We had a chat with producer, DJ and label boss Frazer Campbell.
he passion with electronic music was cast back in the early 90’s for Frazer where he developed a love for D&B and classic house music. Having floated through various genres, Frazer firmly cast his main DJing preference to thoughtful house music due to its inspiring grooves, captivating soul and subliminal message. Having DJ’d for over 20 years with a little time out in the early 2000s he continued to develop as a DJ but also as an artist.
In 2013 Frazer started releasing productions on labels spanning the globe in Europe, USA and Colombia.
The London based producer has been on flying form of late and is set to release Counterfeit Soul Vol.2 on one of his own labels Counterfeit Soul in the coming weeks.
We thought we’d put some questions to the man himself, here’s what he had to say.
Hi Frazer, thanks for chatting with us. What can you tell us about your upcoming release ‘Counterfeit Soul Vol.2’?
Hey, it’s my pleasure. Counterfeit Soul was really a happy accident in truth. I spend a lot of time in the studio especially over the past 12 months and I began to get a little stressed out with steering myself into a particular musical direction based on the labels I was working with. I have 2 other labels (elliot project and Open Recordings) and of course, people expect labels to have a particular style, which actually really irritates me. Music is simply an expression or a catalyst for an emotion. Keeping certain genres or styles within a boundary doesn’t make much sense to me.
I had just finished my album and was working on various material for my own and other labels and basically became saturated with ideas. Not having the time to procure the ideas made me fall into a bit of a musical hole. I had just finished some real housey jams, which were signed up to Cinthie’s Label Beste Freunde, Arupa Music and WetYourSelf Records. They all had a predominant vocal element and I thoroughly enjoyed making them. So I decided to relax a little in the studio and make some sample heavy bits, as I feel totally relaxed producing them and really enjoy it.
I love vocals in tracks and love a good solid deep house slice packed with nostalgia so Counterfeit Soul was born. The 4 tracks on this EP flowed super fast and I made them pretty quickly. I wasn’t pressurizing myself to get them done I just flowed with it. They have pretty key vocals in them that remind me of different times in my life so it felt natural to get them out into the big wide world. Juno Records were more than happy to pick up the distribution for me and I designed the logo myself which is a pretty big achievement as my drawing is a little suspect at times. Of course, I had a little artistic help from my sister in law (Oksana Bondar) to create the final design. The name Counterfeit Soul speaks for itself due to the sampling…it’s Counterfeit.
How would you describe your sound?
This is a tricky question for me. I play many different styled sets from Ambient to House through to Techno depending on where I play. Production wise I feel most comfortable with Ambient and solid house music but over the past 2 years I have been stocking up on ambient and slightly more experimental tracks.
By the way, I launch another label in January 2019 which will be a digital-only label called ‘elliot project BLACK’ which will be very experimental and more leaned towards deep techno. Sorry had to give it a plug (laughs)!. To answer your question; although I make and indeed play music across many genres I like to think they have a similar coating of emotion and energy… Not sure if that makes any sense but I always wanted to label myself as an artist that created music to make you think. Hopefully, you can get a gist from this confused statement! hahaha. I think too much sometimes!
The release features 4 sample-heavy tracks from classic artists such as Gladys Knight, Lauryn Hill & more. Is this what the ‘Counterfeit Soul’ series will entail?
Yes, my plan for the series is to keep with sample-heavy leads or at least quite recognizable elements so that we can all relive our youth once more. I want the label to ignite memories.
You went straight to ‘Counterfeit Soul Vol.2’, what happened to Vol.1?
Volume one has been floating around for a while. I will eventually release it but only when I think the time is right … it’s all a little secret at the moment but keep your eyes peeled. I will probably only do a limited number of copies, as it’s a special one in my opinion.
Do you have anything else planned over the next while?
