Seiji Interview

Seiji Interview

18 October, 2010
by: Robertswaine86

Rob Swaine catches up with Bugz In The Attic co-founder and master of the remix - Seiji.

I could wax lyrical about Paul Dolby, aka Seiji, for pages and pages but it’s probably best just to let his music do the talking, and of course the man himself. What I will say is that his blend of fidgety garage, big beats and choppy piercing lead lines makes a Seiji track stand out from the crowd in a way that makes him one of the most important producers in the underground dance scene at the moment. As one of the founders of the Bugz In The Attic crew, his influence on broken beat has been pivotal to its success and longevity today. A seemingly endless fountain of ideas, be it a remix or an original, each new release brings such an array of fresh, exciting sounds and rhythms with it that the listener is constantly kept on his or her toes.

We recently got in touch with Paul, who's just dropped his latest two-track EP earlier in the month, aptly named ‘Seiji 2’.

Has your involvement as one of the co-founders of the Bugz In The Attic collective been much of an influence on your musical direction or would you still be making similar tunes had you not been involved with the group?

My first records on Reinforced were very dark and experimental, so Bugz brought a lot of soul into my music. The diverse talents and musical influences that we brought together definitely shaped our musical development! Right now I'm getting back into beats, bleeps and basslines.

It may sound like such an obvious question but your sound is so individual and unique that I have to ask where you get most of the inspiration for your sounds and beats? Is originality of huge importance to you?

Thanks! Actually I'm listening to all kinds of new music, and it all feeds into what I'm making... I think real originality is very rare in music – most of us are just responding and reacting to what we want to try and copy.

What's your production set-up like? Do you have a favourite piece of gear?

Right now it's all about software for me but I have to say I'm starting to feel itchy for some old analogue gear again.

A personal favourite of mine is your remix of 'Chekere Son' by Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band. Having listened to the original, it must have been a bit of a challenge to remix? Do you have any connections with Gilles Peterson yourself?

Gilles has always been a strong champion of underground music and has supported me from the beginning. I've always loved working with Afro-Cuban vocals and rhythms and with a track like 'Chekere' all the inspiration is already there to work with. 

Do you have a personal favourite original or remix of your own from your vast discography?

I've done so many remixes over the years so it's hard to choose one, but I recently listened again to my remix of Boozoo Bajoo and it still sounds fresh. I'm still very proud of the G-Force and Seiji album on Reinforced. 

In 2007, you had an EP released on Daniel Haaksman's niche record label, Man Recordings, that's recently celebrated its 50th release. How did you get involved with Haaksman?

I originally met Haaksman through the Jazzanova crew. Daniel was really into Bugz, and asked me to make my version of baile funk which was an exciting challenge. It's great to see them celebrate their 50th release and I'm really happy to have 'Basslips' on the compilation.

So Seiji 2 is out next week as part of the Seiji Series that looks to go on well into 2011. How many original EPs can we expect to hear from you as a part of the series?

Going to keep them rolling next year, SEIJI 3 is pencilled in for February 2011. 

You do alot of remixes for other artists but rarely have your own songs remixed. In an ideal world who would you get to remix one of your songs, if at all?

There's so many good producers out there right now it's impossible to say. I'd probably do a remix package with eight different styles of house music hahaha!

Where does the name Seiji come from?

My mother, it's my Japanese name. 

If you weren't heavily involved in the music industry, what else do you see yourself doing?

Hmm that's a tough one – it would definitely be something with early mornings, fresh air and sunlight.

Robertswaine86