Beginning his career as a much-loved resident DJ at Shine club in his hometown of Belfast, Phil Kieran is the perfect example of someone who has progressed from a local heavyweight to a global superstar. Kieran has released material on numerous labels including Skint, Novamute and Soma, but it was for none other than Sven Väth’s Cocoon Recordings that Kieran produced his debut solo album ‘Shh’ in 2009, following a brace of singles in the minimal, tech house style for which the label is well known.
Not wishing to be pigeon-holed, however, Kieran set out to explore every type of sound he had ever enjoyed on the LP – and with significant accomplishment, receiving critical acclaim from names that ring out, not least one of his own heroes, renowned producer and DJ, Andrew Weatherall.
Kieran’s second album, the self-titled ‘Le Carousel’ was released on his own label, PKR, in March this year, for which he assembled some of Ireland’s finest musicians. The title is penned as “a metaphor for the rotations constantly occurring in everyday life” and is a body of work said to define Phil’s career.
Next week (September 23rd) sees the release of ‘Le Carousel Remixes’, a club-friendly overhaul with reworks by the likes of Weatherall and Max Cooper, among other techno legends and talents that have been an inspiration to Kieran over the years. Built from mid-tempo grooves and dark basslines, the album is an adventurous and coherent piece of work with moments of excitement aplenty.
Grace Price–Salisbury caught up with Phil as he was preparing for the launch…
How did it all begin? Was DJing something you always wanted to do?
I’ve aways played instruments since I was a child; I started off playing piano, then drums, then guitar. When I was young I wanted to sound like all the bands I loved: Nirvana, The Pixies and The Smiths, but I never thought that it was something that I wanted to do for a career. Then, around about the time I turned 16, I discovered electronica and dance music. I started listening to labels like Warp Records and it was just like a very sudden switch. From then on, that was it – it was all I could think about.
What’s your most favourite and least favourite gig you have ever played?
My favourite gig would either be at Crobar in Buenos Aires, where I’m returning later this month, or Hardpop in Juarez, Mexico. I can’t really choose between the two but those are the places that did it for me. And, actually, it’s not because of the place or the venue but rather the people; they were really listening and their reaction was fantastic.
As for the worst, I just blank them out of my memory and pretend they never happened!
Who is your favourite DJ?
I don’t really have an absolute favourite DJ, I enjoy loads of different people, but I’ve always been a big fan of Andrew Weatherall. I used to listen to [Primal Scream’s breakthrough album] Screamadelica over and over when I was younger, it was one of my favourite albums, and I knew Weatherall was one of the producers behind it. My friends really liked him as well, he was the guy that we all wanted to go and see – and David Holmes as well.
Which other producers do you really rate at the moment and why?
I like artists such as Matthew Dear, Jon Hopkins, Four Tet – people who are doing something a little bit different to the rest and making really interesting electronic music, rather than churning out club tracks just to get big gigs or climb up the Beatport chart. They don’t do that.
How would you say the music scene has changed for DJs over the years?
Less stuff to carry.
What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
I’m still waiting for it to happen, I think…
Out of all the tunes you have, which one never fails?
If I had to pick one record that always goes down well I’d have to say ‘Dem Young Sconies’ by Moodymann. Out of my own tracks, the one that gets the best reception is probably ‘Skyhook’. These days I try my best not to play it at gigs but I still get asked for it a lot.
What inspired your album, ‘Le Carousel’?
To make music that would inspire and move other people
How did you choose which songs to feature on the album?
I made a lot of material and so I just wove it into ten tracks that all worked together. There is a theme in terms of the lyrical content and each piece of music fits with the next.
What would you say is your favourite song on the album?
The lead track, ‘Carousel’.
How long did it take to put together?
It took around two years. I can make stuff quite quickly but trying to get the finish I want takes some time. The hardest thing is knowing when to walk away and accept that it’s done. It’s easy to over-think things and I’m really bad for doing that. You just have to learn that it’s never going to perfect, but somewhere in the middle there’s a magic point where you should stop.
