FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Music

Humble Beginnings and Building Momentum with Harvey McKay

He devours seasons of 'The Wire' while on-the-road and has a soft spot for Toronto's CODA Nightclub.
Harvey McKay(Courtesy of Electric Shores)

Harvey McKay might not yet be a household name, but he's on his way. Between his first Toronto show at CODA last month, a Bedrock release right around the corner, and his ability to produce energetic party techno—this easy-going guy is gaining tremendous momentum.

His sound, although, is a varied thing. "It's techno but it's party techno. Although it has a sinister feel to it, it's not too intense, it's not too industrial. It always has that thing that makes you want to party and dance." His set in CODA filled the room with an enormous amount of energy that the crowd happily reciprocated.

Advertisement

"I love CODA, I thought it was a really great gig. It was a really good atmosphere; the crowd was showing loads of love," he says. "Being my first time in Toronto, there were a couple of kids jumping around with tee shirts that said 'Harvey FUCKING McKay.' I felt appreciated."

Glasgow bred, Harvey has built a strong connection with his hometown city. Enabling its unique structure as a way to venture into the depths of the European techno scene and beyond. "The [techno] scene here today is great, really healthy. The Arches and the Sub Club are the two best venues in the city," he says. "The two places really hold their own. I think that's why they survive, because they aren't really competing against each other, they kind of compliment each other and do different jobs."

Most artists can agree that an integral part of building your career is done within a space where you can connect with the public, test out what works, and what doesn't. Harvey says that both Arches and Sub Club have helped not only him, but his contemporaries. "If we didn't have these clubs then we probably wouldn't exist. They're like a good platform for producers. Having clubs like these have probably helped a lot of guys like Gary Beck, Silicone Soul, Hans Bouffmyhre, and myself. Once you go to a proper club with proper speakers and that electric atmosphere, it hits you like a ton of bricks. You want to be involved in it," he says.

Advertisement

"I can always remember the first time I ever walked into The Arches. My friend kept telling me about the Arches, about how amazing it was. The first time I walked in, there were tons of people and it was a totally different vibe. I was just blown away and said 'that's it, I am never going to a [normal] nightclub again, it's clubbing from now on.'"

The Arches (Courtesy of theskinny.co.uk)

With Glasgow being his introduction to the scene, he began and continues to hold his studio in his own home. Living 15 minutes outside of the city, in a quiet area and a quick train ride away from the clubs, he has found his zone to create that banging techno.

"To be honest, there have been times when I thought about getting a studio in the city somewhere, but the acoustics in my room are incredibly good. I speak to so many people that have to go to studios and move about and it seems like such a hassle," he says. "I quite like being in my house, I can work away on my music and then go lie down and relax and watch a bit of television or go and take the dog out."

In the studio he seems to blend house and techno into fluid productions that blur the lines of genres. "I think it's from all the music that I have been exposed to over the years that has accumulated in my subconscious. My production is a very organic process. It has been experimenting with grooves, vocals, and other things until you get that mix that seems to capture people's attention and their imaginations," he says. "But don't get me wrong it took me ten years to get to that stage—ten years of banging my head against a brick wall. The process does tend to change now and again. I think in the past it was consistently changing because subconsciously you want your music to progress, get on the labels, and produce a fan base. So once you feel things are working, you not mess about with it too much now because it's getting results."

With the musical process being an onslaught of walls that need to be broken and frustrating moments where you just can't get the sound you are looking for, Harvey brings in a refreshing and relaxed attitude—one that has no doubt helped him achieve the successes he has today. "I never try and over analyze what I do or get caught up in the process. I like to do things with a cavalier-like attitude, not arrogant or anything like that. Not caring too much— just doing it and enjoying it, rather than taking it too seriously. Obviously I really do care with a passion with what I'm doing. I don't focus on the process of what I'm doing too much. I just let it happen and enjoy it."

With an intense and blooming career, Harvey has some expert advice on a pivotal shift he made to take his production to the next level: "I think one of the things that helped my career a bit was—as my early music was charting and getting played out by larger DJs—charts that had small bits of vocals and stuff that people could really associate with and have an emotional attachment to. Then the fan base really started building up. Rather then just DJs playing my tunes and the tracks getting charted, people actually started to build up and I began to achieve a sincere fan-base. That's what has really made a difference over the past year and a half. I think with a bit of soulful vocals, mixed in with techno, it can be quite a nice mix."

Concluding our time, Harvey discussed how he is currently coping with his extended trips touring around the globe. His secret is one we can all relate to. "I think I've watched The Wire from seasons one through five at least 40 times. I love that program, man. I was actually watching an episode right before this. I love a proper good series. When I find one I like I tend to watch it over and over again, like a good piece of music I never get sick of it. If it's quality I'll watch it—that's what keeps me sane for god knows how many hours I'm travelling around."

You can follow Geoff on Twitter @gpharricks