Stu Hirst
Stu Hirst
Stu Hirst is one of electronic music’s enduring good guys, with a career that stretches back over the last decade through globe-trotting gigs and a staggering number of productions across some of the biggest labels in house music. The London-based Scot can call the likes of GU, Toolroom, Baroque and Harlem home, and has graced the decks at Space’s legendary closing parties in Ibiza as well as the capital’s biggest rooms in a DJ career that’s been an exercise in persistence and pure musical enjoyment. A regular with Global Underground, he hosts their monthly show on Ministry of Sound’s radio station, and can even sometimes be sighted gigging with his band. We caught up with him ahead of his set at Jamm for Legacy on the 9th December to find out the secret of a successful career behind the decks and mixing desk.
So, how are you and where are you? I’m great thanks. Currently in London, slightly dying from the cough from hell, but apart from that, all good!
On the 9th December you’re playing for Legacy at Jamm in Brixton alongside Marc Marzenit, King Unique and Seb Dhajje. How are you looking forward to going south of the river? I enjoy DJ’ing no matter where it is, but playing in London is reasonably rare for me these days. I don’t think i’ve been to JAMM before, but heard plenty about it, so looking forward to it! Playing on the same bill as Matt (King Unique) is a bit of a career-ambition finally realised, truth be told!
How did the gig come about? It’s being run by a friend of mine, Neil Browne, all round good guy and extremely passionate about all things house music!
Have you played at Jamm before? It’s not bad to get a Funktion One in such compact venue…. I can’t think i’ve ever been in, although i’ve been out in Brixton loads of times – perhaps someone can correct me if I have drunkenly been in there! Playing on a Funktion One is always an honour – some of the best sound systems known to man!
You’ve released on a staggering number of labels and under a number of aliases, including on Harlem, Distinctive, VIVA, Baroque, Toolroom and Global Underground. Looking back, what are the ones you’ve been most proud of? I’m proud of everything i’ve done – it was done at a moment in time and i’ve always tried to be interesting and distinctive in the sounds i’ve produced. I guess, looking back, signing to labels like Global Underground, Toolroom, CR2 were a dream come true. I certainly never thought when I was 17 that I would be associated so strongly with GU. They’re one of the biggest brands on the planet and one of the reasons I got into electronic music. Harlem was my first signing and I owe Steve Lawler a beer or 20 for that!
What advice would you give to aspiring producers in 2011? Well, it’s very difficult to stand out. But one thing I would say, is that having a powerful computer and some software, doesn’t make you a producer. It is a skill that has to be learnt – through time, effort and trial & error. Don’t expect to be making World-dominating music within 3 months. Learn your trade. Utilise all the tools available such as youtube tutorials, online courses, whatever. Don’t underestimate the quality and skill needed to make something sound GOOD.
With so many labels and so much music around since the advent of digital distribution, how do you stand out? It seems quality has been superseded by quantity sometimes now. Again, another tough question given the size of the industry now. I think you need to have the full package. You need to be a DJ, a producer, an engineer, perhaps even some kind of live act/show/visuals and even promote your night. Being just one of these makes it hard to make an impact, although there are still exceptions to the rule. I would rather produce 10 amazing tracks a year than 100 average ones, just to get a ‘name’ out there. We’re already drowning in a sea of mediocrity.
How hard is it to stand out when there are so many labels compared to even five years ago? Very difficult. Even the big labels aren’t shifting a lot of copies. Beatport have the right idea with restricting labels coming on board. The quality control of A&R has changed so much in the last 5 years. For many labels, there simply isn’t A&R. It’s a case of “how much product can I get out there, and how quickly”. I think I get promos from 5 or 6 new labels a WEEK. It’s overkill.
For those unaware of your work, how would you describe your sound in one sentence?</strong Melodic and unpretentious. I don’t make music to fit in with a sound or follow a trend, I make it because I like it, and hope others do.
