Next up for Balearic Ensemble is the first of two releases from Claptrap label boss Vanity Project, featuring: ‘Multi Level Music’. In this work the process begins through a double side of cosmic funk loaded with synthesizers with the luminaries Joe Morris and Romain FX as support for remixes. We have had the pleasure of interviewing Vanity and this has been the result.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from/how did you get into music? How is your sound evolving?
I grew up in Preston, just north of Manchester in the UK. I first got into music through playing drums / bass in bands when i was a kid, then moved to London and met people who were into DJing & electronic music. I think my music has got more club focussed over time, but still retains the balearic / cosmic feel of my earlier stuff!
What artists and genres do you like to mix at the moment?
Allsorts, but I’ve been really enjoying playing boogie sets in bars especially some of the old UK / britfunk records. David Joseph who did You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me) has some amazing instrumental B sides!
How do you think your music influences or impacts your listeners?
I like to think people dance to my music but to be honest I’m happy as long as people are enjoying it however they see fit!
What projects are you working on right now?
I’ve been finishing up some edits that I’ll be putting up for free in the next month or so plus a remix for a psych band called Black Market Karma (who I also play drums for). Then a little later in the year there’s another EP with Balearic Ensemble and some more releases on Claptrap (a small label I run here in London with some friends) which we can’t wait to share!
What can you tell us about your latest work?
Multilevel Music has two original tracks from me, and two remixes from Romain FX and Joe Morris who both have featured in my DJ sets in the past.
Where are you and what have you been doing now?
I’ve been based in London for the last 15 years or so, I have a small studio in Hackney where I make music and keep my records and I spend as much time there as I can, working on music.
What is your musical criteria? Do you feel confident now to play a more experimental sound?
When making music, I just try and finish things even if they suck. If I make something I don’t like maybe I’ll show a few friends for a laugh but I’ll generally shelve it and move on. If I like it I’ll try playing it out in my sets and then adjust mixes & arrangements before sharing it more widely. I always try and experiment with sounds and styles but I generally try to pull my music back towards being direct and dance-floor ready.
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but has it affected creativity?
Obviously it would be great if artists were paid fairly for streams, but the access to recording technology and digital distribution has made it easier than ever to share your music. There’s plenty of people around the world making and playing great music and it’s showing no sign of slowing down.
Can you tell us about your current and future projects?
I’m just keeping my head down and trying to put out as much music as I can this year. I have another release upcoming on Balearic Ensemble which I’m really looking forward to sharing, plus some free edits coming soooooon!@Van1ty_project
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