Charlie May has had a lasting influence on modern house and techno: As one half of Spooky, he helped pave the way for the current generation of techno performers with the acid house duo’s pioneering live sets in the early 90s; while as production partner to Sasha, he’s had a hand in some of modern electronic music’s most iconic moments. As he prepares his live show for an appearance at matter on Saturday 6th March, we asked him to reflect on the balance between solo and collaborative production, how he approaches live performances and what he makes of the current wave of live electronic artists.
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How would you say your solo work differs from your collaborations with Sasha and as one half of Spooky? Do you use the solo project as an opportunity to explore different ideas?
Making records on your own is a much more introspective process, but it is where you consolidate all the gigs and collaborative work into something you hopefully believe in. I really enjoy doing both as one tends to fuel the other, certainly I do a lot more exploration on my own… I get lost down various rabbit holes which don’t necessarily always yield sonic goodies but it is definitely a much more meditative process working alone.
What’s your set-up for live performances and how do you approach live sets in terms of engaging the crowd in a way that differs from DJ sets?
I keep my set up minimal: It has to fit in an overhead bin on an aircraft. I use a four deck system on Ableton with a midi controller and four separate stereo outputs so I can still mix the audio on the DJ mixer as I like the tone controls and effects on those. The set differs mainly in the way that all the tracks are something I’ve been involved in or remixes of tracks I’ve done, or my own productions. Some tunes are broken down into groups of sounds and I re-blend them and re-structure them live… I try and do something different every show so it doesn’t ever become a repetition.
In our recent interview with Sasha, he spoke of the close connection you have musically, especially in terms of melody. How does your studio dynamic with Sasha work, and does it differ to when you work alongside Duncan Forbes on Spooky projects?
Sasha and I really enjoy a lot of the same music and also the way certain people approach their production, mixing etc.. He has a really good ear for sonics and the subtle things in a club record that make all the difference. I’ve learned alot from him about dynamics within a DJ set and he translates that to individual tunes too. He needs to play the piano more and noodle about on his lap top too just writing ideas! I bug him about that all the time.
Duncan is different – much more hands on especially in the programming department. He can sit at the computer for hours without getting up. I’ve already had heaps of tea and gone to the shop a couple of times before he even needs the bathroom – amazing concentration.
As Spooky, you were among a select group of pioneering live dance acts – what’s your take on how live dance music has progressed, especially with the increased popularity of Ableton?
It is definitely at a stage now where anyone can have a go – this is a good thing I think but it makes the business of getting attention tougher. Coupled with the constantly shifting sands of the whole scene anyway it can be hard to keep up with it all. I tend to just man my guns and do my own thing. I know what I like to hear and I try and make that sound for myself. With all the instant accessibility and disposablility of dance music now I think you have to keep it simple in your own head. But it is very exciting to see a new trend for ‘live’ dance artists. I think it is open season on what you can do in a club… as long as it rocks out of the speakers.
Your production work has influenced many of the current generation of producers – is there anyone at the moment whose current output inspires you also?
I like a lot of the older generation of electronic artists like Robert Henke, Massive Attack, Jeff Mills… DJs like Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano inspire me too. I do think your taste mellows a bit over time though – I’m more likely to be listening to radio 3 than anything really, it’s a bit pipe and slippers once the techno is turned off! There are many great new producers about though – I find electronic music more exciting now than ever before if I am honest. The technology is so amazing now also. It is tough at times for sure but still such an interesting field to work in. Never before in history have musicians had such a vast sonic palette to work from.
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CHARLIE MAY LIVE SET:
Charlie May (Live) by Charlie May
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6th March’s Room 2 line-up will feature balearic disco kings Aeroplane and a DJ set from BRITs-nominated indie-disco trio Friendly Fires. To sample some of their DJ talents, check out the latest Aeroplane mix below and this Friendly Fires mix currently hosted on Soundcloud
Aeroplane "Chart Mix" February 2010
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Aeroplane (Official)
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SASHA A/V SHOW AT BIG DAY OUT TOUR, PERTH, 31ST JANUARY 2010