John Larner is one of House musics more original rising stars. With a penchant for the techier side of things his productions are varied and powerful and are super-seeded only by his abilities behind the decks. Preceding his Australian tour Ollie Brooke investigates what makes the man tick and why he is so fond of Australia…
You’re smack bang in the middle of the whole Chicago house sound at the moment and inhabit the territory with the likes of Joey Youngman, Bryan Jones, Fred Everything to name a few. Where do you see yourself in this scene, what do you bring to the table that would otherwise be left out?
I think Slater and myself sound different then 99% of the cats out there in that we have a lot more techno influences in our sound. We are both fans of the techno and tech-house scenes so we use those influences in our music and DJ sets. So when people come out to see us play they here a set that’s different then most DJ’s. Same with our production. That said we love and respect all of the for mentioned artist. except for Fred…. he a jerk! (no just kidding Fred’s the shit. one of our favourite DJ/producers ever)
Over the years you’ve put out some of the finest moments in house and some of the most progressive sounding records in the scene, what are the standout productions of your career so far, what are the ones that left you the biggest sense of satisfaction upon completion?
Caught Our was great. That tune has done the most for us. We got insane radio play on that tune. Radio One hammered it all summer. Top of the World was cool because I’ve gotten so many emails from cats that really like it. The Aroma E.P (Nola House) was a big one in that I felt it touch on all of our styles. Lastly I really was proud of the Aeosteric release (Deal with the Duvel) even though it freaked a lot of people out (being that its basically a techno record) I was proud to release something so different.
Yourself and Slater seem to rarely part company in production terms, indeed there are few co-producers who stick so close, what is it about the dynamic between you that keeps this bond so tight, what influences do you both bring to the table?
He makes me breakfast and walks my cats so that huge….. No really he’s my best friend and he’s so driven and focused on what needs to been done and how to do it that it really help me work. I can get hung up on how does this sound and maybe we shouldn’t shop it and worrying about the little things and he’ll come in take the disk and get it out. plus he taste in music is as out there as mine so it works well.
There’s a picture of you on myspace, being quite “friendly” with a Koala, You’re not just coming to Australia live out a few fantasies I hope? What is it that floats your boat about Aussie crowds, what have we got that no one else has got? (apart from Koalas)
The Aussie kids are by far the nicest we’ve ever played for. Everyone’s excited to see you and they just go crazy. And really its just an excuse to get back to Roger (the Koala in the picture) it’s really hard being on opposite side of the world. But like they say “once you go Koala nothing else will make you Hoala” ......hope the wife isn’t reading this one
For a country that has been relatively quiet in terms of output with global reach, the Aussie clubber is one of discerning taste, what do you see as being promising in the Aussie scene, are there any producers or DJs you know of who have caught your ear?
Glen Coates from Sydney is dope! Freestyle has been doing some great things as well. You guy’s know what’s up for sure. I know there this other cat that’s doing some tunes for peaches. (sorry mate forgot the name) His sh*t is sick! Anyo in Melbourne is coming up as well! Been playing a bunch of his new stuff.
DJing is more than just about playing records, it’s a performance piece, what are thoughts on the DJs role as a performer, are you the stand there with your head down type or do you get into it?
I’ve been known to get into it but a lot of the time I just stand there and look like a dork…. But feed me enough Jager bombs and I’ll dance on the bar. (ask Wellington NZ about an 800$ bar tab and me dancing on the bar at the end of the show)
Given the level of development of the scene at the moment and the number of companies who are playing the capitalist game, some better than others, the health of the scene remains basically unchanged. I. e. there are still clubs playing the non-commercial sound and doing it well and it seems that dance music will not go the way of rock and be absorbed into mainstream culture, is this something you agree with?
Kind of but dance music is pretty mainstream in much of the UK and it has some of the best clubs and cultures out there. That said if its that accessible people don’t always get as excited to see you.
New labels continue to start up even in what seems a fairly saturated market, you’ve recently put out music on Bassminst Recordings for example, what’s the logic behind setting up new labels in this heavily populated market instead of just letting other labels put out the music?
Well there are a ton of labels out there but I think it OK to release under a new label because for one thing a lot of the new guys really bust their asses promoting because they know that’s the only way they’re going to make it. We sell around the same amount of units on the new guys as the old ones. so to us it doesn’t make that much difference. That said it’s good to work with the older big labels because the clubs and DJs perceive it as a bigger more important release. (even if they don’t really move that many more records.) I think it comes down to the music not the label so much. if its a hot track DJs will find it.
One thing that features heavily in a lot of your tracks is the jazz element, do you spend a lot of time listening to “proper” jazz, who are the artists that inspire you in this circle?
I got into jazz at a very young age because of my uncle was in a kind of experimental jazz band that did pretty well in the mid to late 70’s, so I grew up around that music cause my family. Then around the 80’s when the break-dance thing got going I gravitated towards that sound. I’ve just always been into soul music and jazz has a lot of soul. As far as the artist I always dug the big guy’s. I’d like to say some cool abstract artists but in truth I like Miles, Coltrane, Marsalis, Armstrong and big band stuff.
What is it that jazz brings to dance music, why do the 2 work so well together?
Again I think its the soul. The feeling, the vibe…. that kinda thing is common to both.
Your series of Aussie gigs will be looked forward to by many a clubber down here, what tracks are doing it for you at the moment and what can we expect from your sets?
I’m workin’ on some crazy shit right now. Really trying to push myself and crowds in new directions all the while keepin’ with my roots. Look for some new things coming on Wrong Recording, Dot-Bleep, Blunted Funk and a bunch of surprises.
John Larner plays at Revolver in Melbourne on Friday 25th August and at Tank in Sydney on Saturday 26th August.
