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 Californian hip hop producer FLYING LOTUS aka STEVE ELLISON tells MATT HICKEY about signing to Warp, the impending expectation, and why his live shows differ so much from his albums.
For Californian producer/artist Flying Lotus, the past eighteen months have seen his profile and cultural purchase increase drastically – due in no small part to his signing with the untouchably cool Warp Records (home of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, etc). This achievement is not cause for acclamation on its own but, rather, is indicative of the high quality of his preceding work. Though excited with the record deal, FlyLo/Ellison was careful not to let his intimidating label mates inform his future output.
“It was cool signing to Warp – I was a fan of the Aphex stuff and all that – but they signed me to do my own thing and I’m not going to copy someone else or do the same thing twice hopefully.”
Though there is a definite stylistic progression between his first album and his latest effort, Los Angeles, Ellison attributes this up to an improvement in skills and equipment and also the heightened consciousness of other people’s expectations this time around.
“It’s bad to admit but there was a lot more pressure this time, worrying what other people would think. I just did my thing but it took a bit longer because of that outside influence.”
Any review of Ellison’s latest album undoubtedly talks of the crackling texture he imparts on his songs. Whilst certainly a signature of his music, Ellison claims that it’s more incidental in nature than some might expect.
“That’s my style. The texture isn’t a conscious decision; it’s just what happens when I do my thing. There’s lot’s of imperfection on the album but that’s what I like and it helps me keep going without getting too caught up in the process.”
The ability to not get caught up has ensured that the Flying Lotus name has been put to a vast output this past year – which makes one wonder just how extensive his release schedule could be without the pressure that apparently constricts the creative process. Not only did 2008 see the release of his sophomore album (which is seventeen tracks long in itself) but also a series of three LA EP’s in its wake.
“I make stuff all the time, it’s kinda hard to get it all out there. That was a way of me to continue to release stuff from that chapter of my career. Like, keep getting it out there and also branding it with this space and time.”
Ellison is also a celebrated DJ as well as producer, which heightens the anticipation surrounding his upcoming Australian tour. Funnily enough, though, Ellison has a well-publicised preference for recorded over live music
“I listen to most music on my headphones at home and I like listening to full albums so when I make music, I make it to be experienced like that.”
So what can people expect from a Flying Lotus show. “I think it’s a lot more upbeat than people think. It’s different to the albums and what I listen to but it serves a different purpose. It’s meant to be fun.”
FLYING LOTUS plays Moon Bar on Friday Jan 2 alongside DJ Katch, Walrii and others. LOS ANGELES is out now through Warp/Inertia. www.myspace.com/flyinglotus
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