This Saturday's guest Paul Murphy a.k.a. Mudd has been spinning records for more than 20 years. He is known for releasing music on some of the finest modern disco labels including Rong Music, Is it Balearic?, Noid Recordings, and of course, his own imprint Claremont 56. Mudd started his recording career in the 90's as a part of Akwaaba and lately he has worked with members of such legendary bands as Can and Liquid Liquid. Check out the interview to find out more.

You're a part of the group Bison with such legendary characters as Holger Czukay from Can and Salvatore Principato from Liquid Liquid. How did you first meet the guys? How did the sound and style of Bison come about?

– I contacted Holger via email after hearing a new version of Ode to Perfume he played at the Roundhouse Theatre in Camden. I got slightly obsessed with releasing it on Claremont 56, I so hassled him until he gave up and the friendship was born from there. We eventually got round to making some music together and the first single, Way to LA, was released in 2010.

 

Sal is one of my heroes, I met him when I was DJing at APT in New York and grew up listening to his music so I feel that I've known him a long long time.

 

 

What are your roles like when you're making music? Do you gather to make music together or rather work remotely in your own studios?

 

– The tracks we did with Sal were done remotely and so was the first release, Way to LA with Holger and Ursa (Ursula Kloss). Since then, Ben (Smith) and I have had the chance to record with Holger at The Inner Space Studios (where Can recorded their albums) and I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences of my life. He's a master.

 

Is Bison more of a project or a band – do you plan to release a full length record in the future, play live gigs perhaps?

 

– It's a band and we intend to go live with it if possible. We're over half way through with the album and I hope to have it released early next year.

 

 

You've also collaborated with Ahmed Fakroun and Chico Hamilton. How did these projects happen?

 

– Ahmed Fakroun contacted me and said that he loved the releases on the label so I suggested we do a track together and Drago came from that. I've always been a huge fan of Chico Hamilton and longed to work with him but I honestly can't remember how we worked together... it was a long time ago! 

 

Most of the aforementioned works were released on your label Claremont 56. In general, what are the qualities that make a track fitting for the catalogue?

 

– I just try and release beautiful music that isn't made because of a current trend and that will hopefully last the test of time. I try not to go for the obvious and I think I've been fairly brave in the past by releasing non-dancefloor music to a largely dancefloor crowd. People want good music no matter what style it is.

 

You're one of the few people to play at the Sarcastic Disco parties in L.A. besides Harvey, as he usually tends to play all night by himself. How was the experience like?

 

– It was a Sarcastic party and not Harvey's Sarcastic Disco, so it was a different thing, but with the same set up and run by the same guys. It ended up being a Sarcastic/Rong night and Jason (DJ Spun) asked me to play with him. It was great to have the chance to play on their system, it sounds incredible!

 

Are there any other parties or clubs that you've enjoyed playing at in particular? What factors would make an ideal gig for you?

 

– I really like the Loop club in Japan, it's small with a great sound system and always has a good crowd. My ideal gig is pretty much that plus the chance to have the freedom to go everywhere with the music.

 

 Any tracks that have constantly featured in your sets during the last months? 

 

– My favourite track that I can't stop playing is The Backwoods – Breakthrough on Ene Records. 

 

What's coming up next from Claremont 56 and you personally?

– The next release is Phil Mison's Originals Vol 6 and then albums from Bison, Mudd & Pollard, Smith & Mudd and an LP from a new band I'm in with Bing Ji Ling called Paqua. They're all keeping me busy so I don't have time for anything else!

 

Check out Beats in Space Show #553 with Mudd and Resident Advisor's article on Claremont 56.