Zone-Magazine-Wally-Lopez-Issue-040

What thing really annoys you about
the music scene at the moment?
Disingenuous and trends that get set by the market
makers. This aint EDM! It’s underground techno! No cake
throwing here! Or at least, I’m yet to see one.
Being genuine gets you into my circle. I can’t stand it when
the master plan involves a massive lack of integrity. Be cool
and enjoy the many amazing, genuine people around you.
Luckily, there are so many more of those people than the
wronguns.
And as for the trends thing; I’ve actually got no
problem with trends. I think they are a natural evolution. But
the digital revolution changed the landscape for every single
artist on the planet. And now, there is a level of playing the
digital game that gets dictated by the major players in
music. But when those players decide to install a sound that
already has a home within major platforms over a perfectly
functioning sub genre, leaving that sub genre without a
place in which to thrive. That’s about my limit on patience
really. I’m not losing sleep over it though. I just stay in
my lane!
What is your favorite burger and
what’s your tipple of choice?
Got to give all the love to the FIVE GUYS! Never has
a burger brought me such joy! I used to be T-Total believe it
or not, but then I found Kraken rum! I drink far too much of
it.
You’re stranded on a desert Island
with a single record player and a fat
sound system, what 5 albums are
you playing.
Easy!! Machine Head – Burn my Eyes. I bought it
the day it was released in 1994. One of the greatest metal
albums of all time. They did a live studio recording which is
on Spotify. Honestly; put it next to the original studio album
and you’d be hard pushed to work out which one is which.
Note perfect! Incredible musicians.
Proper storytelling journey.
Hybrid – I Choose Noise. I’m a massive classical
music fan. One of my greatest loves is the amalgamation of
Orchestra and electronic music. Hybrid are the go too boys
for that. Fully worth a listen.
Dr Dre – 2001. Need I explain why this is on the
bag? The production alone is enough to make any producer
drop their dinner plate on the floor with amazement. Then
you got every hip hop artist that was ever worth listening to
in support. Just a quality piece of art.
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing. Absolutely essential
man. I need it more than food. Plus, the drum edits in
‘Building Steam with a grain of Salt’ are probably the reason
why I love the perc patterns so much in my own music! not
the best produced album in the world, but the story!!!! It’s
there man!
Rush – Moving Pictures. Bloody legends. R.I.P
Purty! We miss your chops man! I regularly watch ‘I Love
you Man’ just so I can watch the Rush scene!
Finally, In your opinion what does the
future of Techno hold?
The underground looks so good right now.
There are artists out there that are doing exceptional
things for the underground currently. Carl Shorts, A.P.,
MarAxe, Acerbic, Balrog, DAVE The Drummer. They are
all contributing an energy and vibe that mean the lovers of
the underground sound can rest, safe in the knowledge that
techno isn’t going anywhere.
There are more, obviously. So many more. In fact,
the quality seems to be getting better and better.
Also got to show love to our little superstar in the
making – DJ Pulsar! 12 years of age and already has played
bigger shows than the majority of UK DJs emerging in the
scene! Incredible little man!
Great answers Mike, all the best to you and your music
for the future. I’ll be seeing you at Collide Summer
Gathering in June my friend!
Sasha – Airdrawndagger. I can’t tell you how much
I adore this album. I actually need to put it on after writing
this. The entire album from start to finish is just a vibe man.
" I’ve only got one mode man! Solid, driving, 16th note
percussive party music! Having the break away from the
scene was such a tonic for me. I felt like I was starting to turn
music out like a sausage factory. Instead of making 7-10 tracks
a week and not being 100% happy with them, I got out of the
studio and went to parties "