The French dreamy music duo Acid Washed (signed to Record Makers), released their self-titled debut album not too long ago, and it was fantastic. If their beautiful music wasn’t enough, we’d still love them for their trippy videos, directed by the equally talented Anthony Burrill – a match made in heaven. The play count of the album is hitting ridiculous numbers on this side of the world and (luckily) Acid Washed are coming back with an EP soon, consisting remixes from The Hacker, Mickey Moonlight, DANGER, Daniel Haaksman, Jungle Fiction, Lazy Flow, Digikid84 and Stuff. Andrew Claristidge and RDA, the men behind Acid Washed, took a moment to sit down with us and talk about the process of recording their first album, anecdotes that should have your parents worry a little about your main interests and their love for each other. If I didn’t leave my French dictionary at home this morning, I would’ve inserted a quote here about how Acid Washed will heal your pain in times of need. Imagine a beautiful French sentence here. Done? Now you’re ready to read the interview.
ACID WASHED – SNAKE (FUTURE BEAT ALLIANCE REMIX) (320 kbps)
Sup?
Andrew Claristidge: We are doing good! We are travelling a lot, promoting our new album. We were just in the States for a mini tour.
RDA: Up to no good, as always! Yeah well, flying a lot, losing bags on internal American airliners, eating fast, sleeping a few, rocking hard. What people say about your future DJ life is fucking true! And if your parents have some concerns, they’re only rational.
Congratulations with the release of your album, we love it! How do you look back on the recording process and are you satisfied with the outcome?
Andrew Claristidge: First of all, thanks a lot! We are really happy with the feedback we have received. They are very positive. It is a bit difficult to look back now on the recording process because it is still recent and also we are looking more into the future. No time yet for the past!
RDA: Thank you very much as well. Unlike Andrew I’m never really satisfied. Always worried and almost obsessive over results. Somehow I have some sort of a “result culture” which drives you further always but at the same time condemns you to very, very long sleepless nights. But concerning the recording process itself I know we’ve been giving our best creativity, for you guys! I’m pleased you like it because I always liked the idea that I’m not making music for myself first but for the people. It’s how I’ve been always receiving music in my life, like a very personal gift. Very personal indeed..
Which song(s) off the album is/are your favourite one(s)?
Andrew Claristidge: Change is my favorite for this week. It is maybe because right now we spend some time in NYC and also we recorded this song the day Obama got elected.
RDA: One exclusive anecdote for you, Truants: We’ve been very wise by doing this album. Having a very healthy on the whole recording process, which took place in Andrew’s parents home by the ocean in Britanny – with no illegal substance involved, except on one track. One fucking track within the album we’ve made in such conditions they would horrify most of the parents having kids wanting to be electronic music producers. Guess which one, and I’ll post you a gift! As for the rest, the secrets for a good album are thinking, oysters, then thinking again, oysters, thinking twice, white wine, thinking maybe a little more, an evening walk in a Celtic forest and hard night work sessions.
When you were little, how did you discover music?
Andrew Claristidge: My dad was listening to Kraftwerk and Deep Purple, and my grand grand dad was a violonist at the opera! My mum was more into classic music. Kraftwerk definitely played a role. But there are so many influences and it would be too long to list them.
RDA: I used to play the piano. Then forget all about it. The only music in my family as a child was classical. Up until today, it’s the music which gives me so much joy and comforts in my melancholy as well. I guess for the rest I guess nothing more than the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the techno from Detroit and the American repetitive music influenced me.
We read that your bandname is randomly chosen. Does it have anything to do with your music? Or has your music adjusted to your bandname overtime?
Andrew Claristidge: Richard, do you have an answer for this one?
RDA: False! The band name was carefully and wisely chosen by my ex girl friend Jenny. We must give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, as we say here.
Your recording processes take place in the countryside. Does the place where you record influence your work?
