Interview: Gold Panda On Life In Hamburg - And Planning His Next Step

With a debut album that looks set to feature in many end-of-year lists, and several of 2010's finest remixes to his name, it seems the only way is up for 29 year-old London-born producer Gold Panda. Before he embarks on an eight-date UK tour - kicking off in Brighton tomorrow night - Derwin (as his mum calls him) kindly took the time to answer some of Daniel Harrison's questions for us.

The new album has been met with rave reviews more or less across the board. How much attention do you pay to the music press, and does it feel like a validation of sorts when you see the positive response?

There have been a few 'off' reviews. I mean, if you make an album that has 'something for everyone', then you're probably going to be making really bland IKEA coffee table kind of music. I like to read bad reviews, they're pretty hilarious sometimes. What validates my music, for me at least, is when other artists I like say that they like it - and when my aunt says she enjoys cooking while listening to it. That kind of thing. 

Did you find that your working methods changed when making an LP, as opposed to producing EPs or stand-alone tracks? Did you feel a pressure to tie it all together coherently?

I don't think I could ever make an album that was just a bunch of tracks; I've always liked albums that are made as albums, or have some kind of coherent theme. I made the tracks quickly all at the same time, so they captured a kind of similar sound. I didn't feel pressure to tie it all together, it just kind of happened. I think it could have been better, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Do you feel that there’s been a progression from record to record? Where do you see yourself taking your sound from here?

I mean, the next album will definitely be a big step for me. There is no way that I'm doing another Lucky Shiner. I want there to be a clear difference from one album to the next.

You’ll be touring the UK next month, which is something we’re all looking forward to. What kind of set-up will you be using live? Do you feel that certain tracks may lend themselves to reinterpretation or ‘tweaking’ live?

I use an MPC1000 MIDI'd to Ableton Live to do most of the work. It's been hard to translate it to a live setting, because the tracks are essentially made in a bedroom with no thought going into how to perform them live. To be honest, I hate playing live! But every now and then I'll have a show that I'll be really glad that I agreed to. 

There’s a serious amount of creativity among British electronic producers hovering around the dubstep/post-dubstep/whatever-you-wanna-call-it scene at the moment - from labels like Hyperdub and Hotflush to artists like Four Tet. Do you feel that you take a lot of influence from current trends such as these in electronic music?

Not really, to be honest. I'm more influenced by this guy Oval, a duo called Snd and the labels 12k and Raster-Noton. I pretty much live in Hamburg now, and there's a record shop and label here called Smallville that's releasing some lovely music. I don't really have much of the Hyperdub and Hotflush stuff, but nearly everything I hear from either sounds really interesting. I think the main problem is that there's just so much music now; it's hard sometimes to absorb it all, especially as I am quite old-fashioned in my music-buying, and I don't really download music that often.

You’ve been making music as Gold Panda since the end of 2007. Was there a certain track, or a moment when you felt like you had hit upon the sound you wanted?

'Back Home' was the one. I'm not sure I'll ever be happier with a track than I was when I'd finished it - but I hope so!

You’ve done a number of remixes for artists such as Bloc Party and Telepathe. Any favourites?

It varies... When I go back and listen to stuff a year later, I tend to enjoy it much more. Telepathe was a good one, yeah... that and The Field.

The internet conveyor-belt culture has led to concerns that artists are being chewed-up and spat-out too quickly these days. Do you feel any pressure to stay ‘relevant’, as it were? 

It would be a bit shit if I was forgotten about after just one album, but I'd like to think I have a few more in me. I don't know; making music will always be important to me, whether it's my job or just a hobby.

Anti-piracy laws have recently been passed in the UK that many feel are harsh and open to abuse. What’s your take on the file-sharing debate? 

I can't be the only one buying music.

And finally, what artists have you been listening to lately? Any recommendations?

Luke Abbott, and all the Border Community stuff. Music by mates and people I've met on tour, really.

Lucky Shiner is out now on Ghostly International. Go here for a full list of upcoming Gold Panda UK live dates.