A very special January closes with a NYC-based guest whose musical adventures have been a pleasure to follow. Lovefingers a.k.a. Andrew Hogge was responsible for running a site that unearthed hundreds of amazing pieces of music to delighted listeners. He's also been serving fellow dj's with top grade edits on the Blackdisco label and once used to be the drummer in Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. Nowadays, the man produces music with Lee Douglas as The Stallions and operates a label called ESP Institute, which has released some of the most interesting electronic music heard lately. Scroll down for an interview with Andrew.

Can you tell about the concept behind ESP Institute? Is there a "musical manifesto"?

 

– No real manifesto. Really, the only rule is that I have to love it and it's new music. I don't want the label to be like every other label, and I'll try to push it in a new direction at any time if I feel it's getting too comfortable.

 

What's coming up in 2011 from the label? 

 

– Sea Power And Change has a remixed 12" out soon with Justin Vandervolgen, Secret Circuit and Soft Rocks on remix duties. There will be a Secret Circuit EP, an album and a 12" by an Italian artist Shocks, the debut album from Soft Rocks, more Sombrero Galaxy and then of course a Stallions 12".

 

 

Releases from the Japanese duo COS/MES were some of the highlights of last year for me. How did you get to know the guys in the first place – did they approach you or did you find them?

 

– I met them through mutual friends in Japan. They're amazing guys!

 

Blackdisco, your collaboration with the LA-based dj Nitedog, is still active as well? Whose edits are next to be pressed on vinyl?

 

– Yes, it's still active, just a small pause. There will be a Lovefingers/Nitedog 12" soon, and also new releases from Ron Ziti and Rune Lindbaek.

 

 

You're also known for your project The Stallions with Lee Douglas. What are your roles like when you're producing material together?

 

– We work together in studio and take turns on playing and manning the console. We live a block apart, so any idea is really easy to get moving on.

 

 

Is there any new Stallions material coming out soon? I read that there is at least an Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti remix to be released. Can you reveal which song you remixed?

 

– For Ariel we remixed Round and Round, not sure of the release date yet. Other things just out are our remixes for Phenomenal Handclap Band and for MODE on Codek records. Future things not released yet are our remix of Listen Now by Phil Manzanera, Italian Cowboy by Cosmic Metal Mother, Cloud Nine by the Backwoods, and a few others...

 

Speaking of Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, I also read that you once played drums in the band. When was that? Do you have any special memories from the time?

 

– Um, maybe 7 years ago? It was the first live setup of the band. Ariel and the bassist Tim are old good friends and Tim is still the current bassist... yes, they were some nice times! I think one particular show we did in Santa Barbara was the nicest for me.

 

You still play instruments on your productions?

 

– Yeah, I play most of the guitars and bass and Doug plays most of the keys. But we switch it up all the time.

 

What are the most important sources for finding music to you nowadays? In the Lovefingers blog days, cratedigging obviously must have been essential. How about today? Do you still get your hands dirty at flea markets and second hand shops?

 

– I try to get into the record shops as much as possible! I've had to slow down a bit unfortunately once I had a child, but it's just a minor setback.

 

Are there any blogs or sites that you personally follow and would recommend for people that are still yearning for that kind of selection of old and less-known gems that your site and, for example, Bumrocks were known for?

 

– Hmmmm, people should check out The Growing Bin, Noise In My Head and Dream Chimney (as always).

 

What's the latest piece of music you've found and have been really stoked about? The kind of stuff you couldn't wait to post if you still ran the site.

 

– Most of the stuff I'd normally put on the site is now just saved for mixes... I've got a bunch of nice African inspired library LPs lately.

 

Any expectations from your first Helsinki visit? Are there any Finnish people whose music you are already familiar with?

 

– It's a shame I am only in town for one night! I don't have much knowledge when it comes to Finland, hopefully I can learn a thing or two in the short time I'm there?

 

What can we expect from the Lovefingers dj set at Nolla on Saturday? If you don't mind, give us your top 5 tracks you like to play in clubs at the moment.

 

– Disco, House, Techno, Rock, Jazz, Childrens Music and Spoken Word. Top 5? Hmm, that changes a lot, I guess... you will just have to wait for the party!