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Music

Fake Blood is the Voldemort of Dance Music

Guess who's back, back again.
...and I'm not just saying that just because he's bald. Like Voldie, Theo Keating disappeared for a while to gather his strength, but rather than spending that time scheming on how to kill children, he cooked up a truly rocking EP, titled Waiting. This trio of tracks draws influence from a buffet of dance music styles, and it comes at an ideal time: right before WMC and SXSW. As cliché as it sounds, this is one of those times where you can get away saying "It was worth the wait." I recently got the chance to have a little chat with the mysterious producer to discuss the sound of his new EP, his backround in hip-hop and his lifelong passion for graffiti.

THUMP: You've been pretty quiet on the release front lately and are gearing up to drop a massive EP. Can you tell us about your choice to hold off on releasing under the Fake Blood guise over the last six months or so?
Fake Blood: I needed to give myself some space to make music at a pace I enjoyed—to experiment a bit, because the best results come out of experimentation and fun. I'd been going hell-for-leather (with DJing especially) for a few years, and so I needed a little breather to save my sanity. The Waiting EP is only the start of a series of more regular releases from me this year.

The EP's lead track has a really euphoric vibe that's different from what you've done in the past. What was the inspiration behind this track? And what is the ideal environment to listen to this track?
If anything, I had in mind the house music I grew up listening and raving to—that mixture of American club sounds, London bass, and fuzzy atmosphere that formulated my record collection over the years. The ideal environment is in the ear of the beholder!

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Have you been touring a lot lately?
I've been taking some time off DJing recently. I wanted to give myself the space to make some new music and enjoy it, rather than grabbing the odd hour here or there, as was the case when constantly travelling!

Over the course of your career what have been some of the most vital lessons you've learned as an artist?
I'll try and leave out the harsher truths! Those are shared over a drink not in an interview. But, look after your ears. Party, but don't become that dick who's defined by it more than his music. The music is the key, always. Just keep hungry and stay curious, I guess. Keep trying to learn, and keep it moving!

You came up as more of a hip-hop DJ and was part of the group The Wiseguys. Can you tell me briefly how you made the transition from that type of performing and producing to the artist that you are today?
There wasn't a specific moment. The Wiseguys was a particular project that I did, that expressed a side of me, but I was always into house and techno as well, and would incorporate it into DJ sets. I felt I'd taken that project as far as I could, so I stopped it; and then it felt natural to do something different afterwards. I always like to set myself new challenges, rather than just repeat things I find easy. I can't understand when people make the same thing for 10 or 20 years.

What kind of stuff do you love to do when you're not DJing or producing?
Apart from the usual stuff—books, movies, staring into the void—the one thing I love to do, and that is a huge release for me, is paint graffiti. Anyone who follows me on Instagram can see it.

Do you have plans in the future for an album? Do you think in today's industry landscape that this is something that is necessary for an electronic music artist?
I did an album a while ago, Cells, and it was enjoyable to make, but I don't have plans for another right now. I prefer releasing my music in twos and threes as I make it. An album is something that is really interesting to create as an artist—an expression of various ideas rather than just club tracks—but doesn't always mesh with the way dance music is consumed and enjoyed.

Who are some other artists of the moment that you are currently really digging?
Whoever comes with those tracks that hit the spot. That can vary from day to day. I don't support a football team.

Fake Blood's Waiting EP is out now on on Blood Music. Buy it now on Beatport.

-@DLGarber