Foam home!

As part of their long-running commitment to new sounds, Chew The Fat! has led itself to the Discoteca for a monthly residency at We Love Space over the course of the summer. Fat! parties originated from from early south London drum n bass raves and became among the first to push the emerging genre of breaks in the late 90′s. Founder Paul ‘Trouble’ Arnold championed new musical territory at prestigious (and now sadly closed) London clubbing venue The End, firmly placing his roster of burgeoning DJ talent at the epicentre of new musical territory. Paul Arnold is clearly as passionate as ever about showcasing fresh talent: “A club night is only as good as it’s DJ’s and a really good club night has a really good resident DJ. Take Erol Alkan at Trashed, Layo & Bushwacka at The End and Craig Richards at Fabric to name a few. Chew the Fat! has been the home for resident Foamo for the last year and a half and is the intrinsic link in evolving Chew the Fat! through the new decade with ever more popularity in what will be its 13th year this year. At only 21, Foamo has soaked up all that has been good in dance music for the early part of his life, from this he has developed a fresh and unique natural ear for sound which you can see and hear in his amazing DJ sets, quality remixes and productions which have been tearing up clubs and dance floors all over the world. Now is Foamo’s time, with his residency at Chew The Fat! Extending to their four We Love parties in Space Ibiza,  it’s your time to check him out!”

Foamo has kindly provided a new mix which you can download here. He’ll be appearing monthly with Chew The Fat! and their Discoteca residency this year. Catch him alongside the likes of Felix Da Housecat, Steve Aoki and DJ Pierre on the following dates; 20th June, 11th July, 15th August and 19th September. Foamo, over to you…

Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?

I’ll be the the first to admit that I am not the world’s greatest reader but if I had to choose one it would be Catcher In The Rye.

Did your parents encourage you to work in music?

They never actively encouraged me to start making music though I was exposed to all kinds of music from an early age. I have definitely been influenced by their love of music. Their record collection is huge.

How did you begin to work professionally in music?

For me, making music is a hobby that has got out of hand over the years. I went to college to do A-levels, but fucked up and in the end I left – mainly because I was spending too much time on my music. After college I got a terrible job and when the DJing really started to kick off I’d spend all night making music then go to work having had just a couple hours of sleep. I remember having shows in other cities on a weeknight and driving straight to work the next day. When I got my first Australian tour I couldn’t get the time off work, so I quit!

How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?

I am rubbish at learning from past experiences. I am always making the same mistake twice.

Where is your current studio and what is it like?

Until about 2 years ago my studio was a computer and a pair of headphones. I have upgraded since then, but it’s still quite basic. I have a separate room in my flat I use as a studio now. I prefer working through the night (fewer distractions) so I’ll normally start work at about midnight and work through to the morning. I sleep all day, hence the pasty white skin!

How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?

Thankfully I managed to get on with relatively little ‘marketing’ myself. I just wrote tunes, sent them to radio and club DJs, posted mixes online etc. I owe a lot to online media, blogs etc. They really helped get my name out there when I first started. It seems to be how many new artists are making a name for themselves now.

How would you describe your work?

I make different kinds of house music. I draw influences from all the music I am listening to now and of course what I was into growing up – drum & bass, garage, grime, hip hop, UK underground music. When it comes to DJing I like to play a really wide range of styles. I play tunes that really excite me, often completely different to my own productions. I get excited by tunes that I would never have thought of making myself.

Who were your teachers?

I taught myself production from the age of 14. I never went on a course or anything like that. I have worked with quite a few producers in the last couple of years and everyone works completely differently. I think it’s important to find your own way of doing things, and to remember there is no right or wrong way to do anything.

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 one way ticket to Guantanamo Bay, flying Ryanair.

You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?

Foxes. When I was young a fox broke into our garden and stole my rabbit. I came home from school to find all it had left was my rabbit’s tail. I’m still mentally scarred.

If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?

The future.

Thanks to Foamo and Fat!. Below check out a remix Foamo’s done for Diplo’s record Hey!. Diplo says: “Foamo’s remix Laidback Luke & Diplo / Hey! is one of my favourite tracks of last year.” So there you go!

Foamo – DJ Profile

Foamo – Myspace