Defected's Ben Lovett speaks to the UK DJ and producer ahead of the release of his sophomore album.
“I’m a music-maker first and foremost” Yousef opens, “but I live in a bubble and that bubble is only a small part of the world. I’d be disappointed if, when I’m older looking back, music was only the only thing I’d done. I’m constantly learning about myself and trying to widen my horizons; that, in turn, puts my music into sharper focus and makes it even more enjoyable.”
Yousef, highly successful DJ, producer and founder of the Circus empire (Circus being an international club night and revered record label, Circus Recordings), has got himself married in the past 12 months and just enrolled, with his wife, for a psychology degree. The Liverpudlian is expanding his mind further than ever. Such life changes, however, coincide with the release of a long-awaited second album; an album keenly reflecting its author’s evolving position.
Following 2009’s A Collection Of Scars & Situations, new, aptly-titled album A Product Of Your Environment is an ambitious, but deeply introspective composition. “My first album was a collection of tracks I’d been working on individually, and just brought together with a couple of extra, slower pieces for colour” Yousef explains. “A Product delves far deeper; it reflects the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, and the situations I’ve been in. It also captures the highs and widening ambitions in my personal life currently. There’s so much going on, maybe that’s why I took a psychology degree to better understand my mind when I’m recording!”
Yousef has collaborated with a bold, vastly diverse collection of artists, singers and musicians, including Mercury Prize-nominated classical and jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock, illustrious Brit classical guitarist Neil Campbell and veteran Chicago house vocalist Alexander East; not to mention up-and-coming singers David Williams and Tom Crew. The new album also witnesses his first attempts at songwriting and full studio mixdown. He has arranged, engineered and mixed everything, whilst only one song features without his lyrics.
A Product Of Your Environment distances itself from the rigid, beat-led format of the typical dance album, more than nodding to the influences of Prince, Radiohead, Pink Floyd and, of course, his collaborators. Nonetheless, there are powerfully realised house and tech-edged excursions, not least the Simcock-featuring Dissolve with its exhilarating interplay between key, string and drum, alongside those immersions into song, melody and soundtrack like I See (haunting Balearic lament) and What Is Revolution (dramatic cinema sweep).
“It’s taken the best part of 18 months to piece together” Yousef reflects. “Other artists have moved beyond dance beats before but, to me, especially considering what I’ve achieved in the past, this is a ground-breaking record. I can listen to those songs and feel I’ve completed a challenge, pushing myself further than ever. I always want to push my production standards. I didn’t want to tread water with straight club tracks forever.”
Was it challenging working with such a big cast and on such a grand creative scale? A Product easily outstrips anything Yousef has done to date. “The most difficult part was mixing down, because I was learning as the album progressed. But everyone involved worked really well together. I think the album flows so well because I was open to ideas during the recording. I didn’t want this to be a collection of dance tracks with guests; I wanted it to be a proper album. I’d let the ideas flow but was always in the position where I could tweak. Everything works together; the album is there to be listened to from start to finish, but each track is a story in its own right. I think the tracks are multi-sounding... dynamic in range, in that they work in the home and club.”
Has any of the original emotional impetus been lost in working with so many people and influences?: “I always felt in control of things. As a person, I have always had a natural interest in people and human behaviour. That has continually translated into my music which usually focuses on themes of self reflection and development. I couldn’t make a record that wasn’t personal or meaningful in some way, even if just meaningful to me.”
Yousef didn’t entirely lock himself away to record A Product Of Your Environment; he has continued to juggle commitments on the global DJ circuit as well as pro-actively run Circus. Nevertheless, much time has been given over to the studio. Clearly, albums offer an important opportunity for artists in terms of creative elevation but are they justifiable in today’s non-stop dance market where being off the ‘floor’ for even just a few days can dent profile and income? Besides, aren’t customers downloading highlights now rather than suites of music? The line between personal and brand progression must be finer than an Arab royal’s bed sheets....
“My album was essential to me, a labour of love” Yousef remarks. “It’s not aimed at any clique or at impressing people. Of course I want people to enjoy it but this was a personal journey; a platform for me from which to share ideas and feelings... to say something honest. I’ve always been keen to do things my way; I’m not part of any fashion movement so to speak, I’m independent. Yes, there are pressures around our scene but I strongly believe you have to do what feels right and true to you. Maybe some of that is bravado but I work incredibly hard to make things happen. The new album might not be the sort of thing everyone wants to review but as long as I can look back when I’m old and grey, and feel proud of what I’ve done then I’ll be happy.”
