Electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist producer Bit Cloudy was born and raised in East London. He is also the lead guitarist for art-pop combo Firestations (signed to Lost Map Records).
See our exclusive interview with him below:
What’s your “secret sauce?” What makes you sound stand out?
Esoteric influences and a wide variety of styles, total disrespect for genre definitions.
What made you decide to pursue a musical career?
I taught myself keyboard and guitar at a very young age and whatever else I’m doing I’ve always devoted most of my spare time to playing music. There is nothing else I like doing as much, it’s a compulsion.
Pros and cons of the industry from your perspective?
It’s a very level playing field right now, but it’s very competitive, especially in London. Who the ‘gatekeepers’ to exposure and good shows are seems to be constantly and rapidly changing, and it’s tough if you’re in the position of having to seek exposure yourself as well as constantly creating. But you have to have faith that interesting and exciting music will rise to the top.
Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
Bjork – Homogenic
Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang
Deerhunter – Microcastle
Lusine – Sensorimotor
Television – Marquee Moon
What key pieces of gear/software do you use to define your sound?
I’m not someone who gets very distracted or excited by gear, although I’m a multi-instrumentalist I do most of my solo stuff in the box in Ableton, using a load of samples I’ve spent years accumulating, built-in instruments and a few plugins. I do love some of the Soundtoys FX plugins, like Echoboy and Filter Freak. I feel like if I got involved in modular synthesis it would be never-ending and very expensive. I’m a low budget guy.
Vinyl or CD?
I have a record player but mostly have cheap rock records from the sixties and seventies. I’ve barely owned any CDs ever, I’m more digital really. I don’t like owning stuff.
Tell us about what your upcoming releases or projects?
I have several new Bit Cloudy tracks on the way, possibly to be collected on a fourth EP. I have a remix and a track coming out on London’s Byrd Out, which is exciting. I’m doing a live ambient set in Walthamstow on Feb 29th supporting Ulrich Schnauss at a fundraiser. And the art-pop band I’m in, Firestations, are currently finishing our third album.
Follow Bit Cloudy online
Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Spotify
