T.H.E Interview – Pete Bones

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With more than 18 years as a DJ and producer, Pete Bones is something of an underground legend.

He could sit back and earn gigs on the strength of his reputation alone. But that’s not Pete’s style. He knows what he wants, and he’s good enough at what he does to make it happen. And that’s why Pete Bones is always one step ahead of the rest of the scene.

Before his visit to Mumbai, India, we managed to catch up with Pete and discuss the underground scene, his thoughts on the electronic music scene in India and plenty more! Read on to know what he had to say. :)

T.H.E – Tell us a little something about Pete Bones and his style of music.

Pete Bones – Well, I’m only in it for the love of music, what more can I say, to me there are only 2 types of music, good & bad, and by that I mean music that has something, soul, intelligence, a quality that makes it stand out. That’s the stuff I try to produce, and it’s definitely the stuff I like to play.

T.H.E – How did you go from playing in a band to producing music as ‘The Shaker’?

Pete Bones – That’s easy, in 88 and 89 a new musical culture swept across the UK, acid house, and you either got caught up in it, or you didn’t. I obviously did.

T.H.E – It’s often said that the underground and mainstream are conflicting scenes. Is there a mainstream artist you listen to and enjoy?

Pete Bones – Hmm, yes, I would agree that the underground & mainstream are completely separate entities. As far as mainstream artists I listen to, well, maybe in the wider world of music, not really in the confines of house. When I am not producing, or getting a set together, I like to listen to a variety of stuff, some of which could be described as mainstream, The Cure, Talking Heads, Radiohead for example.

T.H.E – How has the underground scene changed in the past decade or so – Fading or evolving?

Pete Bones – The underground scene has really been through a few cycles since I got involved, I would say it’s actually healthy in some ways, i.e. there are a lot of people who want to get involved, the problem is that since the invention of mp3s and digital music, there is very little money going around for underground producers.

T.H.E – If somebody wants to listen to the three best tracks by The Shaker, what would you recommend?

Pete Bones – Ok, I guess for a real representation of what I do I will choose 3 completely different tracks. ‘Snow Globe’ is my latest, and one Im very proud of. ‘Star’ is from 1996 and also something I still hold dear, and finally I would say ‘ Julia Bursts’ which comes out on NOSI music from NYC in a few weeks, it’s a hot one.

T.H.E – Early influences to your music – Both your live band music and electronic music.

Pete Bones – My early influences were David Bowie, Talking heads, Fela Kuti, The Stranglers and electronically The Orb, Justin Robertson and Andrew Weatherall.

T.H.E – Some tracks you’ve been playing in your sets a lot recently?

Pete Bones – Well, I always try to play at least 4 or 5 of my own in every 2 hour set, other biggies are from my favourite labels, Superfreq, Auricle and Nosi from the US, and Kyubu, Hope and Selador from the UK.

T.H.E – What have you heard about India and the electronic music fans here? What do you expect from your India tour?

Pete Bones – I’ve made some good friends in India through Facebook and Twitter and have signed one of my tracks to Groove 9 records out of Goa, which I think will be releasing early next year, so I’m trying to put some roots down in a country I really am enjoying, with people I find very kind and personable.

T.H.E – Which young underground artist do you have high hopes from?

Pete Bones – This is a hard question, without sounding like a cop-out I would say anyone who has their own style, and will stick to it, and believe in themselves. When you start becoming successful people will try to compromise your integrity, fight them, stay true.

T.H.E – What kind of music will we hear from your studio over the next year or so?

Pete Bones – Haha, hopefully some mind blowingly good and original music. Honestly, I start every project from a fresh slate and see what happens, you never know where it will lead, I like that spontaneity.

T.H.E – Thank you Pete for taking the time out for this interview. We hope you enjoy your visit to India and would like to wish you all the best in your future endeavours. :)

You can catch Pete Bones at Vicinia Cafe Bar, Mumbai, India on 19th December, 2014. For more details about the event, click here.

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