Craig McWhinney – 10 Favourites

Craig McWhinney ist eine wichtige Figur innerhalb der aufblühenden Techno-Szene von Melbourne. »People are more aware of the broad spectrum of things, but over time they’ve forgotten that there are specific niches« , verriet McWhinney einst seinen Standpunkt in einem Interview mit einem australischen Rundfunkanbieter. Und so gründete er mit Mike Callander und Christian Vance im Jahr 2008 das PlattenlabelHaul Music, um sich der vernachlässigten Stilvielfalt anzunehmen. Seither entwickelt sich der australische Underground zum Nährboden für Rückbesinnung, Neuorientierung und Vernetzung der Technowelt.

Seine eigenen Produktionen – Remixe und EPs für Electric Deluxe, Steadfast Records, Project: Squared und Telrae – finden währenddessen ihren Weg zu Anhängern weltweit. Für den ausgebildeten Designer wiegt der künstlerisch-kreativer Lernprozess schwerer als der ständige Output. Auf der Suche nach der richtigen Rezeptur für sein Sounddesign schmeißt Craig McWhinney deshalb auch Inspirationen aus dem koreanischen Kino oder der Literatur mit in die Waagschale, um damit aktuelle Techno-Tendenzen zu würzen. Als Zwischenergebnis dieser Experimente erscheint im Mai eine 12-inch unter dem Namen Vohkinne auf seinem neugegründeten Label Atrophic Society. Dub- und drumlastig wird es, so viel sei verraten.

Seine Vorliebe für massive, harte Sounds und sein musikalischer Background wurden übrigens durch Größen wie DJ Rush, Luke Slater und Jeff Mills geprägt. Was ihn sonst noch musikalisch inspirierte verrät er uns in seinen »10 Favourites«.
1 – »Prison Sex« by Tool
taken from the album »Undertow«, Zoo Entertainment 1993
Craig McWhinney: This song took me by the balls as a young teenager and has remained one of my favourites for 20 years. Being a drummer through my teens, I listened mostly to heavy rock and metal, with Tool being one of my favourite bands.
2 – »Honey Bucket« by the Melvins
taken from the album »Houdini«, Atlantic 1993
Craig McWhinney: The Melvins were an odd lot, but this song has stuck with me since I first heard it.
3 – »Biscuit« by Portishead
taken from the album »Dummy«, Go! Beat 1994
Craig McWhinney: This song, and the album it came from, really served to bridge my taste between band music and electronic music. After getting into this, I was ready to jump further into the world of techno and electronica.
4 – »Idioteque« by Radiohead
taken from the album »Kid A«, Parlophone 2000
Craig McWhinney: When I first heard this I couldn’t believe just how far and wide Radiohead could cast their net, yet still deliver goose-bump inducing music.
5 – »Pump the Move« by E-Dancer
taken from the 12" EP »Pump The Move / Grab The Beat«, KMS 1991
Craig McWhinney: All time classic detroit track, something about it stirs my innards every time. Will forever have this record in my bag, at the ready for the perfect moment.
6 – »Bug in the Bassbin« by Innerzone Orchestra
taken from the 12" EP »Bug in the Bassbin«, Planet E 1996
Craig McWhinney: The first time I heard this, a friend of mine played it to me and my jaw hit the floor. It real changed my opinion of what can be done with techno.
7 – »(Intro) Version II« by Surgeon
taken from the 12" EP »Basictonal Remake«, Tresor 1997
Craig McWhinney: This is track is the one. The one I’ve had in my collection the longest, the one I always want to hear, that always gets a massive reaction.
8 – »Automatic« by Jeff Mills
taken from the 12" EP »Steampit«, Purpose Maker 1997
Craig McWhinney: Jeff Mills has certainly had bigger tracks than this one, but whenever I hear this record I get excited. This is my absolute favourite of his, and he has been awfully influential in everything I do.
9 – »Untitled« by Maurizio
taken from the 12" EP »M-4«, Maurizio 1995
Craig McWhinney: This record single handedly changed my opinion of dub, though not just dub techno. WIthout this record I never would have bothered to work my way back to King Tubby and the rest. I’ve kind of moved on from all that now, but this record still remains right at the top for me.
10 – »Don’t Change For Me« by Ramadanman
taken from the 12" EP »Ramadanman«, Hessle Audio 2010
Craig McWhinney: Although dubstep is a dirty word now, once upon a time it was rich ground for exciting new music, this track really took me and I think has stood the test of time. I also really like some of the bent, grimy techno that’s currently around like Kowton/Pev and the Livity Sound label.