Darren Emerson GU36
http://www.trackitdown.net/genre/house/track/861742.html
1. As we understand it your initial love of music came in the shape of Hip-Hop, how and when did you make the progression into more house orientated sounds?
Yes that’s true! I was into hip-hop and electro, scratching and cutting it up. I was always open to lots of different styles of music. I guess listening to Afrika Bambaataa and Arthur Baker combined with Kraftwerk and then the more synth led electro of New Order and the likes ended up with electronic music being the natural progression for me.
2. How did the whole 'Underworld' thing come about and did you ever think you would take over the music World they way you guys did?
Rick and Karl had been in a band together for years making rocky poppy synth kinda stuff. I was introduced to them in 1991 Rick wanted to get into dance music. With their background as a band and mine with dance music, it was a good combination. I had no idea of what would come out of it but I soon got the feeling that we were onto something good.
3. 'Born Slippy'. Can you give us an insight into the lyrics please??
Karl always wrote lyrics in a kind of cut and paste way. He would just put together words and sentences he would hear or see. Born Slippy came to him one night when he was walking down Waldorf St. late in the evening and people were outside drinking, hence the words lager, lager, lager, as he walked past!
4. The Junior Boys Own label was pretty monumental in the 90's and played a huge role in shaping the underground house sound, I can actually remember playing an X-Press 2 record continuously until it wouldn't play anymore! How did it feel to be involved with this legendary imprint?
Underworld were actually on the Junior Boys label first before we started putting things on Junior. Then Boys Own left London records to go indie. Junior Boys and the band kinda grew up together doing Lemon Interupt as well as Underworld. We had a real family vibe going on and the success of the band and the label went hand in hand.
5. Moving onto your solo career that began in 2000, how did it feel to be performing on your own after previously sharing a stage with Karl and Richard for 8 years?
It felt right. I left at just the right time and I was glad to be doing my own thing again. I achieved everything I wanted to with the band, it was a great phase in my life but everything that came after has been just as good.
6. Can you tell us a bit about Underwater Records?
It all started off as a hobby to be honest back in 1994. But then around 2001, 2002, the label really started gaining momentum that culminated in our label of the year award from DJ magazine in 2003. Now, I’ve taken a back seat with it all. It’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears and I’m not really a business man so my label manager Tom still runs it but I needed to take a step back and focus on my own music.
7. How would you describe your current sound today?
The basis of what I play has always been house and techno. Obviously music changes and new styles come along but as long as its techy, got some funk and a good groove to it then I’m up for it.
8. After a hugely successful career that has spanned almost 2 decades, what is next for Darren Emerson?
I’m off on tour again to promote the compilation. The tour runs from February through to June and I’ll be going to back to America amongst many other places which I’m looking forward to. There’s also my artist album which still needs a couple final touches and two or three club singles which are ready to go.
9. Do you use any Laptop software such as Traktor or are you purely a CD man?
I play on Traktor Scratch. My laptop is hooked up to the CDJ’s so I’m still mixing like before but I can turn up with my whole record collection on a hard drive!
10. Who is topping the production tree for you these days?
I like the new generation of European techno producers like Paul Ritch, Quarion and Joris Voorn who are pushing the boundaries of techno further and some of my old favourites are still making great music like Josh Wink, Joel Mull and John Tejada.
11. You must have been happy with the feedback and support from your last single 'Crash Jack'?
Yes it was my first club single in 3 years so it was nice to get so much support on it. As I mentioned, I’ve got some more coming up so watch this space!
12. How long did it take to programme this album and are you happy with the result?
The tracklisting had to be done 4 months before it was out so everything on there is very upfront. It was a long process but yes I’m definitely pleased with the result. My main concern was for it to reflect as closely as possible what I’m into right now and be exclusive at the same time.
13. The GU tour starts next week, you must be excited about that? Where in the World will you be causing havoc on the 1's and 2's?
I will be going to America, Asia, Australia and back to Latin America as well. I only do big tours once every couple of years so it’s gonna be nice to go back and see friends around the world that I haven’t seen in a while!
14. Are you a stay up late and party kind of guy when on tour, are you the consummate professional and head straight to bed after your set?
I go straight to bed with a hot cup of Horlicks!
15. What's in your current Top tune?
Audio Soul Project - Reality Check (Vincenzo Remix)
http://www.trackitdown.net/genre/house/track/831112.html
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