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For anyone with a discerning interest in music, 22-year-old Nathan Fake’s debut record ‘Drowning in a Sea of Love’ was easily one of the albums of 2006. A gloriously simple yet forward thinking electronic gem, it’s packed with beguiling melodies and plenty of warmth. One-and-a-half years on and at a time when we had our fingers and toes crossed that we’d be hearing some fresh material, Norwich born Fake has just released the final single from the record ‘You Are Here.’ Gigwise thought it was about time to catch up with the fresh-faced artist to discuss his brief career and pester him about the new material…
“The highlight of my career? My seven-year-old cousin took my album CD into school once, and the teacher played it in assembly.” It’s not the kind of answer you’d expect from an artist showered with superlatives from critics for both his music and brilliant live (yes, instruments and all) performances, but from the offset it’s clear that Fake is a grounded chap whose direct and honest views stretch to his music.
Despite Gigwise brimming with enthusiasm for the single, Fake seems more forthright. “I made it like three years ago, so I don't really rate it as my finest work or anything now. It never really was - it was one of those tracks that took like a day to make, it's nothing amazing but it's to the point.” We quiz him as to why he decided to release the single: “Well the main reason we released this single is because my friends Vincent, Udi and I were planning to make a video for ‘You Are Here’ for ages, and it took a little while to complete. Then the Four Tet remix kind of fell into our laps too, so it made sense to release a single, even though it is quite a while after the album. That's ‘Drowning…’ closed now though.”
Signed to DJ James Holden’s much revered label Border Community, Fake was snapped up by the label some four years ago after plying Holden with his demos. Since then, he’s built a close bond with the man who’s regularly described as one of electronic music’s hottest talents. Nathan explains: “We're good pals now, I obviously know him through music and stuff but our relationship is a really friendly one, the same with Gemma his girlfriend who also runs the label. I do think he's one of dance music best talents, yes... one of music's best talents in general actually - he's a genius. I don't think many people in dance music actually get how good he is. People in the dance music scene don't get much at all actually.”
Although his music often gets labelled as ‘dance’, it’s transparent that Fake is not comfortable with the trappings of the genre – pills, thrills, bellyaches and all. He puts it bluntly: “I’ve never followed the dance music scene much really; I'm not interested in it. There’s loads of good music around in general, but music that puts itself into a 'scene' is always shit.” The hedonistic Mecca of Ibiza too is something that he doesn’t want to associate himself with; “I went to Ibiza once and it was fucking rubbish. I like to have fun - that is not necessarily linked with electronic music.”
Regardless of this apparent dislike for all things associated with the White Isle, there’s no escaping the fact that Fake’s music - albeit in the remix form - is often found booming out of the soundsystems of the hideously overpriced clubs there. I for one can vouch for hearing Valentino Kanzyani’s devastatingly brilliant remix of ‘Outhouse’ and James Holden’s inspired take on ‘The Sky Was Pink’ in several Ibizan clubs.
One mix is close to Fake’s heart is as he enthuses: “Vincent Oliver's remix of 'Long Sunny – that’s the most creative remix I think. He added vocals, and live drums and guitar and stuff. He's a bit of a hero really. All the remixes that are on Border Community are great though.”
Quoting another less reputable industry source than Gigwise, we decide to quiz Fake about whether he "sets the table for, or at least overtly tempts” the remix when making his songs. Refreshingly, he spits this presumption out. “Certainly not. That's quite insulting, insinuating that I only make music so that other people can make it better. Who said that?... Cunts.” Er not us Nathan. Swiftly moving on…
As is often the case with over zealous music journalists, after once mentioning his fondness for Mogwai, Fake has been unintentionally dubbed as an electronic version of the Scottish post-rock outfit. It’s a comparison he cautiously dispels: “I think my music is well different to Mogwai. Not because obviously they’re a rock band and I'm a computer music person thing… but musically we're loads different I think. They use chords and melodies and arrangements totally differently. I really like them though.”
Sadly, despite admitting that he’s underway with work on his second record, he’s staying pretty tight lipped about its progress. Asked whether there will be any vocal contributions, he said: “Actually the first album had vocals - you probably can't hear them though. The new album will have some tunes on it and stuff.” One things for certain though – what he hopes to have achieved in ten years time... “to grow a wicked beard.”
