Alan Starck Live Set & Interview

Alan Starck made his storming live debut last Saturday, 11th June, at Ginglik in West London, and we’ve got an exclusive recording of his set, courtesy of the man himself. He also took the time to answer some pressing questions we had about his music. Check out Alan’s website for more…

How long have you been making music?
I started as a classically trained musician, learning about music performance and composing early in my life. Over the years I have dabbled with technology based music production on and off for relaxation but have been seriously interested in it since Ominim Records became interested in my work last year. Since then, I have been beavering away in the studio whenever I get a scrap of time and continually strive to make better tunes to bring me further forward in this little adventure.

Who currently inspires you musically, and who have done so in the past?
I’ve always been heavily interested in music from a broad range of genres. Classical, Jazz, Electronica, Pop… there is always something special to find in all types of music. I generally like music that has some sort of quirky deviation from normal conventions. I like music that provokes unusual emotions that you don’t normally get to experience in real life. I’m often drawn into just a few moments of a track or song and can spend a lot of time listening to and appreciating a few chords or melodic patterns. In terms of electronica, I was heavily into the Detroit techno era that started in the 90s and still enjoy the music that has spawned from this particular sub-genre.

What are your releases to date?
My first relatively down tempo ‘Farrago’ LP 2010 (cover image above). The electric ‘Electrica’ EP 2010. The not necessarily gooder, but more funner ‘Funner’ EP 2011. I’m almost ready to release a new faster tempo album. I played a number of these new tracks at my first live performance at Ginglik earlier this month and they seemed to go down well.

If you could collaborate with anyone – living or dead – who would you chose?
I’d love to write some music with beats by 808state, decorated with lyrics and haunting backing vocals by Kate bush, some orchestral punches scored by Stravinsky, a bit of moody trumpet from Miles Davis as well as some sweeping synthy strings/80s nostalgiation from Prince.

Tell us about your studio set up?
Your typical home studio setup with a mishmash of hardware and software that I have collected over the years. I also use guitars, 50p drums from a boot sale, children, perished balloons, polyester shirt collars, various parts of my anatomy and anything else that makes a noise to make my tunes.

What do you use when you perform live?
I will be using the same as above. I hope to increase the live component of performance now that I have got my first gig under my belt. The first one was about getting a feel for the whole process and avoiding technical chaos. I was just relieved to get through a glitch free set, keeping the revelers relatively revelous. Next time I hope to develop more of a presence and involvement and focus on the fun.

What are your musical hopes and plans?
I am due to release a new album, which i think is different and a step forward from my previous releases. I continue to strive to produce music that someone, somewhere will appreciate. I would like to play more gigs and develop this aspect. Most importantly, I want to continue enjoying what I do. I will only carry on if it stays fun.

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