Westernsynthetics
How did you get your start in the music industry?
I
started out playing in rock/punk bands in a small town in country Victoria. We
got a release and started to get support slots and even billed on festivals. We
were all 16/17 at the time. I moved to Melbourne to study history and politics
and by that stage, I had enough. I started going to raves in the docklands and
became very interested in electronic music. I then went to TAFE to study music
business. This helped me a lot in getting full time work in the digital music
sector and it also gave me the skills to set up my own label.
Best part
of the job?
The best part of the job is watching people get completely
lost in the music on the dancefloor.
Worst part of the job?
Getting
ripped off by promoters at a sold out gig and then finding out there is no drinks.
Also dealing with the self-indulgent wank that often accompanies underground dance
culture.
Any interesting experiences you can share?
One
time I played a warehouse party in Sydney. This kid came up to the decks peaking
off his brain and was clearly having a drug fuelled nervous breakdown or something.
He started pushing me and was trying to grab my laptop. I kept pushing him back
and the only thing that stopped me from throttling him was that he would have
landed on and smashed up all the gear. Thankfully, the promoter hauled him out
of there. Afterwards, I felt a bit sorry for the guy. That sort of thing rarely
ever happens at a Dubstep party. Also, seeing punters absolutely lose their shit
every time a nasty tune is dropped, is always interesting to watch.
Favourite
CD of all time and why?
Rage Against The Machine - 'Evil Empire'. It's
got the riffs, the hip hop sensibility, the punk rock ethic, and the revolutionary
politics. What more could you want in an album?
Tell us about the
best live show that you ever saw?
Rage Against The Machine at the Entertainment
Centre in Sydney. They opened with the Internationale! It was a non stop hit parade
and their energy level on stage was out of control. It was also the craziest mosh
pit I have even been in. A close second would have to be Nick Cave & the Bad
Seeds. Warren Ellis is a freak of nature.
Favourite bars/clubs/pubs to
hang out in?
Void at the Phoenix Bar in Sydney. It has the best dub soundsystem
in town and it's a meeting place for all of my friends. Every month you are treated
to new and interesting sounds. Uber Lingua in Melbourne & Sydney. Over the
years that party has introduced so much new music to me. Every time I go, I just
want to run home and make music because it's such an inspiring party musically.
Take us through a typical "day in the life of Westernsynthetics".
I
get up, have a coffee, read the paper and go to work to make profits for someone
else. I come home, have a beer, and read more or make music.
What advice
would you give to someone looking at getting involved in the
music industry?
Study music business at TAFE if you can (I say TAFE because it's more practical
and heaps cheaper). It will set you up and will prevent you from making a lot
of mistakes in the real world. Making mistakes is ok but you must learn from them
and move on. Always have your Rockstar radar on (i.e. don't become one yourself).
Treat people with respect - especially the workers and volunteers who work for
nothing or bugger all to make sure the show happens. Don't talk shop (A) it's
boring and (B) it wont help you make contacts. Most importantly - join the Union!
The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance is the Union for music workers and musicians.
If you don't fight for your rights, you lose.
Any news or final comments?
My
12"/Digital Download release of Engine no. 999 is out now through Sub Continental
Dub records. To purchase visit www.subcontinentaldub.com
