Wallace interview: “Existing in the shadows while you’re developing pays dividends”
Wallace on the childhood inspiration behind his latest for Moxie’s label
Hi and thanks for your time…. First of all, can you tell us where you are right now, and what kind of day you’re having… Been anywhere already or going anywhere interesting later?
Thank you for having me! Sat in the studio, sun shining outside but working on something dark and twisted for the changing of the seasons. I’m off to Norway later for the first time, and then having a week off in Italy.
Tell us about your earliest musical memories – parents, siblings, school, teenage years, embarrassing early bands etc…
My earliest musical memories are more centred around instruments than artists or songs. My mother was a music teacher so our house was always filled with soundboxes of all shapes and sizes that I’d noodle around with.
Collecting music didn’t start until my mid-teens & I still have many questionable indie 7” from that era. I do find it truly fascinating how your tastes can warp and bend over time. I’d probably find it hard to listen to those indie records now but they’re all a part of your sonic diary, your musical DNA.
Was there a ‘moment of truth’ when your current musical path suddenly became clear to you, or was it more a matter of steady evolution?
Very much slow and steady. Developing your style, taste, production techniques takes time and isn’t something to be rushed. Existing in the shadows while you’re developing pays dividends further down the road in my opinion.
Give us a quick precis of your musical releases up to this point, for the uninitiated…
Studio Barnhus, Disco Halal, Rhythm Section, Mule Musiq, On Loop. Alongside these releases I run Tartan records which is returning in September for its 6th outing.
How did the hook up with Moxie’s label happen?
Her show has soundtracked my Wednesday afternoons for many years, so when I first started sending out music she was one my first port of calls. I suppose this was more in the hope that she would play them on air but after getting to know her and having her support my music we both felt ‘On Loop’ would be a great home for the release.
Tell us about the ‘Tanzanite’ EP you’ve just dropped on Moxie’s label…There’s a big African influence going on, or so we thought….
Yes the A-side of Tanzanite is focused on memories from a childhood trip to Africa. During my Dad’s time as a producer at the Natural History Unit we went to South Africa and Namibia. He was researching for a show about snakes and meeting up with naturalists as we drove up the east coast of the continent from Cape Town to the Namibia-Angola border. The M’bira used on the track of the same name was bought on that trip.
And what’s next for Wallace? Anything live/DJ/release/remix-wise in the pipeline we should know about?
Beyond Tartan006 my next release should be out late October. It’s my first time working with a vocalist and it’s coming out on a label which feels a great fit for the sound…very excited to be able to share it! On a DJ-note, I’m playing in Oslo and Sicily this weekend, a London gig at the end of the month then starting September in Wales at Come By Festival. The live thing is a can of worms I’m planning on opening at some point but for now I’m going to enjoy the sun and noodling around in the studio!