Rhythmism.comQ&A with LEE BURRIDGE (Saturday, October 27th @ Studio B)
by rhythmism
Monday, Oct 22nd 2007, 02:46 PM
We caught up with Mr. Lee Burridge while he's heavy into his North American DJ tour for his new 3xCD opus maximus 'BALANCE 012' out now on EQ Recordings. We managed to find out a few secrets including the craziest thing he did on the Playa, how he spends his time in airport lounges, and how Jose Padilla's wife got her bald spot!!! You think we're kidding, we're not!
Lee's star is really starting to shine or maybe it's just that darn reflection off his shiny bald top. We have to give big-ups to DJ Mag for recognizing Lee in this month's cover story chronicling his journey to NYC last month for a gig at the potential landmark Webster Hall with our own DJ legend Danny Tenaglia. It was definitely one of the best nights in 100 days off. Without any further ado here it is our very own...
Q&A with LEE BURRIDGE
Wow that's one good looking bloke!
What is the oddest question someone has ever asked you at a gig?
I was playing on the beach in Thailand to around 10,00 crazed people and someone came into the DJ box with a letter in their hand and asked me if I knew where the post office was.
[Ed note: They must have known that Lee was a post man in a past life!]
With all your DJ globe-trotting you must spend a lot of time in airports – what do you do to pass the time?
Masturbation is always a challenge while seated on a plane so that kills an hour or so. I also get to catch up with emails (although actually being connected while flying would be amazing!!) and sometimes get into watching series like Arrested Development and the Sopranos. I try to listen through all the music I get sent although after being in a club all night then not sleeping then trying to listen to music before going to play more can be a little too much sometimes.
Congrats on releasing ‘Balance 012’ on the esteemed Balance series (often referred to as the “new” Global Underground). You’ve actually already done two GUs – Nubreed and 24:7, so this seems like a natural progression for you. How did this opportunity come about?
The involvement was simple. I bet Tom [Pandzic] (label head from Balance) that I could pull off a 540 on my snowboard off a huge kicker. He said if I nailed it he would let me mix “Balance 12.” After I got out of the hospital he took pity on me and let me make it anyway, which was kind of him.
I spent much time and effort on these mixes. I wanted to put out something that not only represented me as a club DJ but would be a mix that people would grow into and want to listen to more than a few times.
I have a problem with DJ mixes and it’s that they always seem to become dull very quickly. They aren’t made with any passion, care or thought and are simply a vehicle to garner press and a little attention for that particular DJ. The best mixes I hear are from DJ’s who aren’t on the radar yet and spend time thinking what they really want to say.
I have been thinking about CD 1 for a while and kept a mental note of tracks I’d put on there if I were to do a mix. This is the reason the track selection isn’t full of brand new or unreleased music. I read a few negative comments on chat rooms from individuals who after reading the track listing (having not actually heard the mix) decided to criticize it (their right, of course) for this reason.
It’s hard to create something with flow and the particular vibe I chose as you’re at the mercy of what’s been made or released around the time you are compiling. It would have just ended up as a collection of unreleased music that a few months later would actually become released music and then have to stand the test of time or not be listened to ever again as a mix.
As I said earlier there’s a lot of thought put into these mixes which is why I went back to my record collection. I wanted records to make sense of each other, to build and flow and create something special not only between each track but also between each disc.
It’s easy to join records together neatly these days especially with programs like Ableton, so I worked hard on finding music that when overlapped in the mix created something new and changed the energy of each track as an individual piece of music. There are a lot of long mixes as well as tracks I’ve weaved in and out and I hope it’s something the listener will start to grow into and notice over time.
This, for me, is the best mix I’ve made since Craig Richards and I released Tyrant.
What is your favorite thing about this album now that it’s complete? What was the experience like putting it together?
I went through many different emotions when compiling, most of all frustration at the ambivalence of labels and producers to giving out their music. I don’t quite understand why labels don’t want their music to generate money for the label and producers.
We were pretty lucky with licensing though. Only the Jose Padilla track proved hard to get clearance for but in the end Tom [Pandzic] went round Jose’s house and threatened to rub his knuckles on Jose’s wife’s head until Jose got the record company to let us use it. She now has a bald spot, but we got the track.
Top 5 producers who are getting your attention right now.
Paul Ritch, Lee Curtis, Jorge Savoretti, Piemont and Chaton.
