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LISTEN TO MIX: mp3 listen
MUDD INTERVIEW
hello Paul! Thanks for taking time out to do a mix and answer some questions. It seems
like you're chucking in the day job soon, is that right? Hopefully we'll be hearing even more
from you then. Any new releases we should be looking out for?
That's right my last day is today and it feels fantastic. I've got so many things on the go and i'll
finally have time to finish them all. The next release on my label (Claremont 56) is 'Smith &
Mudd - Vegetable square' which has an amazing cosmic mix by the Idjuts for the B side. For
me, I think it's among their best work. The next major project will be the Smith & Mudd album
which will hopefully be out before christmas and I'm slowly getting through the 2nd album for
rong.
You have been producing for about 10yrs and, if Discogs is right, the first release was as
Akwaaba (with Stevie Kotey of Chicken Lips) in 1997 on Dysfunction. How did you get into
production? I somehow remember a story of you and Stevie being roommates for a while.
It's been 14 years now, it just took us a while to get a release! I'm pretty sure Akwaaba - Just
Pilau was out in 95 though, it was certainly finished by then. Tom, Steve and I used to go out
clubbing together and started dj'ing around the same time. After meeting the Idjut Boys at their
night at the Cross (Phreek), we realised that people who made this music we danced to were
pretty similar to us, so we spent my student loan on some equipment and got cracking. Tom,
Steve and I moved to London and spent the next few years partying, getting stoned and making
music. It was a great period.
Your records have lots of live instrumentation, do you play anything yourself and what is
your favourite piece of studio gear?
I've started to play more, I think that will develop now that I've got more time on my hands, but
generally I'll get a basic idea on the guitar or bass and let someone who can play really well
develop it. I do play quite a lot of the keys on my stuff though.
My studio is pretty small with well chosen pieces, so I think all of the gear is as important as
each other, but the rhodes is quite a nice piece to look at.
Did you grow up with lots of music around and what has been your early influences?
I'd love to say that I grew up with Motown playing around the house, but I think It was still
important to hear my mum and dads taste. They were mainly into the Beatles and some
terrible bands that I won't mention, but there were glimpses of the Rolling stones, Pink Floyd
and Fleetwood Mac. I'm told that my brother and I would sit behind the couch and play the
Beatles records over and over again singing along. I then grew up on the standard 80s chart
stuff until I met Electro and then started to develop a taste of my own.
What's influencing you at the moment?
I seem to be getting slower and slower with my bpms at the moment, but i'm not sure whether
that's due to getting older or my taste changing. I'm still getting inspired more by my older
record collection though, more than the new music that's coming out.
What do you prefer: making music or DJing? What's been you favourite DJ gig?
On a whole, definitely production. If every gig was a great place with a lovely sound system and
good people then it would be a tough call. At the moment I'm struggling as a punter and a DJ
to find these nights. I think too many promoters are thinking that all their job is booking a
known Dj and making a pretty flyer. The best gigs I've had were at house parties with my
friends but I really enjoyed the Loop in Tokyo, PS1 and the Luxx in Lisbon.
How did you come up with the name Mudd and have you released music under any other
aliases, except Akwaaba?
It's a rubbish story i'm afraid. It was in 95 in Ibiza and because we were pretty messy the whole
time, the names got shortened with a double 'd' at the end, Murphy became Mudd. It stuck and
that's been my nickname for 12 years. Christ, that's shit.
We released something under the guise of 'Black pepper madam' for Steve's 'Economy Dj'
label. Both of those names have quite good stories behind them but I won't bore you.
What's it like running your own label and how's it doing?
I love it, I can do the design, make the music and release it myself which is a great feeling.
Although the tracks have been limited they've been selling out in a day with requests for more. I
couldn't be in a happier place with the way it's going at the moment.
What are your top five records at the moment?
From the top of my head:
Kim Carnes - Draw of the cards
Scissor sisters - Idjut boys remix
Smith & Mudd - Vegetable square, Idjut boys remix
A track on the film score 'tough guys' by Isaac Hayes but I can't remember the title
Jackie Mitto - Cassanova
Except for making music, what else are you into?
Travelling, cycling, cooking, reading, walking, camping, drinking, sea fishing + hanging out
with my nephew.
:)
