Duke of all trades

>> alifax producer/DJ/journalist
Andrew Duke mixes it up for 2002

by RAF KATIGBAK

Andrew Duke knows techno. As a DJ, the Halifax-based Duke has hosted the weekly, syndicated radio/Internet show “In the Mix” for 15 years. As a writer, in addition to his numerous journalistic contributions to heavyweight music mags like XLR8R and URB, he also runs Cognition, an online electronic music magazine that’s been called things like “essential” and “respected” by people in the U.K. and “gerespecteerde” and “graag zelf” by people in Amsterdam. Now, as a producer, he’s poised to further cement his plans for world domination with a trio of new albums, Sprung (Bip-Hop, France), More Destructive Than Organized (Bake/Staalplaat, Holland) and Physical and Mental Health (Folding Cassettes/( )Dial Records, California). His style on each album, like his radio show, is both eclectic and adventurous with a focus on experimental minimalism. The Mirror recently had a chat with the Halifax-based artist who’ll be dropping by twice this month, laptop in hand, to give Montreal masses a double dose of the Duke.

Mirror: So, what can we expect from your upcoming shows?
Andrew Duke: Well, at Casa I’ll be focusing on the listening aspect of things, i.e. dark ambient, experimental and sound design, much like the styles on the Physical and More Destructive albums. At the SAT, however, it’s gonna be more rhythmic, uptempo, kind of like Sprung. If anyone goes to both shows they’ll definitely see something different.

M: So keeping it fresh is important?
AD: I don’t like to do the same live set twice. I don’t find it interesting myself and I certainly wouldn’t wanna bore people who have already seen me play. A lot of artists get stuck repeating themselves. I find that if you like an artist and they keep doing the same album over and over, what’s the point of buying a new album?

M: I’ve noticed a bit of media backlash regarding laptop music and performance, some people are critical of the aesthetic. Any thoughts?
AD: I’ve always been frustrated by the phrase “laptop musician.” You often see pictures of artists with laptops and they’re so serious. I just think that’s silly. When I decided to do photos, I had my laptop up in a tree and in the garbage. I even wanted to put it in the water but the photographer said I’d probably destroy it.

M: I guess most people just don’t relate to computers as musical instruments. I’ve always had this fantasy of getting on stage and catching a techno artist playing laptop solitaire.
AD: I think it doesn’t really matter what you use to generate music, it’s all about the end result. You should be able to appreciate the music even if you can’t see how it’s being made. I mean, you could bang on rocks, I just use a laptop ’cause it’s easier. :

With David Kristian, I8U and Naw at Casa Del Popolo on Friday, Aug. 16, 9pm, $10

With Mitchell Akiyama, Battery Operated and D’Iberville at the SAT on Saturday, Aug.24

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