[Seattle, USA. August 1st, 2009] -- It’s quite reassuring to know that a producer as talented as Jon McMillion lives among
us in the Pacific Northwest. (He happens to be a native of it as well). He comes from a musical family and grew up listening to a wide range of music and playing
an assortment of instruments. Now he finds himself behind production software and a plethora of VSTs producing a sizeable body of work, most of which has not yet
left his studio. Jon’s few releases on savant Randy Jones’s Orac imprint are enough
to inspire a lot of excitement about his newer tracks, which should hit wax
sometime by 2010. (Think Prime Numbers, Uzuri, Workshop, Quintessentials, A Touch of Class, etc.). Right before recording a live set for mlat made from 100% unreleased
material, Jon touched on where he has been, where he is situated now, and where he is looking to in the future.
First of all, where have you been and what have you been up to?
I've been hanging out, enjoying the summer, and trying to keep busy. Did a bit of traveling earlier this summer. Went to Japan and visited
relatives which was great, and I've been doing a lot of outdoor activities as of late. As far as music goes I recently started entertaining
the idea of playing out live again. I figured doing this podcast would be a great way to test things out.
From what we talked about during the genesis of your podcast, you were formulating a lot of material that you were really
proud of. Can you talk a little bit about what you have put together here?
Sure, for this project I decided to approach things as If I were doing a live set, and in this case I decided to create most
of the parts from scratch. During the production of this set I focused in on trying to create the vibe of a live gig, and bringing
a lot of idea's that I've had out to folks to groove with. I hope people dig it.
To you, what do you think distinguishes a studio production from a live performance (whether it be a continuous set
or a track, etc)? You must have a varying ethos in your handling when engaging in either one. Maybe you can elaborate on your
two approaches.
To me they can often be the same thing. I build my live sets pretty much the same way I create a studio track. Most of the time the tool set is
identical. In the past when I've created sets for live performance, I've always tried to bring something out that represented what I've been
working on in the studio or a feeling/idea that I've had in mind at the time. Obviously with this type of music getting people to dance has
got to be on the agenda, but I also strive to get folks thinking as well.
I know you as someone who has a wide range of musical tastes; spanning pop (Michael Jackson [rip], Italo Disco),
intricate electronica (Atom Heart) and more tricky, heady minimal techno (like Bruno Pronsanto). Could you shed
a little light on where you get your inspiration to produce your own music? Oh man that's a tough one. To be honest I can find inspiration in almost anything. There's no doubt that I'm inspired by a
lot of the music I listen to, but its not always that simple. I think people and my surroundings inspire me the most. My interactions with the world
around me, the sounds and feelings I have in those interactions get me inspired the most.
After the success of this podcast, what's next for you? I'm hoping that this podcast will create some new connections with folks in and out of town. I'd like to get some new material
out later this year or early next year, and play some gigs to support it.
ORAC RECORDS
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