At first glance, the strongest association you're bound to make with DJ Andrew Grant is Circo Loco at DC-10. As the party's first and lone American resident, Grant has become as much a fixture of the fabled Ibiza institution as its ubiquitous Crazy Clown mascot.It was actually 14 years ago that Andrew booked his one-way ticket to the island and started playing six hour sets in the former fuse lodge of a converted plane hangar. And in the decade plus since, he's witnessed Circo Loco's transformation from a desolate 200-capacity after hours into one of the most recognizable clubbing brands in the world.But the Baltimore native is looking to expand on that history and evolve with NAOME, his alias and debut album for My Favorite Robot Records. Taking maximum advantage of its full length format, the release highlights breathy vocal intonations stretched over slowly churning disco beats, thick baselines, distant percussive notes, swelling synth chords, and an overall sci-fi soundscape.Eager to discuss the freedom of producing behind an alias, THUMP caught up with Andrew on the eve of NAOME's release to talk about exploring his new musical environment, being a label boss and, of course, the legendary Circo Loco.THUMP: What can you tell me about the meaning behind your NAOME guise?
Andrew Grant: NAOME stands for Not Andrew Only ME. It's about myself working with other musicians on different concepts. Music for outside the club. I feel like the name Andrew Grant was associated with genres that were either techno or house. But the NAOME moniker gave me the chance to bring in real singers, a guitarist?elements to achieve an abstract sound.So was the inspiration to reinvent yourself as an artist?
I was inspired to do this because I was always listening to indie music, rock and roll or hip-hop from my early years. My older brother actually had a large collection of rock and it spilled over on me. The time that it took to produce this album was over two years. It was a mix of arranging instrumentation for the studio, and even working remotely with others to complete the sequencing and engineering.Let's talk about "Great Escape". I would define its tone as atmospheric… ethereal. Very Balearic, like a lazy day on the beach. Is that the feeling you were trying to evoke?
"Great Escape" is meant to make you think about a better land or opportunity out there. To escape into another place—it's coming for you, it's coming for me. That type of thing.
Life On Planets are special guys. Patrick from the group and myself have partnered to find and nourish the label's catalogue together. They have a very bright future as artists. I look forward to seeing them rise.You are also one of the forces behind EDEC too, correct?
Yes, I also run EDEC with Jon Hester. The sound there is focused more in the direction of techno with some degrees of darkness and toughness added. Honestly, I feel blessed to be part of two great labels that preach different music than your average cup of tea.The impression I'm getting is that you're on a personal mission to separate yourself a bit from the other DC-10 residents. Maybe to show that you can do a wider range?
Indeed. I feel that variety and diversity in my style is what helps set me apart from other Circo Loco regulars. Most DJs are tagged to a sound, be it techno, house, tech-house, etc. But I can play all of these genres given the chance. Opportunities are endless. Just look at the very one Circo Loco first gave me to be their first American resident ever!'NAOME' is now available on My Favorite Robot Records, you can purchase it here.1) NAOME "Space Station" (feat. Symbol)
2) NAOME "Desperate Soldier" (feat. Dimes)
3) NAOME "Subtle Gestures"
4) NAOME "Amity on Keys Interlude"
5) NAOME "Making Lace" (feat. Life On Planets)
6) NAOME "Kosmatic" (feat. Slumber)
7) NAOME "Great Escape" (feat. Ony)
8) NAOME "WherrWe" (feat. Nanni)
9) NAOME "Belly of the Beast" (feat. Sutja Gutierrez)Andrew Grant is on Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud
My Favorite Robot Records is on Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloudChristopher on Twitter: @theCMprogram
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Andrew Grant: NAOME stands for Not Andrew Only ME. It's about myself working with other musicians on different concepts. Music for outside the club. I feel like the name Andrew Grant was associated with genres that were either techno or house. But the NAOME moniker gave me the chance to bring in real singers, a guitarist?elements to achieve an abstract sound.So was the inspiration to reinvent yourself as an artist?
I was inspired to do this because I was always listening to indie music, rock and roll or hip-hop from my early years. My older brother actually had a large collection of rock and it spilled over on me. The time that it took to produce this album was over two years. It was a mix of arranging instrumentation for the studio, and even working remotely with others to complete the sequencing and engineering.
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"Great Escape" is meant to make you think about a better land or opportunity out there. To escape into another place—it's coming for you, it's coming for me. That type of thing.
Tell me about working with ascending Life On Planets to curate music for your imprint, Better On Foot.
Life On Planets are special guys. Patrick from the group and myself have partnered to find and nourish the label's catalogue together. They have a very bright future as artists. I look forward to seeing them rise.You are also one of the forces behind EDEC too, correct?
Yes, I also run EDEC with Jon Hester. The sound there is focused more in the direction of techno with some degrees of darkness and toughness added. Honestly, I feel blessed to be part of two great labels that preach different music than your average cup of tea.The impression I'm getting is that you're on a personal mission to separate yourself a bit from the other DC-10 residents. Maybe to show that you can do a wider range?
Indeed. I feel that variety and diversity in my style is what helps set me apart from other Circo Loco regulars. Most DJs are tagged to a sound, be it techno, house, tech-house, etc. But I can play all of these genres given the chance. Opportunities are endless. Just look at the very one Circo Loco first gave me to be their first American resident ever!'NAOME' is now available on My Favorite Robot Records, you can purchase it here.1) NAOME "Space Station" (feat. Symbol)
2) NAOME "Desperate Soldier" (feat. Dimes)
3) NAOME "Subtle Gestures"
4) NAOME "Amity on Keys Interlude"
5) NAOME "Making Lace" (feat. Life On Planets)
6) NAOME "Kosmatic" (feat. Slumber)
7) NAOME "Great Escape" (feat. Ony)
8) NAOME "WherrWe" (feat. Nanni)
9) NAOME "Belly of the Beast" (feat. Sutja Gutierrez)Andrew Grant is on Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloud
My Favorite Robot Records is on Facebook // Twitter // SoundCloudChristopher on Twitter: @theCMprogram