It seems you have a number of special parties year-round : Love Lee in SF, Burridge Barrage in WMC, Made Event Halloween in NYC – how did these parties come about and what makes them so special?
None of these parties were originally planned as annual events in the first few years they were simply great nights that have grown naturally and innocently each time around. All of them have had an enthusiastic team behind them who couldn't wait to do them again, myself included! Each one has been during one of those times of the year that happens annually itself and this I guess over the last three or four years has given the crowd a punctuation point that they now associate with my events. I'd better start planning out my annual Hanukkah Rave.
Are any new cities on the horizon for annual parties?
It's been sent to the annual holiday think tank party consortium for consideration.
You’ve known been known to be a Burning man convert, saying that it is “by far the best thing I’ve been to in 24 years of going out.” We expect the crazy of the craziest from Burning Man, but what was THE zaniest thing you DID?
I ran naked on DMT into the flames of a rising Phoenix during the eclipse.
OK Lee call us when the shuttle lands
What was the zaniest thing you witnessed?
The guy who was wearing nothing but a mini spotlight on a belt with the light trained on his penis. Simple and very amusing!
Burning Man 2007 : Deep End with Lee Burridge
Lee Burridge spotting at the 08:18 mark
You recently played with Danny Tenaglia at Webster Hall for the Underworld after-party – we heard him giving you kudos on the mic for still playing vinyl. Are you one of the last hold outs? Why is that?
Vinyl is a luxury item these days. I understand people on a budget who live somewhere where it's difficult or expensive to obtain records. There are less and less shops stocking vinyl but well known DJ's have become lazy. They all profess to still buying vinyl and 'ripping' it onto CD or their laptop but the reason they give for not carrying it and playing it anymore is that it's heavy. When exactly do they have to 'carry' their bag (that has wheels)? I travel all over the world and don't get charged excess baggage very often. It's pure laziness and sadly will be the final nail in the coffin for this lovely format. No one is setting the example anymore that playing records is kind of a cool thing. It still sounds better by far than compressed music files.
I'm just a die hard and will buy it until it's gone the way of audio cassettes and then just play from my collection! It's sad to think people will go out to see DJ's staring at a computer screen which is one or two steps away from just going out to see the laptop play on it's own night. Just think in a few years people will gather be having a coffee at work on Monday morning discussing going out on Saturday night to see Sasha's laptop play!
Lee "I *heart* vinyl" Burridge at Webster Hall : Underworld afterparty with Danny Tenaglia - September 14th, 2007
How was your first time tag-teaming with Danny?
Amazing. I love Danny. His energy and enthusiasm and passion for music is very inspiring. I don't admire many DJ's but he is in a different league. It was really easy to play together and I'd love to think we could do it again at some point (for 24 hours would be nice!).
What is on tap for Lee Burridge in 2008?
I hope to put together my own camp at Burning Man next year. I'm thinking of doing 365 again towards the end of next year in totally different cities and will be continuing to release tracks on my own label Almost Anonymous. After the Balance CD tour comes to an end around Miami WMC I really want to have a few weeks off and go snowboarding.
Finally, so this will be your 4th Halloween in NYC – lucky us!!! Let’s recap here: 2004-Cielo, 2005 –B.E.D., 2006 – Club Shelter and now Studio B. Do you already have your costume planned out? Any hints as to whom or what you’ll be?
As usual it will be some kind of bald theme. My options are Captain Picard, Mr Burns, Gollum, Sinead O'Conner, Ghandi, Mr Clean or Kojak.
Nice! Well thanks Mr. Lee Burridge, we look forward to you and your bald head this Saturday, October 27th @ Studio B.
Balance 012 mixed & compiled by Lee Burridge is out now. Order it now!
