Lone: I get bored very quickly, so I have to constantly move on

Photo by Krystal Klear

As one of the most difficult to pigeonhole producers in electronic music, Nottingham born Lone has been continually astounding the world of underground dance music with his relentlessly inventive releases for labels like R&S, Werk Discs and Magic Wire. Taking in elements of 80s funk, hip hop, techno, and electronica, Lone has found favour with everyone from Kode9 to James Holden, and continues to have one of the most singular sounds in the scene.

We chat to Lone ahead of his appearance for Coded Rhythm at Joshua Brooks this weekend, to find out where it all began, where he draws his inspiration, and what's next for the mercurial producer.

Are you looking forward your forthcoming set at Coded Rhythm? How do you find the Manchester crowd?

Absolutely! It's always nice for me to play in Manchester as I can usually walk from my flat to the venue. Usually if I'm DJing here it's for Hoya Hoya which i'm a resident of  - and that's always such good fun. Never really had a bad time playing here as I think generally people who are out in Manchester have a good ear for what they're listening to and are pretty switched on to music so it's generally a good vibe.

When did you realise that your future was in music? Was there a particular record, or night you went to that made you think ‘yeah, this is what I want to do’?

Really young. Probably about 15 when I thought to my self 'this is what I want to do as a job.' I'd been messing around trying to make my own tracks for a couple of years by then, but yeah, I'd say around the age of 15 / 16 I kinda came to the conclusion that there wasn't much of an alternative for me 'cause i was totally obsessed with music by this point. Hearing Aphex Twin's 'I Care Because You Do' was a bit of a life changing record at that time and probably gave me the biggest confidence boost to do my own thing.

In the 6 or 7 years you’ve been releasing records, you’ve managed to cover just about every genre going, often in the same release! Does this come from a desire to experiment or a refusal to stick to confines of genre? What is your approach to production?

I've always listened to completely different styles of music at the same time so I always want to try my hand at whatever it is I'm feeling at that point... I can't stick to one thing 'cause I'd just end up getting bored. I get bored very quickly, so to keep myself interested I have to constantly move on.

What kind of stuff will you be playing at Coded Rhythm? For those of us that haven’t caught you before, how would you describe one of your sets?

A bunch of my own tracks mixed with a lot of influences I guess - shit that'll hopefully move the crowd. Got a bunch of new material to test as well.

How do you rate the current state of British dance music? Are there any artists that have been really doing it for you recently?

To be honest a lot of the new music I've been listening to recently is coming out of New York or Detroit. The scene here seems stronger than ever though, I think what's going on in the UK is probably more exciting than I've ever known it, in terms of electronic music.

So what does the future hold for Lone? What direction will you be heading in next, and are there any upcoming releases that we can look forward to?

I've just finished a new album. Hopefully people will be getting to hear it soon.

And finally, hypothetical question… You have the power to throw the ultimate rave. You can play alongside any DJ from the past or present. Where would you have it, who would be on the bill, and what track would you play to define the evening?

I'd probably go back to back with Luke Vibert, and we'd throw the rave by the BMX tracks in the woods near where I grew up. Manix 'Special Request' would probably sum up the vibe quite perfectly. 

Catch Lone doing his thing at Joshua Brooks this Friday by grabbing your tickets here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event