10 x 4 – Bobby Champs
Bobby Champs is the latest signing to Pictures Music, one of my favorite independent record labels at the moment. The imprint describes Bobby’s music as, ’90s acid house meets up-front techno from the future.’ An accurate description, one which sits well with the bending melodies and direct groove which made his All Night EP into a sensation both online and in the club. Next month his Drag Queen EP will be released, so we decided to play our 10 x 4 mini-interview series and present you a first listen below.
1. What goes in your coffee?
I like my sugar with coffee and cream.
2. An album that changed the way you thought?
That would have to The Mars Volta‘s De-Loused In The Comatorium. This album was my first real experience at a concept album and showed me how much effort can really be put into the music you make if you care about it enough.
3. What does underground and mainstream mean to you?
For me, it means nothing. It’s a derogatory way of looking at success and musical reach. For me, music is music. There’s good and bad music everywhere. Some music in the charts may not be to people’s tastes but when it boils down to it, some pop music is just good music, as it fits its purpose. The term ‘underground’ is a way of trying to claim ownership over certain sounds, artists and genres…people like to feel they own things, and they don’t like losing that ownership.
4. Should music be free?
As a musician, I don’t think music should be free, but I can equally understand why some people feel it should be. If you ask me, free music depreciates music’s value, but if it wasnt for the rise of the internet, people wouldnt even think of asking this question.
5. Better show: Buffy or X-Files?
I was a Buffy fan, but looking back I think the X-Files might have appealed to me more. I just preferred Sarah Michelle Gellar.
6. What defines your music-making process?
My music comes to me when it wants to really. I’ve found that forcing things never works and when it comes, it’ll come. I also try not to over think things and go with my gut instinct.
7. Name three essential artists.
It’s hard to think of just three essential artists but I suppose I would have to say Shed for his pure versatility andUntold for his consistently forward-thinking approach to song writing. And there aren’t really any Motor City Drum Ensemble songs that i dont like.
8. Your current favorite song?
At this very moment my favorite song would have to be ‘Untitled 1’ by Midland & Pariah, I havent heard a song with that much groove produced in a long time.
9. Do you believe in the paranormal?
I dont really. I have too much of a scientific mind. To me there isnt anything that can’t be answered by science. Maybe we just haven’t found the answer yet.
10. Together, or alone?
Both, in equal measures.
Published July 23, 2012.