Andrew Claristidge: Yeah, we recorded the album in the French Cornwall (Bretagne), in my country house. And for sure it influenced our music a lot, especially the sea and the generous way of living over there. Right now I’m living Berlin. All the places I am visiting are a big source of inspiration.
RDA: I’d say that we are very sensitive to every kind of landscape, in a very romantic way for me. Paris plays a huge role in my life. But since we’re sailing a lot, I’d say that the planet and it’s infinity of colors and changes doesn’t cease to amaze me. You’ll definitely find this quasi cinematic relationship to the world in our music.
What other forms of art inspire you? What are some pieces of art you really love?
Andrew Claristidge: Art in general is a big source of inspiration. Books, painting, antics, design, etcetera. William Burroughs, Philip Roth, James Ellroy, Godard, Philip Glass and Steve Reich, just to name a few!
RDA: In my case, it’s nearly only the cinema and the art videos and the Romantic painters. Maybe Edgar Hooper. Joseph Beuys. August Sanders. To name a few among so many. Some writers as well: Philip Roth. Column McCann, Nick Cohn and Winston Churchill (The War Memories are always a great source of inspiration! I highly recommend it.).
You use analogue instruments. Isn’t it tempting to ‘digitalize’ your music with all the software nowadays? What are instruments you couldn’t do without and which digital aspects of creating music would you really like to use?
Andrew Claristidge: We cannot give all our secrets. We use old analog gear. The core is Korg Monopoly, MS 20, Polysix, Memory Moog, some drums machines (Dr Boehm, TR 707), and loads of small effects, toys, pads, etcetera. We are not anti-new technology. We just choose what sounds better. For instance we used Pro Tools to mix the album.
RDA: Combination does it. Although I’d say that I like the idea of the accidents happening when you’re using analog and vintage machines as we do, but that although happens with digital devices and computers. Then when it happens it can be sometimes a gift from machine to man and you always must do something with it, it is so beautiful sometimes. I nearly have a mystical relationship to the concept of what I called the “happy accidents” in electronic music. Nothing to add I guess. Only that I really really like the sound of wood sticks on concrete. And I mean it.
We love Anthony Burrill’s videos that he made for you! Is there a particular reason you stick to one guy for your videos?
Andrew Claristidge: We love, love him too. We stick to him because he is great and understood totally our music! We are open to any collaboration. We will what the future will bring us!
RDA: We’ll see how all of this will turn. So far we are very, very happy with Anthony being our face.
You’ve said before that collaboration is the key to Acid Washed. Can you reveal any exciting future collaborations? And what would be your dream collaboration, and what would it sound like?
Andrew Claristidge: Future collabs; lots of remixes but I cannot give the names right now! The perfect collaboration would be with Steve Reich. A 2 hours spaced out contemporary music piece.
RDA: To name a few, we’ve gotten in touch with some talented artists that gently accepted to work with us. This will make the subject of a some reworks to be released in September. Some tunes gonna be around, believe me folks!
What elements does a song need to sound good, if not perfect?
Andrew Claristidge: Each element in a song has to sound good! It is essential to make a “perfect” track! This alchemy is the most difficult work: making each sound special and all those elements have to fit together. There are too many great tracks I can not pick just one!
RDA: “Happy accidents” do it. Perfection is a stupid concept. But digging deep in yourself will always do the trick, if not don’t even try to make music.
Which treats do you love most about each other?
Andrew Claristidge: He pushes my limits further.
RDA: He limits me when I push too far.
What do you have in store for us in the year? Any little secrets you can reveal?
Andrew Claristidge: Lots of music coming up. Our next 12” “Acid Washed remixes” with amazing remixers. A new video clip. A new collaboration with Anthony Burrill. I can not tell you more!
RDA: One major track with a great name of the pop. But that’s gonna be more for 2011 now. And for the rest: FAT FAT FAT MUSIC TO LIVE WITH, AND TO MAKE LOVE TO! THAT’S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! RAVE ON. LUV’. AW. ?