Yousef’s industry is hard to dispute. The new album will give way to a single, Beg, taken from it and released via Defected late next month. Beg is backed by a remix from fast-rising Leeds-based DJ and producer Hot Since 82, “which I’m playing out more than my own version...it has this smart Hot Creations vibe” Yousef remarks. “It was a fun track to record. It’s, like, quirky techno, and the weird R&B-style vocal really holds your attention. I was listening to it in the car this morning and thinking how pleased I was with the final edit.”
Beyond that, expect new material on Circus from young Liverpudlian producer David Glass – “Coxy, [Loco] Dice and [Richie] Hawtin love him, he’s a really geeky kid with this amazing talent for making records; he’s started DJing at Circus now too” – and, early next year, a 10th anniversary Circus compilation featuring 10 brand new tracks from 10 key Circus associates. “I can’t wait to land that one,” Yousef smiles. “I’ve made a lot of great friends, because of what we’ve done and stand for. I thought, rather cheekily, why not ask them for something brand new and then, amazingly, they started coming back saying ‘yes’. I’m talking about people like Guti, [DJ] Sneak, Davide Squillace. I’m still chipping away at one or two people; others are suggesting they can do something later next year so it’s looking like we’ll need a second anniversary album at some point.”
Can Yousef quite believe Circus has reached 10? Circus, the club night, will be celebrating with parties this weekend in London (this evening, The EGG) and Liverpool (Saturday night, The Masque) featuring house legends (Kerri Chandler) and edgy youngbloods (Nina Kraviz) alike. “In some respects I still view it as a hobby” Yousef suggests. “It’s been extremely hard work but we’ve followed our own noses and the reputation and connections have followed. In terms of the night, it sounds like a cliché but we put every effort into making sure people party with us with a smile; it makes all the difference.”
Undoubtedly, because Circus has now properly established itself ‘down South’ in London and, next month, launches in New York: “It took patience to bed down in London but it was the same with Liverpool; after five months we finally have something special. I did a lot of visits before settling on EGG, for me it was the only place where people weren’t watching what everyone else was wearing; they were focused on the music. The line-ups keep getting better and better; for example, we’ve just confirmed Laurent Garnier in a few weeks’ time and he’ll use our night for LBS’ [Garnier’s live project] last ever show. I’m honoured.”
Yousef has been DJing for nearly 20 years now; a producer for the last 10 or so. Inspired in the early Nineties by Stoke-on-Trent’s acid house mecca Shelley’s, Yousef went on to secure DJ residencies with Ministry, Renaissance and Cream and, in turn, develop a meaty house ‘n’ tech discography including cuts on Cocoon, Saved, Intec and Cecillé, as well as the aforementioned Circus empire. His DJ and production footprints have continued to grow; how different is he within the booth and studio?: “I strip things back more in the studio; I listen to a lot of soul and funk; I reflect more on ideas, because I have the time” he responds. “DJing is my first love, because I started out doing that, and my simple mission is to rock crowds. I worry about the younger DJs coming through because I’m not convinced they are able to do this. I think a full discussion is needed at ADE or Miami; these kids are growing up with technology that allows them to sync anything but it doesn’t teach them how to interact with the dancefloor. There’s no personality to their performances; it’s a major worry.”
Is he worried about the club scene in general?: “America’s so-called EDM revolution makes me feel uncomfortable when it is associated with house. But, in time, it will filter through a deeper level of quality control. The underground scene, meanwhile, is a beautiful thing. There’s actually less money in it, kids creating incredible records in their bedrooms and happy to give them to people like me for free so we can build relationships. There’s a good work ethic out there, lots of creativity and an honest desire to make a career.”
What, then, of Yousef’s future, is he confident of keeping pace with the clubland rat race as he continues to age? “To be honest, who knows? I’m riding a peak right now but realise I will need to work hard in those future troughs in order to stay current and motivated. It’s an exerting profession but the things happening in my personal life now, like the degree, have given me valuable breathing space. I find myself refreshed and itching to go back to music. The music actually feels really fun and exciting again. Today, I’m in a good place - self sufficient and full of enthusiasm. Fingers crossed that I’m able to keep learning and developing.”
Words: Ben Lovett
Yousef’s new album A Product Of Your Environment is out now on Circus Recordings. Single Beg, featuring Hot Since 82’s remix, is released by Defected on November 19.
