Argy, aka Argyris Theofilis, born of Rhodes, Greece, is one of these rare artists that lives and breathes his art, creating deeply personal pieces of work and winning both the adoration of his fans and respect of his peers in the process.
Since stepping into the spotlight with his 2005 'Love Dose' - a track that was duly championed and remixed by Luciano - at the age of just 19, Argy has set about confounding expectations with an extremely varied output, releasing on labels from Poker Flat to Ibadan, as well as his own These Days imprint.
Now he's back on Defected, remixing an artist with whom he shares a similar outlook on the way music should be crafted, Osunlade. Here we discuss his approach to tackling 'Envision', the reaction to his recent sophomore album 'Fundamentals', and what it means to be a 'real' artist...
Cadenza Podcast | 014 - Argy by Cadenza Music
How are you today…?
I am much better than yesterday and a little worse than tomorrow. That's the spirit! Other than that I am preparing my bags to fly to Brazil for a Vagabundos event with Luciano and the boys this weekend.
Your 2005 hit Love Dose was your first big hit… how long had you been making records before then?
When ‘Love Dose’ happened I was 19 but I had already started making electronic music a couple of years before that in my hometown in Greece. I had never done anything so dark as ‘Love Dose’ before so I think moving to London at the time had clearly something to do with it.
How has your approach to producing changed over the last few years?
Well, in the beginning I was putting sounds together in order to make an ‘example’ of music. Now I am really expressing myself through sound, as music has become a language that I feel comfortable using and conversing with.
You recently released you second album ‘Fundamentals’… what’s the reaction from fans and other DJ/producers been like?
‘Fundamentals’ was received very well as far as I know and heard from the general buzz that it has created. I am glad to finally be in a position to go for any musical direction and not having people say "who the hell does he think he is?”. It took me many years but I finally created an image through my choices and personality that the audience pretty much expects anything from. I may release on Defected but at the same time I may do a really obscure techno release on Versatile Records. So in that sense, a sort of New York revival album on Ibadan Records from a relatively young in age producer was thankfully a pleasant surprise for the music community.
Tell us a little about your label These Days… is there a particular ethos or musical direction which the label stands by?
These Days is my personal playground, which is a very pleasant break for me when I have been working with so many big companies such as Cadenza, Cocoon, Objektivity, Pokerflat and so on. It’s not a record company, it’s a record label which stands for diversity and although it’s a dance music label it has more of an indie approach to it. I am very much inspired by Tony Wilson and Factory Records. That's the attitude and style archetype.
What has been the most challenging thing about running your own record label?
Other than the nightmare of vinyl pressing these days and the German tax system? I would say getting a banner [on music download sites] sometimes. It takes other skills which I don't possess.
Your remix of Envision has been getting a lot of positive attention… how did you approach remixing a track that Ame’s version had already made so popular?
The Ame remix was fantastic but I got tired of it because I simply played it way too much! So although the pressure was sort of big, it was natural to do something completely different with the vocal parts this time. In the beginning I told Osunlade that I wanted to remix something else from the album but he insisted on ‘Envision’. After several jams, in the end I went for something similar to how MK would approach it in the 90s. Many people have been using that type of organ sound lately but I feel like their drums are lacking in power and ‘attitude’ so I wanted this to have my own signature energy and twist.
Are you pleased with how it’s been received?
Yes, but I am also pleased that I pleased myself too. And very thankful to be working on such a gorgeous original. Osunlade is reworking one of my songs as we speak and it sounds great too.
You’re quite similar to Osunlade in that you take responsibility not only for the music on your label but also the artwork – do you think that kind of attention to details is important in making an impact?
He should excuse me for talking on his behalf, but we are similar because we are both real artists. We are not just sound technicians. Sometimes we make big records and sometimes our tracks just fly under the radar of the more mainstream audience. In both cases, we don't plan for this to happen. Our only aim is to be honest to ourselves and to our art. And this sort of attitude brings more music lovers to appreciate our music rather than people who use music as a medium for other purposes. In this sense, the detail is very important to attract the right people. And yes, "God is in the detail" as a famous architect once said.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about…?
"I don't know what more to say
Hey you what's that delay..."
Envision (Remixes) is available now from Beatport, Traxsource and DStore
www.facebook.com/argyofficial
Argy Management & Bookings - pierre.s@cadenzarecords.com
Picture by Tania Saraiva 2012
