Bedrock 10 Feature: Part Eight / Nick Muir

Nick Muir, alongside John Digweed is responsible for many classic tracks the duo have created, both under the pseudonym of Bedrock and also as themselves. Be it ´Heaven Scent´, the Bedrock imprint´s first ever release, their earlier output such as ´Set In Stone´ or ´For What You Dream Of´, or the more recent material such as ´Emerald´ and ´Santiago´, Nick Muir has been an instrumental part in shaping the direction and sound of the label, inspiring many of the artists that have since graced the catalogue of the imprint. With a forthcoming single on the horizon and a brand new remix of the duo´s ´Beautiful Strange´ featured on the Bedrock 10 album, we take time to speak to one of the most inspirational names to be a part of this landmark project.

1. Progressive-Sounds: What was your first experience or association with Bedrock?Nick Muir: John and I met through a mutual friend Simeon - he´s a professional sax player and we were in a band together. Simeon used to go out to Austria with one of his bands to do gigs in a ski resort. John also used to do this (this was way back in the day - I think they were both trying to get some cheap skiing in) and that´s where they met. Simeon knew I was well into programming up tunes and engineered a meeting between us - we´ve been working together ever since - so thanks Simeon! (Point of interest - Simeon was the sax player in Guru Josh´s band!
2. Progressive-Sounds: How would you describe the track or reinterpretation you have presented for the Bedrock 10 album project and how do you feel it compares to the original version of the track? What other tracks from the label would you revisit if given the chance?Nick Muir: As far as the tracks on Bedrock 10 are concerned there´s a mix of styles but as ever John made sure that the cuts were absolutely top notch. There´s some great work on there, Jamie Stevens´ remix of ´Warung Beach´ is astounding I think, as is Alan Fitzpatrick´s mix of ´K10´. Also there´s Tom Middleton´s mix of Forge which is on a slightly different tip, but an amazing sounding track, and they´ve all got that all important element which is so important to Bedrock - they work magic on the dance floor.
   ...thats how John and I are approaching writing now, still with a strong hypnotic element but steering clear of any formula as much as we can.
   
   
   Our remix of Beautiful Strange has been getting great reactions. The original was really powerful and rocking - that´s how a lot of our material turned out in the 90´s - but with the remix we tried a bit more of an experimental approach, more atmospheric, bit more twisted. In fact that´s how John and I are approaching writing now, still with a strong hypnotic element but steering clear of any formula as much as we can. We like to include the underground vibe as well - that´s what a lot of people like about the scene I think. John has opened my ears to a lot of great music that has happened over the last 3 or 4 years.
3. Progressive-Sounds: How did you feel when contacted to be asked to contribute to the 10th anniversary project?Nick Muir: There´s a lot to be proud of I think as far as Bedrocks recorded output is concerned - I must say though that it´s been a privilege to be involved with the development of a sound. I think its many musicians professional ambition to have a hand in working up something new and bringing it in front of people. This of course has a lot to do with John´s clarity of vision as far as what he wants from the music he plays but also when he wasn´t quite finding what he wanted, we were able to work together to actually create the music - and then hear it in front of party crowds who really appreciated it - such a privilege. After all the Bedrock crowds have the advantage of being an extremely discerning and intelligent bunch of people!
4. Progressive-Sounds: What are your thoughts on the new venue Matter where the 10th Anniversary party is being held, and what do you feel a state of the art live music venue such as this brings to the global club scene?Nick Muir: I´m looking forward to checking out Matter. One thing is that the people behind the club understand about clubs and clubbing because they´re into it themselves. They realise that the way music happens in the venue is vital to its success. It´s not just a vehicle for doing business. They want to make sure that London maintains its status as one of the most happening cities in the world for music and it´s so important to have people who are enthusiastic about the scene at the helm of a venture like Matter.
5. Progressive-Sounds: What other projects have are you currently involved with and what are your plans for the coming months?
   we will always return to our first love - thoughtful dance music with an underground edge.
   Nick Muir: The future is an open book at the moment - we´ve been focussed on Bedrock 10 and making sure that all works, but John will continue releasing quality music for the foreseeable future and we will also be getting together to write more music when time and schedules allow. It would be nice to write some chill type material and perhaps explore the audio visual field further - but we will always return to our first love - thoughtful dance music with an underground edge.