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An Induction To Alucidnation
There is nobody quite like him. As crude as you like if you should meet him in full ribaldrous flow - he's as delicate as you like when he's performing his silkscreen-blurred impressionistic songs. Classically trained electronica-fusing singer-songwriter Alucidnation's debut album 'Induction' is out now.Sam Sofa gets the lowdown...
What's your real name?
'Bruce Bickerton.'
Age?
'36.'
What are your main passions in life?
'My wife and family, good pubs, writing and playing music, photography, touring in my campervan.'
What's the title to your forthcoming album?
'Induction'. It's an apt word I think.'
Describe your sound...
'It's hard to describe my sound - it's pretty individual; I suppose that there aren't that many artists in my field that incorporate their own vocals into their work, but I'd say that it's contemplative and gentle; although some of my work has a slight dubby edge to it. With the LP, I've tried to encompass some of the types of stuff that I do, but veering on the Chill side of things.
'As far as musical ambitions are concerned; well I suppose I'd like to be recognised as someone who produces consummate music for the head and heart. And it'd be nice to make a few quid out of it too!'
What's your musical background?
'I started playing classical piano at age of six. Throughout the next ten years, I'd work my way up to Grade VI and attempt to learn the accordian, the flute and the drums. I decided to invest in MIDI studio in 1991, so took out a bank loan of #5K and bought a 486 PC, controller keyboard, Akai S01 sampler, Korg sound module, Alesis FX, Novation Basstation and Mackie 1202 micromixer. Since then, I've expanded my home studio greatly, but I still use similar working methods I used twelve years ago. I've obviously amassed a prolific collection of work due to my 'punk ethos' of working. If it's not finished in a day, I tend to scrap it, or alternatively do a rough pass to MD for editing or overdubbing later on. I rarely keep original constituents, although I'm not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing...'
What would you say are your main musical influences?
'ELO, The Beatles, seventies electronica, Pink Floyd, Blue Nile, dub, Brian Eno, Joni Mitchell...the list goes on and on - I'm influenced by eclectisism above all else. Open to anything and everything (apart from opera).'
What's your Big Chill history?
'I started going to Big Chill in 1995 - at the inaugaral event which was the Black Mountains Gala. And I haven't missed a single festival since (apart from the first Naxos). I always thought that if I was to release any music then Big Chill Recordings would be the right place to do it. Hence I was mightily pleased when Tom Middleton picked up on 'I'm Not Bad' at Naxos 2000 - the final track played at this particular festival...
'My first involvement at a Big Chill event was at Enchanted Garden 2000, when I and a couple of friends did a UV art installation piece for Katrina's Art Trail as 5ifth Dimension. The first gig I played for the Big Chill was at the 2001 'Love In' at Baskerville Hall. I don't think that I haven't been involved in anything Big Chill related since that point. I collaborated with Pete Lawrence on compiling 'Glisten' in 2001, which won Time Out's 'Chillout Album Of 2001' award. I then released 'alucidnation:EP01' the same year to critical acclaim and did all remaining 2001 festivals and events. Since then, I've released my second EP and have appeared on all subsequent Big Chill compilations. Alongside Pete Lawrence, I'm resident Big Chill DJ.
Your best Big Chill moment?
Probably playing the Sanctuary stage at EG2002. I had an enormous crowd and really got into it, premiering 'I'm Not in Love' last thing. Fantastic!
'Induction' by Alucidnation (Big Chill Recordings) tracklisting:
1. Induce/The Secret Title
2. Beautiful House
3. The Blue
4. I'm Not Bad
5. Metal Bark
6. The Art of Conversation
7. Deep Rez
8. A Quick Sketch
9. Messing About
10. Suspended on Air
Discography
1996 : 'Harmony' (DEM)
2001 : 'EP01' (BCR)
2002 : 'EP02' (BCR)
'Induction' by Alucidnation is out now on Big Chill Recordings. BUY IT NOW!
Written: 19th Jul, 04
Read: 4640 times
