Photo by Mat Playford
Think acid-house superhero meets new romantic. Neil Tennant meets Fatboy Slim. Influenced by everything from Talking Heads to Toto it’s music that pops out of the speaker with a martini in its hand. But why the name? It depends, “You want the idealistic version or the truth? Either it’s something to do with being linked to the earth, chained to Mother Nature by an unseen umbilical chord. Or I chose it because my releases would end up being next to the Chemical Brothers in the racks at HMV. Either way if you type it into Google you get lots of weird pictures of little kids behind bars.” A revelation on the Terraza for We Love… Mr Gandey’s been a busy man over the last couple years, continuing with his stunning song writing, incredible production and masterful remixing. Get a grip of his sound with the mix he’s done for We Love…
here.
Q. Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?
A.’The Disco Files 1973-78, New York’s Underground Week by Week’ by Vince Aletti. Or ‘Red Herrings and White Elephants, the origins of the phrases we use every day’ by Albert Jack. Both polar opposites but have been useful in their imitable ways. They also make excellent lavatorial reading. I love non-fiction, the more inane the facts the better. I’m currently reading ‘Underground London’ after I read a copy at Carl Smith’s ( of Madness) place – its not going to be life changing but I do like dark spaces.
Q. Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
A. They were hugely influential and encouraging, putting me through musical studies as a child. We have a lot of musicians in the family including my Grandfather who is a honky tonk genius and my Father who taught me chord structure and exposed me to a lot of amazing folk music. I studied piano from the age of 9 and singing lessons at the same time, I wanted to become a professional tennis player in my teens but then lucked out with a signed band when i was still young.
Q. How did you begin to work professionally in music?
A. I’ve probably done everything, from being in pop bands as a session player to a production runner, sound engineer, lampy, studio bones, crew, you name it. These positions provide you with invaluable experience in the industry and give you an appreciation of what to expect once you can stand on your own feet.
Listen to Cagedbaby and look as happy as these people
A. I have more patience now, I take time to understand and articulate things better. I make a concerted effort to minimalise my environmental impact, as much as a frequent traveller can. I have a wisdom from my mistakes and apply a little more grace so as to not stumble a third time! Aldous Huxley said it simply, “Facts do not cease to exist beacause they are ignored”.
Q. Where is your current studio and what is it like?
A. My new studio is inside a 15th century stone wellhouse in the countryside in the South-West of France. We overlook a vineyard and valley down to the river. Its very humble, ancient natural and beautiful, perfect for creative juices. I got rid of half of my gear when I moved from Brighton a year ago and just kept the quality synths and a little analogue gear, it’s a playpen stuffed full of toys and collectables.
Q. How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
A. 10 years ago I played a piano and sang, people listened and hopefully enjoyed and that was it, it really was “all about the music”, there was no internet and word of mouth was the social media. I have always been difficult to pigeon hole and the industry doesn’t often like that. Good and keen marketing is absolutely essential but i try not to let that influence my creativity, its a shame that the time spent writing new music is often marginal, luckily I have a great team around me who help steer the ship and let me vent my artistic license.
Q. How would you describe your work?
A. I like to play with keyboards I make melodius wonky disco, electronic balearic soul with a penchant for techno. I’m constantly evolving my styles and production so each year I will have some other fictional genres to illustrate. It’s very difficult to describe ones own work, I see myself as an honest songwriter who is now a spanking DJ.
Q. Who were your teachers?
A. My first mentor was Ashley Slater (Freakpower) – a lounge genius. I was his apprentice in as much as I went to his studio every day for a year took him coffee and treats and he gave me a great knowledge on life and music. We are still very good friends today. Secondly Richie Fermie, another synaesthesist genius who worked with Jagz Kooner, Unkle, Gabrielle he taught me the proper geek stuff every producer should know. Norman Cook also taught me a great deal about arrangement and finalisation. Working with David Byrne and Tracey Thorn taught me a lot about song writing and just being yourself.
Q. Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
A. I’d be so happy that I’d got all my possessions back I’d let Madame Karma deal with it. Community Service is also a good thing.
Q. You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?
A. The Human Race
Q. If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
A. Last Tuesday, it was 26 degrees here and i made the perfect Massaman Fish Curry. Delicious. Failing that take me back to any We Love… party, anytime :)
Cagedbaby – DJ Profile
Cagedbaby – Official Website
Cagedbaby – Discogs
