Culture Project // Brett Lawrence Podcast

From the beginning what actually inspired you to start being creative with music in the first place?

It’s hard to say really... I've always been heavily into music and from an early age was exposed to a lot of different music. I guess being creative with music started at school, I played the drums in a couple of bands and later taught myself to play the guitar (very badly).

My fascination with electronic music probably started in the early 90's when the whole "rave thing" was kicking off. I was probably about 13 or 14 at the time so I didn't really have much experience of nightclubs or knowledge of the industry. I did however buy a lot of vinyl and spend a lot of time listening to music completely oblivious to where it would lead.

As for being creative with electronic music, I guess that started when I acquired my first set of turntables. I was 16 and had already built up quite a good record collection. Back then fewer people had turntables, I only knew a handful of other DJ’s so it was a case of having to figuring it out by myself.

I DJ'd a lot around south before the inevitable "move to London". When I first arrived in London I was blown away by how different the music was being played in the clubs. My style changed quickly and it took a while for me to find my feet.

Around the same time I bought myself a basic studio setup and begun learning to produce. 7 years on and I'm still doing it!

With so many influential producers around, whom would you like to hear more of over the next 12 months?

Tricky question... They’re a lot of producers I rate highly at the moment.
I did stumble across a track called "Cat Concrete" recently by Duijn & Douglas and on further investigation found a few other gems by them.

Ask me again tomorrow and I'll have changed my mind.

Now the minimal phase is nearly over, what would you like to see happen in House music?

Yeah, the "Minimal thing" didn't really do it for me.

Its one big cycle... We all know that styles will come and go and then reinvent themselves as a new sub-genre but right now I quite like where House music is at, I like the fact you can hear a lot of the early House sounds and organic elements creeping back in. I think after the Minimal phase House needed a serious injection of "Soul" which this achieves.

This year what label has been your favourite in terms of their production value?

If I had to name one label it would have to be murmur... or maybe Cecille... defiantly one of those two.

When you’re not behind the turntables most DJ’s can be found in the studio. What other projects do you have planned for the future?

I've just finished a 3 track EP for 2Pin Records which is out at the end of November. I believe there's a couple of remixes coming up for them too. I'm also in the process of setting up a new digital label called Assembly Records and am frantically writing and sourcing material for that.

Right now what would you say is your favourite track and why?

L'Equipe Du Son "My First Pony" Look Ahead Records
I just love the little details in this track and the rolling delays. I think some tracks are clever but can be over produced at the same time. It’s all about the groove and keeping it danceable in my opinion.