Luke Solomon: I just enjoy the buzz of playing music that no one else may have.

We catch up with Luke Solomon ahead of the release of his new album 'Timelines', to talk influences, Playground Festival, and the resurrection of Classic Recordings.

Mike Warburton

Date published: 10th May 2013

As one of the heroes of leftfield dance music, Luke Solomon has brought his very own take on the classic jack. His influence is such that you can look at some of the key musical movements of the past two decades of dance; be them the boompty boomp sound at the start of the century, the explosion of fidget house or the classic deep house of the late nineties, Luke was a fixture. But the reality is he was always forging his own sound irrespective of trend, which is why in 2013 he’s still an artist of considerable punch.

With his latest album ‘Timelines’ out on Monday 12th May, on the rejuvenated Classic Recordings he runs with Derrick Carter, and his appearance at the underground music festival par excellence Playground Festival at the start of June forthcoming, we decided to drop him a line.

Hey Luke, your new album ‘Timelines’ is out shortly. Can you tell us about the album and what it entails, and how does it compare to previous efforts like the Difference Engine?

I wanted to do something completely different to ‘The Difference Engine’, but something that still followed in sequence. This album represents my Balearic taste in music a little more but it also documents a part of my life. I also worked with a lot more musicians on this one.

It’s released on your Classic Recordings imprint, which you and Derrick Carter famously retired after a 100 releases and then brought back. How is the label going?

It’s been great, like starting out all over again. I’m enjoying it massively.

There tends to be a divide at times between ‘Luke’ and ‘Derrick’ records on the label; is this a conscious thing? Does shaping the imprint around your individual tastes rather than always your shared ones provide the platform for a more varied output? 

It's always been the case, and I think that’s the reason the label is the way it is. We are still very similar people I guess, to an extent. And we definitely share a similar out look to music and life in general. We will always discuss the music, and we still have to be comfortable with each other’s choices.

Have there been any records over the years you’ve regretted not signing?

No I don't think there have. None that I can recall anyway.

We’ve seen you’re playing at the Playground festival in early June, are you looking forward to the show? 

Yes, for sure. The line up is bananas and really interesting. I’m glad to be a part of it.

The music policy of the festival is very focused on the underground and more experimental edges of electronica and dance music; does this fit more with you as a DJ?

I try not to be associated with just one thing. And I guess my tastes are underground to an extent. I just enjoy the buzz of playing music that no one else may have or may have heard before. The chances are a lot of that music may up end up reaching a wider audience eventually, and therefore not necessarily be underground. I have no problems with playing more mainstream events. Any place I can play music that people will dance and enjoy my music is a good thing.

Headlining is Gary Numan. Was he a big influence on you in your formative years, and who else in the pre house days has been a source of inspiration?

Ha, I am probably one of the few from my generation that didn't share a similar love for Gary. I think it may have been overload; I mean he was literally everywhere you looked and listened. But I certainly get his music and I understand his influence on pop music.

During that time I was more driven by a lot of the music coming out of the break-dance culture. Beat Street was on repeat in my house. And I loved a lot of those records that crossed over... Grandmaster Flash, Kraftwerk obviously and then the Human League and so on.

And finally dream situation time. If you were given free rein to put on your own mini festival who would you pick as the three DJs to join you; alongside two live acts? And where would you pit the event on?

Well it would be placed in The Big Sur, and djing would be Derrick Carter (obviously), Diz and Spencer Kincy (aka Gemini). And then live; definitely Talking Heads and Liasons Dangereuse.

Tickets to see Luke Solomon at Playground Festival are available through Skiddle

Tickets are no longer available for this event

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