Your recent release on Nice Age features the killer track: Buffalo Trace. What for you is the enduring appeal of Acid House?
Acid house to me is just a simpler time. Less is more. The music was super basic but the vibes were next level. As far as the producer nerd in me, I love the raw energy of the 303. The 303 was basically intended to replace the bass player inside of a rock band- give him/her a break- it sounded way to unnatural and robotic though. This fact, in a nutshell, is why electronic music is what it is today.
Can you talk us through how you produced the track?
I can’t disclose all the nuts and bolts, but I will say that it was basically all analog 🙂 A bit of my Moog Voyager was involved too and some Roland TR8. Rest was really building on top of the tight groove of the opening 30 sec.
What’s the story behind your JJ01 edit of Janet Jackson’s ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ from 1986. Why did you choose that track in particular?
I am a huge Janet fan and wanted to play out the tracks in my sets. I’ve actually done 5. This is the 001. Only about 3 are intended to play out in a set- the other 2 are more for home listening. All released this summer for free.
How do you feel about the importance of new music in context of today’s re-edit culture?
I mean its all expanding the creative mind by lending your take on to the original. Bootleg and re edit culture has been around forever in dance music. I just bought a dope new Sade edit (yes like the 547th time that has happened) but it’s always fun. It is an important part of dance culture- turning jams into party jams- while you reel in the crowd on the fence.
You DJ all over the world. Do you find that Dance Music is a universal language?
Yes 100%. Music in general. It unites us all.
https://soundcloud.com/manik_nyc/manik-rinsefm-guestmix-for-shadow-child-may-20-2015?in=manik_nyc/sets/manik-recent-dj-mixes
You grew up in Queens NYC. What was it like there and how would you contrast it to living in LA now?
LA is a different kind of beast in itself. I will say that I think LA has turned into a real creative hub in the last 2 years. It’s affordable/artist friendly, and there are loads of cool spaces to rent to make music in without bothering a stuck up neighbor. Now is the time.
Can you tell us about your influences both within and outside of Dance Music?
I grew up on Hip Hop out in NYC, but I am a huge fan of the indie rock and chillwave scenes. Neon Indian, Toro Y Moi etc are some of my favorites. Actually also just saw Ratatat at Coachella that was awesome too. Anything that truly appreciates musicianship, yet still fun, and different, is a big plus. Basically any music that is non “Milk” music- doesn’t have an expiration date.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2015 and beyond?
I have some MANIK music coming later this year on Berlin’s own Bpitch- more techy stuff.. really dope. Also, another solo EP on Black Butter at some point. I got a track on a compilation by Waze & Odyssey too. Other than that, releasing more of the Janet Edits, and starting a new mix series via my Soundcloud. Working on a new Culture Fires EP too- that’s my Disco/Cosmic alias- while also wrapping a 4 track EP for a new project called 909 Til Infinity.
https://www.facebook.com/MANIKofficial
https://pro.beatport.com/chart/manik-june-jams-chart/352714
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