Nightmares on Wax- The Dream is to Make Music (interview)
George Evelyn aka DJ E.A.S.E aka Nightmares On Wax is usually associated with uber-credible electronica label Warp Records, though for his new project, a Balearic style compilation named Nightmares on Wax presents Wax Da Beach, he’s teamed up with Ministry Of Sound instead.
Featuring gems from the likes of Larry Heard and jazz greats such as George Duke and Loose Ends (as well as bunch of his own productions) the compilation reflects the kind of music he plays at his weekly Wax Da Beach parties in Ibiza, having moved there in 2007.
As well as leaving Leeds in 2007, he also set up his own label at the same time, Wax On Records, ‘fulfilling a lifelong dream’ he says. Chatting to Skrufff this week, he insists he’s unworried that his dream, and that of other independent labels might soon be over, whatever happens to the money making aspect of releasing music.
“The dream is to make music and get it known, so that will never die,” says George.
“We just have to find other means, like being out there performing, putting on events and getting closer to the public. As long as that is fun and you’re still making music that is really what matters. Having fun doing it is central; if there is no fun, what's the point?’
Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): Starting with the Wax Da Beach compilation: how long did you spend on it from start to finish?
Nightmares on Wax: “After sending the track selection in for clearance, and actually putting the mix into action, I would say about 48 hours.”
Skrufff: The compilation market has almost disappeared in recent years with free podcasts and web stations/ Spotify etc revolutionising how people listen to music: how much did that affect your approach?
Nightmares on Wax: “I never approach anything creatively based on the state of the market, otherwise that takes the soul out of what your doing. Personally, I’m still receiving lots of compilation requests for Nightmares on Wax, almost on a weekly basis, so as much as there is a decline, I still see the positives. I probably buy 3 to 4 compilations a year personally. A lot of the compilations I would be interested in, I would have most of the music on them already anyway.”
Skrufff: You’re still best known for being one of Warp’s key acts; how different is it working with Ministry of Sound?
Nightmares on Wax: “Well it's completely different, since when I’m working with Warp it's an artist project that as existed for over 20 years. And working with M.O.S is a compilation project. So I can't compare.”
Skrufff:The press release says your lifelong dream was to have a label: how much has the reality lived up to the dream?
Nightmares on Wax: “The label is based on creating opportunity for others and enjoying music together, the business side of it can be a different state of being altogether.”
Skrufff:Why did you wait for 20 years before moving to Ibiza?
Nightmares on Wax: “There is a time to do things in life and it feeling right, leaving England was the right thing to do for me and my family, making a change in my life, seeing what else there is out there.”
Skrufff: How much has living on Ibiza changed the way you see the island?
Nightmares on Wax: “Living here is massively different than coming here on holiday for a week, I’m still discovering this place, it really is amazing and has so many levels of living to it.”
Skrufff: How much has the way island residents view incoming DJs/ tourists matched your expectations?
Nightmares on Wax: “Hmmnn, good question, I focus more on who inspires me, rather than what I expect. You can hear DJs play here in ways that they never play anywhere else, and sometimes that's incredible and sometimes it's not.”
Skrufff: Given your artist name, how much do you believe in the significance of dreams?
Nightmares on Wax: “The more clarity I have in my dreams, the more balance I have in my life, that is my personal understanding.”
Skrufff: When was the last time you had a nightmare: and what happened?
Nightmares on Wax: “I really don't remember, I'm sat here now trying think of one, but it's not there. I can only remember having a nightmare about King Kong when I was about 6 years old, how random is that? A big gorilla smashing Leeds city centre up.”
Skrufff: How about a nightmare in day to day life; what’s been the worst crisis you’ve have to face to keep your music career going for 20 years?
Nightmares on Wax: “See I find this kind of question funny from my perspective in life, as I base my memories on the good things. Yeah, shit happens, but are they really the things I want to remember or hang on to? Not really. Lots of stuff has happened but the only thing that keeps me going is loving what I do. I do what I do because I love making music. It's not based on my career, the career came afterwards, the music will always come first. So maybe that's the answer; Music is Life.”
Nightmares on Wax presents Wax Da Beach is out now on Ministry Of Sound Records.
http://www.ministryofsound.com/summer
http://www.nightmaresonwax.com
Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff
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