Son Dexter, Edmonton, Canada - The Official Interview

Name: Son Dexter
Age: N/A
Sex:Male
Born:N/A
Location:Edmonton, Canada

1. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

It's a mystery. Music has always been there to connect with my feelings, whether I'm feeling sad, happy, or wild....so what I listen to today and tomorrow is the same type of music I listened to when I was one, five or fifteen. If it hits me where I like it, It doesn't matter who made it or what genre it's in, or if it's a rock guitar or a techno synth.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists, Reggae area... Or just any particular artist/s? Please tell us?

Hmmm....there are so many artists I've dug thru the years. I listen a lot to people: T-Bone Walker, Black Science Orchestra, Miles Davis, Lenny Kravitz, Al Di Meola, The Intruders...the list goes on forever, man. I dig sincere and memorable music by artists who put their luv into it, to share their good vibes with the world. In an ideal world, that's what music was made for...

3. You are a Dj/Producer and musician first and foremost? However, what was the first club, music venue or other entertainment venue that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now?; and have you gone back to play there from time to time?

I do DJ and remix...but I've been blessed to have been given the bigger gift of being a songwriter, guitarist, producer and singer.

The first place I played live was...an audition for a TV show called "Big Break". I had written a song "Number One Lover", and was performing it, singing and dancing live on camera at the audition. It was all cool until my clothes started falling off due to my wild movements. That taught me to be careful about what clothes I wear while performing. It's a crazy story. I didn't pass the audition because of it...but the producer ran up to me after, asking "did you write that song?"...and later when I left the building and was walking down the street, an A&R rep ran after me, asking "did you produce that song?"...so it worked out OK in the end, because the interest in the song eventually saw it's release on Polygram. That was my first release.

4.Under the moniker, Son Dexter, you have been running for 9 Years now, I have learnt. So far whats been the most exciting Musical project that you have undertaken..??

I've worked with some cool peeps like Larry Heard, Pato Banton, Daughter Son Rise (DSR). To make music with other people, especially doing it LIVE is the bomb. If you only could hear some of the tapes that haven't been released...the passion of playing live, creating right there on the spot...it's like having a cloud 9 experience.

5.Dino and Terry are one of the most famous House producers out for Canada. Have you ever met up with them, and discussed the possbilities of making a tune together? Have been back to Canada lately to check out the dance music scene? Or have you left that far behind...??

I've spent much time on the west coast, in and around Delta as well as Vancouver, CANADA. Those cats Dino and Terry are off deep in the east, so I've not met up with them yet. I dig their vibe.

There's a lot of talented people in Canada, just as there is in any other part of the world. The problem with Canada is that many labels are too insecure to put out original styles of music. The prerequisite is usually "Does it sound like something that was already successful in the top 40?". I understand, it's a business...but it's a drag that inhibits many musicians creativity. Listen to my releases...embraced in the U.S., U.K., Japan, Europe, Africa, Malaysia, and so forth. It took a visionary (Larry Heard) to believe in my unique sound, and to release it.

6. For anyone new to you, and your sound. How would you best descible yourself. Are you a Deep House music producer at all, Disco House producer? Or do produce and make other forms of dance music...??

Wellllll...I create music with deep groove, jazzy sounds, moving lyrics, raw soul. It's been labelled deep house, funk, pop, hiphop, jazz, broken beat, rock, jungle, trance, nu-soul. I just call it Son Dexter music. Groove music for the peeps of the world.

7. Have you played outside the Usa before to play? If you have what did it feel like to have Dj or perform within a concert outside of your own country for the first time, if you have indeed done so?

I've hidden in the shadows, I'm a hometown boy. I live in the studio, occasionally performing live. People always ask me "when r u gonna perform here?"...and I can only say that "the time's gotta be right".

8.It great to see that countries such as England, France, Norway, Scotland, Germany and Ireland are adding their Deep House and Soulful House influence to House and Garage music.. Do you like the Soulful House sounds that are coming from these countries..(*Do you try and keep up with the sounds?) Or does The USA have the edge when it come to making Deep House or Vocal Garage tunes... Glenn Underground, Larry Heard, Master at Work, Robert Owens, Blaze, etc ,etc comes to mind here?

House music has really become a global music. There's no "mecca" of house anymore. It's spread out over the world just like honey. My music collection contains stuff from everywhere. I always keep my ears on the streets, mostly thru DJ friends that recommend stuff to me. I'm always bugging my peeps for special mix tapes!

9.As we talking about tunes. What is your favourite tune that you have made.Any one in particular thats a favourite of yours?

My favourites change all the time, because I'm always making new ones! Haha! "Beauty Within" from The Son Dexter EP (released on Alleviated in 2001) is one of my deepest faves. I've got better songs itching for release. That'll come soon enough. Larry Heard is releasing a new vinyl EP of new Son Dexter tunes this year.

10.Still staying on the subject of tunes. When Son Dexter is considering making up a fresh musical composition. What tends to come first. The Lyrics first then the groove, or the Groove then the lyrics. How do you go about making up a fresh new tune...?? I have heard that you're a prolific composer and lyricist.

