On ‘Point’ w/ Charles Murdoch

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On ‘Point’ w/ Charles Murdoch

Charles Murdoch is a somewhat elusive character on the Australian electronic scene. Despite being the man responsible for some of the most interesting and thoughtful remixes, mixes and singles to come out of the Future Classic label – we haven’t seen a multi-track release since the producer’s 2013 ‘Weathered Straight’ EP until now.

Point is the debut record we all expected from Murdoch, and I mean that in the best way. Sophisticated, diverse and carrying a sense of timeless sensibility, the title of ‘thoughtful dance music’ can hardly cover our feelings about it. Joined by friends Kücka, Ta-Ku, Hak, Banoffee, Chloe Kaul and Oscar Key Sung, it’s a very special record indeed.

Just to add to the emotions, the producer has sought the help of two young German filmmakers who go under the name Jünglinge (pronunciation very much unknown) to create a video trilogy for three singles from Point. Welcome back narrativised album articulation…we’ve missed you.

Charles Murdoch answered our questions about the video, hitting the road and naturally, golf.

IC: So talk us through the video trilogy, how did you come to know the collective behind it?

CM: Well, I had just finished most of the tracks on the album and was looking at videos and ideas on how it could come out instead of just dropping on Soundcloud like we all know. I approached Future Classic and we talked about some ideas we had and they brought up that they had just received some amazing footage from a company called Jünlinge that would suit the album super well. I watched and fell in love instantly.

IC: What’s the intention between linking your music and political visuals?

CM: There was no intention from me but I think it sits with a lot of people very closely and I’m happy to be a part of it.

IC: Congratulations on the album, it’s definitely been a long time coming. Why have you kept us waiting for a full-length release?

CM: I basically went through a bit of an old fashioned writing block. Nothing was exciting me at all, I was chucking out a lot of music I was writing and wasn’t really feeling music at all. And like all musicians do when that happens I went and bought too much gear and fiddled around with that. I then got heavily into other stuff I was doing at the time (golf) and didn’t really make time for music. It was only when Ableton came out with Push that I got back into writing again because I could get ideas down so easily and not worry about pushing blocks around with my mouse.

IC: I’m guessing you’re planning to take this one on the road – what would your live show look like?

CM: Definitely. Being a solo electronic producer it’s hard to make things look interesting and better yet look “live”. So for me at the moment I’ve been trying to work it all out. I can get together some friends and do a full live thing, I can be up there by myself trying to play most of my stuff live or I can DJ. If anyone reading would like to let me know what you want to see that would make my life easier! Ha. Music aside, I’ve been working with some very close friends on some visuals that are looking amazing so that’s all very exciting to see take shape.

IC: Talk us through a couple of the collaborations on the album, I feel like it’s a bit of a rat pack of the Australian electronic/hip hop elite.

CM: Haha hope Hak (NY) doesn’t take offence to that! All the collaborations are basically people I’ve looked up to in the time I’ve been making music! So I’m feeling very blessed to have an amazing amount of talent on the album.

IC: You’ve been pegged as someone who produces, ‘thoughtful dance music’ – what do you think of that title?

CM: Very flattered! I’m always trying to break away from the same sounding shit that’s put up on the internet every day, so to be labeled as someone who is thinking about it. It’s very nice! Hah. I guess the big factor is I’m not making any crazy builds into big breakdowns or crazy lead sounds etc. etc.… a lot of my tracks are all over the place with no real structure or hooks maybe people think I’m trying to be intelligent with it but in reality it’s just me being a big idiot…and somewhat lazy…haha.

IC: What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Australian electronic music landscape right now?

CM: Digital DJing. I do it sometimes, but holy moly…there is some crappy music getting around these days getting played by some crappy crappy DJs.

 

Point is available now.

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