The Pollokshields producer and LuckyMe collective member Rustie will release his debut album this year on groundbreaking electronic label Warp. Is he fazed by his success? Not really, as David Pollock finds out 11 FOR 2011
F ollowing in the footsteps of the Numbers and LuckyMe crowds, 28-year-old Southsider Russell Whyte, now based in London, is one of the young Glasgow producers gaining notoriety for pushing electronic music in new directions with an unchartable mix of electro, hip hop beats, UK funky, dubstep and techno styles. With his reputation already high through releases on Wireblock and Stuff Records (both now integrated in Numbers’ label), and remixes for Modeselektor, Pivot and Lazer Sword, he’ll follow in the footsteps of his friend Hudson Mohawke in 2011 when his debut album is released on Warp. The List emailed him a bunch of questions.
How did you get into making your own music, and what were you listening to at the time? I got into making my own music properly when I was about 21. I was quite into techno and electro around that time, but I’ve always been into a very wide spectrum of music. When did you start playing out in clubs, and where? Did you start by DJing, or with your own tracks? I’ve been DJing in clubs since I was about 18, just doing little warm-up slots and stuff around Glasgow here and there. How would you describe your music? What do you want it to sound like in your head before you make it? Whenever I get asked I usually just say dance music or club music. I never really go in with a plan on what I want something to sound like, I just mess about and as things start to take shape I guide the mood and energy in the direction I want.
What’s your role with the LuckyMe team, and how did you come to know them? We’re just all friends with a similar musical ethos. We discuss ideas and projects and we do parties and help each other and all that. What about Numbers? What’s your involvement been with them? Again, the same deal as with LuckyMe, really. The Numbers peeps are the first ones that showed me support and had faith in me when I started making music. How did the Warp deal come about? Did you feel under more pressure recording the ‘Sunburst EP’ because it was for them? And what were the label’s 20th anniversary Warp20 shows like? I did the Jamie Liddell remix for them [2008’s ‘Another Day’] and it went from there. I didn’t really feel under pressure, I don’t do stress well, so I don’t allow my mind to think that way. I try to keep my life as light-hearted as I can. The Warp20 shows were all really fun. What have been the highs of your career so far? I’d say getting signed to Warp, playing Sonar [with the LuckyMe team in 2009], getting remixed by Gerald Donald of Dopplereffekt, remixing Kelis [her guest spot on Crookers’ ‘No Security’] and playing the Numbers 5th birthday at the Sub Club. What have you got planned for the future? Any more releases lined up or big shows happening? A full length next year with Warp and we’re doing Numbers vs. LuckyMe at the Sub Club on the 7th January. www.myspace.com/rustiebeetz
King Post Kitsch The label Song, By Toad’s 2011 highlights are new LPs from Meursault, Animal Magic Tricks (above), Jesus H. Foxx, plus a collab between Jamie ‘Conquering Animal Sound’ Scott and Jonnie Common. Edinburgh-dwelling Weegie KPK (too new to even have photos) will also drop a debut of infectious Kinks-y pop-rock. ■ kingpostkitsch. bandcamp.com Clouds Erol Alkan, Tiga, Boys Noize and Fake Blood have all heaped praise on these young electro-lords from Perth; Calum MacLeod and Liam Robertson. A new EP of their ravey, bass-heavy beats will be released on Turbo late February/ early March and there’s a Cabaret Voltaire show in Edinburgh on 28 Jan. ■ www.myspace.com/ thisisclouds
American Men The LuckyMe signed foursome, who produce some of the best stuttering, driving, cosmic electro-rock around right now, have got an EP of solo tracks planned, (they’re doing one track each) plus plans for a 2011 album and SXSW trip. Have a listen to Claude Speed and Ali Lloyd’s solo tracks at radiomagnetic.com ■ www.myspace.com/ weareamericanmen Veronica Falls The debut album from these Glasgow-originated, now London-based indie- popsters is due out early this year. Signed to Wichita – home to Les Savy Fav and Best Coast – their sound fuses twee, Pastels-y pop and jangly indie in the melodic Drums mould. Try single ‘Beachy Head’ for starters. ■ www.myspace.com/ veronicafallshard
Making Moonshine The Moondog covers project comes to light after two years. Max Tundra, FOUND, Justin Robertson and Kid Carpet cover ‘Enough About Human Rights’ by the US composer and busker known as the Viking of 6th Avenue (EP out 24 Jan, on SL Records.) Tracks from 7VWWVW, Clinic, Bill Wells and Norman Blake will follow. ■ slrecords.net/moondog 6–20 Jan 2011 THE LIST 13