Who: Coloursound resident Liam Jones aka Cera Alba is fast becoming a name to watch out for in the underground music scene since being snapped up by Jamie Jones and Lee Foss' label Hot Creations. With 2012 set to be his most exciting and successful year yet Hannah Davies brings us the scoop on the young budding DJ.
You were signed by Hot Creations last year and have had some great
support from artists such as Jamie Jones, how does it feel to have your music recognised?
It's a great feeling, especially having support from the DJ's and producers that I have aspired after for many years. I think when you put so much of yourself into something you love it's the ultimate privilege to receive support from people who have been making music for many years. It's something that really pushes me as I want to create music which is technically good and producers always take note of music which has been produced to high standard.
Tell us how you first got into DJ'ing and producing…
Well it all came quite naturally really, I have always been a music fan and as I grew up I noticed myself being particularly interested in a certain type of pop music, namely ones based around a house track structure. I remember when I was younger I really enjoyed tracks like Adamski - Killer and Opus III - It's a Fine Day, of course at that time I didn't understand why I liked them, maybe I was always destined to find the sound of the night club.
I first started DJ'ing in 2005 but it was more of a hobby then and by 2007 I started to play about with audio using simple programs like Adobe Audition, slicing audio up and laying it over each other. I then moved onto Ableton and began making my own sounds but I never felt comfortable with the software, some people love it but it just never seemed right for me. I decided if I was going to take music seriously I needed to commit to it. So I enrolled on a Logic Pro beginner's course and bought a second hand Macbook. It turned out to be the right decision and since then I have been learning and developing my sound using various equipment.
In 2007 you did a season in Ibiza, did this experience help you to become more established as a DJ?
I don't know if it helped me to become more established as I don't think you can establish yourself as a DJ unless you make your own music. If you were to be a resident at a successful night in Ibiza it would definitely help, although that still very much limits how far you can go. I think Ibiza inspired me to want to make and play music. It's an amazing feeling when you find the music you have been looking for all your life. I look back now and wonder why I found it there listening to some insane crazy minimal sounds but I did. I think Marc Houle - Bay Of Figs being dropped on the DC10 terrace at 3pm was definitely one of those inspirational moments.
Big question… Laptop Vs Vinyl?
I don't think it has to be laptops vs. vinyl, I think if you try to play just vinyl these days you are unrealistic and your sets will suffer because of this. I love vinyl and the best thing in the world is finding an old gem which hasn't been pulled to digital yet, it can really add something totally unique to your set.
I play a medium between both, I use Traktor Scratch on vinyl then carry around a hand full of my favourite wax to lay in when I like. It means I can play all my latest productions plus any new bits I have from friends and I also still get the enjoyment of spinning vinyl. The use of a laptop can also add a whole new dimension to a performance. I would really like to play live one day using all my own material played through Ableton with some external instruments to add depth like a drum machine and a synth. Although I must mention that I can't stand DJ's who just use a laptop to sync their tracks in time, I don't feel this is any show of skill or ability and thus I have no respect for people who play that way. Just to be clear I don't mean people who play live using their own productions like Glimpse or Subb-An.
What do you think of all the new technology that is available for DJ's and producers to use nowadays?
Well there are some great new developments for producing like the NI Maschine which is really bringing the old hands on feel of the MPC into the digital age. To be fair there is so much new gear out there these days I tend to not pay too much attention to it. I believe you're only as good as your own knowledge of your current equipment. If I want to do something new and unique which I can't do with my current set up or I think I need to add something to what I have then I will look to see if there's something else that I need.
Which DJ's/producers stand out to you?
Well there are some guys who are just leagues above everyone else, I have fallen in love with 'SBTRKT' recently and in my opinion he is the best producer on the planet at the moment. I also really like Maceo Plex, Daniel Bortz, DJ Yellow, Julie Bashmore and DJ T, as they are all currently producing some fantastic music. I would say my two favourite producers have to be Vincenzo and John Tejeda as they have both made music for well over 10 years and I still play some of there early stuff in my sets today.
I read that Kerri Chandler's ‘Bar A Thym' inspired you to get the DJ ball rolling, where else do you draw inspiration from for your tracks?
My inspiration for producing tracks comes from various places, it can happen in the car, the shower or when I'm about to go bed. I normally get bass line ideas or lead chord ideas in my head which I record on my phone then make them when I get back in the studio. Alternatively sometimes a great track can inspire me if it really catches my ear. Kerri Chandler is a huge inspiration; his music personifies house music and has done for 20 years!
Your remix of Shaman EP was released on Beatport in January this year, I love how you add an uplifting edge to a predominantly deep and underground sound, how has it been received so far?
Thanks for the compliment, glad people like the track. I've had some good responses so far so pretty happy. I also received good feedback from Robert James, Coat of Arms, Eats Everything, Richy Ahmed, Luca C, T Boy, Waifs & Strays, Huxley and Moodymanc so I can't really complain about that.
Have you got any new releases or collaborations in the pipeline that you can tell us about?
Yes I have a few things in the pipeline. I have an EP on Turquoise Blue out around the end of March called 'Save The Day' with remixes from Droog vs. Inxec and Julien Sandre. I have an EP on Illusion Recordings called 'Can't Let You Go' with remixes from Alex Agore, Lerosa and Tom Craven/James Cotterill. I also have an EP out later in the year on Composite Records. I am also starting up a new two person band project which I am excited about but that's all I can say about that at the moment! Finally look out for my latest release Miguel Puente -Why Shouldn't I? (Cera Alba Remix) out on Digital Delight in March.
Any forthcoming gigs that you are excited about?
I have some really exciting gigs coming up in the next few months; on March 2nd and 3rd I am playing in Porto, Portugal and then I will then be down in Bournemouth for Get Satisfied on March 10th with Robert James and Coat of Arms which I'm really looking forward too. I then fly out to Stockholm for a night with DJ Yellow on March 23rd and I have just been added to the line up of Hideout Festival in Croatia, so really buzzing about that!
Where:
10th March: Get Satisfied at The Old Firestation - Bournemouth (UK)
23rd March: 2.35:1 presents DJ Yellow & Cera Alba - Berns Salonger (Sweden)
29th June: Hideout Festival 2012 - Zrce Beach (Croatia)
