ATFC Interview: "When you fall off a big stage it hurts"

Aydin Hasciri - better known as house producer ATFC - talks about getting mistaken as a three-piece, his new label launch, and the pressures of remixing for high profile artists.

Jayne Robinson

Date published: 12th Sep 2012

With three UK top forty hits, a successful independent label Onephatdeeva, a full on DJ schedule and a reputation for consistently delivering quality remixes for the likes of Missy Elliot and Fat Boy Slim, ATFC has been described by DJ Magazine as one of the top three producers in the world when it comes to straight-down-the-line, mainroom house music.

ATFC appears at London's Club Warehouse this Saturday with Soul Avengerz, Bill Gill and more.

You have had huge success with three top forty hits in the past. How would you say your music has developed over the years?

I don’t actually think it’s changed hugely. My production technique arsenal has grown and the beats are tighter but other than that, the feeling of the music is the same. I’ve never veered off into a particular direction for too long and I like to think those that loved ‘Bad Habit’ will also love my next release ‘When The Needle Drops’ on Hed Kandi.

You always get mistaken as a three piece, does this annoy you at all?

Yes, because every bank holiday you can get me for 50% discount at DFS.

You have had the honour of remixing for the likes of Missy Elliot and Fatboy Slim. How do you approach making music for such artists? Is there a bit of anxiety floating around?

A little, but you have to keep in mind that they’ve come to you for what you do, so it’s important to treat their records as you would your own. I guess the only difference is that there’s the potential for a lot more people to hear your work, so, you’re on a bigger stage. When you fall off a big stage it hurts.

You have the pleasure of playing for the new Warehouse venue in London, what can we expect from the event?

I’ve heard the new sound-system is special and that the crowd are really excitable, so as long as I can mix a few records together in the right order we should be all good.

Do you have any new releases in the pipeline?

ATFC – ‘When The Needle Drops’ forthcoming on Hed Kandi, a new collaboration with David Penn as well as others too early to mention right now. I’m also launching a new label, so there’s lots more material from ATFC in the next 6 months.

Finally, where can we see you next?

After the Warehouse I’ll be flying back to Alicante to play a pool-side funk and boogie set at The Vocal Booth Weekender. Then Slovenia, and finally Morocco at the end of the month. Otherwise, catch me leaving my kids outside the school gates every weekday morning at about 9am.