Ahead of the Elixir of Life event in London on the 1st October, we thought we'd catch up with one half of FØRM and the main man behind Glade Festival, to see how 2011 has been treating him, and what we can expect from FØRM @ Elixir of Life.
- Hi Ans, How has 2011 been treating you so far?
Very very well thanks. Glade is back, got married and my son has started dancing to beats.
- Glade Festival returned with a bang in 2011, it must of been very satisfying to see the festival you started back in 2004 come back to life after a year off?
Of course. Totally amazing.. Was a battle as had the hangover of the cancellation following us around and lost a site or five but ended up with the perfect home for us. On Friday did an impromptu gig in the World Shift tent with Tristan where a load of mates were and the relief and joy that it was happening poured out. It was absolutely rocking!
- Apart from the obvious return of Glade festival, have any other UK festivals rocked your boat this year?
Glastonbury and Secret Garden Party were both amazing.. Missed Ozora and Burning Man which I know would have been the 2 to mention.
- You’ve previously been to Burning Man; being a festival that isn’t primarily about its music line-up, how has it inspired you with your work in the UK festival scene?
Well, yeah there’s nothing like it. Totally raw out the elements experience it is. Totally love it.. There’s a freedom there that can’t be beaten anywhere else. The no cash thing for example; you just gotta let yourself go and get a large smile on your dial and magic happens.. It’s vital for a good UK festival that the people create their own colour as it’s that that makes a festival super special. I think we try to get that out of people. Obviously we entertain but you gotta get people to push it beyond what is possible through, you know, sound, music, décor and so on..
- Where did dance music begin for you?
At school. I was a bit of a geek then and used to crank up early acid house in my study bedroom. But really it kicked off when I went to Oz for my year off; got really stuck into the parties, lived with a dj out there and became an expert in everything.. When I got back to England I went to Bristol University, this was back in 1990, and started a club night and went to all the circus warp and spiral tribe raves.. I never really looked back.
- You were based in South Africa in the late 90’s, what were those heady days and the beginnings of the Origin Festival/Nano like?
I can’t remember much let’s put it that way. I moved there in 1996 and set up a studio with a pal called Will Brunner. We made loads of great music on a label called Protea on a more progressive techno house tip. Djed and partied and got really messed up. It was great.. Got asked to play some music on the university radio station by this fraggle haired fellow called Regan and we got on like a house on fire. I don’t know that was a time of pure love of the music and the scene. Went to and played at Vortex and Alien Safari parties and one thing led to another.. We had to do our own party, which is Origin and had to set up our own label, which is Nano. It was an amazing brilliant time and has led to not just Origin and Nano but also the Glade.
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| Regan & Ans |
- Techno has seen a big rise in popularity over the last 5 years, how do you see your FØRM project with Matt Allaby moving forwards from here?
Matt and I both feel that there aren’t enough really big tunes any more you know? Whatever you want to call the music were kind of trying to avoid pigeon holing ourselves..It needs to be a larger, bit more psychedelic, deeper but exciting dance floor stuff...
- Production wise, when can we expect some releases from the FØRM stable?
Very soon! It’s taken a back seat whilst Glade back on the road but we’ve got an EP which should be released in October or November at the latest.
- What can we expect from you and Matt’s FØRM set at the Elixir of Life on Oct 1st?
See my answer to your question about what we want to do with our FØRM project!
- To quote you last week on Channel 4 program ‘The Country House Rescue’ you apparently hold ‘quite good parties’, what can we expect from Glade 2012?
Yeah, I’m british aren’t I. Understatement is the thing...
On the Spot....
Club or Field - Field
Opus or Funktion 1 - Funktion 1
Liveset or Dj Set - DJ set
Secret Garden or Glade - What you reckon?
In the Studio or Behind The Decks - Behind the Decks (after spending lots of time doing the other)
Ableton or Traktor - Ableton
CDJ’s or Laptop - Laptop
Techno or Trance - Techno
Glastonbury or Burning Man - ooohh... Right now.. Burning Man
Strongbow or Stella - Stella
Afterparty or Fry-Up - Fry up!
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