Global Goon’s Jonathan Hawk earned a recording contract with Rephlex Records before moving to London and being Richard D. James’ (aka Aphex Twin)’s housemate. He had been making electronic music using SoundEdit 16 while supporting himself with various programming jobs. After moving into a shared house with James, Tom Jenkinson, Chris Jeffs and Grant Wilson-Claridge, he released his first album Goon on Rephlex in 1996. Rumours that Goon actually was an alias for Aphex Twin persisted even after the release of Cradle of History two years later. After releasing Vatican Nitez four years later, he left the Rephlex label and started his own label J-HOK records, which he released 3 albums on. He also released one album on Audio Dregs, and two albums and one EP on WéMè. Music critics have characterised Global Goon’s style as ambient music and “easy listening fusion”. From Bessemer Cocktail and after, his music took a turn towards acid house rather than the easy listening downtempo.
Facts
1: My middle name is David
2: I’m going to buy a budgie soon
3: I can only see out of one eye
Questions
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Other people’s music. Usually I can’t listen to more than a few minutes of music at home before I unlock my studio.
How and when did you get into making music?
I was in various school band s in the early 1980s, mostly doing cover versions of Joy Division, New order and The Velvet Underground. I bought an SH101, a TR606 & bassline with money from my saturday job as a baker. I would program electro versions of the tracks and school friends would play drums and guitars over the top. Blue monday always went down well with the other school kids.
What are your 5 favourite albums of all time?
I don’t know the titles, but ones by Joy Division, brian eno, philip glass, steve reich would probably be in there.
What do you associate with Berlin?
A castle I played at in the late 90s. It was a rephlex night with Squarepusher. cylob, DMX Krew and Ovuca. Someone died in the audience.
What’s your favourite place in your town?
I don’t like town, but if I must choose, then it’d be the walker art gallery.
If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Paint pictures/ print things.
What was the last record you bought?
Probably something in the mid 90s. A library record perhaps? I really don’t remember!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
A female vocalist and an arranger who can do all the boring stuff.
What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Stephs birthday party in liverpool at the end of last year.
How important is technology to your creative process?
Fairly important. Without technology, I’d just be whistling in the wind!
Our Favourites:
Business man
Craehzrhd
Bassy hip hop
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