Richard Dinsdale Interview

Richard Dinsdale Interview

06 January, 2009
by: Lowri

Richard Dinsdale - pioneer of delivering driving underground sounds to clubs across the planet - has stepped up to the plate early in 2009 to release his debut album on the acclaimed Toolroom Records. Dinsdale's finely tuned first album 'U-Turn' gives us more of his trademark jackin' dancefloor sound - and displays his eficacy as a multi-faceted producer with tunes which span pop, disco, minimal and growling electro house. He is a master at incorporating the best ingredients from multiple genres; the result is a rich, upfront collection of hard-hitting house tracks - with more than a sly nod in the disco and techno direction. Since the release of Dinsdale's own Toolroom Knights volume, he's had remixes for the likes of Lot49, Renaissance and Global Underground. But it's this artists album which stands out as his finest work to date - securing his place as one of the most exciting producers to emerge from the Uk house scene.

We caught up with Richard to get the lowdown on U-Turn.

Your career is going from strength to strength and it seems to have happened pretty fast, did it all take you by surprise or was your goal always to be this big?

Since the age of 13 I have always wanted to be a successful producer and DJ. It didn't really take me by surprise because it was a slow progression. I'm not a massive star in what I do but I would like to feel I have achieved something worthwhile.

Fatboy Slim is a big fan of your productions, how did it feel the first time you heard your tracks played by such a huge DJ?

It's that kind of recognition I really look for and thrive on. When big DJ's such as Fatboy Slim play your tracks it gives you a real sense of achievement and inspires you to carry on doing what you are doing.

Your brand new album is due to drop in January 2009. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Yes, I've been working on this album for about a year now and I have finally finished it. It did actually just start out as an EP containing four tracks but I decided to work on it a bit longer and turn the project into an album, eventually containing ten tracks. Not every track on the album is a dance track. It has a variation - everything from 90 to 128 bpm. Producing an album is a great way of expressing your musical taste - not just sticking to one genre and straight up house music.

What's your favourite track on the album?

I would have to say 'Let Yourself Go' featuring Wray. It was really great to work with Viveen again and make a vocal track. Originally we made two verses and a chorus but we ended up just using one of the verses as it made it too soulful using the whole vocal track.

Why the name U-turn?

Great question. I wanted people to approach this album in a different way, not over-using my usual jackin' house style. The album contains lots of different styles so I thought the title U-Turn was a great and appropriate way of telling the people that I was experimenting with different styles - going in a different direction so to speak.

Your tracks are renowned for being highly technical and have been described as 'perfect' - taking you up to a few months to complete. Does this ever get frustrating or do you savour the challenge of creating a masterpiece?

No it's not frustrating at all. If it is what you love doing and it doesn't bother you putting the right amount of time into the track to make it perfect, then you just do it. It's more like a hobby then a job and the bonus is I'm getting paid for it. Different projects take different amounts of time - some tracks can take just a week or so to finish, where as some take up to three to four weeks. With the album I would work on certain things and leave them for a while and go and work on something else like my other album with Michael Gray or a remix.

Who or what first inspired you to start DJing? What relevance does the early music you listened to have in your productions now?

When I first started out I was really into the hard and U.S. house scene. DJ's like Pete Wardman, Tony De Vit and Danny Rampling were massive influences for me. I used to love listening to Pete Wardman on Kiss 100 at lunchtime on a Saturday. And Judge Jules Judge in the Jury was a great way of listening to really upfront promos. I think it was a weird situation for my friends because while they were out getting pissed on cider or whatever I was buying records but they were cool with it.

What three records never fail to make a crowd absolutely go off?

Daft Punk 'Alive' is at the back of my CD case and will stay there forever. Everytime the crowd hear it being mixed in they go NUTS. This track for me was an early sign of where house music was going to go. DJ Rolando 'Knights Of The Jaguar' is a classic for the older crowd. I think when I play that it brings back a lot of memories for people. Frankie Knuckles 'Your Love' is an all time favourite of mine. Beautiful vocal that only gets used once in the track but does the job. I think its because when you start off playing it everyone assumes Candi Station 'You Got The Love' is going to kick in but it doesn't so it adds that extra sparkle to the track.

What has been the ultimate highlight over the years that has really stopped you in your tracks?

The best feeling is to play your tracks in front of a massive crowd and get a great reaction. It's such a nerve racking situation for a producer to test out his new material but when you get that crowd going it is the best feeling in the world and makes all that time and effort you put into the track worth it. Plus you get to meet some great people on your travels and some fantastic parties to go with it!

You have been made resident at clubbing mecca, Ministry of Sound, how did this first come about and what was your first gig there like?

I first got a call from Phil Sales at Ministry Of Sound asking me if I would like to become their new resident. Of Course, this was a dream come true for me as I used to go to the club when I was 17 and this was back in the day when you had to be 21 to legally enter nightclubs. I always dreamt of playing there and from the very beginning I set that goal as my inspiration, so as you can imagine, receiving that initial phone call was the best news I had had all year. My first gig there was like djing for the first time again - I was incredibly nervous and really wanted to make a good first impression to all the regular punters - but ten minutes into my set I was having the time of my life.

What do you have planned for the coming year? Any new artists or any of your releases we should be looking out for?

I have lots coming out in the next couple of months on various labels such as Global Underground, Toolroom Records, Spin Out Records and Juicy Music. As you know I have my artist album coming out in January on Toolroom but I have also just finished an album with Michael Gray - this is due out next year sometime. Global Underground have just signed my single 'Walkies' and I'm expecting this to be released around February 2009. SpinOut records are releasing another E.P of mine, with a release date yet to be decided.

I have also been working on some single projects with Michael Gray, one containing the Nervo Girls from Australia who have worked with the likes of Beyonce. Michael and I have also just finished a single with Luciana. These tracks will be going under the name Gray and Dinsdale.

I've been keeping busy with remix work for Anil Chawla and Dale Anderson on their upcoming album as well as a remix of the 90s dance floor hit 99th Floor Elevators, 'Hooked'.

You can go and buy Richard's album on Beatport or Toolroom Records now.

Click here to see everything going on at Ministry of Sound.

Lowri