Interview SLICKER

Una chiacchierata con John Hughes III (aka Slicker) sui suoi progetti futuri, inclusa la Hefty, etichetta partita con proposte leftfield e IDM, ora protagonista nella scena musicale per un'interessante "ricontestualizzazione" della black music. L'uscita del suo album We all have a plan (distribuito in Italia da Wide), lavoro molto succulento per avere un'idea di questo processo, è stato un buon pretesto per parlare di quanto la Hefty continuerà ad offrire ai nostri padiglioni affamati in tempi prossimi a venire.

Hi Sir Hughes. How are you? I am great. I’m happy to be in midst of pushing my record and having the opportunity to speak about it. Thank you.

You started a re:process of black music filterd through Hefty Records. Who could be considered a phloem of this re:process? Or is it better to speak about increment borers? Well, I’ve always been influenced by soul, hip hop, funk and jazz. I think it was indirectly interjected into Hefty’s sound because of the musicians I was interested in working with. I didn’t make a conscious decision to reprocess our sound. Hefty started moving away from IDM and left-field electronics because it was getting boring. We want to focus on more melodies and get to the root of what music is all about, the soul of music. This is probably what you are asking me. I personally am interested in the production of old soul records. I like the “dirt” and gritty production of old records. For me my new record was about combining this old soul style with a more modern sound. But I did not want to make a retro record, rather I wanted to bring the spirit of old “black music” into a new futuristic context.

We have been calling our new sound “Future Roots.” This is a term I first heard from an internet radio collective in the US called Dublab. I thought it was the perfect way to describe our latest output because it implies progression and forward thinking while still paying mind to the roots of music. I also think the new Slicker and Telefon Tel Aviv records approach music much the same way Dub producers approached reggae music. Deconstructing it while keeping the melodies intact. This term made me think of music like Dub that often refers to “roots”. Maybe “Future Roots” will catch on.

You definied your cut'n'past style “honest and organic”. We've got an idea of what you wanted to say. But in your perspective who's not honest? Who could share the same "honest and organic" attitude in the nowadays music scene (labels or artists)? When I sat down to make this record it was very important for me to be honest with myself. I wanted to retrace my musical tracks and not worry about taking chances. And the organic part has always been part of my sound. I can’t make cold, sterile computer music... I don’t even know how!

When I talk about my music being “honest and organic” I don’t say it to imply that other music is not. I think there is lots of music that accomplishes this (too many to name!). Obviously, pop music is often not very honest, but combining accessibility and honesty is a challenge. That’s where I wish to head because for me there is nothing greater than unpolished honest pop music. I would like to continue making my music more accessible without drastically changing my approach or compromising my integrity. I am not afraid of this.

Are you looking for a secretary? Hmmmm. Not yet! I still like having my hands all over my work and I have some many good people already working with me at Hefty. Maybe a manager to get me more production work though.

A very impressive series of workouts from Hefty in this period. What are your plans for the next future? We are currently negotiating with a few artists that I am very excited about, one of which was produced by Telefon Tel Aviv. Samadha, who had released music as part of the “Immediate Action” series, is currently recording a new full-length record that I am thrilled about. We’re also planning to do another “Immediate Action” compilation very soon. But don’t expect Hefty to sign too many new artists. We like to work with a manageable core of artists. We are interested in quality over quantity and working very closely with our artists to help them develop and explore their ideas.

Have you listened last album by Funkstorung? If yes, what do you think about it? I have not heard it.

Some essential readings for understanding black music which you?d like to advice to a novice. Well, I don’t have any readings to suggest. I learned everything I know from digging through crates and being a fanatic record buyer.

But here are some good recent soul releases for novices:
Fatback’s Soul Shop Various Artists
Chicago One-Stop: Staff Picks Vol. 1 7” pack Various Artists
Love Bandit Gino Washington
After Hours: Northern Soul Masters Various Artists

A funny anectode related to the recording of We All Have a Plan. Well, as soon as I finished my record I had to tear my studio apart. I had sold my house while working on the record and my studio was there. I literally mixed the album, flew to Los Angeles to master it and then had to come home to take it apart and restore the space for the new owners. It was one of the most hectic times in my life. Finishing a record and moving into a new home in one week! As our moving trucks were pulling away and the new owners arrived to take possession. I’m sure they didn’t react well when they saw that I didn’t have time to remove an audio panel with microphone input that I used for recordings in the bathroom!

How could you explain pop-expectorates/bad whips such like Britney Spears or Destiny's Child? Greenhouse effect? Low level of albedo? :) Well this sort of music will always exists. The good news is that I think there are innovative producers in the game that are serving as a great backdrop for pop radio music. Don’t get me wrong I have similar distaste for some pop music, but I think producers like Kanye West, Neptunes and Timbaland are wise for using pop music as a means to spread their sound. It’s extremely effective. It’s the ultimate challenge to make something great with such small parameters and I wouldn’t rule out major pop music production for myself if it was appropriate.