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Interview with Fred Everything by Ollie Brooke

The  Fred Everything sound is a very recognisable one, tight programming and a very natural groove are two of the most immediately identifiable aspects, what, in your words, is the essence of the Fred Everything sound?

Well thanks, I like the way you described it. I have a hard time identifying what makes my sound. Especially since I've touched various styles in the past years. It's nice to know that I have a 'sound' but I never want to become slave to it. I definitely love to mix the more electronic factor while keeping it organic.

You've been around the block for a while and seen many developments in the scene.  In terms of influences what do you think is the biggest change the scene will go through in the next 5 years or so, what or who is it that is emerging as the next wave?

If I only knew! It seem that the past few years have been a return to techno. From the minimal stuff mixed with Detroit influence to the electro scene. While I like some of it, I'm not really interested to be part of a 'movement' or a trend. I make music depending on how I feel at the moment. Some so called new sounds might influence me but I try to make something that will stand the test of time.

As an artist you pursue a healthy career in both production and DJing, which, if either do you hold closer to your heart, what is it about each discipline that you love so much?

They're both very different and fulfill different purposes. I started with the production and will always cherish that the most. That's the reason why I get to travel the world as a dj, and it's important to never forget that. Sometimes, with all the travels, it's very easy to feel lazy and just go for the gigs and forget about production, so I try to keep a steady flow between both.

As is, and has always been, the case in the industry there is a lot of talk of a dying scene and waning interest in house as a whole, what are your thoughts on the subject of the longevity of house music, why will it (or not) maintain itself?

House Music will be around as long as people want to dance. Period.

You DJ quite regularly all over the world and so are witness to a number of different aspects of the scene, what elements have you observed that are common to all, what is it about the house community that "brings us all together"?

The need to enjoy ourselves, leaving the 'real' world behind  for few hours.

A lot of genres and genre lines are becoming more and more blurred as more and more producers blend styles and fuse influences to create new and unexplored territory.  It does appear though that the deeper end of the house spectrum is maintaining a course that seems somewhat independent of the fads and fashions that come and go with most other genres.  what is it about deep house and the essence of it that is strong enough to support itself without the need to vary too much from it's central theme, and what are the central themes?

Because it's so basic and reaches to our primitive instincts therefore transcends any trends. Having said that, It's great to look forward, not only to the roots, to make the music evolves with time.

As a DJ how much time and effort do you spend investigating new technologies and methods that become available to you, like CD technology, PC based mixing, FX etc?  What would you say was the most significant technology you have come to possess in recent times that has advanced your abilities as a DJ?

While I've played on various occasions with keyboards and fx (and even with my own live band), I'm very much a 2 decks-one mixer dj (well add the 2 cdjs to that now). I'm not against the use of new technologies but I still like to be responsible for beat matching my records,. I love the tension that is created while mixing 2 records together as opposed to perfect computer type beat matching. I'm not saying it's not something that I won't explore in the future but for now I stick to the basic.

The path to success in this industry is a well trodden one but it seems a very undefined one which can make it a daunting journey to go on, what advice would you give to up and coming players that may have the creative ability but lack the associated skills required to achieve their goals?

I'll be very cliché here but, just be yourself. Simple as that. If you're convinced that it's what you're meant to do, then just go for it, play the right cards, and have fun. Oh and, stay humble and thankful when you get there!

What tracks are you playing at the moment that are really exciting you and what producers are doing the same?

Hmmm, let's see. Got some new Swag stuff that is reeaally good. A new Deep House Soldier on Vista, very latiney track for the summer. A new Joshua track called Juice. I also dig what Freerange have been doing for a while. JT and myself have an ep coming out with them soon. Been playing that a lot too.

What's been your top gig this year so far, tell us a bit about why it rocked?

I must say that 2005 was a hell of a year for djing. Just thinking about the Love Parade in San Francisco, which was one of the best time ever. This year, the Solid Party @ LaFabrique in Tokyo has been one of the best so far. The Japanese crowd can really go crazy. There was also the reopening of Smart Bar with Heather and LCG last march. My favourite time in Chicago ever!.They redone the décor, dj booth and soundsystem.

There's a constant debate raging about the commercial exploitation of the scene by majors and bigger labels, such as Ministry Of Sound.  Yet a lot of people make their first forays into the scene through this commercial sound, what are your thoughts on the pros and cons of the commercial side of the scene?

-It doesn't matter to me. People do what they want. If you want to go big or feel that at that point in your career, you need to raise the bar a little, then be it. Personally, I'm happy where I'm at. I'm got a healthy schedule of djing in what I considere some of the best club on the planet, release my music on some cool labels, have great friends in the industry.I may not be the biggest name dj/producer but that's not what I'm aiming at.

In relation to that would you, if you could, produce a track sheerly for financial gain, as some other well known "credible" producers have been known to do in the (not so distant) past

If I get asked to remix a major artist that I like, I will without hesitation do it. I don't see music in terms of commercialization or not. Music is Music and if it pleases a bigger audience, then that's fine with me. But I also knows what my niche is and don't want to try to do something that is not me.

What does the future hold for Fred Everything, are there any projects you plan to work on that are a bit different from what you do now, where do you see yourself in ten years time?

Well I have my label now, Lazy Days, which I take care of more and more. We had a big hit last year with the track Friday, a collaboration between the Australian collective of 20for7 and myself. The new release is by Demarkus Lewis and the next 2 ones are from Tortured Soul and Frederico Y Vincenzo (guess who?). I'm involved in every projects so far, wether it's in the production or remix. We should eventually get into the cd market too. Also, A new studio album is on the way. Should be coming out in 2007. As well as a flow of remixes that I need to start as soon as I finish this interview.

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