Gilles Peterson Interview continued

Gilles Peterson Interview continued image

Two core traits shine through when listening to the tastemaster for the musically curious; he maintains both an inherent sense of purpose and identity. While rightfully acknowledged as a music encyclopaedia and ‘emeritus professor’ of crate digging, Peterson is not satisfied with just playing old records. He understands his responsibility to the public and to the music industry. One need only think back to his shepherding of a burgeoning organic scene labelled ‘acid jazz’ with the creation of Talking Loud Records. That genesis enabled the public to be entertained by Omar, Young Disciples, Incognito, 4Hero, Roni Size and Jamiroquai.

Fame and security may have come but core values endure. "I guess I’m also regarded as a tastemaker I suppose. So with new bands that are relevant to what I play I tend to push them a lot. Of course I’m on national radio now so it’s so important to push new music. (No doubt alluding to the likes of soul sirens Amy Winehouse, Terri Walker and the future jazz of 2 Banks of 4 for example) I mean that’s what national radio’s about in my opinion. That’s what my job’s about. I could go up there and play old records all night long but…" (He expresses a renewed love of black music, the revolution in the streets translating to the clubs. Dancehall figures prominently in the tribute.)

He continues: "I’m into being popular and I’m into making money. I haven’t got a problem with those very key issues in life, which many people in the UK are particularly concerned about. But I don’t say I’m into making money because if I’m sure if I did I wouldn’t be here on a Monday night working for a couple a hundred quid. At the end of the day, I do what I do and I just go with that. I still love what I do, I still love coming here and I’m looking forward to playing some tunes tonight. As long as I’m enjoying that, I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing. If it becomes…I don’t know…I’ve done my thing my way and I’m happy with that."

It’s no surprise then that to this day the radio 1 DJ is searching and trying to support the new acts. "There are always new exciting things happening. The scene that I am sort of ‘attached’ to constantly seems to reinvent itself. That’s what has given it the longevity it’s had. I’ve been DJing for 20 years and it doesn’t feel like my box stays the same. It’s constantly changing week to week. Basically that means that there is new music constantly coming into my head." In considering the full spectrum of music on offer - that includes the delightful world of pop - there is no room for elitism in Peterson’s thinking. "I rate Justin Timberlake, you know", he offers proudly.

Almost miraculously, he manages to be both aware and manipulative of the media machine without submitting/subscribing to its poisonous hype, or ‘licking its arse’, as he eloquently puts it. "I just go with it. I go with the good times and the bad times and that’s why I’m… a survivor. That’s what the media is all about. In the UK most of the media’s rubbish. You can’t be expected to read that and believe it. It’s all very bland and very …safe." As a man who was witnessed radical flux in the music scene and ushered in unprecedented open-mindedness in the underground-to-mainstream culture, he believes in the need for change and development by any means.

We turn to the topical subject of music piracy and its erosion of industry sales. Aside from internet helping to spread the gospel according to Worldwide from Tokyo to Zagreb, Gilles customarily takes it a step further: "I’m just pro what’s going on. I mean at the end of the day everything will settle down and people will find a way of being able to make money out of records, the companies that is, and artists are going to get the exposure. I think the whole internet thing is good for the artist; it’s great. There’s this whole new culture of CD passing and stuff like that. It’s really exciting. I like it when things have to change because of some radical thing. That’s what makes music change." There is an undeniably instinctive belief in the uniting power of and exposure to music without boundaries, an all-embracing culture.

Peterson joins the dots in every possible manner. Gilles club DJ is inextricably linked to the Gilles radio broadcaster. "I do both you know. The club thing is very important to me because I tend to take a bit of that into the radio show. I do radio shows, which are syndicated. I can play something a little bit weird on the radio and then people will get into it in the club. I do the Radio 1 show but also shows for people like British Airways and clubs all over the place. Things are interlinked and they work off each other. I’m even drive time in Chicago, which is mind-blowing."

I wish to learn of the science of playing music, of DJing. Gilles is certain, assured, almost regimented: "I am a DJ in a quiet weird experimental European sense. Pacing is about dynamics. It’s about being able to take people to a point, drop it and then hit the peaks. I love to warm up my audience. It all about having a crowd that is with you. You must relate to the audience, connect and get inside them. A great DJ can take it wherever he wants." Journey is a constant theme for him.

Thankfully, Gilles maintains a firm grip on the fundamentals. "I’m a free spirit. Someone who’s aware of what they are there for. At the end of the day people want to have a good time. If you can educate a little during that time then all well and good. That’s what I say. It’s about good music and not forgetting who you are." The young impressionable teenager has come far from truancy and daytime soul parties.

It is business as usual this week as he features prominently at the London Jazz Festival. Where else? Paris is the latest scene for a residency of monthly mind expansion courtesy of ‘G.’ He anxiously informs me of a new year full of border hopping, an eagerly await self-produced album - he’s been promising it for a few years - and general good times. Images of Antigua and Australia formalise. He draws heavy breath. I sigh enviously. What about leaving this all behind and going back to the days of anonymity, Touchéd virginally by mind-blowing sounds on the dancefloor? "Of course; I mean that’s the magical thing. It’s great to go there and do that, but I’m a bit older than that now so I equally like to go to a nice restaurant with my wife." Gilles assures me he still shakes his rump every now and then. Believe it.

A smile is finally prised from a hitherto non-plussed Peterson. It’s amazing what you can squeeze out of 15 minutes.