I caught up with Kris Wadsworth during his stay in the UK, basking in the reflected glory that only a 4.5/5 RA review can bring . . .
CB: So, it's your first visit over here other than getting deported the last time (September '08). How are you finding it, not too much of a culture shock?
KW: Not too much. I mean you guys drive on the wrong side of the road. I had to pay extra attention to that, but besides that nothing much.
CB: So, are you seeing any big differences in the way people get into the music over here? How different is it playing out here to playing out in the States?
KW: People actually come out to shows here. There's actually people in clubs man. People seem to be that much more into the music and know exactly what it is and what it can be. More people seem to appreciate it here. Of course they do in the States too, but it's few and far between.
CB: Why do you think that is? You're from Detroit, one of electronic music's global hotbeds and the impression you're giving me is that it's hard to get an audience. Would that be correct?
KW: Exactly. Especially in Detroit. You'd think it'd be hyper, but not even much on a small scale. It's very mudane.
CB: What about other places you may have played in the States. Is that pretty much the staus quo?
KW: No. I mean New York . . .a lot of stuff goes on there, Chicago too . . .it depends what's going on like anywhere. Sometimes LA and Miami but Detroit specifically sucks.
CB: I saw that interview you did for Data Transmission, which seems to ruffle a few feathers . . . that interview became a bit infamous because you don't seem to worry about speaking your mind. Is there a downside to this?
KW: I think about it sometimes. If somebody brings something up I try to censor it but if someone brings something up connected to a subject that you feel confident in speaking about, where you're from for example, I'll talk about it and say what I think. But I'm conscious of it, I question it . . .people might think I'm an asshole, crazy, but I don't know.
CB: It's rare that you read anything that questions Detroit in any way though. . . rare that you read anything that's negative. It's also good to read about somebody who's honest and not up their own arse.
KW: Well a lot of people from Detroit are up their own asses' It's one thing to honk your own horn because nobody else will, but another to be anti-social and disruptive with your views about whi you are and what you suposedly contribute to music. It upsets me because coming from a certain locale there's always this stigma . . .for a lot of guys from there and I don't agree with it. I want to make it clear that I like the city, inspirationally it's something to behold. You see a lot of inspiring things, the architecture, the way people look, the way they walk . . . Don't get me wrong, but the scene, a lot of the people involved . . . they're cunts, as you guys say. (laughs)
CB: I try not to (laughs). Let's talk about your forthcoming releases. 'Mainline' has just been released, and I put a few words up about it on this blog, it also had a very good review on Data Transmission. What's coming up next?
KW: I've just signed up an EP to Milton Jackson and Shur-I-Kan's label, Dark Energy. That's exciting. I'm doing a Mark Henning remix for Hypercolour, a track called 'The Right Time.' I've just done a remix of Aaron Carl for Millions Of Moments. I'm due to release a two part EP for them too. Myself and Stefan, who runs MOM, have to decide what's what. The BOE release should be coming out on the 12.6, and another release for Hypercolour plus another for Morris in the fall, but I've just been very busy with remixes, Steve Bug amongst them.
CB: What's your take on the "deep house revival"? Do you feel a part of it and, if so, how do you see your sound fitting into it because I'm sure a lot of people would lump you in with it?
KW: I kind of think that a lot of people labelling it don't know what it is. There's an article in IDJ that asks what the difference is between deep house and techno and for me it's kind of a little less narcotic and more organic. But people can call my music what they want if they feel they need to label it. It's just "dance music" to me.
CB: And how's your back carrying all that vinyl around?
KW: (Laughs) It's alright, but I'm thinking of making the switch to Serato for logistical purposes. Getting on a plane with 130 records and hoping it'll fit in the plane . . it's a pain in the ass but I'm makiing do with vinyl at the moment.
CB: So where are you heading after the UK?
KW: After the UK I'm going to Poland to Lodz, then to Berlin for a couple of weeks, then Switzerland and back home to July.
CB: Are you still playing Free Rotation in August?
KW: Yes. I'm going to come back over at the end of July, beginning of August.
CB: It's been good talking to you Kris. Have a good time while you're over here and speak soon.
KW: Cheers man.
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