hobbs’ experimental show on Radio 1 we caught up with Pariah for a quick interview. This kid is on a tear right now, make sure you catch him at GET SOME on June 19 and big up MAH for the shout out!
Who are you and what do you do?
My name’s Arthur, I’m 22 and I produce music under the name Pariah.
Where are you from and where are you now?
I’m originally from Scotland but I moved down to London about 4 years ago.
When did you first get involved with music and what were you doing?
I guess I’ve always been involved with music from a very young age but I started producing about a year and a half ago. I’d messed about on Logic before when I was about 16 or 17 but I never really learnt how to do anything.
First record you bought? Last record you bought?
I know that the first tape I was given was either a Gloria Estefan or Michael Jackson album and that was when I was about 7 or 8. God knows what the first record I bought was. The last one I bought was the new Oneohtrix Point Never album, “Returnal”. Its amazing!
What is your most memorable moment in music?
Mixing for Mary Anne Hobbs’ show.
Where/Who do you get you inspiration from?
Burial, Brian Eno, Boards of Canada, Move D, early Aphex Twin, Garage, Jungle.
What’s next for you/your label?
My next release is a 2×12″ on R&S which is called “Safehouses EP”. Hopefully gonna get the masters finished in the next week or so.
If your career in music never was, what would you be doing now?
Well, I’m still at uni at the moment so I guess I’d probably just be doing that…. not hugely exciting haha.
Who should we be watching in 2010?
There’s so much good stuff around at the moment. Hessle and Hemlock are killing it at the moment. R&S has some truly amazing music coming in the next few months too.
And finally, please complete the following sentence…
No doubt about it, one of my favorite Techno producers of the last decade. This guy has been tearing up Berlin for longer than I’ve been interested and if you follow my mixes, you will no doubt of heard a track or two his thrown in! Of all places, I was with some work colleagues in Copenhagen last night and I heard a bizarre retake on The XX’s VCR. Again, all of you will guys will knoe that I have been plugging that band for over a year now (cheers Darkstar!) and there have been many remixes in the last few months, but I thought this was a little different. Check it out…
Skeet over to Sonic Router to read an excellent interview with one of the UK underground’s rising stars, Pariah. With some strong remixes under his belt for Ellie Goulding and The xx, we’re looking forward to hearing more from Pariah over the course of the year. Definitely one to watch out for. His selection blends current sounds with some old classics (Cape Fear!!!) – just the way we like it.
Tracklist:
1. Bad Autopsy – Psionic Terror [unreleased]
2. Hanuman – Bola (Atki2 Remix) [Idle Hands]
3. L-Vis 1990 – Zahonda (Greena Remix) [Sound Pellegrino]
3. Martyn – Hear Me (Zomby Remix) 3024
4. Shed – 10001b [WAX]
5. Cristian Vogel – In [Tresor]
6. Pariah – Crossed Out [forthcoming R&S]
7. J-Treole – The Loot (Sully Remix) [Keysound]
8. K.M.A – Cape Fear [Groove Chronicles]
9. Nu Birth – Anytime [Locked On]
10. Red or Dred – How I Feel (Bad Ass Disco Mix) [Locked On]
11. Agent X – Turbulence [Heatseeker Records]
12. Sentinels – Love Rhythm [unreleased]
13. James Blake – The Bells Sketch [forthcoming Hessle Audio]
14. Pariah – Safehouses [forthcoming R&S]
Dark Sky are three young producers from London who weave together the sounds of dubstep and garage into deep, hazy club music. The boys offer up the first in a series of Dark Sky mixes, featuring tracks from Scuba, Pangea and Ramadanman as well as their tracks ‘Leave’ and ‘Drowned City’ due out as part of an EP on fledgling label Pictures later this year. Also this year, Dark Sky will release their debut single on Bristol’s Black Acre label, featuring the tracks ‘Ghost Notes’ and ‘Something 2 Lose’. AND their incredible remix of The xx’s ‘Crystalised’ is dropped into this mix for the very first time. Don’t sleep on this one.
