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The Manchester-based producer and DJ David Wolstencroft aka Trus'me debuted in 2007 with his album Working Nights – a multicolored record full of sample science, House, Boogie, and HipHop. In 2009 he kicked it up a notch with his second album In The Red - this time not only with magic samples and House deepness, also with cool crooning vocal guests like DâM-FunK and Amp Fiddler. Beside making music he released records of such artists like Actress, Linkwood, Fudge Fingas, or Nick Sinna on his label Prime Numbers and established himself as a DJ that peppers his House and Techno sets with Disco, Funk, Soul, and Electro to widen them into something unique and special. Now his third album Treat Me Right is waiting in the wings - a record that grooves deep with Funk and Soul inspired Techno. Before the album sees the light of the day Trus'me delivers a vinyl edition and a CD featuring remixes of his tracks by renowned producers such as the Berghain residents Norman Nodge, Ben Klock, and Marcel Dettmann, Detroit's future Techno scientist Terrence Dixon, or Ukraine's finest House producer Vakula. For Carhartt Radio he prepared a special show of the whole remix packet - a driving evidence of his DJ skills and his taste for contemporary dance music that got that certain 'je ne sais quoi'. To accompany his mix we talked with Trus'me about this and that.
What was the impetus behind the start-up of the label Prime Numbers in 2008?
Trus’me: Music and artistic control on the output of my own production as Trus'me and that of close friends around me. I was scorned by my debut label and swore blind to myself that if you want something done right, then you have to do it yourself.
How would you describe in your own words the evolution of the label since its launch?
Trus’me: An open book of interesting and good music. We have no genre check at all, if we are feeling the production, artist and the general vibes of the people we wish to work with then we are ready to release. Prime Numbers is not operated as a Business, but as a platform for music and we are eager to keep this the ethos of the label. It's up the critics to describe what and who we are as a label.
Do you have a "wish list" of musicians you'd like to see on Prime Numbers?
Trus’me: Of course but I have to keep that a secret, or it wont be exciting when we come to release there work. Not everyone is attainable, as we are living in a competitive environment right now and everyone is either protecting their niche of just doing their own thing.
How does living in Manchester shape your work?
Trus’me: Manchester is miserable and wet, boredom kicks in very quickly and its an unsociable place. This ‘brain-dead’ environment propels you into the studio, as simple as that. I don’t even think about making a beat when I’m in the sun as I don’t want to waste a ray. Musically the city is rich though, and if anything this helped me develop a wide musical palette but I don’t feel this is a particularly a Manchester thing but more of a UK thing. British people fuse everything from food, clothes, and music which spurs creativity, so the UK I would say is my main influence musically!
On what future projects is the label working on now?
Trus’me: I'm looking to build with new artists such as Massimo Di Lena and Nick Sinna. I find a lot of enjoyment in working with new acts and pushing them in the right direction. I'll be working on future EP's as Trus'me and maybe even another LP by the end of the year. The label is active when we have great music, right now I'm inundated with good stuff.
What was your biggest hit so far?
Trus’me: With out a doubt the first LP Working Nights, most of the tracks from this LP have been synched or liscienced to compilations, Cat walks shows and advertising campaigns like Miu Miu (Prada) back in 2010. The new LP I feel will be even more widely appreciated as it has a more universal sound.
In 2007 you debuted with your long player Working Nights – a record full of sample science, House, Boogie, and even HipHop. In 2009 your second album In The Red hijacked the listener with lots of magic samples, but also guests like DâM-FunK or Amp Fiddler croon and House tracks call the tune. Now your third album Treat Me Right drifts more towards Techno. Why? Did you search for new challenges? Or just natural progression?
Trus’me: The first LP Working Nights was predominately an exploration into sampling but I did also work with several musicians. In The Red my 2nd was heavily concentrated on working with musicians with the likes of Amp Fiddler and DâM-FunK. Treat Me Right was a journey away from these previous methods and was essentially me trapped away on my own with a bunch of gear with a more Electro, House and Techno approach. Like in Life you grow, mature and move in different directions. The challenges is to always hold onto your routes but progress in a structured way. Life should not stand still and neither should music.
What did influence you most for the album – love, life, Ibiza, UK, airports, hotelrooms, weather, animals, art, a book...?
Trus’me: Over the past 3 years I've been spending time in Australia and Singapore, escaping the winter you could say. I needed that break to assess life and everything that comes with turning 30. I'm back in my hometown of Manchester currently but I always have itchy feet. For now it suits me best for my hunger of making new music which is currently like an addiction.
How do your experiences with so many people and cultures from all around the world enter your music?
Trus’me: I would say it’s a result of my production vibes catching up with my DJing style. Those who have seen me play and know me best know I love techno as much as I love Jazz. I tried not to confuse the audience with such a sporadic array of production work - already Working Nights my first LP seemed to have the critics scratching their heads on where my heart lied musically. I make music purely on where my headspace is at that point in time. Currently I’m loving a more Techno, House, and early Electro vibe, it has to turn me on it’s as simple as that.
