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Interview with John Askew - consider the tone lowered...
Reported by Bagel
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Submitted 16-01-06 19:16
Back in November 2005 I had a bit of a chat with a certain trance producer of Discover records fame.... Now the powers that be tried to stop this getting *published... they think they can keep people like Askew silent! Hah! they are wrong! Ok its taken us some time to put together a decent legal team and so on, but at long last, without further adieu... ladies and gentlemen I present to you Mr John Askew...
Some standard questions first if we may, before we get into the nitty gritty... what got you into music production and DJing?
I went to a rave in 1993 and was blown away by what I saw. I was in a band at the time and we had had a bust up so I went out with some mates who were into raving who had promised me a weekend that would make me forget all the shit I was dealing with. And they were right. I sold my guitar the following day, told the band to fuck off and bought decks.
Tell us a bit about the Discover label, how did it all start?
Two dear friends of mine Pablo Gargano and Steve lo Presti, who used to run Eve records, asked if I would be up for making a track in Pab’s studio, so I went in and the 2 of us made ‘Vellum’. It went down quite well so they suggested I set up a label with them and start bringing in the kind of music that I was playing at my gigs… it was fucking great, they took care of the business side of things and all the tedious shit like manufacturing vinyl etc. while I just had to make records and listen to shit loads of unsigned music. Dream come true!
What’s the relationship between Discover and Recover?
Recoverworld is the parent company run my Chris Hampshire and myself which owns a number of labels — including the Discover & Discover dark.
Can you give us a run down on future releases?
John O’Callaghan and I have just released a track called ‘Game Over’ on Discover which will be followed by my new single ‘All or Nothing’ and then a wicked track from Greg Downey called ‘K.I.A.’ which comes with a banging remix from one of my fav producers Marc van Linden. On Discover Dark, our more techy label, we have a new single from Russian trance legends Sensorica, which I think is in the shops now, called ‘Equilibrium’. That also comes with a stunning track on the flip called ‘Train of Thought’ which I absolutely adore. Then we have ‘The Dark Arts EP” which has another huge track from O’Callaghan called ‘Vendetta’ and a dark club banger from me called ‘Nail Gun’. I think all of these should be out before the end of the year. You can always find out more about all the labels at http://www.recoverworld.com plug plug plug…
Digital downloads seem to have made a massive impact on the music industry. After the initial hesitation from everyone... it’s finally going ballistic. What’s your view on the whole downloads scene?
I think it’s amazing and it excites me immensely to see it growing at such a healthy rate. It’s fantastic that you can upload a new track into your online catalogue and within hours people are buying it from the other side of the planet. It’s truly amazing. As I’m sure most passionate vinyl/technics addicts were, I was really against this whole digital thing for a while. I totally resented the internet for creating a breed of consumer who not only refused to pay for their music, but positively resented being put into a situation where they had no option but to do so. I’m not going to lie, I’ve downloaded some shit illegally, mostly porn movies, but when you work on the other side of the fence you see how dramatically the internet has fucked us in the arse. To go from selling 10,000 records on a release to being in the situation where you are happy with anything over 900 is a bit of a comedown.
So do you prefer CDs or Vinyl?
CDs
Do you think downloads are correctly priced at the moment? Is it possible for artists to make a living purely from releasing MP3s
I think they are reasonably priced. With regards to your second question I think it depends on the artist and the kind of music they are making. If you are asking if I could make a living on the downloads of my music alone, then the answer is no, if on the other hand you make big commercial hits that get made into ring tones and other shit like that, then I’m sure it would be slightly more profitable.
On your latest album Lower The Tone you’ve recorded a live set from The Gallery — why do you think so fewer DJ/producers release sets recorded live from events? Often you'll hear a DJ play live at a club... and think “damn that was good”... run out and buy their CD and it’s nowhere near the same standard…
It’s funny that you should mention that. I too have been at gigs where a dj is making a “live recording” for an album. I heard them make a few fuck ups, but then when you go out and buy it it’s as clean as a whistle. Incredible! As I said in my sleeve notes….
We live in a world of airbrushing imperfections and editing mistakes. All because of a worry, that what we have to offer might not be good enough for the consumers who have become obsessed with perfection. There are djs who are out there commanding huge sums of money to perform in clubs and yet some of them don’t feel their mixing abilities are good enough to use when it comes to putting an album together. Oh, the irony…..
Normal bloke having his dinner
On you bonus CD in ‘Lower The Tone’ one of your poems, "Who let HIM drive?" talks about Iraq, terrorism and politics. Do dance music and politics mix?
