Interview: ana+one

Interview: ana+one

25 November, 2008 | 9.09AM

• Written by: Dylan Joseph
• Filed under: Music News : ana+one, ocr

ana+one aka. Jesse Morrison (pronounced “anatone") takes us there and back again on his musical journey between two fabled Canadian cities.

OCR:  Tell us a bit about how you came up with the title “Relocated Minds”

a:  The name came to me while i was in my thinking tank - also known as the shower where my best thought’s come out.

Basically, it has to do with my move to Montreal and back to Toronto and all the things that happened in between.

OCR:  Describe the environment in Hamilton (Ontario, Jesse’s hometown).  What made you decide it was time to go?

a:  Well, Hamilton can be easily described as Canada’s version of Detroit in the respect that it is a working class city that is based on it’s industry.  The heart of Hamilton is based on it’s industrial/steel sector much like Detroit.  To me Hamilton has always been a city with a lot of great talent but it seems to be in a rut that it can’t get out of.

Deciding to leave Hamilton was an obvious decision.  After being involved in the Hamilton music scene since I was 12 and playing in bands all around the city, I realized that it was a city that was overflowing with talent that no one was supporting.

There were so many artists that should have gone on to do great things but never did do to the lack of support in the city.  Basically I did not want to waste any opportunity that I may have.

OCR:  So you could have gone anywhere in the world.  What led you to Montreal?

a:  Well there are a number of things that led me to the poutine capital.  Montreal is only about a 5-6 hour drive from Toronto/Hamilton, so it wasn’t like picking up and moving to Europe or another country.  Also I am fluent in French and have family that lives in Quebec.  At the time of my move, Montreal was just starting to explode with it’s “minimal” seen thanks to local artists Marc LeClair (Akufen), Vincent Lemieux and fellow Ontario transplants Mike Shannon, Scott Montith and Jeff Milligan.

Being in the middle of a exploding seen like the one in Montreal was one of the greatest things for me as a musician, I mean when you are surrounded things like “MUTEK” and “LAIKA” and are exposed to that level of talent there is nothing better.

OCR:  How would you describe Montreal and the culture there to someone that has never been?

a:  Well Quebec/Montreal has it’s own culture compared to the rest of Canada.  It is a French speaking province and maintains a strong hold on it’s European culture.  Really there is nowhere else in North America you can go and find this type of way of life.  It is very unique.

I mean even with a city that boasts a winter average of -20C and at least a foot of snow on the ground at all times.  There are still plenty of things to do in or out side.

I really recommend visiting Montreal if you haven’t already been, but for those sensitive to the cold you may want to wait until the Summer.  Nothing beat’s summer time in Montreal… Trust me!

OCR:  What do you think were 2-3 of the most important things you learned about production while you were there? 

a:  I think the most important thing I learned while living in Montreal was my attention to detail.  If you listen to all the artists that have come out of there (native or not) the one thing that always stands out to me is the attention to detail.

Another important thing I’ve learned was it’s not always what you use in the studio but how you use it, you would be quit surprised what some people use and get away with.

OCR:  Where these things you would have learned anywhere else or do you think that Montreal is reflected in your style somehow?

a:  I’m sure you can learn these things anywhere.  For me this is just what I learned while in Montreal.  Living in Montreal for the last 6 years I’m sure has influenced and molded my sound in one way or another.

OCR:  You once told me about the “secret weapon” of Montreal producers.  Has the time come to share the secret or are you keeping it under wraps?

a:  LOL!  Well I like to call it the “secret weapon” because it’s a tool that I don’t think many people take seriously in production. FL (you guys can figure it out on your own) has always been a under rated program in my opinion.  I mean sure it sounds like shit but with a little work you can polish the sounds up and really get some good work done in a very short amount of time.

Not to say this is the only thing I use in the studio but it is a program that I currently use.

OCR:  It’s somewhat difficult to put a finger on - and we don’t want to paint everything with the same brush - but there are some consistencies in productions I hear coming out of Montreal.  Maybe they are somewhat less inclined to be stark and take themselves too seriously.  To my ear, they are a bit more funky and whimsical.  What do you think?

a:  Again I think this may have started with Marc (Akufen) and his funky style of humoristic style of techno.  Marc is really the guy that paved the way in Montreal in terms of the minimal seen in. The life style in Montreal is a very laid back, so there isn’t much pressure witch allows you to be creative and do your own thing with out boundaries.

Also when Vince and Marc started their label Musique Risquee, their goal was to put humor back into music.  You might think that humor and Minimal Techno is like oil and water but with their first and second release and especially with Crackhaus’ “Blame Canada” it really showed everyone that this was no joke… or was it??

OCR:  Have you attended the MUTEK festivals?  What are your thoughts on them?

a:  Yes. I have been to every MUTEK festival except for the first and this year’s festival because I was playing in Detroit.

Like Montreal, MUTEK is very unique.  There is no other festival in North America that hosts this level of global and local talent.  There are so many artists that I had never heard of or seen before until attending MUTEK and the vibe during the festival is something is one to be experienced.

There are live panels with some of the artists, free out door shows, all night shows, workshops and just about anything you can think of going on during the almost week long event.  If you haven’t been, then what are you waiting for?

OCR:  So what led you back to Toronto?

a:  I think it was a combination of wanting to bring back the drive to want to do things musically here in Toronto like the drive that is in Montreal.  Also I am planning to move to Europe eventually so being close to family and friends is always a good thing before moving on a new continent.

OCR:  Has it changed much since you’ve been back?

a:  It’s sad to say but not much has changed since I left.  There are a few new things going on with promoters like Tempo, Fukhouse still keeping things going and of course SECT and the Open Concept label witch is bringing something to Toronto that I don’t think the city has not seen since the days of Stickmen Records.

OCR:  Everybody knows that the food over there is on another level.  So give us your three best places to eat - stuff that you can only get in MTL:

a:  I’m going to give you the names of these places.  You’ll have to find them on your own.

1- Romados (Best BBQ Portuguese chicken in the world)
2- Spicy’s (Best roti in the city)
3- Euro Deli (Home made fresh Italian cuisine)
and a bonus spot....

4- La Banquise (Best poutine in Montreal)

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