inthemix | Features | Sam La More: Happy back home

2008 has been a busy year for Sam La More, with the first 4 months almost entirely consumed by his exhaustive national tour to launch Ministry of Sound’s Clubbers Guide to 2008 with Hook N Sling. He’s also just come off the road from an east coast tour supporting his brother’s band Pnau (where he found time to have a go at stage diving… read on for more on that!), but for Sam there’s no rest for the wicked. The next few months are crammed with gigs, and he’s also planning on getting busy in the studio having been offered a record deal.

Tell us what you’ve been up to so far this year?

It’s been a year of consolidation. I think I’ve finally conceded that living in Australia is a good thing, which I really didn’t expect a year ago. On a work level, I’ve been doing a lot for other people including a few remixes. I’ve also realised that even though I’m better at working with people, I really need to make my own records now.

At 23 years old you started up your own interactive design agency, then you sold up and put all of your effort into music. What influenced this decision?

The dot com crash basically ended my design and entrepreneurial streak. I like to move with the times and design – specifically interactive design – just wasn’t progressing like it did in the mid 90s. Music is always progressing.

Going from running a multinational interactive design agency to sitting in a studio full time with no steady income, that’s one hell of a risk. How long did it take before you knew you had made the right decision and that you would be able to make a living from production?

I think I was living on my savings for about three years before I made any money in the music business, and even then it wasn’t enough to sustain a good life. The only way I survived was to specialise in one style, which fortunately for me became more popular as time went by.

What was your first production and how does that compare to some of your more recent work?

My first production that was released was my song Takin’ Hold in 2001. I spent six months making that record. Insanity, but persistence, is key in the production business. Before that, I am sure I was responsible for some rather frightening experiments. I liked evil music, hardcore industrial techno as we called it then.

When did it get to the point that you didn’t have to approach artists for production work anymore, they started approaching you?

I’ve never approached anyone for any kind of work, thankfully. I suppose I’d actually make more records if I didn’t get approached because I would be forced to make things for myself.

Tonite Only – yourself and Groove Terminator – recently reformed for a remix of Hook N Sling’s The Best Thing. Could this mean Tonite Only is back on, or was it just a one off?

The Tonite Only remix of The Best Thing was a one off reunion for us, as a favour for Anthony (Hook n Slink). Simon and I have moved on, and I think the kids have too.

You were responsible for some production on Pnau’s latest album, the band is of course fronted by your brother Nick Littlemore. Have you two ever worked on any other productions?

I’m really loving all the projects my brother Nick does. He really is a genius and I will probably always lurk in his shadow, living on his scraps. His Empire of the Sun project is amazing. I’m doing all the remixes for that and I can’t wait for people to hear it. It looks like I’ll be producing another one of his projects in the near future along with the new Pnau record.

You’ve produced many artists across the globe, who would be some of your favourite to work with?

Nellee Hooper would have to be the best guy I’ve ever worked with, he’s done the most amazing things. He’d only spend five minutes in the studio after I’d been there all day making his records for him and in that five minutes he would just steer me perfectly. All I need is to work with someone I respect who can keep me focused. Nellee is the man. Look him up.

Who would you particularly love to collaborate with?

It’s a cliché, but Timbaland would be great to work with. As a more credible answer, I’d love to work with David Lynch or Bret Easton Ellis on a project.

You’re disc on Ministry of Sound Clubbers Guide 2008 achieved some amazing reviews, do you have any other mix CDs on the cards?

I haven’t been told whether I’ll be mixing the Clubbers Guide to 2009 yet, and I don’t really mind if I’m not because the tour you have to do is such an exhausting experience. All the vodka I need to drink to keep sane really didn’t agree with me. It’s always nice to be wanted though.

You have always been a big supporter of Australian artists in your sets and mix CDs. What’s your opinion of the talent in the Australian scene?

I think it’s a little challenging in the Australian music scene at the moment. Off the back of the electro movement Australia really became a world leader in a style. It’s certainly the only time I’ve been aware of that. As a result we were finally competing on a global level. Now that the rest of the world has caught up to us stylistically, we have to innovate in order to stand out again. I think it’s a good time. I like a challenge.

Are there any emerging artists we should keep an eye on?

Empire of the Sun isn’t new talent but a new Australian act. Like The Dissociatives, but with better songs. Beyond that I think this Shazam kid from Perth really gets the nu disco thing.

Are there any musical trends that you think are going to blow up big in the near future?

Nu disco seems like a good direction for dance music now. It’ll have the girls dancing, yet it’s still sufficiently tricky to challenge the producers.

Any funny stories from touring that you’d like to share?

I got very drunk on tour with Pnau and stage-dove. Poorly. I had to play an hour warm up set to get everyone dancing and polished off a bottle of vodka at each show. You want to see bruises? I had a limp. What kind of career encourages you to drink on the job!?

Is there anything else you’re currently working on that you’d like to tell us about?

I’ve just been offered a record deal to release my own songs which will be interesting. I really don’t know what people will think, but I also think I’m reaching a point where I don’t care. I just want to make some classic electronic music that will sound just as good in 50 years time. We’re talking about songs basically but simple production which hopefully won’t date.

Sam La More plays Lawn Party in Sydney at Randwick Racecourse on September 27th. Other upcoming shows also include:

Sep 3 – New England Uni, Armidal
Sep 5 – Club VIP, Sydney
Sep 6 – Arthouse, Sydney
Sep 13 – Platinum, Gold Coast
Sep 20 – Frisk, Perth
Sep 27 – Lawn Party, Sydney
Sep 27 – Moulin Rouge, Sydney
Sep 27 – Cargo, Sydney
Oct 4 – onelove, Melbourne
Oct 5 – Bar Rouge, Adelaide
Oct 11 – onelove, Sydney
Oct 25 – Family, Brisbane
Oct 31 – Northbar, Canberra
Nov 1 – onefiveone, Wollongong