In the deafening war surrounding house music, Graham Luckhurst puts his views forth and calls it a vibe or feeling. He deejays under the pseudonym Greymatter, and even though organizers for tonight’s party at Korner have promoted the event as deep house, Luckhurst says that his version is unique.
When he thinks of house music, Luckhurst thinks of disco, boogie, and electronic music with a 4/4 beat, but his background in house music is more oriented to UK garage and jungle — a drum-and-bass subgenre of electronic music. This ambiguity allows him to avoid being pigeonholed. He adds that his records all have a certain dirt or grit that pricks at people’s emotions.
Luckhurst’s sprawling palette is a bit surprising considering he has no formal training in music. Also surprising is his wizardry both behind the decks and in the studio. He enjoys the creative process in making full albums more than remixing, calling it magic. “It’s alchemy,” he says, referring to the wise words of drum and bass legend Goldie.
Photo courtesy of Sebastian Matthes
So far he’s released two albums to critical acclaim, though he thinks that, due to changes in today’s music industry, making shorter records or EPs (extended plays) are a more efficient way to release music.
“In most cases, people don’t have the time or money to commit to a full-length album,” he says.
“Perhaps I am an artist that is better off releasing music in smaller batches,” he adds.
Photo courtesy of Sebastian Matthes
Either way Luckhurst says he will continue making music. He’s been lauded for his knack in the studio and that stems from his wealth of knowledge in numerous genres of music. He’s compensated for his lack of formal musical training by listening to various kinds of music day in and day out. It’s awarded him the ability to focus on other aspects of music like sequencing, beats, and arrangement.
Luckhurst says the only styles that he hasn’t experimented with are late Brazilian-infused 1970s jazz.
“I would never be able to write it but maybe I could arrange a band,” he says.
Some people will walk away from listening to Greymatter with different perceptions of house music. It should be an energy-packed and seamless night of dancing for Taipei’s thriving underground scene.
■ Greymatter plays tonight from 11:30 to 5:30pm at Korner, B1, 200 Roosevelt Rd, Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Tickets are NT$700 at the door and include a drink.
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