John Askew

HarderFaster interview with John Askew

Reported by Frani Heyns

1. All your tracks and remixes are fully supported by the big boys in trance – including Paul van Dyk, Eddie Halliwell and Armin van Buuren, to name a few. What was the turning point in your career, that golden moment when you realised you are finally living your dream and making an impact in the dance industry?

There have been a number of significant moments that have all contributed to the successes I have enjoyed. Releasing my first record, getting residencies for Ministry and The Gallery, getting a slot on Kiss in London, starting Discover Records, releasing mix albums and artist albums…. The list is long so I don’t think there is a single event or moment.

2. You debut album, “Lower the Tone” was sold out within 4 weeks of its release in 2006. Did you ever expect such a huge response and how did the news make you feel?

Well we deliberately only pressed a few thousand copies of the album so that it did sell out quickly and we could therefore use that line in the subsequent press to make it look bigger than it was. But keep that to yourself.

3. Tell us more about your labels, Discover and Discover Dark. When did you launch them and how would you describe the sound of both?

Discover was developed in 2000 and I think the first release was in 2001. The sound of Discover is tough melodic trance with a really driving “peak time” energy. Discover Dark was a label I put together to take over what I started with Kompressed Recordings and the sound is more electronic or techno influenced.

4. Discover is home to some of the hottest talent in the industry, including John O’Callaghan, Sean Tyas, Alex Morph and Tom Colontonio. Who have you recently signed to your label and what can we expect from them?

Well the line up you are quoting is considerably out of date. Tyas and Colontonio are still with us, but John left to go to Armada over a year ago and Alex left maybe 3 or 4 years ago to concentrate on Fenology. It’s all amicable and we’re all still good friends, but the key artists that we are focusing on right now, besides Tyas and Colontonio, are Activa, Bryan Kearney, Matt Hardwick, Thomas Datt, Sly One vs Jurrane, Gary Maguire, Peetu S, Chris and Matt Kidd and Aled Mann.

5. Would you say your sound has changed a lot over the last 10 years? How would you describe the John Askew sound today?

I think I play a wider variety of sounds now and I’m more open minded to good quality vocals when I wasn’t up for them at all 3 or 4 years ago, but on the whole the answer is no – my sound has remained more or less the same. I’m not a producer or dj who will adjust his sound according to what’s popular at any given time – like a lot of my piers. I like a particular style of electronic music and my releases, remixes, dj sets and record labels showcase that sound. It’s funny how many other trance or techno djs have dramatically changed their sounds in the last few years because the more banging stuff is less popular than the slower more commercial poppy stuff. I can’t take those djs seriously. I don’t see how you can claim to be 100% passionate about a sound only to then dump that sound the instant it becomes less popular. When that happens you have to question the dj’s true motives and their authenticity. I’m not saying I’m against a sound evolving, but let’s just say – if I go and see Metallica live I would walk out if they were playing anything other than bastard hard metal.

6. With your second artist album now released, more remixes on the way, appearances on high profile radio shows and gigs at clubs and festivals all over the globe, you are far from a Z-list uber star – more A-list if you ask me! Tell us more about future projects that you are particularly looking forward to.

At the moment I am really loving being in the studio again. I’ve been doing a load of remixes which have been fun to make and a breath of fresh air from the frustrations of coming up with original material. Recently I’ve remixed Activa and Chris & Matt Kidd’s track “UR” in a kind of disco techno style and then I did a more traditional Askew sounding mix of Gary Maguire’s next single “One Way”. I’ve also remixed the new Dj Jack track called “Da Bomb” which will be on Discover Dark and I’m currently working on a remix of Hampshire and Bissen’s “The Vault” for Discover’s 50th release as well as Niklas Grosswald’s new single for Conspiracy.

7. One of your gigs in the very near future will be at the big Atomik weekender party from 20-23 March 2009. You’ll be playing back-to-back with Rob Tissera and share the decks with other big names – Lisa Lashes, Marco V, John O’ Callaghan, Anne Savage and Simon Patterson… What can the crowd expect from you?

Yeah, I’m pretty excited about this event but this is the first I’ve heard about a back to back set with Rob Tissera. I’m not sure that it’s true and I’m not sure if our styles would compliment eachother so I’d be interested to know where you got this information.

8. You’ve recently partnered again with old friend, John O’ Callaghan for a number of blinding productions. Tell us more about this and how would you describe the synergy between your sound and his?

Again this was a few years ago so not that recent. John and I basically got pissed up on Tubourg and spent a lot of time listening to old van dyk sets from around 2000 and 2001. They were the inspiration for our singles “Buenos Aries” and “Moments”.

9. Who have been your biggest influences over the years and why?

PVD, Simon Patterson, Activa, Stoneface & Terminal, Kyau vs Albert, John O’Callaghan, The Filterheadz, Eddie Halliwell…. I could list hundreds of producers and bands that I love and all of them have influenced me in some way or another but if I had to choose one single name – who was the biggest influence on my sound it would be DJ Dag. I think he plays pretty progressive stuff now but his set’s in the early to mid 90’s were just incredible. Mind Blowing in fact.

10. Who is currently one of your favourite producers and why?

Sly One vs Jurrane, Activa and Gary Maguire are all rocking it for me at the moment and I also love David Schiemann’s (is that how it’s spelt?) stuff. Reaky is also incredible. He is currently remixing the new Mekk V single on Discover Dark so I can’t wait to hear what that will come out like.

11. What is your ultimate feel-good track? A tune that brings a smile to your face no matter what?

CJ Bolland “Camargue”

12. What would you say is the most important life lesson you’ve learnt from your time in the dance industry?

That’s an interesting question and I’m not sure what the answer is. Sorry.

13. If you can compare yourself to any brand in the world, what would it be and why?

Heinz Baked Beans. If you’re a fan then I don’t need to explain why.

14. What are your two main highlights from 2008?

Glastonbury festival and releasing my new album “Z List Uber Star” – they were the two biggest highlights for me.

15. Name one place in the world where you would still like to play?

Japan.

16. And finally – what do you do to relax and escape your manic schedule from time to time?

Hang out with my son, go hiking, watch a movie – those of my favourite non music past times.