For more info and tour dates, go to: www.myspace.com/leeburridge
www.myspace.com/balanceseries
Saturday, October 27th
Made Event presents
LEE BURRIDGE
HALLOWEEN BASH
‘Balance 012’ Mixed By Lee Burridge Album Release Party
Studio B
259 Banker Street
Brooklyn NYC
Sound engineered by Integral Sound
Doors at 10pm, 21+ Valid ID
$20 Advance Tickets at www.ticketweb.com
Tickets also available at
Rebel Rebel, 319 Bleecker Street NYC 212.989. 0770
Dancetracks, 91 E 3rd St NYC 212.260.8729
Event Info 917.723.9381
www.made-event.com
www.www.myspace.com/leeburridge
www.myspace.com/balanceseries
www.div-one.com
www.integralsound.com
www.clubstudiob.com
Lee's star is really starting to shine or maybe it's just that darn reflection off his shiny bald top. We have to give big-ups to DJ Mag for recognizing Lee in this month's cover story chronicling his journey to NYC last month for a gig at the potential landmark Webster Hall with our own DJ legend Danny Tenaglia. It was definitely one of the best nights in 100 days off. Without any further ado here it is our very own...
Q&A with LEE BURRIDGE
Wow that's one good looking bloke!
What is the oddest question someone has ever asked you at a gig?
I was playing on the beach in Thailand to around 10,00 crazed people and someone came into the DJ box with a letter in their hand and asked me if I knew where the post office was.
[Ed note: They must have known that Lee was a post man in a past life!]
With all your DJ globe-trotting you must spend a lot of time in airports – what do you do to pass the time?
Masturbation is always a challenge while seated on a plane so that kills an hour or so. I also get to catch up with emails (although actually being connected while flying would be amazing!!) and sometimes get into watching series like Arrested Development and the Sopranos. I try to listen through all the music I get sent although after being in a club all night then not sleeping then trying to listen to music before going to play more can be a little too much sometimes.
Congrats on releasing ‘Balance 012’ on the esteemed Balance series (often referred to as the “new” Global Underground). You’ve actually already done two GUs – Nubreed and 24:7, so this seems like a natural progression for you. How did this opportunity come about?
The involvement was simple. I bet Tom [Pandzic] (label head from Balance) that I could pull off a 540 on my snowboard off a huge kicker. He said if I nailed it he would let me mix “Balance 12.” After I got out of the hospital he took pity on me and let me make it anyway, which was kind of him.
I spent much time and effort on these mixes. I wanted to put out something that not only represented me as a club DJ but would be a mix that people would grow into and want to listen to more than a few times.
I have a problem with DJ mixes and it’s that they always seem to become dull very quickly. They aren’t made with any passion, care or thought and are simply a vehicle to garner press and a little attention for that particular DJ. The best mixes I hear are from DJ’s who aren’t on the radar yet and spend time thinking what they really want to say.
I have been thinking about CD 1 for a while and kept a mental note of tracks I’d put on there if I were to do a mix. This is the reason the track selection isn’t full of brand new or unreleased music. I read a few negative comments on chat rooms from individuals who after reading the track listing (having not actually heard the mix) decided to criticize it (their right, of course) for this reason.
It’s hard to create something with flow and the particular vibe I chose as you’re at the mercy of what’s been made or released around the time you are compiling. It would have just ended up as a collection of unreleased music that a few months later would actually become released music and then have to stand the test of time or not be listened to ever again as a mix.
As I said earlier there’s a lot of thought put into these mixes which is why I went back to my record collection. I wanted records to make sense of each other, to build and flow and create something special not only between each track but also between each disc.
It’s easy to join records together neatly these days especially with programs like Ableton, so I worked hard on finding music that when overlapped in the mix created something new and changed the energy of each track as an individual piece of music. There are a lot of long mixes as well as tracks I’ve weaved in and out and I hope it’s something the listener will start to grow into and notice over time.
This, for me, is the best mix I’ve made since Craig Richards and I released Tyrant.
What is your favorite thing about this album now that it’s complete? What was the experience like putting it together?
I went through many different emotions when compiling, most of all frustration at the ambivalence of labels and producers to giving out their music. I don’t quite understand why labels don’t want their music to generate money for the label and producers.
We were pretty lucky with licensing though. Only the Jose Padilla track proved hard to get clearance for but in the end Tom [Pandzic] went round Jose’s house and threatened to rub his knuckles on Jose’s wife’s head until Jose got the record company to let us use it. She now has a bald spot, but we got the track.
Top 5 producers who are getting your attention right now.
Paul Ritch, Lee Curtis, Jorge Savoretti, Piemont and Chaton.
It seems you have a number of special parties year-round : Love Lee in SF, Burridge Barrage in WMC, Made Event Halloween in NYC – how did these parties come about and what makes them so special?
