by SCOTT C

If you don’t know Mr. Scruff already, then you probably should, because he’s making music just for you. Born Andy Carthy, this Ninja Tune mainstay has been cranking out quality music with humour and soul that escapes immediate classification for some time now. His new LP Trouser Jazz is basically waiting to welcome you with open arms, and several different sounds. The Mirror spoke to Mr. Scruff over the information superhighway earlier this week.

Mirror: Exactly how much money have you accumulated from licensing “Get a Move On” to car companies like Volkswagen and Cadillac? Was it difficult to give up your art to the corporate machine?

Mr. Scruff: Not very much at all. I’m not sure of the exact amount, but the vast majority of the money went to the estates of Moondog and T-Bone Walker, the people I sampled in the tune. I don’t know what it’s like in North America, but you have more chance of hearing good music on TV adverts over here than on the radio. Sad but true! So I suppose it is one way to reach out to people who may not have heard of my music before, although I have heard grumbles from the keep-it-underground crew.

M: I like that Trouser Jazz is just as varied as your first record. Is this the product of a well-rounded array of influences, or do you just not give a shit when a song is really good? Not many artists could get away with the genre jumping that you do.

MS: When I am recording a track I try not to tie it down too early and keep the recording process open to tangents and happy accidents. Of course I am aware of genres etc., but after years of listening and learning the history of music, you realize it is all connected in some way, and if you follow these connections as guidelines, you can comfortably “genre-hop”’ without making it sound forced. I generally classify music by mood, energy and tempo as much as genre, but that comes from DJing.

M: Picked up the Heavyweight Rib Ticklers reggae comp a while back. Where did you find all those crazy dub selections, and are you planning any further compilations with Unfold or Tru-Thoughts?

MS: I am as much a fan and collector of reggae as any other form of music, but as there are a lot of fantastic specialist reggae compilations like Trojan, Blood and Fire, Soul Jazz and Pressure Sounds around, it was nice to give my slightly wonky view on reggae and include some heavy tracks by people who are not straight up reggae artists. I like delving around on the fringes of genres where the edges start to blur.

M: Have you ever thought of teaming up with Mr. Oizo? Mr. Scruff vs. Mr. Oizo! I’d steal from my mom to buy that record.

MS: He is a cheeky chap and we both like huge, wobbly, out-of-time basslines and silly noises, so you never know! :

With DJ Kobal and P-Love, plus art show,
at SAT on Saturday, Nov. 16, 9pm, $20

>> Music Listings