interview

21/04/04
brought to you by joe90

4hero have done so many remixes over the years, this album could have been released at various times - why now?

Our remix catalogue is a massive part of the 4hero discography and also tells a good 4hero story in terms of our musical changes over time. We thought it was a good idea to release this part of the remix discography because we feel that its the best way to introduce 4hero to a new and changing audience.

you've set up another label - raw canvas - for 4hero releases - why is this?

After moving on from our deal with Talkin Loud we decided to set up our own label Raw Canvas Records‚ purely to put out future 4hero material and possibly another volume of remixes. We also intend to use this label for 4hero special projects.

you've stated that you see this release more as the next 4hero lp rather than a remix album - what purpose should a remix serve?

I can only speak for 4hero because we treat our remixes as an extension of our production. In most cases when we remix records we will only use maybe 5-10% and in a lot of cases none of the original track, so technically its a new production and interpretation of the song/track we have been asked to remix.

do you feel that the proliferation of remix culture has lessened the artform somewhat?

If you are talking about remixes in general, then yes because major record labels simply use it as a promotional and selling tool. A remix should really be about the art.

what do you look for in a track before you agree to remix it?

Anything that sparks an idea. It‚s a bit like producing hip-hop records, when you dig through hundreds of breaks, soul, funk and jazz records in order to find a hook or something thats going to inspire you to make the track.

do you have such a thing as a favourite remix - both that you've done,and that has been done of your work?

My favourite mix is Black Gold of the Sun because the original has always been one of my favourite tunes and I feel that we pulled off remixing it and modernising it without damaging my love for the original. Hold it Down is definitely one of my favourite remixed tracks. Its a 4hero track that I feel could really have been a crossover hit if the record label stayed behind it. Not that that's what we're after as 4hero but when you sign to a major THEY dream of you delivering a hit record and I think Hold it Down could possibly have been that but the major didn't have the ears for it at the time.

does this album contain every mix that you've done, or were there some that didn't make it? and why?

We have remixed over sixty records, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

i know a lot of other producers look to you for inspiration, to show a glimpse of the future - so what do you see?

I don't really know but I feel that the next album will hold some kind of sound for the future.

you mentioned before that work has begun on the next 4hero album? can you give us any details?

Well, it's just in the writing stage at the moment, so it's all ideas. I think it's just a great time at the moment to soak in the inspirations from our musical peers.

i think the next year could be very strong for albums from the 'broken' players - ig cultures's lp, bugz business, dkd lp - is there ever an element of healthy competition between the crews?

I think nobody really wants to admit it but in order to be a good producer you must have a competitive side but when you got so much great music coming out around you it's just as easy to get lost in, admire the music and forget about your competitive side until it's time to focus on a new project/album again.

4hero.co.uk
dollisonline.co.uk
rawcanvasrecords.co.uk
reinforcedrecords.co.uk