Interview with Damon Wild

Damon Wild

Relevant Sites

Controlled Artist Management
Synewave

Born in Chicago and brought up in the deep south, Damon Wild rose to international acclaim after moving to New York, where his legendary label, Synewave, was born. At a time when the spotlight of the music scene was firmly on Detroit and Chicago, Damon regenerated the interest in NYC, following on from the early innovators such as Joey Beltram. Synewave was perhaps the most powerful force in the new Acid sound emerging during the early '90s, boasting many classic releases from the likes of Steve Stoll, Dan Morgan, Tim Taylor and of course, Damon himself. Synewave and its sister label, Geometric continued to develop over time, as did Damon's DJ career, with him playing around the globe on a regular basis - enjoying the status as one of the worlds most sought after spinners and producers. As the Acid sound began to die out, Damon's style has shifted into a deeper, more minimal groove, with dubby releases such as his Blue Max project on his label and Deja Vous, and new artists gracing the Synewave lists.

With the schedule still hectic as ever, Damon managed to take some time out to answer a few questions for us.

11th-hour When did you first begin producing music?

Damon Wild I began producing music when I was 19, when I first moved to NYC (1991).

11th-hour What music influenced you prior to techno?

Damon Wild I was really into music like Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, Section 25, New Order, Depeche Mode, Razormaid Remix series and a lot of Chicago acid like DJ International, Chicago Traxx etc...

11th-hour How and when did you first start DJing?

Damon Wild I began DJing at about 15 when a local college radio station offered me the "graveyard" shift from 12 midnight to 6 am (nobody else wanted it in the summers). I really enjoyed this time slot because I could play anything I felt and could get psychedelic I was playing a mix from Pink Floyd, Klaus Nomi, Cocteau Twins - to acid house.

11th-hour How did the Synewave label first come about?

Damon Wild Synewave started in 1994,when I had decided to leave my A&R job of EX records NYC and to start my own adventure.

11th-hour What was the main thrust of the scene in New York at that time?

Damon Wild New York was actually a strong force of techno at that time. Jeff Mills was playing weekly at The Limelight, Sonic Groove records was in full force and there was a lot of great productions also coming out from guys like Beltram, Mundo Muzique, Lenny D etc..

11th-hour Who else was involved with the Synewave and Geometric projects?

Damon Wild In the start, I have to give a lot of thanks to Joey Beltram who helped produce a few titles/remixes etc., as well as Steve Stoll..

11th-hour What other projects have you been involved with?

Damon Wild I have produced a lot of 12" etc over the 10 years of working with techno - too many to list right now, but now I am working on a new album soon to be released on a European label, fall of 2001.

11th-hour How has your sound, as well as that of New York, developed over the labels lifespan?

Damon Wild I think my sound has always been a kind of deep mentality and acidic. Not meaning using a 303 but to take the listener on some kind of journey. Some days I am into some hard stuff, others deeper I guess it is the moods of everyday life that inspire what I will make. I do not think about NYC when I make music, as most of NY sound is house or more commercial.

11th-hour What artists do you cover on your labels?

Damon Wild I have had artists from all over the globe either to remix or produce from Jeff Mills, Mark Bell, DJ Hell, Adam Beyer, Joey Beltram, Hideyuki Eto (Japan), Mederic Nebinger (France) and the list goes on It is like a international sound or sound gallery.

11th-hour What equipment do you use for your production?

Damon Wild I do not have a big studio I actually keep it quite small as I like to focus on what I do and keep it minimal I have always been into the "less is more" theory, and do not think it is what you use but how you use it, and how much you know how far your gear can go.

11th-hour How does the music scene in New York compare with the other places you visit?

Damon Wild I do not go out in NYC to notice the so I cannot really judge the music scene here too much anymore. I really do not find the people really can absorb music the same as Europeans or Japanese do (at least with techno parties). I think there was a great underground house scene a few years back but now it is mostly trance and crap I'm not into I'd rather go to a jazz bar. I really enjoy playing abroad, even though the flights are torture.

11th-hour Does the state of the city influence your sound?

Damon Wild No ..I do not actually work in the city. I have a studio in small town in NJ.

11th-hour What does the music mean to you, and how much of a force has it been in your life?

Damon Wild Music is my life. If I no longer had music I would be very depressed, as it is a huge outlet for energy and expression. I also like the freedom it gives me. I find it is very good for one's health as well - it almost cleanses out a lot of negative energy. I mean look at a lot of older rock stars they still look better than a lot of old business men, who did not even do many drugs .

11th-hour What musicians impress you the most at this time?

Damon Wild I like a lot of underground tribal grooves from South America, as well as a lot of rock from the '70's like Floyd, Zepplin, etc This is some powerful music that will never die, and has so much power & emotion in it. These producers had put so much time into their songs. Big respect.

11th-hour How has your DJ career developed over time, and where would like to see it going?

Damon Wild I have been pretty happy with my DJ career as I have played almost everywhere I wanted to, except South America and Africa. This would be interesting. I really like DJing as it is a universal language and it is always interesting to see cultures dance and to see how people react to different sounds. Now I like to play with my portable DJ CD player as I can mix in new dub tracks to test them out..

11th-hour What plans do you have for the future of your label?

Damon Wild I would just like to continue doing what I'm doing. I'm not looking to get any bigger or smaller but just do what I do and feel and not have any rules to our sound. I plan to take it a maybe a bit more old school the next few releases

Many thanks to Damon for taking the time to speak with us.