What did you listen to when you were growing up as a kid? Wow, where do I start. All sorts of music; good and bad! My first ever CD was Roxette (I was 9!). I have all sorts of shite in my CD collection; from crap pop, happy hardcore, all sorts of electronica, most indie guitar bands known to man, grunge, rock, and the worst Erasure Live DVD known to man. Guitars were my first love, before electronic music. Nirvana & Guns N Roses, plus Green Day, Cast and Oasis were probably my 5 big bands from 11-16.
Who inspires you in music today, both electronically and otherwise? You’re a big fan of classic bands like Fleetwood Mac, and The Beatles. If you could see one person no longer with us, who would it be? Fleetwood Mac, absolutely, Beatles; not so much (although legendary). I’m inspired by a huge range of music, almost too much to mention. I spend hours a day listening to music. There’s very few styles I won’t listen to, it depends what mood i’m in. If I could see one person no longer with us, it would probably be Kurt Cobain.
In the past you’ve played as far afield as Space Closing and Privilege in Ibiza, Gravity in Lithuania, ADE and London stalwarts Ministry and oft-missed Turnmills and The Cross. What’s been your most memorable from your long list? I’ve been lucky enough to play plenty of good gigs, in parts of the World I never thought I would get to see. 3 Space Closings were obviously fantastic to play at. But for pure pleasure and fun, the Baltic Beach Party in Latvia and La Mania in Romania were experiences I will take to the grave.
You do the Global Underground radio show for Ministry monthly. What goes into putting a show together? And have you ever got used to hearing your voice on the airwaves? I still invest a lot of time trawling through new releases and looking for material i’m into. Ministry Radio are a great bunch of guys, and they allow us the freedom to play what we want. I try to mix up styles where I can and push producers I think are fantastic, be them new or established. On the voice front, it’s taken 3 years, but yes, I am now used to my radio voice – although I speak far more poshly during the show than in real life, haha! I try to speak as little as possible – let the music do the talking!
You’ve more than just an electronic music producer. You’re also an avid drummer and play in a band. What’s the story behind that, and what sort of music do you play? I play guitar in a covers band, a great bunch of mates that we have a laugh doing. All sorts of stuff, e.g. Stone Roses, Rolling Stones, Kings Of Leon, Foo Fighters, Killers etc. I’ve always wanted to drum well, so, despite having played a bit over the last 4-5 years, I invested in lessons and a new electronic kit. It is tough, but i’m getting there, and I absolutely love it! It has given me a complete new lease of life in music. I hire a studio out once a fortnight and play 2 hours straight on a full kit. It takes my ears and arms a few hours to recover!
You’ve spent many a summer in Ibiza over the years. What makes the island so special? It’s just the spiritual home of house music, simple as that. I can’t really add to that.
What’s your favourite – printable – story from the White Island? Haha – i’m glad you added “printable”! Which kinda limits it a bit! I remember Sven Vath being swung over the balcony at Amnesia by two security guards, while he sprayed the crowd with champagne. That was when Tirri used to serve Coco Locos on the Amnesia Terrace, the most potent drink known to man! Needless to say, everyone in the room was in a bit of a state that morning!
I remember going to a Garlands beach party on Bora Bora back around 10 years ago – a few sights that day!
But, I would have to say, one of my good friends’; Buckley – his villa party about 6 years ago, will be difficult to beat. Simply one of the most amazing venues and settings I have ever seen.
What else have you got coming up in the next few months? I’ve not had time to make a huge amount of dance music of late, but I have an EP coming out shortly on the fantastic Gung-Ho Recordings. The A-side took me nearly a year to make and it’s a safe bet to say it’s the best thing i’ve ever done, from my point of view. The Ministry show carries on – and we’ll be getting more guest mixes and interviews lined up for 2012.
If you had to give it all up tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? As someone who had a laugh and had time for everyone who wanted to have a beer with me. Come and say hello on December 9th at JAMM! 
Stu Hirst plays for Legacy at Jamm on 9th December alongside King Unique and Marc Marzenit. For more info on the night and tickets head to www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?304262. And for everything about Stu head to www.stuhirst.com.
