Laughing Buddha who has a brand new collaboration album out ‘Illusions & Collusions‘ talks to us about being a school rebel, Psy trance in the 90’s, making music in a tiny hotel room, and more.
“Everyone I have worked with on this shares, as I do, a vision of producing great, modern sounding psychedelia and I think we have achieved this in style with this release.”
1. Your new album features some amazing collaborations with some really great producers on every track. What do you feel is the encompassing feeling of this release ?
I wanted to do something that was different to my last album which was all solo tracks, so I felt it would be exciting to collaborate with some of my favourite producers in the scene. It has resulted in an album which is varied and interesting while keeping an essential Laughing Buddha flavour tying it all together. Everyone I have worked with on this shares, as I do, a vision of producing great, modern sounding psychedelia and I think we have achieved this in style with this release.
2. After so many years working in the same field and producing Psy music, how do you maintain your sense of wonder and freshness for it all?
The reason I became a musician in the first place is that you never stop learning, discovering and developing. As a musician… the potential is infinite. I will always feel there is more to explore and experience. It’s especially true of Psytrance being such an abstract form of music. Psy culture and all the amazing people involved never fails to inspire and encourage me.
3. What’s the best part of being a part of the Nano Records family?
Just that… it’s like a big family. Everyone who is part of it has something very special to offer, and are all great fun to tour with, hang out with, party and work with.
4. Who are some of your favourite producers right now?
Everyone on this album! (laughs) There are many more of course. It’s a thriving scene full of talented and creative people.
5. Watch any great movies lately?
The last movie I got to see in the cinema was ‘Gravity’ which was an awesome experience. It really felt like I’d been in space for two hours! I loved Leo Di Caprio’s performance in ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’.
6. What was the last line you said on the phone/or texted to someone?
“I’ll call you back…”
7. When you were a kid, what was your classroom personality?
I was always the rebel at school… I spent a lot of time getting myself into all sorts of trouble! I guess I just found it hard to stick to the rules.
8. Is there an interesting production/inspiration story behind one or more of the tracks on your collaborations album. Please paint us a small picture?
All the tracks were great fun to work on… a lot of laughs. The track I did with Boris (Electric Universe) was written in a hotel room in Melbourne. The name of the the track came from the hotel we were staying in – Nova Stargate. I was amazed at the result we managed to achieve just using a small pair of Bose travel speakers. It only need a few minor tweaks back in the studio.
9. What would you say is the biggest difference between Psy trance in the 90’s and now?
I would say the main difference is the quality of the production. There is so much technology available to producers in the digital domain theses days that you can achieve almost anything if you put your mind to it. It’s very exciting. The challenge is making your music sound unique as in the past a band sound would be defined by the hardware they had in their studio. These days everyone has access to the same technology… it’s all about how creatively you use it. As for the parties themselves, there is much more of a focus on the stage and the performer than there used to be. Back then, you wouldn’t even know where the DJ was most of the time and the focus was much more on the music and the party people. I kind of miss that sometimes.
10. Do you take selfies?
Not at gigs. I’m usually too busy mixing and enjoying myself on stage!
11. Fill in the blanks:
“Too many cooks not enough broth.”