Hedflux Interview with Ross Truscott

 

 

This is one guy who has taken the dance world by storm, who has also done a PhD in nuclear/quantum physics. It was a real pleasure to interview him and has given one of the most interesting interviews with myself to date. Hedflux also won best track at Breakspoll which was well deserved with Mindcell. One thing you may not know is that he wears scoks with sandals which is definatly the scientist in him. Enjoy reading this interview as much as I did doing it very interesting!

 

• Thanks very much Hedflux for doing this interview. Firstly I would like to ask at what age, did you get in to the dance scene? And how?

About 15 - I managed to get into Rezerection (which was an over 18s event of course) - one of the biggest raves in Scotland at the time, and it was absolutely epic. From then on dance music became like a calling, and I pursued new music obsessively.

 

 

• Everyone remembers there first set of decks what were they?

Actually I can’t recall the brand, but they were shoddy belt driven turntables which I quickly grew out of, and eventually got a battered old set of Technics SL1200s which allegedly used to belong to Sasha (not sure whether to actually believe that though!)

 

 

• How much equipment do you currently have, are you a tech junkie or do you tend to keep it simple?

I’ve always kept it all in the box - being a student for most of my life, I couldn’t really afford expensive outboard gear. In spite of what many people claim, I’ve always maintained a belief that you can achieve a good sound without expensive hardware. However, I recently won an SSL Stereo Bus Compressor in a competition, which has added an analogue dimension to my mixdowns now! In terms of controllers I have an Akai APC40 and an Axiom49, and I use KRK VXT8 monitors.

 

 

• Can you tell us a bit more about your first rave actually.

Well Rez held about 8000 people, and was mainly hardcore and jungle - this was back in 93 so it was all white gloves, gas masks, dungarees, radiation symbols etc. Mad fun! “The Event” which was held once a year was a big outdoor one in the summer with about 16000 people, and DJs from all over the world.

 

 

• I was reviewing Breakspoll this year and you had several nominations but ended up walking away with best track, which i would like to congratulate you on. How was Breakspoll for you this year?

Thank you! The night just flew by to be honest - I was pretty drunk by the time the awards ceremony came round, and going up to collect my award is all a bit of a blur - quite a surreal and intense moment! Straight after that I played my set, then I just spent the rest of the night chatting incessantly to people as the reality of my award slowly sunk in.

 

 

• Was there any surprises?

Winning best track!

 

 

• What do you think of its new home in London Bridge rather than Fabric?

It was my first time at Breakspoll. Cable was pretty cool although I thought room 2 was a bit chaotic - its basically a bar/hallway so there is constant traffic, the volume was really patchy, it only sounded good in a very small area - and the closer you were to the DJ booth, the quieter the music was. Room 1 was set up good and proper though!

 

 

• Who were your musical influences when you were growing up?

I listened to a lot of dance music through my early teens, but when I reached about 17 I got big into LTJ Bukem and his Good Looking records imprint. Everything coming out of that got me highly excited. I played this kind of stuff obsessively through my final years of school and all through university, as well as a lot of the classic 90s music that everyone seemed to be listening to - Leftfield, Chemics, Massive Attack etc.

 

 

• Who were role models for you when you were younger?

Bruce Lee was a big one - even now when I read about his life and philosophy, I perceive new levels of depth to it. I think he will always be a big source of inspiration to many people. Also Einstein, and some of the other great scientists who pushed back the boundaries of mind were a big inspiration. But there wasn’t ever a specific person who I modelled myself on - I just try to assimilate the best qualities from people I like and respect.

 

 

• As you have a very psychedelic flavour to your music which keeps it nice and original, what track would you say defines Hedflux?

Well each new track is an attempt to define myself at that moment in time, but Mindcell and Revolve are two stand out original tracks which capture my sound well I think.

 

 

• Where do you love to play the most?

I had some of the best gigs of my life out in Australia and New Zealand, and I’m psyched to be going out there again next year. But I’ve also had some great gigs out in Zagreb, Budapest and Ljubljana - really seems to go off over at the eastern end of Europe.

 

 

• Have you ever been arrested if so what for?

I’ve had a few brushes with the law, but never been arrested.

 

 

• What was your favourite subject at school?

Physics and maths.

 

 

• I know as some reader may not what you have done with your education. Please can you tell the readers what you have achieved as i think it sends a good message.....

I took my interest in physics and maths to university and got a masters in theoretical physics, then went on to do a PhD in nuclear/quantum physics. I found it all really fascinating to be honest, and ever since I was young I was always asking questions, and this path seemed like it might lead me to some answers. I was on a mission to find the source by studying what everything is made of, right down to the smallest particles known to man. But ultimately what I found was increasingly contrived and complex theoretical models, and I got the sense that there is probably no end to how small the universe goes. Physicists always think they are on the brink of discovering the ultimate unified truth of the universe, but I later came to believe that as long as science does not correctly account for consciousness, they will never get there. Consciousness didn’t emerge out of physics, its the other way around. Consciousness is the ground of being.

So when I got to the cutting edge of physics during my PhD, my faith in it began to crumble. That, combined with the downright hard, lonely, and tedious work involved in getting a PhD, kinda put me off taking it any further. I finished it and got a job in IT, and in my spare time focused harder on music production until in April last year I was finally able to quit my job and do music full time. Music was always my passion, but I never truly believed I could do it for a living until a few years ago - it all then accelerated out of that self-belief.

I write about some of my ideas and speculation around science and spirituality in a regular column for London Street Art Design Magazine (www.londonstreetartdesign.com)

 

 

• What has been your worst fashion disaster, be it hair cut or clothing..

I have been known to wear socks and sandals, but only in and around the house.

 

 

• Lol thats the scientist in you.Is there any weird food habits you have?

Hmm, I’ve recently become kind of addicted to Nutrageous bars, even though I know they’re full of toxic GM junk and always give me spots, they just taste so damn good.

 

 

• Can you tell the readers one thing that they would not already know?

I am you, having an experience of me.

 

 

• What’s the most random night you have ever had whilst djing?

I once played a dodgy squat party in London in one of the most hellish looking warehouses i’ve ever seen - there was a lot of seriously disturbing graff on the walls, the security wore balaclavas and looked like terrorists, there were more shady dealers than punters, and some guy was getting mugged right next to the decks while i was playing. Also, a dude kept coming right up to me while I was DJing and licking his fingers and rubbing his nipples, then drinking my beer.

 

 

• Have you ever had a weird experience with a fan?

There have been a few occasions when i’ve been chatting to someone who didn’t know who I was, then when they found out they became really crazy and star struck. That feels pretty weird, but also kinda good.

 

 

• Where do you currently live and what is the music scene like in the area?

Norwich. There used to be a great breaks scene here but in the last couple of years it has died down a lot. It doesn’t bother me much though, I’m more settled now and pretty much only go out when I’m performing. We have some great little festivals around here in summer though.

 

 

• Is there any up and coming artists that you think we should look out for?

Bad Tango & Broken Eye

 

 

• What do you see yourself doing when your 50?

Playing gigs on other star systems

 

 

• So what’s coming up for Hedflux in 2011

Currently i’m sitting on 4 new original tracks and 3 new remixes, these will all be released in the coming months. In particular watch out for “Energy Vibration” and “Reptoid” forthcoming on Broken Robot, my first collaborative tracks with Neurodriver and LuQas. I’m also ready to begin work on a live set, but still need to make the time for it.

 

 

• Thanks so much for doing this interview.

Pleasure ;-)

 

Check out the music

Energy Vibration, with Neurodriver by Hedflux

 

 

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