. ‘I'M A RETIRED RAVER, ' THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS T ON MY PASSPORT '
Scallywq
Sandra Marron discovers Carl Finlow’s dark side as his Silicon Scally persona puts in a live set at Freq
arl Finlow aka Random Factor aka Silicon
Scally has worked with all the greats in
electronic music. In fact. he is one of the greats himself. Along with Ralph Lawson he was responsible for the highly revered 2()2()Vision remixes: he‘s worked with some of the world‘s greatest musicians. producers and l)Js including Swayzak. Josh Wink. Felix da Housecat and Luke Slater. His recordings have been released on dance music‘s most pioneering labels. including Paper. Warp. Klang and our very own Soma. so (ilasgow is in for a rare treat this fortnight as he dons his Silicon Scally hat and teams up with the Wee DJs and Freq to bring his darker side to the Subby. He's very much looking forward to the trip. ‘lt‘s the only occasion I get to hear my stuff out really because I‘m not a clubber anymore — those days are long gone.‘ he laughs. ‘l‘m a retired raver. that‘s what it says on my passport.‘
He may be a retired clubber but his music is still very much a part of clubland. While his live gigs under his Silicon Scally pseudonym are a bit of a rarity in the UK he relishes the opportunity to play live and meet people that have been ‘buying my records for years.‘ Finlow's live sets have changed substantially over the years. particularly with the advent of new technology. which makes him a much happier traveller. ‘I Used to do the live sets with keyboards. real equipment and stuff years ago but it was such a drag, literally. Once the laptop started I appearing and the new software it became a no i brainer for me really. When I play live now I arrive in
the country or wherever I‘m playing with a backpack. a keyboard. my computer. a change of clothes and a toothbrush and passport and that‘s it. It‘s really easy for me to travel around and play my music anywhere I want to and to continue making music while I'm on the road. 1 write music on the plane. burn the CD on the train and get back to my house with a finished product..
Finlow is a huge Ableton Live fan and believes the programme has changed the face of dance music. ‘lt's still quite surprising to some people that it‘s possible to do absolutely everything on Ableton. no hardware
just the computer] he says.
In addition to his live sets he is also working for the first time in years with another partner. renowned Parisian DJ and resident at Laurent (iarnier‘s Rex Club. l)jul/,. They are currently experimenting with different sounds in the studio and it‘s looking like the results may well be on the minimal side.
Finlow is enjoying the collaboration. ‘lt‘s good to be working with l)jul/.: he's given me a lot of fresh ideas and energy. He‘s a good few years younger than me plus he‘s a really good 1)]. one of France's best. so he's always got new ideas and records for me to listen to. Because I never listen to modern music at all.’
No modern music‘.’ 'l'hen where does this electronic frontrunner get his inspiration'.’ ‘l‘m in my Mike Oldfield period at the moment.‘ he proudly admits.
Silicon Scally plays live along with the Wee 0.15 at Freq at the Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 20 Apr.
1:: Amnezia The king of hardcore, Lenny Dee (lndustrial Strength, pictured), is on the decks to make your ears bleed and your brain spasm. The hardest, nastiest beats known to man or beast. Grrrr. Studio 24, Edinburgh, Fri 73 Apr.
21: Seismic Five years young and with a new home to unleash their own brand of jackin’ techno and electronic beats. Dutchman Bas Bron (AKA Seymour Bits) headlines. Blackfriars, Glasgow, Fri 13 Apr.
z-i-f Drunk at the Pulpit A new addition to the city, preaching only good things through the power of folk. country and indie- rock. Amen. RAFA, Glasgow, Fri 73 Apr.
:3: Pretty Ugly The Underskirts keep you dancing all night long with a punky, no wave soundtrack. With Rotating Leslie and The Mode live. Admiral Bar, Glasgow, Sat 74 Apr.
iii Stereotype presents Motel I know we bang on about them, but they’re fantastic. The Glimmers play any damn thing they want and all comes out sounding great. The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 74 Apr. Volume! The folk behind Obscene take a sideways step to bring you this new night of grime, dubstep. hip hop, Bailie funk and Bmore gutter music. Ego, Edinburgh, Sat 74 Apr.
if: Disco Fantastlco An Amnesty International fundraising event with the likes of Deportivo Street Team (Five2OEast), Full Phat and Sisa (live). The Soundhaus, Glasgow, Fri 20 Apr.
:2: Split Scratch Pervert DJ Plus One brings his considerable mixing skills to this weekday party jam. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Tue 24 Apr.
12-96 Apr 2007 THE LIST 33