Features
Q+A: Boys Noize
Over 10 years into his career, Boys Noize has just released his most dynamic album yet. We find out what keeps him firing on all cylinders
You’ve always seemed like a bit of an outsider, but at the same time you’re in demand as a DJ at huge festivals and clubs all over the world
I like what I do, but I just always follow my heart with almost every decision. I’ve been DJing for 17 years and I just love it so much. I’ve worked in a record store and had two jobs to finance all my vinyl, turntables and all that. Back when I was 14 I never thought about being a DJ who flies around the world. I just wanted to make mixtapes.
Boysnoize Records hit its 10th anniversary last year. Did you ever think it would go on for so long?
It is crazy how time flies. I didn’t even notice it was 10 years, to be honest. I try to do things in the moment. For me, the label is a platform for my creativity and for all the artists that I sign, like SCNTST and Djedjotronic. I signed them because I believe in what they do. Sometimes there’s a shitty track, sometimes not, but I even like their shitty tracks because I like how they hear things. I never sign music because I thought they could sell. We’ve never really had hits on the label anyway!
SCNTST was your prodigy on the label for a while. How does it feel seeing him doing so well these days with his Skee Mask project?
It’s cool because people really love his stuff and he’s so diverse as well. He can make something very musical where there’s some techno in it, but the second album was more like dub techno, like a Hard Wax or Basic Channel-inspired techno.
What’s happening with your Dog Blood project with Skrillex?
Nothing much, to be honest; in the last two years I’ve tried to focus on my own music again and he just won two more Grammys with another project so obviously he’s busy.
Skrillex has produced some huge pop records for Justin Bieber. Do you have any desire to follow in his footsteps?
No, I had my taste of the pop world a few years ago when I did something with the Black Eyed Peas. I’m not mad at the music itself, and I could imagine producing something bigger. The only problem is the [pop] industry. I’ve had a little taste of it and I quickly realised that it’s not really the place for me to grind that hard. I’d rather make three new techno tracks for a new Strictly Raw album. At least I know there’s an output for it rather than spending half a year trying to make big pop records that might never come out because there’s some weird politics around it.
‘Mayday’ is out now on Boysnoize Records
