Interview: Jay Dene's of Blue Six (Email)Jay Dene's of Blue Six released his debut album, 'Beautiful Tomorrow'. Since the album was out in 2002, Blue Six have gone on from strength to strength. With an ever growing fan base of music-lovers of house, electronic and soul. Jay Dene's is one of musics greatest hidden talents.
01. Matthew - Hi Jay, thank-you very much for doing this exclusive interview for Feel The Soul. I've loved your music, since 'Beautiful Tomorrow' album came out. When did you start making music?
. Blue Six - I started plunking out bad tunes on my aunt's piano when I was in my teens. I saved money from a crappy kid job and bought a used Fender Rhodes. I can clank out the chords and play some funky stuff, unfortunately I'm no Virtuoso. I've tried to make up for it with writing and arranging. And my programming skills have gotten quite good after many years of work.
02. Matthew - And a question I always like to ask; is who were your first musical inspirations?
. Blue Six - My earliest memories of music? I was in love with records from my older brother's collection; Santana, Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder. Lucky to have grown up around such LPs. When I got a little older I became somewhat obsessed with Jazz, John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, Coltrane, etc. After that came Roxy Music, XTC, and Talking Heads. I went about it somewhat backwards. I liked popular music more as I got older, I was not in step with my peers, they were going to see KISS and I was going to see Ornette Coleman.
03. Matthew - How have you felt about the way music has changed over the years? Are you uninspired or unhappy about its progression?
. Blue Six - 'Resigned' might be a better word! Having lived most of my adult life in the business I'd be lying if I said I like it. The music business is something one suffers through in order to be able to make music full time. That being said, most of what gets made is simply a result of economic conditions in a given time period. There's been no artist development in the record biz for over 20 years now. So, of course music has suffered greatly. People didn't suddenly get untalented or insincere, there's just no economic infrastructure left to support the development of excellence. So when it occurs it tends to be a bit of good luck, a hit on a first record that allows an individual or group to have a long enough career to develop their skills. Having never had a major label hit, I've been lucky enough to survive on the 'underground' version of the same phenomenon. I've managed to sell enough records over my career, that I get to keep making them, and really, I just want to be better tomorrow than I am today. Things do appear to be turning around now. A new business model is emerging that's scaled down to reflect a new internet distribution reality. Hopefully they'll be some good new artists that manage to hang around long enough to be great.
04. Matthew - The vocalists you've worked with have always brought beauty to the recording. How did the studio link up w/ Lisa, Aya and others happen?
. Blue Six - I've known them all for years. We're all New Yorkers (or transplanted ones), we're in the same musical circles. Obviously you gravitate towards people that have similar musical inclinations. I pride myself on my ability to work with singers, and get their best work out of them. It's taken me some time to understand the nuance of vocal recording.
05. Matthew - Please talk to me about Naked-Music. Why has it been set up, how it was set up etc, general insights?
. Blue Six - Originally it was a production company started by me and my partner Dave Boonshoft, the label just seemed like a sensible thing. We didn't want to sell our music to third parties any more. We figured we could do it as well as they do. For the most part that's been true. Also, I have marked a version to being told what to do/make, it's a nice, a bit risky, way to control your musical destiny. It's continued to evolve, gradually becoming more and more aligned to my truest inclinations.
06. Matthew - Where are your favorite places in the world to DJ?
. Blue Six - I don't DJ. Never did. Boy I lost out on some easy money...
07. Matthew - Would you say that your a multi-talented artist?! What are all your creative talents?
. Blue Six - Well, over the years I've been forced to learn a lot of things. So I suppose I am now! I write music and lyrics, poetry, and essays on occasion. I'm a producer, engineer, and photographer. I've done these all professionally, so I suppose it wouldn't be unfair to say I'm 'multi-talented'. I'm also a pretty good cook!
08. Matthew - Do you have any hobbies outside of music? Or are you just music mad?
. Blue Six - As I listed previously, I like writing and photography, and I love to cook. Though it's no fun cooking for fewer than 6 people. I like to read. I'm the sort of person that other artsy types may find interesting but most people would probably find fairly boring.
09. Matthew - Your latest album, 'Aquarian Angel' is now available. What was it like making that record?
. Blue Six - Uh, rough. I was at a turning point in my life, career, etc. I felt I needed to be myself without a filter and I was pretty scared that people would reject it for not being what they expect. I'd been put in a rather confined box by Naked's fans, and I didn't want to disappoint them, but at the same time, the last few records (Aya, and Lisa Shaw) have been steps on a path toward my own, and the label's musical truth. Without the support of Dave, and a few of my closet friends I would have never made it through this one. Making records of the type I'm interested in is very very draining. I'm meticulous, a lot of overdubs, editing, etc. I throw a lot of stuff out, I was trying only to complete the material that I felt was truest.
10. Matthew - Have you brought in any new voices for 'Aquarian Angel'?
. Blue Six - Not on this one, I'm currently working on the new Naked Music NYC record for next year, that's got some new voices on it. You'll see, I hope.
11. Matthew - What is your worst personality trait/bad habit?
. Blue Six - I can be impatient, I don't suffer fools gladly. This sometimes gets me into trouble.
12. Matthew - What would you like to change about todays world, if you could!?
. Blue Six - Man, what a question! Enlightenment for humanity would be nice, but short of that, a less corrupt administration over here would be helpful.
13. Matthew - What can we expect from Blue Six in 2007 and beyond?
. Blue Six - Making the new Naked Music NYC album, and then the new Aya album after that. We'll see what else pops up along the way.
14. Matthew - And what can we expect from Naked-Music?
. Blue Six - Eric Stamile's record will be out in the fall. More techy, he's really great at that stuff. A couple 12's end of summer. Mike Callahan's working on his instrumental EP for us. Just trying to keep the quality consistent.
15. Matthew - Are you planning on visiting London for any tours and such?
. Blue Six - No tours yet. Not sure what's up for next year.
16. Matthew - Thanks again, I love your sound and if you need any further support with Naked-Musics releases and your music, Feel The Soul is your new online home! Take Care, Matthew Daniel.
. Blue Six - Thanks.
Words by Matthew Daniel
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