Here at Monkeysfist we like to get to know the masterminds behind the music we listen to. Xatrik from Timecode took some time out of his schedule to let us run some questions by him. Here is what he had to say:
1. Where we’re you born?
Nottingham, England.
2. What do your siblings call you?
Big G.
3. What cell phone do you own?
Nokia.
4. Do you play any sport or excersise?
I skate to and from my friends houses.
5. What are you currently listening to?
5(crap)fm. (btw – they have almost zero local content)
6. When and what was your initial influence to Psytrance?
The Pharcyde/ Vortex Synergy parties back in the late 90’s where I first experienced Mark Allen (Quirk) and Mr. Tsyoshi Suzuki. I was converted immediately by their manic overdose of raw psychedelic sound.
7. What?s your favorite piece of equipment?
My Virus.
8. What was your best experience in front of a live crowd?
They have all been good, particularly here in SA… the Japanese and Indian crowds also RIP! I played a small gig in Brighton a few years ago where there was a battle for the loudest screamer. Me vs. the Crowd … it was close but they had the numbers : )
9. What animal describes your music best?
Hmmm tough one… don’t think it exists in normal reality… pokemons are pretty close.
10. From what other artist(s) do you gain inspirado?
Phyx, Slug, Lost & Found, Absolum, pretty much all the SA trance artists and a lot more non-trance outfits like The Real Estate Agents (these dudes are my biggest inspirado currently) and Boards Of Canada, Daedelus… there are sooo many!
11. Is there any difference in crowds from party to party?
Ya, it depends on many factors – smaller parties are more intimate… the bigger parties can be ravish but theres nothing like a BIG crowd!
12. Where?s you favorite destination to tour to?
Japan.
13. How would you compare that to the South African scene?
Its very different. They are more organized and have more money so there are more parties… here we have fewer parties but people really know how to party… and we have the dopest venues.
14. You think you’ll ever NOT be able to make Psytrance?
Even If I loose all my limbs (I don’t think so), Ill get like a runner to click the mouse and nod my head when they get it right !
15. How long does it take you to make a track 90% complete?
Usually 2 days but some tracks need more time… I reckon its best to try get the bulk of the track/or idea out in 1 session then complete it the next day when you are fresh.
16. Do you create sounds by a foolproof process or is everything freestyle and tweaking?
Its different every time but its good to know what your going for before you start – like have an idea of the sound , AND EXPERIMENT LANK cause most of what you do has probably been done already so try something different, you never know you might just have the sickest breakthrough!
17. Do you have tip or trick you’d like to give us?
Have fun! Dont be too serious, humor does belong in music… but please cheese is better on a sandwich than a dance floor!
18. When can we expect your new album?
XATRIK 2nd album “INSIDE INFORMATION” due Nov/Dec this year on DIGITAL PSIONICS RECORDS and my side project with LOST & FOUND – MULTISTATE has our debut album “COLLABORATING WITH MACHINES” due Nov this year on TIMECODE RECORDS.
Thanks once again to Xartrik for bringing us some of the hottest tunes around. Go check out the Record Label sites at www.digitalpsionics.com and www.timecode.co.za.
