Rennie Pilgrem Interview October
Interviewed by Somsay.

Rennie Pilgrem Profile

Age: 36 (and then some)

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 8st

Average heart beat per minute: 110

Fingernail length: 2mm

Bed time: 11-6am depending on whether I am playing or not

Colour of hair: hairless (apart from Blue downstairs)

Favourite Pop Song: 10CC 'I Am Not In Love'

All-time Favourite Breakbeat Chune: Jaydee Plastic Dreams

Favourite Band: Prince

Favourite Models: Claudia Schiffer

Favourite Monsters: Frankenstein


The Interview

First off, It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to interview the God-father of "Nu Skool Breaks", thank you very much for giving us this opportunity! Now tell us North Americans how you coined the term, "Nu Skool Breaks" and why did you decide to make breakbeat in the first place?
Myself, Adam Freeland and Tayo came up with as a way of describing our forward thinking music policy at our night 'Friction;' that we did with Ian Williams

How did you form "TCR", your rocking record label in the beginning? Did you start it all by yourself, was is just a hobby or did you plan it all as a serious bussiness?
It was just a way of me being able to release my ownb stuff, then I did a few collaborations then solo artists...but in the beginning it was just me and my hamster 'Noddy'

Besides running "TCR" and managing your DJ schedule, do you still have enough time to put all 100% of Rennie Pilgrem into your breakbeat productions? Do you even sleep?
Any music I do I try to make as good as I can...you're only as good as your last tune.

What is the average amount of time that a tune takes to produce? Can you
tell us a little about the process?
Could be 2 days, could be a month. But I have come to the conclusion that the tracks that are done quickly are always better. I start off with an idea/riff, then I get beats then bass then hooks generally. But they are no rules.

How are the Rennie Pligrem groupies?
My groupies are usually sweaty blokes who want to tell me about the latest 'plug in' they've bought. Apart from that it's mainly Claudia Schiffer and to be honest she's getting on my nerves. I keep telling her I happily married.

Please tell us breifly, about your fabulous TCR team and who does what. Pippa is in charge of swearing and drinking. She also gets me gigs and pretty much ru(i)ns the office. Jasmine (my wife) does the business side. Clive Tagg who's now freelance mainly farts and offends people.

Are you content as an artist and a bussiness man with what you have earned in the breakbeat field?
No. I want the label to start making proper inroads with albums and sales. Things are getting better but people assume we are all doing fabulously well but in reality I'm down to my last Ferrari. I am pleased with the props I get from the breaks community but amazed that someone I've never met can 'diss' my music on the internet after they've downloaded it for nothing.

Are you pleased with the breakbeat market globally?
It's getting there.

Tell us what is really going on with the scene in the UK and globally, is it growing slowly? Or is it Growing at a rappid pace or moderately?
It's growing steadily and there is a very real buzz with it now being seen as main room club music, with many 'big' house djs dropping breaks. I'd be happy if it got as big as Drum n Bass....big but underground.

Where are you favourite places to DJ and why?
Used to be Spain but some of the dj's are ruining it by playing 145 dark shit all night. Now I love Agatha in Rome but they are a hard crowd to 'rock'. Australia is probably the best place on earth fro Breaks at the mo.

In your opinion, how can we make breakbeat more known to the world?
Make tunes that are more hooky, less boyish.

Do you use Logic Audio for production?
I do and I've just switched to Logic 6. Very happy.

What does you studio consist of?
Titanium Laptop, Dual 867 Mac, 32 Mackie, Fender Bass, Nord 2, Virus, Jp8000, Mackie speakers, 303, Roland electronic drum kit and about 12 other mainly old keyboards.

How many breakbeat records you have now in you personal collection?
4001

Do you drink allot? Whats your favourite brew?
Now I've had children I don't drink as much, I wait 'til they've gone to school.

Ever get into a fight with your co-workers at TCR?
No because I had their arms removed just in case

Tell us the truth do you fart regularly?
Yes but not in time.

Can you talk about the future of breaks?
The beauty of breaks is that it goes in all directions at once. Hopefully the funk with come to the fore. Hopefully people will make their tunes more special. Everything goes in cycles so for instance I think real breaks will come back (but beefed up).

How about videos? Will you ever produce breakbeat videos for MTV? Will
breaks ever get prime time?
Yes they will but not very often, I think underground emailable type videos will be cool.

Did you begin your carreer in a music using any instruments or going to any schools?
Yes I went to school, many of us do in England. But seriously, yes I've always played the piano and used to play the saxophone. My father was a trumpet player so I got my music bug from him.

What advice can you offer to aspiring breakbeat producers in America to help them get off the ground?
Don't copy other people. Influence is good but do your own thing. Also compare your production with a track you love and rate. I get a lot of American stuff and I can't believe how shoddily produced some of it is (obviously not just America) considering you guys invented breakbeat.

Tell us about Spain and Australia?
Southern Spain is breaks central. As I dais earlier many of the djs are playing way too fast and too hard and it's damaging the scene, end of story. Breaks at 145bpm is shit. Playing just slowed down jungle is wrong. Think of sex.

Is Rennie Pligrem affriad of anything?
Yes I'm worried about losing my hair and I'm worried that when I turn 30 no one will like my music anymore. I am also scared when I play with Hyper because he always tries to 'feel me up' in the dj booth.

Ok back to the groupies...do young girls scream your name while you DJ? And did you ever go out with one?
Yes they scream my name and then the words 'get off the fucking decks'. No I haven't been out with one as I'm a (happily) married man

Ever see the loch ness monster?
Yes she was djing in Romania

There are a lot of new little loop programs to make beats that aspiring little bedroom producers are using now, can you tell us what you think of this? Is this real production? Or just little toys?
I think they are fine. The acid test is what you put on top of your beats. I've cut tracks just from Reason. If you are careful with what you use it can sound fine.

Tell us about the ghosts in the UK? I know you must have a story! Every one
from the UK has a story about ghosts!
You've just met one who hasn't. Might I suggest slightly less 'mushrooms'

What projects are you currently working on?
I am doing my album due out in the Spring.

Do you sign unsolicited tracks from people who just send in their demos?
Yes but there are lots I never get time to listen too.

Do your receive allot of demos, and how much of it is professional work?
Yes, I get a lot and most are of a high standard but most lack that bit of magic. I'd rather listen to 1 wicked track then a 10 cd epic

What do you think of Canada?
I like it and would like to come back, it's just the people who are total dickheads (just kidding)

Are these too many questions? 2 too many

Your words of wisdom to breakbeat fans in North America who want breaks to take over:
Put on your own night. Try out your own tracks -see if they work, invite lots of people free or nearly free. If they like it they will come back.

Rennie Pligrem Shout outs:
You often forget that there are people out there who've bought lots of your records over the years even when the scene was tiny -so I'd like to thanks those of you who've been supporting this stuff was a while 'cos especially in the early days we thought no-one was listening

Thank you Rennie, Very much! Respect! and Big Up Yourself

Please visit www.tcr.uk.com