From the ashes of the Soviet empire, from the flames of history, rises PROXY. Post 9/11 rave vibes cloaked in Muscovite angst. A line drawn in smoking rubble along the border dividing East and West, Stüssy and Spetsnaz. 1997. The Year of Tar and Horses. The Prodigy plays Red Square in Moscow. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the show, but only one is truly changed. By the crushing sound. By people absolutely losing their shit to synths and sustained aggression. The experience causes PROXY to question the quality and purpose of Russian “electrica” acts like Nu-Lag Xpressions and Sweatislav. There was simply no scene from which to emerge. “Whatever a fool does, he does it wrong. A poor dancer is impeded even by his own balls,” he recalls. In a decade’s time, PROXY would be remixing Prodigy and opening for them on a massive tour of Russia.
Fast forward to 2012 and PROXY’s debut album MUSIC FROM THE EASTBLOCK JUNGLES PART 1, is out November 6 via Dim Mak Records. The release is the first installment of a two-part series from the world-renowned artist, a rare feat in today’s singles-driven electronic music market. The second chapter is scheduled for release inFebruary 2013. A shocking display of hardcore sonic violence, the MUSIC FROM THE EASTBLOCK JUNGLES series showcases the prolific underground rave-czar‘s broad body of work with over 20 combined tracks that span and elevate countless genres, notably inflected by classic bass and drum ‘n’ bass ethos.
Hammarica.com is delighted to have PROXY for an exclusive interview.. And if you wonder about the ALL CAPS answers, that is how the PROXY-MAN speaks!
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Are you excited for the release of your debut album on Dim Mak?
YES. IT IS INTERESTING TO HAVE A RECORD LABEL IN THE U.S. TURBO RECORDINGS WILL RELEASE THIS RECORD FOR REST OF WORLD, BUT WE FELT IT WOULD BE BEST FOR A FULL AMERICAN INVASION TO WORK WITH DIM MAK.
Could you describe the sound of the album? Is it a different approach than making tracks?
PROXY MUSIC IS SONIC INCARNATION OF POWER. THAT IS ALL.
Which remix is your favorite one ever from your hand?
REMIXES ARE NOT SO IMPORTANT AS ORIGINALS, BUT MANY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE. DIGITALISM REMIX. MOBY REMIX. TIGA REMIX. ZOMBIE NATION REMIX. ALL ARE BOMBS.
How would you describe the Russian EDM scene?
IN RUSSIA, ENTERTAINMENT LIKE THIS IS FOR THE ELITE. THERE IS STILL MUCH TRANCE AND NOW MORE AND MORE DEEP HOUSE. MY MUSIC IS MORE UNDERGROUND IN RUSSIA.
Only few Russian artists make it in EDM, but the ones that do blow up. How would you explain that?
IT TAKES GREAT POWER TO RISE IN RUSSIA, THE ONES WHO BREAK THROUGH THIS IRON CURTAIN HAVE GREAT MOMENTUM.
Should EDM have a social voice in its tracks like it exists in hip-hop and punk, or is it best as pure party music?
IN EVERYTHING THERE IS A TRUTH. WHAT YOU DECIDE TO SEE AND DO IS UP TO YOU. THIS IS THE BEAUTY OF FREEDOM, BUT ALSO THE CURSE THAT WILL LEAD TO OUR EXTINCTION. IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE DOCTRINE OF ‘PURE’ PARTY THEN YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND HUMAN NATURE.
Your favorite piece of software to work with?
ABLETON, BUT I REQUIRE DEDICATED MUSIC MACHINES AS WELL.
Where do you get your samples from?
EVERYWHERE. INTELLIGENT SAMPLING COMES FROM INTELLIGENT LISTENING AND I SPEND MUCH OF MY TIME LISTENING.
Is EDM the new Rock n Roll?
FOR YOUR PURPOSES, YES.
If you could describe you music in three words, what would you call it?
APOCALYPTIC POWER RAVE. NEXT WILL YOU ASK ME MY FAVORITE COLOR? IT IS BLOOD.
Is there a final thing you would like to say to your fans?
YOU ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO FEARING YOUR MUSICIANS, BUT DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE ME.