Sometimes I'll be inspired to write lyrics...and then write music for it later. Other times, I'll create a music track and get inspired by the music to write lyrics.

On my new song "Painting" (to be released this year on Alleviated), I basically recorded the music, then pressed record and started singing with no lyrics written beforehand. The inspiration of the moment swept me into a special place where I could express my feelings as the tape was rolling. The result is unrehearsed, and straight from the heart. Larry Heard told me that his work with Robert Owens was often recorded the same way. It's like jumping off a 100 foot cliff into the deep blue sea on a hot sunny day in Brazil. Totally exhilarating.

11. You have managed to create a credible website that is allows you place on your mixes of some the tracks that you have produced.What gave you the inspiration in making such as website in the first place?

It's a place where people who dig my music can check out what I'm up to at any moment in time...and it allows me to share some of my rare and unreleased music. People around the world check the site to find out what Son Dexter's up to...I receive tons of emails daily from all over the world. It's a good feeling to connect to people who feel my music move them in body and soul.

12.If at all you dj, do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? A lot of DJ's nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

I rarely DJ...I'm too busy creating original songs in the studio...creating music for other DJs to spin. I like to DJ, but if it weren't for musicians, where would DJ's get their music, their samples? So I'm the music provider. DJ's sample guitars, live drum loops, vocals, percussion breaks. Son Dexter plays those instruments and sings in his songs. It's a symbiotic relationship.

13.Record mixing (Djing!!). Your technique when playing out. Do you use a style of blending when you playing out; or are you a person who like to jump straight in and out of a track without warning!!! What styles do you like to use. If you still do Dj...?

I cut and blend, the best of both worlds. My music productions and remixes carry that sound.

14.Keeping on the music side of things and this time with remixing(* Production wise!!). Are you in the process of remixing any artists at all for 2002? Or are you got something or someone in mind for future dates?

I'm producing a deep house project featuring the soulful vocalist Eric Anderson right now. I just finished a remix of Larry Heard's "Deja Vu"...and I'm always remixing my own stuff to get the sound better and better before it's released. It takes a lot of my time and energy. I'd love to get out and perform live more though...I really want to get more into that.

15.Chicago, New Jersey and New York City have traditionally dominated the musical output coming from the USA of recent years(*with regards to Soulful House and Garage music). However, the city of San Franciso input over the last 3 years has changed that. I take it that you are aware of Labels such as Naked Music, Panhandle, Red Melon and a host of others that are truly challenging these traditional cities musical output. Do you get a chance to listen artists from those labels.

Yea, Jay Denes has a nice vibe going on. I'd like to release some music on Naked in the near future...time will tell.

16. Many Soulful House and Garage artists and fans around the world now know, or are know familiar with tracks from either The Arftul Dodger and M.J.Cole. Do you think that these artists have bought the music forward for 2-Step Garage music from within England to around the world. Or is there still a very long way to go on that score? Are you a fan of 2-Step Garage music? Have you heard of any of the is style of music that is coming out of the Uk..??

2-Step Garage music is well represented by those artists...and so many more. I dig some of that stuff. There's some incredible Broken Beat stuff coming out the UK right now. It's nice to hear new sounds, fresh sounds being supported by listeners.

17. To come up with that distinctive sound that you have, what music equipment do you have to achieve this?

My setup is very simple. I play an old Wavestation synth...a fretless bass guitar, 2 electric guitars, a spanish nylon string guitar...an alto sax...lots of percussion, a japanese flute. When you hear my songs, you're not hearing samples of other artists. You're hearing me. I use some drum kit samples in my rhythm trax, but the rest is me.

18. You have mananged to work with the great Larry Heard on one or two projects in the past. How did that come along? Its not every day that everyone gets to work with a House music legend such as Larry Heard.

It was meant to be. I've know Larry for years, and he digs my sound...he's also a good friend who feels my music is worth hearing. Larry is a very special person, you can hear it in his music. To be honest, I never known someone who is so caring about other people...(OK, maybe Jesus)...

19.What is your relationship with the press and media? Do you like giving comments out or doing interviews? Even though we are doing this right now? Do you feel comfortable doing interviews. Or would you like to be left alone to just to create music?

I like to chat with interviewers and the press. It's always a unique experience.

21. At this present moment in time have you a favourite House Dj/producer that you like. Is there one special producer within the world of Soulful House that stands out for you?

Son Dexter is my fave. That may sound like an ego trip, but it's not. I create music that fits my tastes perfectly. What could be better? Haha!

22. What are the aims for Son Dexter within 2002. Are there are any Single/s, or Albums releases plans for us to look out for?

The new Son Dexter EP on Alleviated, tentatively titled "Painting", is due out this year. There are some other cool projects I may release on my new label "Higher Sound Music"...the news area of the Son Dexter website (www.sondexter.com) usually has the scoop on what I'm up to.

23.Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage.Any rules that he should adhere to!!!

Stay optimistic, keep growing your dreams, and be true to your heart. From that base, the pure waters of life and music will flow. Dig.

Interview conducted by Carl Brown, Ipswich, England

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Son Dexter, Edmonton, Canada. If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.