Camel - Jackmode Radio

Camel, the man of many aliases who began life as a Sound Engineer and who's now a regular at the likes of Fabric and Velvet chats to Helen S ahead of his new EP with his mix for Pulse and Jackmode Radio

CAMEL - Jackmode

Pulse: Yo man, how are you and where are you? Camel: Everything is cool, thanks. I just arrived in Sardinia, the best place in the Mediterranean for summer.

For those that don't know much about you, tell us a little bit about yourself.   I'm a long time producer & selecta from Italy. I’ve done quite a lot of different kinds of music under different aliases. Camel is the last one!  I started making Funk and Hip Hop beats under A:Maver many years ago.

How has the summer been so far? What was the highlight?  The summer for me has started right now. Until two days ago I was locked in my studio putting the final touches on my new EP dropping on the Jackmode label!

I have to ask – why the name?  A tribute! when I spend full days in front of my Mac, my pack of Camel is my best friend!

Your music is hard to define – sometimes very energetic house tracks and sometimes moodier, darker techno (for example, 'The Square'). How would you personally describe your sound?  Honestly, I hope I never have to, as describing sound is one of the hardest things to do.  I'd use attributes like a good mixture of soulful music with strong beats!  When I'm in the studio I never say ok let's make it sound like this track or like that, I just go with the flow and start to search samples in my large collection of vinyls. I always get excited by hearing new music, hearing new sounds and trying new things out in the studio.

What first attracted you that tech house, dancefloor sound? Have you always loved it or did it just come out naturally?  Oh tricky question. I think it just comes out naturally.  After several years producing Hip-Hop beats, Drum n Bass and Breakbeat, I began my Camel alias to make more house beats- my music is the natural consequence of my humour.  Sometimes i like it to be more Techno, sometimes more Jazz, sometimes I prefer go out with my MTB to feel only the sound of the mountain.  I get bored easily, I cant imagine myself working with the same mood every time.

Tell us about your extensive relationship with Deadfish records in London?  A great collaboration with my good friend Mowgli. I've known Michele for ages and we played together many times in Italy,  so it was a pleasure to collab with him for Deadfish.

You have played at Fabric and have had support from Axwell. Do you pride yourself on being this versatile? Do you think it separates you from the rest?
I don't want to be in one genre or have one sound, I just let my feelings of the moment flow and especially I like to express my current mood.

Tell us about the scene in Italy – Do you find it has enough movement and reception to keep you interested?
Italy is currently a hotbed for dance music. The i.music scene is growing at the moment, House is actually bigger than ever here and there are many good artists.

And finally, what does the future hold in store for Camel? Any specific ambitions?
Continue working as before, new works in the studio and keep playing my music all over the world. Like I said previously, I am writing lots of music. I have a new EP coming in the next few months & another Jazz/Hip Hop project with a different aka, more details coming very soon.

Head to Jackmode for more info on the new EP
Jackmode on Pulse