Luke Solomon
Luke Solomon
17-01-13
Luke Solomon is one of the true heroes of house music. From the legendary midweeker Space that he ran through the '90s with the late (and much missed) Kenny Hawkes, to the hugely influential Classic Music Company he started with Chicago's Derrick Carter, Luke has always championed the underground, the leftfield and anything that makes you move. Now that Classic are bringing the party to Superstore, Luke kindly answered some of Dan Beaumont's questions...
You have been prolific in the studio lately... What drives your creativity?
Mostly sadness, pain and sorrow, oh and anger and frustration… I find it quite hard to be creative when I am happy. I usually use the happy periods to finish the music I made when I was unhappy. Well you did ask…..
The Digital Kid... An analogue experiment... Whose side are you on in the format wars?
I am generally at war with myself in the format wars. My mind constantly contradicts itself. I buy digital music continuously. I also buy physical music continuously. What I have begun to realise is that they are almost like two completely different worlds running in tangent to each other.
It's kind of interesting because at Classic we do one thing, i.e. we release vinyl, run vinyl exclusives, and then do digital.
But at Defected, we will release digital, then if the record does well, we will release vinyl post release….
So I like both… I just hate the downside of the internet… i.e. piracy and idiotic people.
And I dislike the fact that it's so hard to sell vinyl and break even on it….
But the world needs a balance of both.
Why does HOUSE need Classic now more than ever?
I think house needs a a community again, especially in the UK. I think that the whole scene became fragmented by egos and people just looking out for themselves. I guess money and a rubbish economy naturally does that to people. Both Derrick and myself feel that that selflessness needs to be injected back in order to grow a world of great music within our scene that is not just centred around a DJ using a label as a vehicle in order to rule the world and be the next biggest thing ever.
What do you argue with Derrick Carter about?
We don't really argue. Especially not about music. We have had our moments, but those are generally because we are both being big old grumps. Nothing more.
What are you looking forward to in 2013?
Paint testing parties. And the rise of the welly sock.
What record do you wish you had signed?
Knights Of The Hunted - X The Beat. But it got lost on my hard drive after Parrot sent it to me and Toddla and Raf picked it up. We got to release the vinyl though as compensation.
What tune has spent the longest time in your record box?
I always take something by Spencer Kincey. He's my musical good luck charm.
Join Luke Solomon, Dan Beaumont, Rob Mello and Severino for Classic X Superstore on Saturday 26th January from 9pm - 3am.
Luke Solomon