With the ‘Movin’ On Over’ EP, Ayr-born Ewan McVicar showcases his love of the underground house music scene, the older Optimo Trax releases he fell in love with, and the legendary parties at Glasgow’s iconic Sub Club, which inspired him to pursue a career making and playing music. Title track ‘Movin’ On Over’ references Ron Hardy in Chicago’s Muzic Box with the thumping, hard-cutting bassline and acid influences. Also made for sweat-soaked dance-floors, the hypnotic ‘Slowing Up The Freak’ is backed by a remix from IKONIKA which emphasizes the trippy, freak-out elements of the original. The shimmering ‘Which Way To Go?’ rounds off the EP perfectly. Ideal for the after-party, the track was devised late at night and features Sega computer samples and acid house basslines, to create a euphoric, spellbinding finale.
‘Tell Me Something Good’, released on Trick, was voted Best Track of 2021 by BBC Radio 1 Dance Awards and DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards. Ewan McVicar has also released on Shall Not Fade, Unknown To The Unknown, and Nervous. The ‘Movin’ On Over’ EP is receiving impressive DJ support, including from Erol Alkan, Maceo Plex, Joe Goddard, Perel, Justin Robertson, Rob da Bank, Theo Kottis, Elliot Adamson, Eclair Fifi, nd_baumecker, Âme, Nightwave, Chloé, Eli Brown, and Sam Divine, amongst many others.
WWD: Hi Ewan, thanks for speaking with When We Dip! What have you been up to lately?
Hi guys! I’ve been on and off ill the last few months and it’s doing my nut in so trying to get back to full fitness before this mental summer arrives!
WWD: Were you expecting the huge success of ‘Tell Me Something Good’?
Na, not at all I only made it for an edit in my sets to start off with.
WWD: Your recent EP, Movin’ On Over has more of an underground sound. Does this mark a new direction for you?
Not a new direction for me, I have always made underground music. I was in a duo before I did more solo stuff called Granary 12 and it was all Acid House, so the “underground” isn’t uncharted territory for me. I just make what I feel like at the time and if it’s a bit more like what came out on Optimo Music then so be it. I actually have like a shit tonne of electro stuff from 2018 I haven’t shown anyone either haha
WWD: We read the EP was influenced by going to parties at Glasgow’s Sub Club and the Glasgow-based Optimo Trax / Optimo Music releases. How does Glasgow’s club and music scene compare with other places you’ve visited/played at?
For me, Glasgow has one of the best clubbing scenes in the UK, if not the best. I’ve struggled to find clubs that tick every box of sound, crowd, lights, as much as Sub Club does. Fabric maybe? It is definitely up there. Motion in Bristol is also another well cool space.
WWD: Patrick Topping recently announced you’re playing at his Warehouse Project Trick party in Manchester on 9th April. That should be a fantastic event! Have you played at WHP before?
Yeah, I played last year in the new Archive room the night after I played my first Sub Club gig. It was fuckin class.
WWD: What other parties / festivals coming up are you most looking forward to playing?
I’m so excited for all of them to be honest. Playing Sub Club again on 14 April. First Boiler Room at FLY as well is another big career goal I had set out. The stage I’m on at Terminal V is ridiculous. So much to look forward to but they are the highlights for me.
WWD: Where would be your dream venue to play?
My own festival in Ayr.
WWD: Are there any other classic tracks you would love to sample?
I would love to sample any Altern8 tunes.
WWD: Which producers do you look up to?
Funky T (Tristan Grace, owner of Devon Analogue Studio). Guy is a wizard.
WWD: What can people expect from Ewan McVicar from the rest of 2022?
This year for me is about finding my place in this crazy music world, where I sit best. So a lot of risk taking during sets to try get some mad reactions and also av got hunners more music to put out :D!
Ewan McVicar ‘Movin’ On Over’ EP is out now on Optimo Music Digital Danceforce. Buy / Stream Here
Ewan McVicar: Facebook // Soundcloud