Richard Fearless: The ‘Monday Is OK’ Mix

Tell us about the Monday mixtape you’ve put together for us.

It’s about searching for the light in the dark, a constant theme in my struggles.

If it were to be drawn what would it look like?

A Cy Twombly picture.

If it were a food what would it be?

Ready Brek.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Munted on a coach.

What should we be wearing?

Clothes from Thursday night.

Where was it recorded?

In my studio, Metal Box.

Are you on the same wavelength as the boomtown rats or do you actually like Mondays?

Hate them.

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

A friend of mine Barbara Ellen playing ‘Techno! The New Dance Sound of Detroit’ on repeat.

Who would you say are your biggest influences and what are you hoping to achieve with your music?

When I started DJing it was Andrew Weatherall, hearing Sasha at Shellys and then Claude Young. Regarding what I’m trying to achieve I’d say perfecting my craft and pushing myself to a more refined sound.

What were your original aspirations as musicians and how do you think you’re shaping up?

I didn’t really have any. I’ve only felt in the last 10 years I’ve made anything half decent.

What was the first electronic record you heard and how did it make you feel?

Soft Cell’s dub version of ‘Tainted Love’ that record blew my mind, remember thinking it was so sparse and sexy.

How does your brain work when making music? How does it work when you aren’t?

I’ve learnt to trust my initial instincts with music. My brain is constantly on overdrive creatively, sometimes it feels like a curse.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I was 10 years old staying at Butlins holiday camp just outside Dublin and we went into the town centre and I was desperate to buy Haysi Fantayzee ‘John Wayne is Big Leggy’ That evening I hassled the DJ all night to put it on. Eventually he did and totally cleared the floor minus my sister and I and couple of kids in wheelchairs. The last record was an Eevo Lutte reissue on Delsin of Florence which is sublime.

What are you obsessed with at the moment?

Ba Doof

If you could travel in time…where in time would you go? Why?

I went to Ancient Egypt once on DMT trip which was pretty fucking wild, I’d go there again.

Some self help questions for a Monday…

Am I excited to dive into the challenges that I have lined up for the week? 

Kinda.

Am I looking forward to engaging with the people I am meeting or working with?

I’ve lived in a hole for the last two years so no not really.

Am I going to my dream job?

I constantly fantasize about dream jobs, it normally comes back to something marine-based.

Am I being compensated fairly for the value I bring to my job?

Ha, not at all, less and less.

Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?

No, no, yes.

If you were trapped on a desert island with one other person, who would you choose? How long would it be before you eat them? 

My wife Elaine, I’d starve.

Your doctor says you need more exercise….what do you take up for exercise? 

I ride 12 miles every day to my studio so I’d probably just go a little further.

What’s your answer to everything? 

Think about it.

Anything else we need to discuss? 

Sorry Angie xxx