After getting down with Bristol boy Waifs & Strays last week, the next episode of our central mix and interview series takes us London to meet none other than Simon Baker. The UK producer has constructed an impressive reputation over a near decade career, signing records everywhere from 2020 Vision, Leftroom and Cocoon to Connaisseur, Get Physical and Last Night On Earth. As Baker embarks on a new phase of his career, he’s taken the time to give us an insight behind the BKR Projekt, while also sharing an exclusive new mix…
WWD: Thanks for joining us Simon! Where in the world are you right now?
Tell us about what you’ve been upto this week?
Just in London at home in my flat. It’s Tuesday morning and after this I am going to get stuck into some new music I’ve been working on for the label.
WWD: Talk to us about the new BKR Projekt, what does it entail and what inspired its creation? Is it strictly an outlet for your more techno-oriented tracks or will we see other artist featuring on the label?
I set this up initially to champion my own work and have an outlet where i am in control. It’s focusing on a more stripped back techno sound I have developed in recent times. I’ve wanted to kick off my own label again for some time after leaving Infant Records behind years ago so it was right time. I will be open to other artists further down the line but the first 3 or 4 releases will be by me.
WWD: The debut tracks unsurprisingly have been very well received. Were you excited by the reaction?
I am very happy with the reaction for the first release. It straddles a couple of genres so its great to have so much good feedback from the big techno heads as well as the more “techno-house” guys. I am just hoping the second does the same job. I feel it’s as strong.
WWD: Can we expect more new music from project in 2015?
BKR002 will be out on vinyl mid Sept and digital mid October. Just about to kick off the promo for that one, but letting BKR001 breath for a bit first. BKR003 around December time. I have also done some remixes under the same name for Moon Harbour and Secret Music as well as a release on Drumcode.
WWD: As an artist you’ve appeared on an incredible collection of world-renowned yet stylistically varied labels. Can you talk to us about your approach to signing tracks? Is it a pre or post-production process for you?
Because I have ventured through different styles of the last 10 years, I guess keeping one or two outletts is difficult. I have never really been known for one sound, but this is another reason I have kicked the BKR thing off. I want to concentrate on one sound for now and be known under this pseudonym for it.
WWD: We hate to say but Summer is coming to close 🙁 What have the standout parties been for you this year?
Really? Ha! Summer is still going on where I live! Its beginning of August. We have couple of months left. Ask me again in October 🙂
WWD: Biggest weapon for you in recent months?
Couple spring to mind. Tim Wright – Crab (The Nothing Special) or Fort Romeau Cloche (Tuff City Kids Club Mix).
WWD: Top 3 producers to catch your eye in 2015 so far?
Mr Tophat & Art Alfie, Clip!, Truncate
WWD: If you could do it all again, the Summer that is! What would you change?
Not a thing, always moving forward not back.
WWD: Outside of studio and gigging, what else is Simon Baker focusing on in the tail end of 2015?
Keeping fit and healthy. My life has changed in recent time with much less partying and more balance with the more chilled things in life. I did a half marathon recently so I am thinking about doing another at the end of the year. Also going to get into a bit of music teaching with a new music school being set up to focus on teaching hardware in the studio.
WWD: Lastly, before we leave you. What are the big dates on the horizon for you?
This month I am playing El Row Ibiza Space, La Terazza in Barcelona and a tour of South America, so I am looking forward to those. I can usually only think a month or so in advance.