Interview : DONNACHA COSTELLO

Myspace

___________________________________________________________________________________

WAS : To begin with, can you introduce yourself ? Donnacha Costello : Costello, Donnacha, 36, Musician, Reading, BBC radio 4, Ted.com


WAS : I see that you are quite good in french, where have you learn our language ?
D. C. : At school and also at University. At one time, I was fluent but after so many years without practice it gets a little rough ;)

WAS : You started writing music in 1989 and discovered minimal electronic music in 1996. How did you end up in this field ?
D. C. : I think that information comes from an old biography that I did not write. In any case, it's not correct. I did my first record in 1996 but I had always been into electronic music. I grew up in the late 70s/early 80s with synthesiser pop, Acid House was very mainstream here in 1987, Detroit house artists Inner City were also always on the radio.






I was writing little ambient pieces with a borrowed DX7 and 4-track tape recorder when I was 17 (1991) and I was listening to WARP artists from around 1993 onwards so it has always been with me.

I got really into basic channel/maurizio/plastikman in 1994/5/6. This was called "minimal techno" back then. I'm not a fan of what they call "minimal" today.


WAS : Can you remember the first record you ever bought ?
D. C. : I bought Thriller by Michael Jackson as a christmas present for my sister.
I think the first record I bought for myself was the 7" of Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer

WAS : What is the musical style you find the nearest to yours ? Which artist(s) inspires you ?
D. C. : I'm feeling inspired by the new wave of really deep techno epitomised by Sandwell District and labels like Prologue and Droid. I'm really into James Ruskin both solo and what he's doing with Mark Broom. There's a degree of crossover there with records I've released since the early 90s but people tend to think of my latest material, with which perhaps there is less in common.

I get the feeling there is a group of people somewhere who are patiently waiting for me to do something that they like again but., importantly they haven't heard what I'm doing privately and, to be honest, they probably won't.


WAS : Which artists caught your attention in 2010 ?
D. C. : Silent Servant. He can do no wrong.


WAS : Which date is your best musical memory ?D. C. : There are way too many to choose from. One of the best was bringing my wife backstage at a Kraftwerk show. I was on the same bill as them at a festival and we got to watch them from 10 feet away. Amazing.


WAS : Do you have any plans for the future you would like to tell us about ?
D. C. : I have lots of plans for the future but I politely decline to speak about them. I've learned at this stage that it's better to DO instead of TALK.


WAS : Do you have any resolutions for 2011 ?
D. C. : To be here for my family.


WAS : Thanks !
D. C. : "Merci a toi!"



Donnacha Costello - Hey, Dummy by Poker Flat Recordings

donnacha costello - its what we do by jackjack

Donnacha Costello - 6.6 by JAVIER SEP