| Artist of the Week - 2006-07-02 - Mister Jay |
Mister Jay read the full interview here
InterviewFOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Mister Jay, thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to sit and talk with us. Well, my first question is... where did the name Mister Jay come from?Mister Jay: In the past I was a computer kid and my nick was “fatjay”. Then I finally decided to get clear in my head and become some kind of adult and changed it from that kiddie style “fatjay” into serious “Mister Jay.” FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Awesome! I think it’s great that you used your game nick as your artist name. But you’re right, “fatjay” would not be a very attractive artist name. So tell us a little bit about your grenre; your specialty. Mister Jay: I make original progressive and experimental techno from the old school! FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Nice, I’ll always have a soft spot for old skool progressive. So how did you come into the world of producing? Mister Jay: One day I felt like making music so I started with it. FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Deep... So do you DJ as well? Mister Jay: Yes I do. FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Rock on! You’ll have to send us some free passes so we can come see you in action! ;) So getting back to your producing, do you work with any other artists, either in collaboration or for remixing? Mister Jay: In the past, I have done a lot of work with other producers and I have also remixed some tracks and have been remixed by good producers. FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Excellent! So tell me a little bit about that experience. Mister Jay: Well, I love it if someone makes something totally new out of my freaky tracks and make them more playable in the clubs... FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Yeah, I know it’s such a crazy feeling when someone takes your work and totally tricks it out. So is electronica your only field of music or do you play in any bands or anyway? Mister Jay: I produce some hiphop acts from time to time because I used to be a funky hiphop gangster and some of that music still really rocks me. *grin* FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Yeah man, you really gotta stick to your roots and let that be your drive! Now taking a little detour here, one of the questions we always like to ask our artists is.. have your read or seen anything recently, such as a book or film, that really moved or inspired you? Mister Jay: Hmmm, that’s hard to say... but I think one movie which really kicks in my mind of was “Requiem for a dream”. FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: So are you active on any other groups, boards or forums online? Mister Jay: Quite a lot actually, but some noteable ones are: http://www.unitedsb.de | http://www.technoforum.de | http://www.ostcode.de | http://www.electronic-culture.org | http://www.unitedhb.com FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: So how did you come to be an artist here FOEM? Mister Jay: I was asked to join... ;) FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Yeah I bet that was rockmachine, he’s our big recruited. In fact, that’s how I came to join up as well. Well, now that you’re here amongst all us rediculously sexy producers... what do like most about FOEM? Mister Jay: I like that the whole project is just real, free and is constantly continuing to grow... FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Well we’re all pushing for this growing trend to continue, that’s for sure. So how do you see the future of FOEM? Mister Jay: Well, if it continues to go on like it is at the moment, I’d like to think that it will be well known all over the world and all of us will get the respect we’ve all been working so hard for! FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Amen, bro... So what would you say are YOUR musical aims? Mister Jay: To live from it easily... FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Well, we all have to survive... so do you want to make a career out of your producing? Mister Jay: Yes, why not. :) FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Right... well... okay, so when was the last time you sent in a promo to a label? What was the label and what was their reaction? Mister Jay: Actually, I just sent one out today and while I often get the critics, I dont want to reveal the label until I’m more sure about my standings there. hehe FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Oh I understand. But that does sound very promising so best of luck with that! Now... for the most anxious part of the interview, let’s touch on some politics. ;) What do you think about the contemporary popular music played by most radio stations today? Mister Jay: Its nice actually... I really respect pop music a lot. You can say what you want about it but it’s professional high-quality music and a great deal of work goes behind every act! Most people who disrespect pop music aren’t even able to produce it on their own.... so... FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Right on! Pop is definitely not an easy genre to work in, depending on what kind of pop you’re working with. My only beef is the diference between artists and writers. I think the writers and producers don’t get the credit for doing most of the work. Nonetheless, such is the nature of the industry. So lets move onto the “Napster” issue... what do you think about the uprising of netlabels and the conflict between them and the players in the commercial music industry? Mister Jay: I think it’s not really a great problem.. I don’t really care about the industry and kick those fools... music is life and nobody can kill it. But I don’t think that netlabels and the internet is the absolute future of music... I think we will always have vinyl, CDs and all the traditional media to buy and play music, but I’m glad that the netlables have gained more prominence, respect and popularity. FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: I agree... I think the internet is simply an additional platform in which to get music out to the world. Now let’s get back to what people really wanna know about... you! What is one interesting thing about you that people might now expect? Mister Jay: I’m really into Starcraft: Broodwar and all the Gosu Shit from South Korea!!! FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: HAHAHAHA, w00t!!! Starcraft is a classic one mate. I kinda feel like playing it now. Mister Jay, I’d like to thank you again for taking the time to talk with us... I have but one more question for you... Spending many years as a musician or producer can be quite draining, physically, emotionally and creatively... we all begin to experience symptoms of creative “burn out” at some point in our careers. How do you plan to sustain yourself in the long term and avoid this “burn out?” Mister Jay: I will kick ass as a DJ as long as I’m feeling young and rockin’ enough for it… after that, I want to produce music professionally for other people in other genres like pop music for some teenstars etc… FOEM/Jonathan vanAtom: Excellent... well, from myself and on behalf of all of us here at FOEM, I’d like to wish you the best of luck in your career and remind you that we will always be here to support you in any way we can! |
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