Introducing: Sierra Sam

Introducing: Sierra Sam

10 June, 2010 | 6.17AM

• Written by: Beatport Mike
• Filed under: Music News: introducing, sierra sam, toys for boys

It might seem strange that we’re devoting an “Introducing” feature to someone who has released more music than a good many so-called “superstar” producers. But despite the length of his discography, Sierra Sam has kept a surprisingly low profile until now, working behind the scenes and providing countless tracks and studio expertise to some of the best names and labels in the biz.

Since his debut in 1993, Sierra Sam (aka Sammy Goossens) has released records for Belgium’s pioneering R&S Records, Mark Broom and Dave Hill’s Pure Plastic, and Dave Angel‘s Re-Load Records, along with many others. As a co-producer, he played a crucial role in crafting Underground Resistance legend Suburban Knight’s ‘My Sol Dark Direction’ LP for Peacefrog, and more recently Sam helped produce Bloody Mary’s debut full-length, ‘Black Pearl’.

Born and raised in Belgium, Sam made the move to the techno mecca of Berlin in order to help Jay Haze with his Tuning Spork and Contexterrior labels, but that hasn’t kept him from branching out and launching his own imprint, Toys For Boys, now several dozen releases deep. A busy man, indeed… and for what we predict to be his best year yet, it’s time to formally introduce the man behind the scenes.

When did you first feel that you had finally discovered your own individual sound?

I never did! People tell me that I have my own sound, but I can’t really say. I like to experiment in a lot of directions when I make tracks and I don’t stick to any formula.

How would you describe the sets you play?

I always try to take people in a journey. I like to go through different atmospheres and moods. I try not to stick to one genre, but of course I want to stay consistent.

What’s your preferred time of night (or day) to play a set?

It really doesn’t matter. It all depends on where I play. If it is Berlin, not too early!

How do you explain your music to your family members?

I don’t even try. They have no idea about it. I tried to play them some stuff but I gave up after a minute. I am bad at explaining what I do.

Where do you record?

I record in my home studio. I manage to get a nice sound in there and I like it a lot.

Do you currently have a favorite piece of gear/software?

I really like the MC202 right now, I use it a lot. I also like the Tetr4 by Dave Smith. I am back to my Detroit roots and I enjoy old machines again. We just made a remix with Marcus Vector using only MC202, TR909, TB303, MFB drum machine, and a Little Mike (a very rare piece of gear).

Are you a morning person or night owl?

I can be both. I like to wake up before noon—I can’t sleep late. When it comes to making music, I am more a night person, but I always do the final mix or the final tweaking during the day.

What inspires you when you go into the studio?

Anything can inspire me. I like to chose a synth sound I like, play around on the keyboard, maybe add some drums, find a cool vocal hook. I used to play drums, and lately I’ve been recording live shakers, cymbals, claves…

Which record do you wish you had made?

So many. I admire so many producers. I can’t name just one, I love a lot of music. Let’s try: right now it would be Andre Lodemann’s ‘Where Are You Now’ or Nicolas Jaar’s ‘Time For Us’.

If a tsunami were headed for your house, which one record would you rescue before the waves hit?

My hard drive with all my music. I don’t collect records.

What was the best party/gig/festival you’ve ever attended, and why?

I had a great time going to Les Ardentes Festival in Liege. It is my home town in Belgium, and they did an amazing job setting up the festival. Good atmosphere, great lineup, and I run into friends all the time, so it is super cool for me. Unfortuantely I can’t be there this July, as I’ll be in Mexico.

What was the best party/gig/festival you’ve ever played, and why?

It’s difficult to name just one. I would say Watergate, it is always amazing. I don’t play there a lot (maybe once a year, which is already good) but it was a great moment every time.

Musical genre: horrible, constricting categories made up by journalists and PR lackeys, or fields for creative play?

People need to put names of music. So I guess it helps to make your way. There is so much music out there, that it is not too bad to categorize it.

When you’re not listening to electronic music, what do you listen to?

I like pop, rock, jazz....Arcade Fire, Antony & the Johnsons, Grizzly Bear…

When you’re not making or playing music, what’s your preferred pastime?

Hanging out with friends, traveling, going to exhibitions, movies, TV series, surfing the net, and checking new gear. (Yes, I am a geek.)

Tell us about your upcoming gigs and releases…

A lot of stuff right now :
* Bloody Mary just launched Dame Music and I have a track on the first release (along with Quenum, Argenis Brito, and Bloody Mary)
* A remix for Tim Xavier & Pär Grindvik on LTD-400
* An EP together with Marcus Vector on Supplement Facts
* A track on the Time Has Changed overview, again with Marcus Vector
* Another EP on Time Has Changed with Marcus Vector
* And yet another EP with Marcus Vector on Dirt Crew
* Also a solo EP on Contexterrior, with vocals by Little Mike (very rare piece of gear), remixes by Alland Byallo and DiY (yeah, Marcus Vector and myself again...)

• (0) Comments
• (1855) Views
• Get Sierra Sam on Beatport