Interview: Four Tet

Hastily arranged interviews rarely run like clockwork and journalists can expect to wait for any number of reasons. However Kieran Hebden’s reply of “I’m actually doing the shopping in Sainsbury’s” is a new one. Perhaps not very rock n’ roll but then again this is the self-managed, DIY maestro Four Tet we’re talking about. One of the most prolific and innovative artists in music today- it’s surprising he has time for a chat, let alone do the shopping.

With the Hebden household safely stocked up, Kieran is ready to talk. Thoughts immediately turn to Four Tet’s fourth and most recent album ‘Everything Ecstatic’. Two years earlier its predecessor ‘Rounds’ set a benchmark for electronic music but the sound has developed a meaner and more drum intensive edge. “The idea was to make an aggressive record. Not in a nasty way but to make a record that was bolder and more up front. It’s less about listening to quietly at home on you own and more outgoing and much more of a celebration of music. One of the ways to do that was to put lots of drums in.” All intentions ended there as Kieran is quick to dismiss that the denser element is not a conscious move away from the comfort zone of ‘folktronica’. “I don’t want anyone to pin me down. I think in everything I’m doing I’m trying to move things forward and go into new areas. I’m very wary of repeating myself and it’s important to me that everything I’m doing is changing.”

The live arena has allowed Kieran to put these ideas into practice. As Irish fans will find out first hand next week, the Four Tet live experience has developed significantly over time. “Come and see me live at the moment and the music is very alive and changing day by day. I had the idea that the record should come out and the music should keep evolving. Tracks should be developing. I think people who see me live get a musical snapshot of where my head’s at on that day and what sort of noise I want to make.”

Despite having no plans for a follow up to ‘Everything Ecstatic’, the Four Tet diary is as packed as ever. Two albums recorded with James Brown’s drummer Steve Reid are due to be released next year. A number of collaborations are being discussed with Kieran anxious to continue producing following his wonderfully subtle treatment of James Yorkston’s ‘Just Beyond the River’. Most exciting of all is the plan to get back in studio with Adem and Sam Jeffers to record another Fridge album. “Hopefully it’ll happen at some point. It’s definitely something we want to get going again but it’s just a matter of finding time.”

With a busy time ahead, Sainsbury’s online shopping might well have a new customer.