Interview: Nathan C

Nathan C serves up some dance-floor orientated tech-house with his new productions for labels like Whartone Records, and gets support for them from luminaries like Pete Tong.

We caught up with him to see what he's all about...

What got you into electronic music?

 

I guess just a pure fascination with that type of music in my younger years. Also, the way it was created in such a non-traditional way (i.e. not having to simply record a band) that has always really fascinated me. I was really into Drum & Bass and UK Garage in my teens but then progressed onto House music. Artists like Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, DJ Shadow and The Streets became a catalyst for this transition in my musical preferences.

 

And how did DJing and producing come about?

 

For me they both started at the same time. I managed to secure a work experience job at a local recording studio complex called Sanctuary Music Technology Centre when I was still at school in Jersey. The guy who ran the place (Marc Mitchell) was producing and releasing some huge classic Prog House records on labels like Renaissance and Bedrock at the time, it was a great few weeks there and they were really supportive and helpful. I was literally stuck in front of a PC with a copy of Reason and told to make music and could play on the 1210s whenever I wanted it was awesome. Obviously I had to make a few cups of tea and coffee and run a few errands as well, but I literally had free reign and took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck. I could rabbit on about where things went from there but thats where it all began for me.

 

What makes you, you?

 

All the various things that influence me I guess, which to be honest, is quite a lot.

 

How would you describe your sets to someone who didnt know?

 

An energy-fueled mix of crowd rocking House music.

 

What makes a good DJ great?

 

Someone who consistently performs at the top of their game over a long period of time. Someone who can control a room full of people and make them go nuts. And someone with a bit of character and individuality.

 

Are you a digital or vinyl man and why?

 

Digital, definitely. Vinyl has had its time and I still love having my productions pressed up onto vinyl, but unfortunately technology has moved things on and made things a lot easier. I still play CDs at the moment, although Im seriously considering using Traktor or Ableton for my gigs now as I bought a new laptop recently gotta move with the times!

 

How do you pick tunes for your record bag before a gig?

 

Usually its just a case of going through everything that I get sent as well as checking out whats happening on Beatport. I like to keep a fairly open mind when it comes to choosing what Im going to play, but at the same time I feel I have to be quite selective as theres literally just so much music out there. I also make the effort to go through playlists and radio shows of other DJs to see if theres any tunes I like that I can hunt down that I might have missed you cant beat discovering those little gems for yourself.

 

Whats your sure-fire floor filling tune this year?

 

I think Axwells mix of Walk With Me by Prok & Fitch is simply huge, definitely the best thing hes done recently. Also mine and Danny Doves rework of Clubbed to Death by Rob Dougan is a bit of a bomb and working really well.

 

How much do you tailor your sets to each club you play?

 

Quite a lot to be honest there are always so many factors to take into consideration with things like the time youre playing, the type of crowd, the type of night, whos played before you and whos playing after you can all have an impact on tune selection. Im going to be playing something very different at 9pm while the sun is setting at Bora Bora in Ibiza than if Im playing at some underground rave at 3am in Shoreditch. I love the challenge of this and it means I get to play a wide variety of stuff, which is definitely a good thing.

 

How important is character and personality in music?

 

It definitely plays a big role, although not fundamentally the most important. I hate going to clubs and seeing a DJ who looks bored out of his mind and doesnt smile or show any enthusiasm. Its like come on, at least pretend youre having some fun, especially when you know theyre getting paid ridiculous amounts of money. In fact, things like that really piss me off about this industry. 

 

What are your influences musically, and otherwise?

 

I like to think Im pretty open minded when it comes to music as I listen to, and enjoy, such a variety of genres. I draw influence from everything that I listen to on a daily basis, whether its the latest chart smash on the radio or scouring Beatport for some undiscovered Techno. As previously mentioned, Im very much into artists such as Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, DJ Shadow, Groove Armada, Lemon Jelly as well as current artists in the House scene such as Mark Knight, Funkagenda, Axwell, John Dahlback etc. the list could go on.

 

Where do your ideas for productions come from?

 

Ideas can come from all over the place; sometimes it will be a case of hearing a sample that grabs my attention and then just building a whole track around that sample. Other times it can be from listening to a few promos and getting inspiration from certain production tricks or riffs that I hear. I also love hearing music in a club that I havent heard before, as that can be great for getting the creative juices flowing.

 

And can you explain the recording process a little? How you approach making a track...

 

I tend to start with the drums and build a basic groove to get going. Then its a case of building the track further with a bassline, lead line, pads etc. Once Ive got a good 16 bar loop that Im happy with, I then start arranging the track, adding breakdowns and build-ups. With the arrangement sorted Ill often go back to the beat to improve it further and make sure the mix is starting to take shape. Then its just about adding all the automation and FX and a final polish of the mix. This is my process in a nutshell! Its not always quite as straightforward and simple as that though!

 

What do you aim to achieve in a set or production? Are they just reflections of you at the time or do you aim to make something get people dancing/thinking or what?

 

I think its a mixture of both those things actually. But certainly the most important thing with House music has to be about making people dance and Ive always got the dancefloor and DJ in mind when producing my tracks. And yes, in a set, getting people dancing is a fundamental aspect of what Im about as a DJ.

 

What have you got planned for 2010?

 

My Clubbed to Death 2010 ReWork with Danny Dove for the Miami season is shaping up nicely so far, with strong feedback/support from the likes of Eric Morillo, Axwell, Mark Knight, Tocadisco, Tom Novy, Damian Wilson, Mark Trophy, Riley & Durrant, Baggi Begovic, Filthy Rich and Steve Smart. Hopefully it will do some big things in the coming months, as were really pleased with how it sounds, its pretty epic!

Ive got another collaboration with Danny Dove, which is about to drop on Stealth Records very soon. The track is called That Trumpet Track which we recorded last summer with a very talented trumpet player called Graeme Flowers. Its going to be featured on Sanchezs very successful Battle Weapons series watch this space!

Remix wise Ive got a new Nathan C remix of Nick Jays All Im Saying ft. Inaya Day on the new Hed Kandi World Series: Tokyo compilation, a remix of The Dirty Discos Sista! and also a remix with Danny Dove on the classic Fade to Grey by Visage coming out on Universal very soon.

I also have some exciting new collaboration with Ben Preston, Second Left, Danny Dove, Ant Brooks, Russell G and Richard Murray, as well as my other projects E.P.I.C., Soulmakers & Tastemakers. More info on new releases will follow very shortly.

In addition to all of this Im also looking forward to cracking on with some more Nathan C solo material too. 2010 is going to be another busy one!

 

-- Links --
website...
http://www.nathanc.co.uk/
Beatport...
https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/artist/detail/91443/nathan_c#app=47c9&a486-index=0
DJ Download...
http://www.djdownload.com/artist/Nathan+C/837178
Myspace...
http://www.myspace.com/djnathanc