Glitter Womb, this Friday, at The Republic. FKNMIDAS has created a great night of disco, and then a load of everything and anything else that’s going to make you dance. I got to ask FKNMIDAS a few questions about his own production and Glitter Womb. There’s a track below that you have to listen to, it has already been repeated 3 times in about 12 minutes (the max it can be, as it’s just over 4 minutes long). Full interview after the jump…
FKNMIDAS – Ina’ My Mind
What got you into producing music?
I have always written played music but I never really enjoyed the logistics involved in playing in bands. It’s weird, but I find that writing and producing electronic music to be a more organic process, as I actively have to get the ball rolling rather then fiddling and strumming until things flesh out. Ultimately, though it’s just a really fun way to spend my time as opposed to watching TV.
You’re production can’t really be shoehorned into one genre, who are the different artists who influence what you produce?
Anything that makes me start dancing uncontrollably is what inspires me. But that is of course not restricting to and from any genre. It’s truly an amazing thing when a song can make you drop your inhibitions and throw yourself about. I am definitely finding a lot of that galvanising “feel” in disco music at the moment, so I draw a lot from it. Guys like “Patrick Cowley”, “Cerrone” or some of the new stuff by “Still Going” or “Downtown Party Network”. But, of course there other great stuff to, be it tracks that makes me want to pop and lock like Windowlicker by Aphex Twin or break to my knees and sway about like Sorento Moon by Tina Arena. I would love to get people doing that!
Do you consciously choose to make the tracks in different styles?
Haha, I am actually consciously trying not to! I am still groping about for a niche at the moment as I think that is really important. You really need a bit of continuity as an artist so people can say, “this sounds like a Fknmidas song”. It’s a really asset but also detriment to electronic music that one can so readily change there “sound”. I am going for something abit “balls out” and a bit melodramatic as I think it is a pretty good reflection of the kind of person I am. I have arrived at the logical conclusion of… “acid-disco” haha
Why did you start Glitter Womb?
Well for years I have always wanted to do a roller-disco I find the concept of people not having to get “fucked up” to have a good time simply awesome but we are of a different time unfortunately. But, I really wanted to capture a similar ethos that people can comfortably be silly and play around with out getting judged. It’s a tough thing to get though. Luckily a found a great venue Fremantle-way in “X-wray” that not many know about as it is tucked away. There is truly such a great vibe there that it really helped my cause. Unfortunately the place isn’t that big so I aiming “bubble wrap” the vibe and take it to Republic. I don’t think it will be that hard as it another really warm inviting place with a bigger dance floor. I have had some stupendous nights at Republic.
What kind of music do you play?
That kind that I talked about before, music that makes people put themselves out there with out care and dance for their lives. Doesn’t matter if it’s old, new, obscure or top40, I love to play an eclectic mix, it’s the feeling that’s important.
How have the crowd reacted?
It’s always a real shock, when I started the night, X-wray was more known as a place to chill out and chat. That’s usually how the night started and really gave me time to get into my groove. It’s crazy though because there is always this one point where the penny drops and suddenly it’s off the hook and I don’t know what’s hit me. It’s when people figure “I know there is tables and chairs around, but fuck it, lets dance!”. It’s a really great feeling. The only downside is that it’s way to early to finish at 12 so we would look at each other saying “what now?” Republic is gonna change that.
This is a bit of a leading question, but last night we were talking about how Perth has a few attendance problems; what do you think the Perth scene needs to be better?
It’s tough, really tough. Perth is a really small city with a lot of different minded people and we are all just thrown in it together. A lot of people have stopped going out because of the dickheads that come and ruin everything, and that causes a lot of great nights and places to die. I think venue managers are looking at things the wrong way, by closing things down because there is nobody showing up. There is over a million people in this city most of them would prefer to stay indoors with friends and other like-minded people. Clubs need to be less generic and more segregated according to taste so that people can go out with out being confronted, I know it sounds a bit extreme and separatist but it’s sad but true that when alcohol is involved, people will clash. I feel that all those bars and clubs that I wouldn’t be seen dead in are as important as the places I love as it allows Perth to keep its diversity. Divide and conquer Perth!
Or
Maybe people are just lazy haha. All I can say is.. Promoters, don’t give up!
And I’d better get your opinion on the serato/cdjs/vinyl discussion we had, why is it okay to use whatever you want?
Who cares. Some DJ’s seem to think that dance music was invented so that they could play records. I think they are a bit deluded honestly as they are not the ones doing the dancing. There is definitely an art to DJ-ing but it doesn’t lye in how hard it is to run the system you run, It’s about making people have fun. Yes, some people give a shit how technical a set is, but most don’t. Not everybody can DJ though, skill, chops and party tricks aside. Its about, searching, reading, reacting to get the best vibe going, it’s all about the song selection song selection maaaaaan.
Final question, what are your favourite two tracks to play at the moment?
White Russian (Lazy Summer) “original mix” by Sare Havlicek
This track is released on the label that I am really digging at the moment called Nang. They have got some great artists with a real world feel. This song will be my blissed out summer anthem this year.
Back Street by Ronn Matlock
Pure sex
