Concrete Playground Meets Flume

Leading up to his highly anticipated NZ tour, we caught up with Sydney based DJ Harley Streten (aka FLUME) to chat about life, collaborating, Nutra Grain and of course his self titled debut album.

When it comes to electro dance, Flume is blazing a torch. After two magical experiences at Rhythm & Vines and Laneway, FLUME is one fella firmly etched in Kiwis minds. So without further adieu here's what he had to say:

Harley? How's it going mate - sorry I'm running late. I've been battling a parking warden. So we're looking forward to having you back are you excited?

Haha, Yeah mate, should be cool. I'm really surprised about much interest my shit has got over in New Zealand. So I'm really looking forward to being back over there.

Excellent, well this isn't your first rodeo in NZ - any highlights from past experiences?

Yeah definitely - Rhythm & Vines was amazing. I don't think I've heard of a festival with a natural water slide before. Great show.

Definitely, that was a magical performance at sunset.  But onto more pressing matters - you'll still be on the Infinity Prism Tour when you get here. What is the 'Infinity Prism' and what can we expect from the live show?

Well essentially it's a big optical illusion that I've been taking around with me to freak kids out with *laughs*. This time round it's going to be a lot different from past shows though -  we've got a lot more production, crazy lights and some new material, so yeah, it should be a lot of fun.

Do you ever laugh that all of this began from cereal? Your interest in DJing/Producing began after you discovered production software in a box of Nutra Grain right?

Yeah, I discovered this little music making program in a box of cereal when I was 10 or 11. I installed it on my computer and mucked around on it. Ever since then I've been getting better and better software. I started making music as a hobby, but over the last couple of years it's turned into my job.

So you've been doing it for a while then, what's your song writing and production process? How do you go about putting your work together?

It starts in a whole bunch of different ways - to begin with I really have to wait until I'm in the zone. I can't force music. If I try it gets frustrating and I don't enjoy it. But I usually like to start with a chord progression. I'll try and keep it super low-fi and combine a few different genres together. If I'm not starting with chords though I start by creating some kind of whack beat. I used to use a lot of samples but I'm shying away from that now because it's really fucked up trying to clear them with the labels.

You've collaborated with a handful of pretty respected musicians on your debut, what is your collaboration process - do you just give vocalists free rein or is a strict no fucking around basis that you go on?

Well to be honest I just try and look for really recognisable voices more than anything. For example the Chet Faker collab, I was just hanging out with a mate and he played me some of Nick's (aka Chet's) stuff.  His voice is so unique, so as soon as I heard it I wanted to work with it. I had no idea where he lived in the world so I just googled him - as it turned out he lives in Melbourne so I got in touch and we got to work next time I was down there.

Ha, small world huh? Do you prefer to collaborate or do you find it better to just go it alone?

I like a balance, I love collaborating. I often have a very strong opinion on how I want something to sound. So often I'll have an idea of what when I send it away to say, Nick (Chet Faker) but he'll come back with something completely different which is way better than what I had in mind. It's the surprise element that makes me I love working with people.

You're young yourself, but do you have any advice for any up and coming musicians or producers?

Yeah, I would say try and explore all kinds of music - don't just focus on doing one thing. If you want to make dubstep that's fine, but write other stuff as well. Write pop music, write RnB, try some indie disco stuff. The more music you write, the better producer you'll be and the more flexible you'll be. It's really then that you can start to make your own stuff. If you're constantly trying to copy other artists in that same genre it's very difficult to learn how to extend yourself. If you're a young producer just try and push yourself outside of the comfort zone. It's worth it.

Totally, great advice. And lastly, you're a busy man but what's next on the agenda?

I'm going to be touring around the US, I'm pretty excited. It's the first time I've ever had like a tour bus - so yeah it should be pretty fun.

Road trip! Awesome mate. Harley it's been great talking to you. Best of luck with the tour - and I'm sure I can say NZ is looking forward to seeing you again in October. Until then.

Looking forward to it. Cheers mate - see you then.

Flume will be touring NZ in October but tickets are selling mighty fast. If you want to get your grubby little hands on some you'd better be quick. Get the details here: La De Da presents FLUME at Logan Campbell Centre - Wednesday, October 9 2013