None of these parties were originally planned as annual events in the first few years they were simply great nights that have grown naturally and innocently each time around. All of them have had an enthusiastic team behind them who couldn't wait to do them again, myself included! Each one has been during one of those times of the year that happens annually itself and this I guess over the last three or four years has given the crowd a punctuation point that they now associate with my events. I'd better start planning out my annual Hanukkah Rave.
Are any new cities on the horizon for annual parties?
It's been sent to the annual holiday think tank party consortium for consideration.
You’ve known been known to be a Burning man convert, saying that it is “by far the best thing I’ve been to in 24 years of going out.” We expect the crazy of the craziest from Burning Man, but what was THE zaniest thing you DID?
I ran naked on DMT into the flames of a rising Phoenix during the eclipse.
OK Lee call us when the shuttle lands
What was the zaniest thing you witnessed?
The guy who was wearing nothing but a mini spotlight on a belt with the light trained on his penis. Simple and very amusing!
Burning Man 2007 : Deep End with Lee Burridge
Lee Burridge spotting at the 08:18 mark
You recently played with Danny Tenaglia at Webster Hall for the Underworld after-party – we heard him giving you kudos on the mic for still playing vinyl. Are you one of the last hold outs? Why is that?
Vinyl is a luxury item these days. I understand people on a budget who live somewhere where it's difficult or expensive to obtain records. There are less and less shops stocking vinyl but well known DJ's have become lazy. They all profess to still buying vinyl and 'ripping' it onto CD or their laptop but the reason they give for not carrying it and playing it anymore is that it's heavy. When exactly do they have to 'carry' their bag (that has wheels)? I travel all over the world and don't get charged excess baggage very often. It's pure laziness and sadly will be the final nail in the coffin for this lovely format. No one is setting the example anymore that playing records is kind of a cool thing. It still sounds better by far than compressed music files.
I'm just a die hard and will buy it until it's gone the way of audio cassettes and then just play from my collection! It's sad to think people will go out to see DJ's staring at a computer screen which is one or two steps away from just going out to see the laptop play on it's own night. Just think in a few years people will gather be having a coffee at work on Monday morning discussing going out on Saturday night to see Sasha's laptop play!
Lee "I *heart* vinyl" Burridge at Webster Hall : Underworld afterparty with Danny Tenaglia - September 14th, 2007
How was your first time tag-teaming with Danny?
Amazing. I love Danny. His energy and enthusiasm and passion for music is very inspiring. I don't admire many DJ's but he is in a different league. It was really easy to play together and I'd love to think we could do it again at some point (for 24 hours would be nice!).
What is on tap for Lee Burridge in 2008?
I hope to put together my own camp at Burning Man next year. I'm thinking of doing 365 again towards the end of next year in totally different cities and will be continuing to release tracks on my own label Almost Anonymous. After the Balance CD tour comes to an end around Miami WMC I really want to have a few weeks off and go snowboarding.
Finally, so this will be your 4th Halloween in NYC – lucky us!!! Let’s recap here: 2004-Cielo, 2005 –B.E.D., 2006 – Club Shelter and now Studio B. Do you already have your costume planned out? Any hints as to whom or what you’ll be?
As usual it will be some kind of bald theme. My options are Captain Picard, Mr Burns, Gollum, Sinead O'Conner, Ghandi, Mr Clean or Kojak.
Nice! Well thanks Mr. Lee Burridge, we look forward to you and your bald head this Saturday, October 27th @ Studio B.
Balance 012 mixed & compiled by Lee Burridge is out now. Order it now!
For more info and tour dates, go to: www.myspace.com/leeburridge
www.myspace.com/balanceseries
Saturday, October 27th
Made Event presents
LEE BURRIDGE
HALLOWEEN BASH
‘Balance 012’ Mixed By Lee Burridge Album Release Party
Studio B
259 Banker Street
Brooklyn NYC
Sound engineered by Integral Sound
Doors at 10pm, 21+ Valid ID
$20 Advance Tickets at www.ticketweb.com
Tickets also available at
Rebel Rebel, 319 Bleecker Street NYC 212.989. 0770
Dancetracks, 91 E 3rd St NYC 212.260.8729
Event Info 917.723.9381
www.made-event.com
www.www.myspace.com/leeburridge
www.myspace.com/balanceseries
www.div-one.com
www.integralsound.com
www.clubstudiob.com
