Will Saul is the DJ, producer and A&R behind Simple Records. Growing up in Glastonbury, his obsession with music was fueled with regular trips to his local Tor Records store and treks to clubs around England. His DJing style displays wide influences from dub to techno, electro and breakbeat. His natural flair for mixing has allowed him to develop a style of his own, fusing broken beats of all tempos into a fluid dancefloor groove.
1. What is the story behind your "Greenfingers" nickname ?
Will Saul: Ha... this was a nickname that has never been used for any releases – where did you find it? Fin(K) who is also sideshow on Aus (my other label) is one of my best friends and at one stage we were writing loops together for an album but it kind of got lost as we were both writing other music and working on other projects.... Greenfingers comes from fin’s second name Greenall and also the fact that both of us like to smoke the odd joint...
2. At what point in your life did you discover that you had a creative talent for music ?
Will Saul: I'm not sure that there has ever been a moment that I have thought - “oh I have a talent for music” as music has been such an intrinsic part of my life for so many years... right from collecting music as a kid and learning to play all manor of instruments as I was growing up through to clubbing, dj’ing, making music and running the labels... music has always been there so there’s never been a eurika! moment.
3. How does your latest edition on the Balance compilation series rate on the charts and sales wise ?
Will Saul: This is something you’d have to ask the label as I’m not sure of sales.... finally I get to release an album that isn’t on one of my own labels where I don’t have to worry about the sales performance! The press response has been superb though so I’m very pleased about this.
4. Approximately how long did the entire track arrangement and mixing take to complete ?
Will Saul: 3 months.
Your style includes a wide array of genre’s, which would you say is the most prominent for your preference ?
Will Saul: Difficult to pick one genre as I love them all...the genre’s not so important for me as long as the music has a healthy does of soul then I’m a happy man.
5. What's the buzz over at Simple Records at the moment ?
Will Saul: We (We means me and the cat as I run simple and aus on my own) are looking forward to an exciting release schedule for early 2010 on both labels – releases and remixes from Cortney Tidwell, Joy Orbison, Actress, Ramadanman, Lee Jones, Sideshow, Lee Curtiss, Gadi, Prosumer, Motorcitysoul and the list go’s on....
6. Now that Balance 015 has been completed and released, what are some of the next upcoming projects on your agenda ?
Will Saul: I'm currently back in the studio writing some new singles which I hope to sign to some other labels (rather than release them on Simple/Aus). In spring of next year I will start writing another artist album.
7. On a vocal track which part of the song means more to you, the vocals or the music ?
Will Saul: I think the song has the potential to reach more people and have more impact as it has a message that people remember but a good melody is also crucial for a good song.... tough question!
8. What is the most interesting comment a fan has ever said to you ?
Will Saul: Someone wrote me a note and gave it to me when I’d finished dj’ing that said they listened to some of my music every day and that it was a real inspiration for them...that really touched me.
9. Which track has personally changed your life or influenced you greatly in some way ?
Will Saul: Wow... so many tracks have affected me over the years... I would have to say that the music of Vangelis has inspired me most production wise over the years but it would be impossible to pick just one track by him.
10. Which other DJ's or producers do you like working with the most ?
Will Saul: I would have to say Tam Cooper my long term production partner. We have a pretty good understanding of each other after 10 years working together. I also work a lot with Mike Monday and we always have a lot of fun in the studio. DJ wise I love playing with Lee Jones – we played back to back for 5 hours at Panoramabar in June and it was like we were perfectly in sync... it can be quite hard to get into a groove playing back to back with someone but we just clicked for some reason on that day.
11. What song would you says is your best work out of the tracks that you have produced ?
Will Saul: Definitely "Mbir". It was Tam and I's first attempt at making ‘detroit’ influenced house/techno so it is really straight from our hearts and completely uncontrived. You often get great results when producers try making music from a genre that is unfamiliar to them as they have no pre conceived ideas about how something ‘should’ sound and just go with what feels natural.
12. What upcoming equipment or gadget do you have your eye on ?
Will Saul: I always have my eyes on various old synths... I would love a Roland Jupiter 8 and a Yamaha CS80.
13. Can you tell us about any upcoming plans, albums, or events that you are involved with ?
Will Saul: I have a short tour of the US in Jan with dates in San Fran on the 14th, LA on the 15th and NYC on the 16th.
Interview made by Zaneta M. Soroko-Ortiz aka Euphoria (TranceSound.net Co-Admin)
Links:
Stomp official website
Will Saul @ MySpace
