Simon aka Psyrok, artiste londonien, nous faisait le plaisir il y a peu de publier ici même Sempiternity, un EP orienté Trip-hop. Die IBP n’a peur de rien, même pas du ridicule, et, n’écoutant que son courage et la petite voix intérieure qui lui disait « une itw en angliche, comment c’est trop hype coco… », Die IBP, donc, s’est emparé de son meilleur accent (NDLR : qu’on ne lit pas distinctement dans le texte ci-dessous) pour poser quelques questions au sus-nommé artiste londonien…
I came over here for the same reason a lot Kiwi’s do, to experience life, travel and see the world. NZ is a very tiny place, and isolated. For the first 20 years of my life I only left the country once. SoI decided to go and live in Australia for a while and then I got bored there too so came to London. Nearly 3 years on and I am still enjoying the dirty city life.
What’s your job right now?
I work for the UK Lottery Fund. The profits from the national lottery are available to charities to apply for as grants and we assess those applications. But I tell people I am a ’musician’ 
How many years have you been making music?
I took piano lessons when I was around 9 years old, but I hated it and quit as soon as I my parents would let me. Then I didn’t play any instruments until around 15 when I started playing guitar. Since then I kept playing guitar and picked up bass as well, playing in various bands with friends. I started experimenting making electronic music around 2004 with the Playstation music game. I enjoyed it, so I eventually got a PC together and Fruity Loops software. Once I mastered how to use FL, I found I could make reasonable quality tracks so I started getting serious about producing in the last 2 years.
Is London a good place for making music?
Absolutely, it’s probably one of the best places to make music as far as opportunities go. Besides my electronic work, I play bass in a band and we are never short of venues to play at. It is also great forgoing to gigs and getting inspiration from the musicians you really admire, beacause EVERYONE plays in London – compared to New Zealand, where you might see 3 really big overseas bands in a year, if you’re lucky!
Do you remember the first audio stuff you got (LP/EP/Toy/…)?
My very first record was Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet on vinyl. I bought it with my birthday money and it started my dream of becoming a rock star
Wow… There are miles from Bon Jovi to your electronic music: do you still think about making the girls like dancing ? 
Yeah, it has been a long journey, but hey – tell me 1 person you know that won’t sing along to ‘Livin’ on a prayer’ ? And I always think about dancing girls.
One person? I am this one! (not on my head! ). I think the only thing I know from Jovi is a stuff talking about « a bed of roses » in the 90s. I do hate guitar heroes (but I did love them). Well, well, well… Tell me, what kind of hardware and software do you use to make your music?
At present I am using a crappy PC that I got free from work, Fruity Loops Studio and Audacity plus a USB condenser Mic. It’s a very simple set-up but it works for me. Maybe in the future I’ll learn how to use Reason and Ableton, etc.
Do Psyrok plays live?
So far, no. I have recently been offered a slot DJing my own stuff at a club night in London that showcases NZ music, so that will be the first solo Psyrok gig. I’m looking forward to getting out there.
What’s the next step for Psyrok?
Well, I have just release my first CD. It’s a 5 track EP with a range of styles. I released it on my own micro-label ‘Psylince Records’. So I will work on publicity for that right now, try to get some reviews and maybe even sell 1 or 2 copies! (Check www.psyrok.co.uk for details! )
Some words about remixes?
I enjoy making remixes. I do it mostly for fun, and have entered a few contests. The latest contest I entered was remixing a track for trance label Pure Substance, my track came in the top 10. I was happy about that!
Would you like to become famous? Who do you really admire? (not necessary in music)
I really wouldn’t like to be super-famous. I would prefer that everyone knows the name Psyrok, but not the face! I admire a few different people. Musically I admire a range of artists. Some of my major influences are Mike Patton, Tool, The Mars Volta and Massive Attack. I admire all of my family and friends for many reasons. And of course Tom Tipunk Records for their good taste in music!
Thanks a lot, Si, and see you soon.
Interview sous licence CC-by-nd 2.0 Fr par Die Intellektronische Biparietal Projekt.
Retrouvez Psyrok sur http://www.psyrok.co.uk
