44100hz and the radio programme Electroshock continue their features on the heroes and founding fathers of the world's electronic music. This time the host and DJ Ruslan Sever managed to speak by phone with the well-known musician, producer and DJ Pete Heller!
The Englishman Pete Heller began his career in 1986, while a student at one of Manchester's universities. Very soon he landed a residency at the legendary London house club The Shoom. After meeting Terry Farley, the renowned duo Heller & Farley was formed, to whose credit are remixes and the production of such projects as The Farm and Primal Scream. And their single "Ultra Flava" achieved incredible success in the national charts of the United Kingdom and Europe. Among Pete's other accomplishments, now as a solo artist, is the founding of the cult label Junior Boy's Own, on which the first releases by Underworld and the Chemical Brothers came out. As well as more than 50 remixes of pop stars, from The Farm to Kylie Minogue, on his own Junior Records.
44100hz presents the print version of the interview with the musician:
Hi, how are you?
Fine, thanks!
Are you in England right now?
Yes, I am in London.
How is the weather there?
Pretty cold, and damp.
You played at the club Shoom for a long time - who accompanied you?
Sutani Rantley.
Did you play there regularly?
Yes, we played there every week.
Tell us about your work with Terry Farley?
Terry and I worked together for about 10 years. And then we stopped.
You stopped working together?
Yes, I recorded my track "Big Love", and it was the right time to move on and start doing something of my own.
Which is closer to you - DJing or production?
I actually like everything. Working as a DJ is great, because you get an instant response from the crowd, whereas production work carries a moment of waiting and doubt as to whether anyone will like it or not. Sometimes that is harder. But both kinds of activity have their own advantages.
How would you describe your style?
Deep Electronica, I suppose.
What are you working on right now?
I am doing several things; recently I finished a remix for Faithless. Their track is called "Music Matters". It will be out very soon, plus a couple more tracks I am working on right now. And I am also rebuilding my studio.
Which musical styles, in your opinion, will rule this year?
House, of course. Everyone is making house now, and many are returning to it again.
Which musicians show great promise, in your view? Who would you single out?
There are a lot of good projects around now... for example A.M.E. - I like their style.
Are you planning to come to Russia, and when?
Yes, somewhere around the middle of March or April I have a trip planned. I just do not remember where exactly - I will have to check my notebook.
Have you ever played in Russia before?
Yes, I have played in Moscow, St Petersburg. I have been there a couple of times.
Your impressions?
Very good! Great clubs. Especially in St Petersburg - I liked the very nice, small venues.
Every musician has a favourite track of their own - what is your favourite?
The most favourite track I have ever made... God, it is very hard to say. I liked the track "Vibrate" that we made last year with a guy named Roki, but I do not know, there were not many good things.
What do you do besides music?
I am studying right now to get a master's degree (in digital media), and it takes up a lot of my time.
And a few words for the readers of 44100hz?
Keep enjoying the music! I hope you like it. And for my part I will try to make more quality, good music.
The programme airs on Maximum radio every Sunday from 21:00 to 23:00 (Moscow time). Details on the official Electroshock website.
