Too often are true artists overshadowed by pop-culture. Too little are true artists truly admired for the creations. Jimmy Edgar‘s diverse artistic portfolio has been appreciated by a small percentage of listeners of electronic music, however as time goes on his work is being heard and seen by more and more of the general listenership. His most recent album Magenta launched his work into the ears of the new wave of fans, and with his new label project Ultramajic and support from some of the industries top players, there’s no wonder why Jimmy Edgar’s career is at heights previously unseen. We got to ask the man a few revealing questions, which lead to one of our most entertaining interviews yet.
Let’s break the ice a little bit – You’re being cast away to a deserted island and can only bring one record to listen to – what do you bring?
That should be a concept album. Theres no one album i wouldn’t get sick of. I would love to create something with that in mind. Music is too biodegradable these days to even ponder this thought. In the end, I would probably say fuck records and start making my own drums. Actually, thats probably the first thing i would do.
Can you pinpoint any instance in your youth when music made its first big impact on you? Or were you always inclined in the arts?
I can’t remember a time, but when I was 5 my art teacher was so encouraging of me. There was an art show and I handed in so many pieces and they all got accepted. I didn’t know but I was surprised by half of the school having my art up and I got some kind of funny award. When the teacher left, she gave me some Indian ink and that was the moment I knew I wanted to be an artist and would settle for nothing less.
So we’ve read that you got into some pretty crazy extracurricular activities back in the day… explain to us why in the hell you were DJing in a whorehouse when you were 15 years old?!
That’s where the raves were happening. The story is pretty blown out of proportion, but it was a functioning whorehouse, and I was probably 16. It was a classic party at that time but the venue was also called “whore house”.
You’re very much a man of your past experience, as well as one who is fully manifesting their future. What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are looking to break through?
Let your excitement guide you. The right path is always the one that brings you the most ecstasy, if you are passionate about art and music then put some effort into it. The best advice would be to always follow your heart; as cheesy as it sounds there is a powerful occult element to doing this and by occult i mean “hidden”. Following the hearts wish is the most pure magic you can cast onto your reality, nothing can stand in the way because you are creating it from yourself.
Who were/are some of the biggest influences on your music?
Fritz Kok, Märk Rothko, David Lynch, Kubrick, Grant Morrison, Blavantski, Suicide, Crash Course in Science, Prince, The Time, everything Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Saved by the bell and Fresh prince of bel air.
Regarding your ability to hear color, also known as Synesthesia – how does this play into process of making music?
It makes me aware of a 4 dimensional space in my mind, I see colors in a sphere type object that is long like a snake. I get flashes of these things when I am making music, I know if i like the colors and the schemes then the music is working. It only works for melodies, i don’t see it so much for drums. Its almost as if the drums are my masculine side so I see math and numbers and patterns, then the melodic content is the feminine part which works in colors, curves and harmonies. Its evolving every day, Its how I choose to see my music. I hate when people act like i am trying to be special with this, anybody can do it its how we perceive things differently. Maybe I am perhaps more visually inclined, but I thought everybody was doing this until i realized different. We all do it, just some of us choose to see it more clear.
We’ve noticed alot of mystic symbolism (forgive us if that’s the incorrect term) in artwork for your music. What is it that you are you trying to portray? Or would that give away the secret?
I don’t freely talk about it in passing, but I do have conversations over it quite a bit. Theres many sides to the story. We like creating a mystery and the mystical symbols have great meaning subconsciously. So any way you want to look at it, its favorable. We are sharing knowledge about the past study of science, through symbols and alchemy. We are actually using the concepts to develop music and manifest the record label. The whole label was formed from a single thought and a ritual. So everything we do is having some kind of metaphysical effect by starting with a thought and materializing. We are using energies to balance the releases and push them as well. No, we are not interested in making spell to sell records. We are more manifesting creativity and inspiration which we feel is more important and people will be able to connect more, its about bringing people together, not creating egos or success.
You’ve got this brand new label project with Machinedrum that you’re embarking on. Why start the label now? And what do you hope to achieve with the Ultramajic imprint?
It will be the best label anyone has seen in a long time. That is what we are attempting to do, both visually creating a world and sonically something new and interesting. The occult imagery goes hand in hand with our ethos.
You’ve traveled all around the world – what’s your favorite city to visit? – And on the contrary, is there a place you’ll never go back to?
Cities carry the DNA to change so frequently that its unfair to judge so quickly. Ive had fun and disaster times in many of the same cities. Recently, Ive traveled almost the world going from Argentina, Lebanon, Turkey, China, Mexico, Japan, Russia, Europe everywhere, and North America everywhere.
Do you prefer the festival or small dark club atmosphere?
I love the small dark club for four hour dj set. Its great to perform live at festivals.
Can you identify your single most favorite show you’ve EVER played? What about that performance made it so special?
One of my favorite was last friday at Panorama Bar. I was so nervous because its my home, my friends where there. The room packed out just before I went on and I was so excited. I played only drums for about 30 minutes to get people prepped and then I went into my new sound that I am developing with Ultramajic. It went off and I was so happy. I felt like Tiga when he said “I no longer had questions, I just got answers that night”
Lastly, we like to end our interviews by asking – is there one particular phrase or quote that embodies your outlook on life?
“The love you withhold is the pain you carry, lifetime after lifetime”
RAPIDFIRE Q&A
1) How long have you been making music?
ALL MY LIFE
2) One Instrument?
PIANO
3) One movie?
EYES WIDE SHUT
4) One album?
MICHAEL JACKSON ‘DANGEROUS’
5) One book?
COMPOSITION IN ART
6) Song for a sunny day?
JEAN CARN ‘DONT LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD’
7) Song for a rainy day?
BAUHAUS ‘TELEGRAM SAM’
8) A song you wish you wrote yourself?
PRINCE ‘I WOULD DIE 4U’
9) Your favorite song which you wrote?
‘IN DEEP’ FROM MAJENTA
10) Preferred BPM?
11:11
11) Classical Composer of Choice?
NOPE
12) Favorite Philosopher?
BUDDHA
13) Most daring thing you’ve ever done?
LET A SNAKE BITE ME
14) Day or Night?
TWILIGHT
15) Analog or Digital?
QUANTUM
16) Favorite place you’ve traveled?
INSIDE MYSELF
17) Favorite weekend activity?
CINEMA 4D
18) Favorite Pre-gig Meal?
VEGAN MEXICAN
19) Favorite Post-gig Meal?
H2O
20) Craziest Superstition?
BRUSH MY TEETH EVERY 5 MINUTES OR ILL DIE
21) Craziest Dream?
I DREAMT THAT I EXPERIENCED AFTERLIFE, I WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD BY SOME BANK ROBBERS AND I FLOATED OUT OF MY BODY AND WAS SO HAPPY BECAUSE I REALIZED I COULD GO ANYWHERE AND FINALLY I DIDNT HAVE THAT BLOODY BAG OF FLESH ATTACHED TO ME ANYMORE. IT WAS THE BEST DREAM IVE EVER HAD.
22) In 5 years you will be?
SORTED
23) In 5 years the world will be?
UNRECOGNIZABLE
24) 3 tracks you love playing in your DJ sets right now?
SOPHIE “BIPP”
JEFF MILLS UNRELEASED 808 TRACKS
JIMMY EDGAR “STRIKE”
25) Sum up your view on music in one word?
LOVE