Are you asking this because you feel the two should not be mixed yourself? Are there an unspoken set of rules which define what one can and can’t include in dance music releases? This album wasn’t supposed to be just about just dance music. Although it obviously had to have a healthy dose of it on board, it was also an opportunity for me to be able to express a few other emotions, a different side to the coin — beyond the usual dance floor escapism, take us away to a place away from the miseries of real life etc. I wanted to put out a variety of stuff related to my life and my real feelings. As I said before I come from a rock band background and in those circumstances, if you are pissed off at a cunt like George Bush then you can write lyrics and sing about it so that the listeners see your explicit view point. If you are a producer who makes predominantly non-vocal music aimed at the dance floor then it’s bit harder to express these kinds of feelings. So, as this was an album, I wanted to include a bonus CD of material that wasn’t aimed at the club or the dancefloor, but more at the “post club” session. The people who I hope have at some stage shared and can therefore relate to experiences, emotions, anxieties and overall moral perspectives on everyday life that I have tried to portray. I hate the fact that because I am a dance music producer I could in some way be restricted in getting a message across in this fashion purely on the basis that “it’s not the done thing in dance”. Dance music for me was always about breaking the rules and yet it seems to have now become so formulated and, well, safe. If we say “you shouldn’t include this kind of material, or you shouldn’t say that” — on the basis that it’s not the done thing, then surely this is us making rules of what we can and can’t do? Fuck that!! What are we doing??!!! Music should have not restrictions or boundaries. If you want to say something that you passionately believe in, then for the love of God say it!! If you listen to what I say and you don’t like it, then stop listening and don’t ever press play on this CD again. Fucking hell, I need a beer….
I love this poem... and what it’s saying. What do you think clubbers can do to change things with regard to the world situation on Iraq and terrorism? Should they care?
That’s most kind of you to say so. Of course we should all care. Not just clubbers. Everyone. It’s “our” planet and it is slowly being raped in front of us. But sadly at the same time, I don’t think there is anything we can do. Well certainly nothing that would make a significant difference to preventing a War. When you see 2 million people walk through London on an anti war demonstration it’s an impressive sight and great publicity for “the cause”, but at the same time, I often find myself thinking “what’s the fucking point?”
“Excuse me Mr Blair, there are 2 million outside in the road who would rather you didn’t go to war…”
“Oh, fuck, well we better sit down and reconsider our plans”
Like hell, democracy does not come into it anymore. And especially not when the powers that be are debating whether to go to war. The only thing we can do is to support the rebuilding programmes and any associated fund raising events that donate funds to the effected areas. And obviously sign every single petition that comes within a mile to have that twat Bush removed. Please excuse me, I’m getting a little passionate about this now. Don’t forget where you are Askew and who you are talking to. No, I won’t I promise… where’s my medication….
Totally at the other end of the scale, there’s also a recording from a group of mates who have obviously been awake for a while... having one hell of a time. What did they do to you when they found out they'd been recorded?
Well the original recording was about 2 and a half hours long, so when I told them and played it back to them they were firstly shocked and very concerned about a lot of the material in there, so I edited it down to 40 minutes and removed a lot of the brutally dodgy stuff. After that we gave it another test run and there was still about 20 minutes that was just too full on for a public release, so I spent another few days cutting it down till we got to where it is now. Between you and I, I have already organised another weekend of shenanigans over Christmas and I have invited a bunch of likely characters and I have every intention of doing the same again. But keep it under your hat!
‘Lower the Tone’ really puts yourself out there... did you have any doubts about making the content of that third bonus CD in particular, public?
No. None whatsoever. I wanted to put the 40 minute version on there!! Like I said, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea and I’m sure it will offend a lot of people, but so would a cannibal corpse heavy metal album or a bestiality porno movie, so if you are a tad sensitive I would advise you to avoid this album at all costs.
And did anyone try and talk you out of doing it?
Yes, everyone to start with except my missus god bless her. She agreed that we should’ve had the 40 minute version on there.
Someone sounds like they have a really bad cold in that recording?
Well it was snowing quite heavily the day we recorded it.
Where were you playing out at afterwards?
The Loft in Maidstone. It was fucking amazing, but a big shame that none of the fuck up lot could lift themselves off their arses to come with me. They were all stuck into this session and nobody was going to move them so I left them to it and went on my own. Am I right in thinking The Loft has been shut down now ? That would be a big shame, it was defo one of the most up for it clubs/crowds in the UK.
