Page 34 - Zone Magazine Issue 020

featureinterview FEATUREinterview
ruce Campbell, aka Phat Pilgrim is no stranger to the scene. Having produced under the moniker A9ent0ran9e for over a decade, he helped create a unique sound in the south east of the UK. Fusing elements of psychadelic trance, breakbeat, dub and house, hisdebut album “Fix your shadow” threw all of these into one pot, and ensured acclaim from fans and industry heads alike.
Now he has moved on and under his new alias Phat Pilgrim, he is taking in more influences and broadening his sound even more. With shows at the infamous Ramsgate Music Hall and Canterbury’s City Sound Project under his belt already, and his remix of Wax Hands’ “Cerro Solo” showcasing a more progressive house sound. His remix for Canterbury band Lapis Lazuli taking things completely the other direction, with a glitchy, funk driven sound, it shows his eclectic influences are still at the forefront of his sound. 2018 is already looking like a busy year. With a string of original material and remixes in the pipeline, he is one to watch. We caught up with him for a chat.
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Hey Bruce, thanks for talking to us, first of all can we ask, what first got you into music, and what were your early influences?
Like a lot of people I first got into music making tape compilations, recording tracks off the weekly radio chart show every Sunday, tape cued with record and pause at the ready. From there I found Hip Hop at about 11 years due to controversy (NWA, Ice Cube, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest). I got into indie music (James, Charlatans, Happy Mondays, Stone Roses, Primal Scream) because I had a crush on a girl I wanted to impress in my early teens and from there I found a love of altered states and electronic music via the Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Orbital, Leftfield, Andrew Weatherall and Aphex Twins ambient works.
What made you want to become a dj/ producer?
I was a vocalist in a band and although we never gigged, we created some real magic between us so when the band split up I had to find a way to make music to sing to. I got hold of a bass guitar, some bongos, a mic and a sampling keyboard and started making (pretty sketchy) tracks with a four track tape recorder. I got so into the process of making music and experimentation that I guess I forgot about being a singer. I didn’t become a DJ until much later, being asked to play because people knew I was making my own music.
Your production style, as a9ent0ran9e or now as Phat Pilgrim, could accurately be described as eclectic. Was it a conscious decision to not stick to one style?
With so many different influences and aspects to music that inspire me, I wanted the freedom to explore, experiment and to
create a sound that’s inclusive and yet unique, so yes it was definitely a conscious decision. The greatest compliment I’ve had when someone said to me “ that track really sounds like you” and that’s kind of idea – creating my own sound and style.
For those who are new to you, how would you describe your sound?
A fusion of influences from Bass culture, Breakbeat, Tech, Funk and House, through to Psychedelia, Trip Hop, Techno, Dub and Cinematic Soundscapes.
How did you first start out?
I started playing out at free raves and forest parties. There’s lot of countryside around here and a real community of like minded people that have grown up and partied together over the years.
Can you talk us through your studio setup?
I have quite a modest setup the spare room in the house is basically a library, laundry room and my project studio which includes: KRK Rokit 5 monitors and Sub, HP Elitebook running windows7, Ableton Live Suite 9 and 10, Ableton PUSH, Yamaha EX5r, Novation X-Staion, Arturia Micro Brute running through a Boss ME 50 or DD-3 effects pedal depending on what I feel like.
Any go to vsts that you couldnt work without?
I used to use Cubase with waves plugins but was tempted by the promise of an easier workflow with Ableton. Suite has most plugins included so it made more sense to me to have what you need in the box and ready to go and you can get great results if you know what you’re doing. Max4Live is also an excellent resource. Having said that Serum and Massive are great additions to any studio setup.
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