From early days of hardcore and hard dance, Rory St John’s interest was always focused on producing unique and new sonic spaces, which has taken him through a range of styles and faces over the years. After releasing some records under various pseudonyms, Rory St John is back where he left off, using his birth name and creating rhythmic racket spanning genre or tempo. Influenced by the purity of the techno sound, releases under his own name concentrate on expression as a form of self-purge.
FACTS:
1: I used to think I could fly. At least until I hit the ground from a substantial height, when I was about 7.
2: ‘Racecar’ is the same forward as it is backwards.
3: My studio was recently burgled and most of my instruments stolen.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Probably my early clubbing / raving days in Dublin. The feeling of walking into a new club, venue or rave location, and hearing bangin tunes in the distance, as the excitement grows in your stomach. This is a feeling that directs me a lot. Even the deeper tunes I make reflect this nostalgically in a way.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
OA computer-savvy friend of mine gave me a copy of Cool Edit and Evolution Pro when I was about 15, and I tried to make a trance album. It was awful – I love it.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
The Prodigy – Experience
o9 – Chruch of the Ghetto PC
Richie Hawtin – Decks, FX & 909
Aphex Twin – Drukqs
LFO – Advance
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Homogenousness.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
The lake.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Some kind of visual design I think.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Fran Hartnett – Hauler EP
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Fran Hartnett.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Hard to pinpoint one particular gig. I really enjoy taking over the stage after a DJ has done a really good job, and changing the direction completely. It is a bit of a shock to the crowd when the vibe U-turns, but I enjoy trying to reel the crowd back in.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Somewhat important. For the most part I make techno-influenced music. Technology fuels new ideas and new ideas fuel new feelings. It’s not forward-thinking if everyone sounds the same.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
do, and they are happy with it I think.
Rory St John plays Krake Festival‘s club night at Griessmühle Berlin on Saturday, 27th July 2019!
Photo © Marcus Glahn