Finally... what advice would you give to the up and coming djs out there trying to get gigs, and play out?
Lie, cheat and steal consistently. Because that’s what the people running the show do.
Thanks for you time, and all the best!
*Ok not really...
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Other Features By Bagel:
Legal MP3 download sites gather momentum
TWISTED Foam Party Preview: Interview with Marcos
Interview with Tony Burt
Interview with S.H.O.K.K.
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Matt Smallwood on 16th Jan 2006 19:28.33
John, you're an absolute legend mate! Quality read!
From: Mat Lock on 16th Jan 2006 19:59.59
 well funny, and good interview 
From: Norris123 on 16th Jan 2006 20:19.03
Good work John...nice read Daegal! 
From: Lee Osborne on 16th Jan 2006 22:01.36
What a legend! wkd read...... top top bloke!
From: Element7 on 16th Jan 2006 22:11.45
Thats the single best interview I have ever read. What a fucking star
From: Not Marcus on 16th Jan 2006 22:30.20
Brilliant. Brilliant stuff. 
From: Ian Betts on 16th Jan 2006 22:40.10
Great interview - John is one of the very few DJ/Producers who is shaking things up by doing his own thing at the moment, and it invariably rocks. Top lad, huge amount of respect for him
From: Jurrane on 16th Jan 2006 23:30.13
A legend and an inspiration. Congratulations to John and well done to Daegal for a great interview - quality stuff!
From: Greg Downey on 17th Jan 2006 00:22.07
Add your comments here !
From: Greg Downey on 17th Jan 2006 00:22.27
Add your comments here !
From: Greg Downey on 17th Jan 2006 00:22.59
2 words -
fucking gentleman
From: HHL on 17th Jan 2006 08:58.09
Nice one...nice to read something that is put together independently and humour is used too.
From: KrAzB on 17th Jan 2006 09:30.22
haha Greg you nutter!
Top producer, Top Dj looking forward to hearing more things from this guy in 2006!
From: bunny on 17th Jan 2006 09:41.18
Great interview; breath of fresh air from the usual format.
Love the pictures too
From: CustardUK on 17th Jan 2006 10:12.09
Now that's Rock n Roll! Just how it should be!
From: CustardUK on 17th Jan 2006 10:13.39
Now that's Rock n Roll! Just how it should be!
From: Rick D on 17th Jan 2006 13:15.58
Like it, Askew is becoming a legend in my books. Unafraid to speak his mind like a lot of people these days
From: Richard Launch on 17th Jan 2006 13:28.05
"Well it was snowing quite heavily the day we recorded it."
From: otterluvin on 17th Jan 2006 15:47.02
I'd been thinking it's about time he updated his photo's... nice ;o) What a legend... I rarely miss his radio shows and completely trust his (musical) judgement.... keep up the good work John!!
From: Pandora S-K on 17th Jan 2006 17:30.38
Nice interview Dageal, Askew's a legend , a very interesting read!
From: Alex Buck on 17th Jan 2006 23:16.47
Bit of class Daegal
From: onthebass on 18th Jan 2006 10:55.41
John you little L*E*G*E*N*D.
Quality interview and top insight into the rock 'n roll world of Askew'ism! Loving the promo shots as well....proper model stuff.:P
From: Ian Edwards on 18th Jan 2006 11:44.56
Noice work John
From: K.A.R.L. on 18th Jan 2006 13:26.34
Quality intervew : Some top stuff coming out on Discover this year as well. Nice...........
From: Alan-Banks on 18th Jan 2006 17:28.06
Good read. Good Dj and great producer
From: James Terry on 18th Jan 2006 18:54.44
keeps pumping out quality after quality.
From: Toxic on 19th Jan 2006 00:26.07
Legend indeed. Fantastic DJ (both club & radio) and head of one of the best trance labels out there!
From: TEK-DJ Management on 19th Jan 2006 19:20.41
Well said. Fantastic read, saying it as it should be said!! Respect!
From: PoiDa on 19th Jan 2006 21:21.40
Respect Dude! Loved your set at the Cross in late Nov, and bought "Lower The Tone". F***kin' amazin'. Look forward to your next London gig
From: Costabonkers on 21st Jan 2006 17:34.40
Quality DJ and producer. I am looking forward to his set at Electronic Sessions on the 10th of February at Deep Blue.
From: blondie on 26th Jan 2006 13:58.12
How nice to read something that's not the normal cheese!
Well done Daegal!
From: DJ Vale on 26th Jan 2006 16:48.51
Nice one
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