You have a strong love for Soul, Funk, and Jazz – is this love reflected on your new album?
Trus’me: Soul will always run through the veins in some way or other. I believe that is what makes you rise above the rest, we all lean to a more soulful sound even if we don't know it. All thought David Guetta ruins this theory of mine.
Did you use lots of analogue equipment or is Treat Me Right a straight record made by ones and zeros?
Trus’me: I wanted to keep the sound anoligital (analogue & digital) embracing new technologies but keeping the essence of that classic studio production feel. I had all the usual suspects - 909's Juno's, Pro One's, and all that jazz but I tried to not restrain myself with only that and dived head first into the world of Spectrasonics and the quite unbelievable sound that is generated from the boys at Universal Audio. Like my label, Prime Numbers, my palette is wide so you will hear influences from minimal masters such as DBX, Baby Ford to Hurley, Drexciya, and of course Detroit.
How did you select the tracks for your Carhartt Radio show?
Trus’me: The one hour show is mixed with love and compiles the essential of the PN05 CD that has been released in collaboration with Carhartt WIP. I had a lot of fun and a huge smile on my face as I mixed in the music, we have had some great release as a label in the last several months.
If you would do a forecast of what is the sound of tomorrow how would it look like?
Trus’me: That's the fun part of music, nobody truly knows until the next young genius with no inhibitions transform the musical industrywith his or her originality. My guess is South Africa is going to shape the way we hear and enjoy music once again. Something truly wonderful is happening there.
What old albums you rediscovered lately and what makes them special?
Trus’me: I'm digging through a lot of old Baby Ford music, the guy is a genius, truly inspiring but I've actually pulled out a lot of old Hip Hop joints recently. I guess when you are making a lot of House and Techno you tend to lean towards alternative sounds to relax or drive. I want to hear something that reminds me of my routes and they are still firmly planted in the golden era of HipHop.
What track gets currently the most rewinds when you play?
Trus’me: I'm obsessed with Gemini at the moment, I wish we could find him where ever he is? "House music misses you, please come back to us". Also as mentioned before there is tonnes of Baby Ford in my bag right now, can't get enough.
What is the best track by your favourite new artist?
Trus’me: I'm bias but Adesse who we have recently signed to the label is killing it, everything he is sending me for release is making me sit up and listen. Wait till you hear the future release Supernal which you can hear in my latest xlr8r podcast.
Can you name us a track that you would play at your aunties wedding?
Trus’me: Ha my Aunties, not mine or my mums? Well seining though my auntie loves the Beatles she would want Hey Jude of course.
And what is your secret weapon – which track you always play to rescue the dancefloor?
Trus’me: Funnily enough playing one of mine own can hype the crowd back up when I'm playing. I guess if they came to see you play they tend to want to hear your music, but as a DJ I'm always eager to play what's new. One record though does come to mind and that's Romananthony Let Me Show You Love, it's a sure fire party starter.
Do you have any favorite place or club where you love to play? If so: what makes it special there?
Trus’me: America is always fun people really want to dance, Japan as well but to be honest it's all about the crowd not the club. So I would say if the sun is out and the people wanna dance, you never know when it's going to go off!
If somebody gives you a million quid and you had 24 hours to rinse it, what would you do?
Trus’me: Fly to Singapore by the fastest plane known to man, pick up my girl, and lock ourselves in the Marine Bay Sands Hotel to be waited on hand and foot, brining us everything we need could possibly consume.
If you could spend a night partying with any of your icons, who would it be?
Trus’me: Most of them are dead but imagine a night out with Marvin Gaye, David Attenborough, Louis C.K., Adriana Lima, and Eric Cantona. I think we would go for Vietnamese food and just see where the night would talk us.
Do you collect anything beside music?
Trus’me: I use to collect a lot of music gear, but Is that the same thing? I love movies and comedy, so I would say that i'm a collector of these 2 mediums secondly to my love of music.
Can you name us some things that you haven't done yet but you always wanted to?
Trus’me: Stand up comedy I might be terrible but I think that would be a wild experience, acting in some form, learn a language but lets face it none of them are going to happen. I'd like to begin a new business soon, I have many ideas that chase around my head at night. I should really start to use this Masters in Business I have, before it becomes obsolete.
What is the best thing for you about 2013?
Trus’me: A chance to put out new music from the label, tour my new LP. My annual trip to Australia and Singapore and in general to be on the road again, after taking a slightly long a break you could say. Exciting times.
You are located in Manchester. What are your favorite spots and secrets in your hometown that you would recommend to somebody that comes around for a visit?
Trus’me: If you are looking for records then King Bee in Chorlton is a gold mine and the best kept secret record shop wise. If you don't know what Jerk Chicken is then go to BuzzRocks in Hulme and fall in love with the the most addictive soul food in the country recommended by Ian Brown. I'm obsessed with good cake and their is a truly special spot called Tea Hive in Chorlton. In general forget the city centre and vist the suburbs of Manchester, that is where the heart lies.