Gosh! I do… I work super hard at this as I am totally addicted to electronic music especially House. I am in my 40’s now and I have loved it since my teens! Coming up I have a VA release on elliot project, which will be the 7th release, I launch elliot project BLACK in January with 5 releases already set for 2019. I am working on Collaborations with Steve O’ Sullivan (Mosaic), John Osborn (DRED), Ivan Kutz (Kutz Dubz) as well as releases coming out on Beste Freunde, Wetyourself and DRED. I just received a call today as well to release on Entity London. Plus I am always making music and stockpiling. Like I said I am totally addicted.
Gig-wise I have a pretty busy few months ahead of where I will playing in Moscow, Romania and Berlin as well as playing at my night ‘The Wednesday Project’ at the Lion and Lamb in Hoxton. I debut my deep techno set in Berlin in December which I am super excited about and also play Manchester on New Years Day with Annie Errez, Tijn, Dudley Strangeways and Haydn so that will be a lot of fun. We are all from different corners of the UK so nice for us to meet up and party. Hopefully 2019 I will be in Colombia with Julio Victoria and also trying to set some dates in the USA for spring. Super happy to have this opportunity to do what I love and make people dance. Nothing better.
What can you tell us about ‘elliot.project’?
Elliot project is a very special thing to me. It is my special baby. My main aim with it was to explore the deeper side of House and Techno but it has slightly changed its sound recently that I don’t have a problem with. Everything grows in life and changes, this label is no different. I haven’t released anything on the label since my album (April 2018) due to the reasons I said above (being a bit overwhelmed with ideas) but the next release will be really special as it’s a VA with Jorge Caiado, Paul Mac, Roger Gerressen and myself. Its nearly done but my plan is to release it in spring next year as it will have a real solid house music feel to it. Super chuffed to have these guys on it too.. I really look up to them so its an honour.
Who would you say are the biggest influence on your music? Musical or otherwise.
There are quite a few people that have influenced me but 3 particular people have really helped me in different ways. Jorge Caiado from Carpet and Snares Lisbon is one of the most amazing guys I have ever met. He has explained to me the business side of the music industry and has introduced me to so many key people. The incredible thing about Jorge setting aside his exceptional talent as a DJ, Producer and label owner is that he was more than happy to guide me for nothing in return. His genuine persona really gave me the confidence to keep pushing and create relationships with other great artists from around the world. Playing alongside him in Lisbon a few times has been incredible and moments that I will remember forever.
Great person number 2 is Sir Steve O Sullivan from Mosaic records. I couldn’t even describe how much he has done for me. He is a true friend, I get to collaborate with him on records that sell out across the globe, I gain huge studio experience working with a House music legend and above all gained the confidence to keep at it. I am blessed to be able to cross-reference my tracks with a guy who really knows how to make a proper underground Jam!
Last but not least John Osborn from DRED records. I only know John for the last 12 months but he has also helped me to rid of the ‘shoulder demon’. The demon that sits on your shoulder when you are in the studio softly whispering into your ear ‘that beat is rubbish, in fact, why are you doing this….’ From the moment we met we hit it off and he has booked me for Berlin gigs as well as inviting me to create an EP for his label as well as asking me to collab with him. My EP on DRED is out in December with a killer remix from John himself.
I am super lucky to know lovely people that have faith in me and what I do… For the reasons above these guys are my biggest influencers for how they have helped me but also because they create incredible electronic music… thx guys..The beard loves ya.
What would say is the most important piece of kit in your studio? and why?
(Laughs) Easy! Roland 909 is THE most important piece of machinery the world has ever created! I love it…who doesn’t? I am lucky enough to have one and I use it non-stop on every track. Roland, please feel free to send me some stuff (laughs) – The best musical equipment in my opinion.
What 3 records do you always keep in your bag?
For the last few months, these ones have not left it.. Incredible records. So many to choose from but these are not leaving the bag!
1- Orions Belt’ by Piktor – Subtil Records
2 -Shine’ by Sy – OffPath Records
3 -‘Soul Love’ (Rich NXT remix) by Moonlit Vision – Phorus Records
Thank you so much for the chat I really enjoyed it! Big Love to The 6AM crew..
Frazer Campbell’s Counterfeit Soul Vol.2 is out December 3rd on Counterfeit Soul and available here
