Interview with Rex the Dog ahead of his Club Clique Appearance

This Friday sees Manchester’s Club Clique host a live show by the elusive Rex The Dog, the brains behind club-conquering remixes of Robyn, Prodigy, Depeche Mode and more.

This week saw the online release of his first ever mixtape, and the appearance of his first remix for the new single by recent Clique guests Aeroplane.

We caught up with Rex The Dog, or more specifically, the man behind the dog, Jake Williams, ahead of his live set on Friday 6th May. 

Hi Jake, it’s been a while since you last played Manchester. What are your feelings about the city?

I spent my early teens obsessed with New Order and pretending I'd been to the Haçienda, which of course I hadn't. I even recorded a song with me singing that I'd been to the Haçienda, I have it on cassette still and it's a massive cringe to listen to.

It’s looking to be a busy year for you so far, with the Aeroplane remix and the mixtape. What’s in store for the next few months?

There's another remix coming that I made for Mason and the guy from Aqualung which I think is really nice. It's kind of more reflective, italo and pop. Apart from the remixes and the mixtape, I've been writing new tracks for a second album, and that's my main focus now. I've written quite a lot of it already, but there's still tons to do.

You’re known for releasing tracks sporadically, what’s the reasoning behind this?

I think I hate the idea of releasing things that I'm not totally happy with but it's mainly down to being excited or not excited. At the moment I'm excited so it's looking good!

Your 2008 single 'Bubblicious' is one of the ultimate ‘should have been number one in the charts’ songs. What’s your favourite song that deserved to but failed to conquer the charts?

That's flattering! Obviously it was a massive steal from Yazoo, but I do love that track. I always thought 'Tony The Beat' by The Sounds should have been a number one record, but I think it just didn't get good breaks.

What are you currently listening to?

Hmmm, I love The Magician and am following his Magic Tapes religiously. I also love Henrik José, this Swedish bedroom pop guy, he's on the Scando mixtape actually. I'm pulled in a couple of directions really, reflective emotional pop like Sufjan Stevens, and 80s chugging synth disco like, er, The Magician

What are your thoughts on dance-sound-of-the-moment dubstep?

I don't really have any thoughts on dubstep except that I bought that Chase and Status single about having a heavy heart. I liked that, but otherwise it's just outside my realm of interest. I'll probably be into it in a year when everyone else is into something new.

You get a lot of people who pretend to be their pets following you on Twitter, thinking you’re doing the same. If you could be any pet what would you be?

It's not strictly a legal pet I think, but I'd be a Slow Loris for sure. Have you seen that youtube video of this Russian couple that have one? (See the video here) It loves being tickled, and so do I. Within reason.

Do you have any special treats in store for your DJ set at Clique this Friday?

Ooooohhh, yes! Lots of stupid 80s cut up stuff and some of the new stuff I'm working on. I'm coming with a friend and we're bringing a laser because lasers are awesome.

See Rex the Dog news, events and info at his Skiddle artist page.

Catch Rex The Dog at Clique on Friday 6th May. Tickets cost £6 and are available below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event