Trus’me is on a lifelong mission to learn and evolve. That might be the reason why the British DJ is constantly creating killer tunes. His tastes in music are about as diverse as it comes, but it is his personal interests in things like physics, space and all things sci-fi that make him a refreshingly eclectic artist. Believe it or not, it was these exact things that inspired his recent album Planet 4.
Ahead of his vinyl-only show at Dada on Saturday March 25, Trus'me took a few moments to chat with us here at That's Beijing about conspiracy theories, sci-fi and music.
Tell us a little bit about your new LP, Planet 4?
With all my LPs, it’s a journey from start to finish, taking in various styles and tempos that I both love to produce and play. I wanted to make the listener feel as if they entered through the mist of Mars' atmosphere to discover that there are, in fact, people living there and terraforming is in full motion.
So how big of a sci-fi fan are you?
I'm a huge sci-fi fan. Of course, that includes Star Wars and all your classics, but Logan's Run was my favorite growing up. The dystopian ideology of the future and how the world would evolve and leave behind the past appealed to me. Then there is the classic Planet of the Apes scene where the lead character discovers the Statue of Liberty emerging from the beach. I would say I'm more engrossed by the journey of mankind and almost jealous that I won't get to experience the future.
We heard that there's a conspiracy theory, that people are already on Mars, that inspired your new LP. Can you tell us more about that? We have a thing for conspiracy theories…
I was listening to an NYC radio station in my hotel when an interesting interview with an ex-NASA employee came on. The main discussion was that when the Viking rover landed in 1979 and the dust had settled the crew were celebrating when two employees were given the job to check vitals. During this period, two space-suited men in slim suits were seen walking over to the Viking rover to assess it. Hello, nobody's ever been on Mars? Well, from there I was hooked. Believe it or not my imagination ran wild.
What story are you are telling though Planet 4?
Did we already go to Mars? Did JFK take us there in 1979? And if we are there, why? And what is next for the red planet? I hope to make the listener question these theories with snippets and ideologies from famous musicians and physicists to set the tone.
So, if given the chance, would you travel to Mars?
No way. I'm enthusiastic but not mental. If it's definitely proven safe then yes, but from what I read, we are a millennium away from safe.
What is it about writing LPs that you like so much?
The look, the feel and presentation of an LP is something both DJs and your local bouncer can enjoy at both home and in the club. I grew up listening to LPs and would fall in love with each track at my own pace. I love the magic of how eight to nine tracks sit together but also are unique on their own. I feel much more creative making a full length than just a 12" for the dance floors.
You're known for having eclectic tastes in music. What are you listening to right now?
Right now I'm listening to all the demos from various artists that are remixing Planet 4, from Andreś, Osunlade, Answer Code Request and Ben Sims.
What are some of the things that inspired this new LP?
Most of the LP was recorded at Analog Cabin in Sydney around ideas developed through a lifetime of listening to Detroit and Chicago-tinged techno and electro. The sounds, the structures, they are all implanted in my head and just needed to come out. Jeff Mills and Moodymann are a big influence on me as producers on this LP.
Your style seems to always be evolving. How does this album differ from previous ones?
Each LP, this being the fourth, has been a reference to both my musical tastes and production skills as of that time. With this LP, I placed myself in an alien environment 'studio' and tried to work with both engineers and studio equipment that was new to me. It is believed that pushing yourself out of the comfort zone helps, and I hope to have produced something new and exciting this way. I have to keep pushing, I don't want to stand still with one sound and I must progress as a producer.
Do you have any grand plans for your trip in Beijing?
Yes, I'm super excited. Food is my passion, but I would love to see all the famous sites such as the Great Wall of China, of course. Counting the days!
What can people expect from your Beijing show?
A journey from house to techno, taking in sounds both Berlin, Detroit, Chicago and of course the UK sounds. I love to blur the gap between the present and the past so that the dance floor is lost in the music and, of course, the dance.
OK, one last question: Do you believe in aliens?
I don't believe. I know there are aliens. The stranger question to ask would be, "Do you believe there aren’t?"
Sat Mar 25, 10pm-late; price TBD. Dada, see event listing.
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