Actualités Electroniques / EN / Emerson Todd

During the interview of one the most famous German DJ and producer Thomas Schumacher a few days ago, Thomas told us that Emerson Todd was “one of the biggest talents in town. His musical taste is flawless and he is a kick ass sound engineer. Listen to his stuff and you will know what I mean”. So what is more natural than to interview him? This interview follows notably the one of Rodriguez Jr. and M.A.N.D.Y.. So, first of all, I would like to thank Emerson who answers our questions. Have a good reading!

“Hi Emerson,

I decided to interview you, because some days ago during an interview with Thomas Schumacher he said you were the man of the moment in Germany. Apparently you are one of the most talented producers of the moment! What more natural than an interview with you. Don’t you think? So can you first introduce yourself to our readers in a few words?
> Yeah it was very nice thing of Thomas to say and a great surprise to see.. Well I am originally from New Zealand but I have also lived in Australia. I have been DJing and producing for about 15 years. I have also worked as an Audio Engineer for bands like the Presets and Pnau in Australia. I now live in Berlin since May to give me more opportunities in the global market… And I just love this city :)

How did you know each other with Thomas? Indeed, I saw that you’ve made recently a remix for his track “You got me”. Is this your first collaboration?
> I think I first meet Thomas in Australia many moons ago and we have both released with Get Physical Music, so we have been talking a bit here and there… It’s the first time I have worked with Thomas and it was a great project to work on. The parts were really cool and I had a lot of fun making it.

I’ve been informed that you will release soon a remix of Jozif “Burnin Up” and in December an EP with Jonny Cruz: “The Kiwi & Coconut Pie EP”. What are your next projects?
> Yeah I have those coming out soon and I am working on the new material for Get Physical, as well as Upon You and a couple of other labels..

Moreover, I’ve seen too that one of your next date, will be in one of the most prestigious nightclub of the world in London, La Fabric. Do you have some kind of apprehension before it?
> Oh yes I am very excited about playing there.. i have been going to Fabric for many years, whenever I would come over from New Zealand or Australia I would always make an effort to go.. Its such a great club with an amazing sound system, so for me its a great honour to now be asked to play and I real cant wait :)

How do you prepare a mix before going to play in a club? Do you prepare it on Ableton live for instance or its pure feeling during the party?
> I like to take certain tracks with me that I think will work for the night and then I just feel it out… watch the crowd and react accordingly by changing the music as I think its going to work.

What can we wait from you for 2011 : other tracks? An album? A compilation?
> Lots n lots of new music. Maybe an album is on the cards. I have just finished moving into my new studio in Berlin, so this winter I will be locked away in here. So you should be hearing lots of that music coming out in 2011

You were born in New Zealand and at the beginning of your career you were half of the duo: House Of Downtown. It is how you beginning your life as a producer and engineer if I’m right. Is this project on hold?
> Funny you mention it but I was just in contact with my old production partner from HOD and we are going to do a remix together under HOD again.. We have been asked to remix another great New Zealand band fat Freddy’s drop. I am really looking forward to working with my old friend Christiaan again but we will have to do it over the internet as he lives in Auckland

What a coincidence!

If I come back to the beginning of your career, what is the track that launches really your solo career after several years under the House of Downtown pseudo? I’ve read it was “Rumplestiltskin”. Is it true? Could you please tell us more about this track?
> Yeah that was the first thing i released under my own name ever :).. It came out on Dirtybird, which was a label i loved and was really happy to do my first release with them. The record did really well and it really did open up a lot of doors for me.. i played it on the weekend actually for the first time in a very long time.. Still sounded great :)

As this website is mainly read by French people, are there any French artists that you especially appreciate more than another?
> Of course there some really great guys from France who I play a lot of these records… like D’Julz, Dyed Soundorom, dOp and Julien Chaptal would be the names that would pop into my head first of… love all there stuff :)

Is there one more thing you would like to add/talk about today (open question)?
> We know it wasn’t the french people who bombed the rainbow warrior so we hold no hard feelings to you guys at all :) we love you .. Honest xxxx

Emerson, to conclude this interview, we have a few more questions to better know you. Some of them need only one word.

The song you advice us to listen into your discography?
> Counter Point… It means a lot to me and i have very strong emotional connection to this track

An artist you would like to work with, one day?
> Prince

Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> I play on tractor using vinyl. Best of both worlds

Your next show in France?
> Sadly i don't have anything booked in France. Please get in contact if you would like to have me there… I can do weddings, birthday parties. I make great balloon animals too!

The software you use to produce?
> Ableton and lots of other toys

3 words about your music?
> fun, interesting and tidy

Your best souvenir of this summer: a place where you mixed for instance or an anecdote?
> I can’t go past the fun I had at bar 25 all summer long… going to miss that place :(

The best club in Australia/New Zealand (name of the nightclub and city)?
> Pulse radio yacht club Sydney

Your favorite track these days?
> Joy Pt II - Moodyman is a nice way to start or end things :)

Emerson, thank you very much for the time you have devoted for Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions. We hope to see you soon in a club in France or abroad. See ya! »

Dj Aroy

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