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Paradise Decay
(Interviewed on Thursday, December 07, 2006)
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Where do you live and where are you originally from?
I live in a small town called Mansfield, near Nottingham in the UK. It's the centre of Robin Hood country. I was born in Nottingham but spent the majority of my childhood in Cananda.
Do you work , full/part time/ self employed?
I used to be a self employed web designer before my daughter was taken seriously ill a few years back. I'm now a carer for her.
Where do you make your music ? (e.g. studio/bedroom/separate room) and describe the surroundings ?
About 12 years ago I turned our dining room into a PC room. My wife wasn't happy about it at the time, but came to except it after I built a PC for her own use. I use my PC for writing and recording music and its nice to have everything at arms reach.
When did you first really start getting into music, and what was the first single/album you ever bought with your own cash?
I come from a musical family and my grand father was a member of the london philharmonic orchestra, the first album I recall buying as a young boy was an orchestral one featuring my grand father.
Who were your musical heroes when you were at school?
My music hereos at school we're the mod bands: 'The Beat', 'The Selector', 'Madness', 'The Specials' and 'The Jam' to name a few.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I've lead a sheltered life when it comes to gigs, and the first ever gig I went to was 5 years ago. A friend of ours had an American friend stopping in the UK for 2 weeks (his first time here). He was mad on 80's music and we took him to Portsmouth to watch 'ABC' live in concert with support artist 'Limahl' from the band 'Kajagoogoo'
What was the best gig you ever went to?
The best gig I ever went to was with 'your's truly' Stew host of Mp3unsigned, and it was to see Alice Cooper live at Nottingham's Ice Stadium. We had a ball, the place was full and it was a little bit chilly as we we're standing over the ice.
What would you say were your main strengths musically?
I would have to say my main strength, which stems back from the days of my Amiga music ventures, is the art of sample manipulation and placement.
Looking around you, what would you say was the most encouraging aspects of the music industry at the moment?
I would have to say digital downloads, but then again I just discovered a whole new online gaming community called 'Second Life' which would allow me to own a virtual nightclub, music store and even play live with a virtual band. It's still very new and conceptial but something I'm keeping my eye on.
Which track that you have written/created/produced would you say is your best work (to date) ?
The one that instantly pops into my head is the remix I did for Simon Harris's No.1 global hit "Bass how low can you go". There's so many memories associated with that track, it would be hard for me to pick any other.
What would you say most influences/inspires you to write a track, and what is your most regular process in creating a new track ?
A lot of my inspiration comes from going out to nightclubs and hearing all the new and exciting dance tracks, it gives me such a buzz. I will then sit down and compose a track based on around a topic on my mind at the time. I prefer to use sample based software like eJay, Fruityloops and Reason. A lot of people tend to snuff eJay but its a really powerfull tool in the right hands, you wouldn't know it but the Simon Harris remix I mentioned above was remixed using eJay software. It's a lot easier to use for sample manipulation, then some of the more professional ones.
Who or what do you admire most in the current music industry ?
I admire Stew (Mp3unsigned) for putting the artist first on this site and giving them all a fair chance to shine. He funds it mostly out of his own pocket and still manages to find a smile despite all the crap and chaos around him.
Who or what do you have most contempt for in the current music industry ?
I have contempt for all the big music companies, who realise they need to be on the internet to survive and are starting to buyout or take over sites that we're originally used to showcase and support unsigned bands and artists.
On Mp3unsigned, what would you change ?
A system to help generate more funding for Stew. I would scrap the VIP accounts and charge ALL artists $1 a month to be on the site. This would get rid of any chaff and allow serious artists better exposure. I also feel it would make the site a more valuable place for unsigned musicians and offer the public a better quality experiance.
Which artist on mp3unsigned do you most enjoy ?
I have to admit I enjoy finding new and exciting artists and tracks at random. I'm constantly amazed at the quality of the work and music to be discovered here. There are too many awesome artists here to be able to pick and choose as favourites, each have their own unique qualities and talents.
Iif you were stranded (desert island disks style) and could only ever have 3 tracks to play, which would they be and why ?
Track 1: "Insmina" by 'Faithless' becuase this track always picks me up no matter what mood I'm in.
Track 2: "Babylon 5 Theme Tune" by 'Christopher Franke' becuase it allways opens up my imagination and helps me dream.It would help keep me sane, pass the time and think up ways to get off the island.
Track 3: "Melt" by 'Leftfield' I couldn't think of a better track to listen to whilst watching the amazing sunsets I would see.
Same question , but which 1 book and 1 movie ?
Book: I don't normally read books but probably would read 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown beacuse I've heard so much about it.
Film: 'They Live' by John Carpenter, I don't know what it is about this film, but I always end up watching and enjoying it, even when I don't want to watch it, if you get my drift? (sorry about the pun)
What track do you hate most in the world, and why ?
It would have to be the 'Cha Cha Slide' because its so boring, awful and designed to brain-wash kids.
Throughout history, pick someone that you admire most, and tell us why ?
I admire film director 'Geroge Lucas' for breaking the mold in modern film and cinema technology and allowing us the chance to stand our ground and believe in what we want to believe in, ourselves.
If you had the time to learn a new instrument, what would it be, and why ?
Jean Michel Jarre's laser harp, becuase it sounds and looks so cool.
Who (where or what if needs be) would you say are your true musical influences ?
I would have to say all and any type of music has been my influence. At heart I think music in general is the main pasion for all artists.
If Beethoven were alive today, which genre of music would he be making, and would he be a success?
I think Beethoven would be making music based around computer alograms and formulas with the sounds being uniformed but completly random.
Car or Bike?
I like both.
You are allowed to slap 1 politician, who you gonna slap?
Boris Yeltsin for being a walking advert for alcoholics anonymous.
How much of your day do you spend listening to, creating or thinking about music?
I would say 1/2 of my day. Its hard not to when its all around you on TV, Radio and Computer Games.
When was the last time you sat in quiet, and gave yourself time to think?
3 times a week, when in the sauna after a session at the gym or kickboxing.
What was your worst fashion disaster?
My worst fashion disaster was going to a trendy market to buy the latest clothes ready for a night out on the town, only to find half my mates with the same tops but in different colours.
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To listen to Paradise Decay,
Click Here
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Acoustic
