Matt Hodson releases music as bit|bin, now available on Herb Recordings.

UDR: Talk about your new EP. Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish? Producing a complete record is ambitious... what are you most proud of in regards to this project?

BB: My first release, the Alias EP was conceived over about a year, all
in all, which seems like a long time, but I was just taking my time, giving myself a year to get it together and to be happy with the process and the result. The main theme/concept to the EP derives from how the songs were written and are certainly a reflection as to where my headspace was throughout writing them, which I think you can feel and understand when you listen. That sounds a bit cliched, but most of the things I produce reflect where I am at a certain point in my life, and it has been a weird time as of late. Besides, the art of listening to albums as a whole is a dying past-time, no one really does it now, so I think the Alias EP is easy to dip in and out of, but I do recommend listening from start to finish and then finish to start.

Its not until after I re-listen to tracks maybe a month or so after finishing them that I can slip back where I was at that specific time, although I'm usually more engrossed in how I ended up mixing something. I never see myself as someone who sits down and says 'ok I am going to write about this or that' intentionally, but I guess I do it unconsciously. It's fair to say that the songs are not just about me; some of the songs I guess are vibing on representing emotions rather than evoking them. So yeah, the songs are quite diverse. I mean, some have vocals and yet others are instrumental, and pretty much everyone of them features different equipment with varying approaches to their production and conception.

I feel very happy to have my music out on a label now, and many people seem to be very happy to have it available. Its an odd feeling to suddenly gain so much interest from an audience that I've never met, but I know they must have a link or an attachment to my output which, in itself, is beautiful. It feels as if they are all just an extension of whatever happens to fall out of my head, acting as a kind of 'thank you'. Herb Recordings and I have decided to include 3 bonus tracks on the CD release of the Alias EP, which are not available via download, and which are going to make that particular version an even bigger trip to listen to.

I haven't really moved on from the Alias EP. There has been a slight shift since this EP was put together but only because things around me are changing quite a bit. I don't intend to steer too far off the path I'm on right now though, but that really isn't something I can control. I have to feel a part of what I'm creating (its just pointless otherwise) no matter how good the production. Just to let you all know, I have started working on material for the next release, which I hope will be a full album, but I'm trying to divert my thoughts from that of 'ok I need to be writing an album'. I'm just composing as I feel and not 'cause I have to. I mean, you can't force it. There will be a day I am sure where I can no longer communicate with my ideas, and so I will stop. There is of course a target for a release date for new material, but it can't be rushed, it has to be done on your own time/terms, or it just sounds rubbish, but I guess it depends on what your trying to convey. I'm writing pretty much full time, so I end up with a lot of material. I seem to be working quicker these days; I have a studio, setup just as I like it, so I can get down what I'm hearing in my head pretty quick and manipulate, add, or subtract from that quite easily. There is a progression in my production and writing as a result of that. I have old songs which I've thought about expanding and re-working, but I'm always excited about the next creation, and so I tend to strive on with new material. There are always obstacles whenever I make music, and it's usually myself. I work on a level that makes whatever I do personal and is only an extension of what I have going on in my head. It can also be hard to be totally happy with a track. I'd have to say I'm only happy with the newer tracks I am producing at the moment. I guess this comes down to learning about who you are when you're writing music, because I find it very hard to understand myself anyhow. It also helps to understand the equipment you are using too... well, actually, that's not always true.

I tend to also buy, when I can, a new piece of kit and sell off old stuff, and each time that changes the sound (obviously) but keeps things interesting for me. I wish there was some kind of hardware or software that would grow around who you are and alter its funtions based on your personality or vibe; a more interesting way of integrating your mind with a synth than with your fingers and a manual. All that aside, I find I am starting to stay very clear of cliches as much as I can and things that make me cringe -- like cheesy stuff, and the kind of stuff that is just so obvious it bores me. What I do has to interest me, first of all, and only then will I think about pursuing it and finally sending it to the label.

This is a very exciting time for me, and I hope I don't start getting too excited and start writing crap like some artists do once they start getting a following. There's so many groups/artists I have gotten into, their first album, and loved it immensely only to be let down by their later stuff. I don't know why that is!?! I have lots of ideas and feelings I want to delve into and I seem to have enough interest from people out there to keep going. It's hard to say where your going to go as an artist, especially as I have done so many different things, not only with other music and bands, but with friends, and concept-wise. Its also getting nearly winter time again; I love winter, especially the light and smell around that time -- I generally don't like summer. What I do hope is that I continue to keep writing what I am happy with and people still find it interesting and listen to it with an engagement of some kind. But you don't know what people are going to think of new material, although saying that, I reckon they are gonna enjoy what I have up my sleeve!

However, this EP is allowing me to be getting out with the live set I'm putting together, which is going to be more than a 'one man and his laptop' kind of thing... I've got a drummer playing an electronic kit, which I'm gonna be interacting with, as well as live vocals and synths, etc... should be fun. I also have a guy producing some visuals for these shows. There will also be a chance to participate in some of the shows with microphones I will have around the venues... hopefully! So, keep an eye out for the live dates coming up soon on bitbin.co.uk, which has been re-launched with a whole new design, and at myspace.com/bitbin, you'll get to see more of what bit|bin does. I have just launched a myspace page exclusively for the Alias EP at myspace.com/aliasep, where you can get more info on the EP as well as a music video for one of the songs.

UDR: What's the idea behind the bit|bin alias. How long have you been creating under this name?

BB: I have been going under the the alias of bit|bin now for about 3 years, although I have been creating music for much longer, for as long as I can remember. It's never been the same kind of music, there has been a progression/development/realisation, or whatever you want to call it, in my music over the years. I just couldn't do anything else, and I am happy about that because music can be a hugely personal trip for the writer, and it has documented my life so far. The idea behind bit|bin is just me and my outlet for expressing and doing what I do naturally. Just doing my thing, my way. If my music is a representation of me, you will have to ask me mates, but I think I'm just as confused and warped as my music. The title of the EP just made sense, as it was my first release under this 'Alias', it also goes well with the 'bit' thing I guess, although I won't tell you how I came about with the name bit|bin. I never had any real idea to go and get the music 'out there', but since the label offered me a deal I thought I'd give it a go, and the music is doing well. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy people listening to my music and vibing from it... I like to hear what people get out of it and how it makes them feel. Feedback and all... where would the world be without feedback? Sometimes, the comments and thoughts I get about my music can be the opposite to what I feel, which is great to hear. I love trying to understand others' perceptions. I'm just more than happy becoming totally submerged in my mind and making music for friends and myself. Its like painting. I find it's very therapeutic. Trying to hone in on your feelings and puking them out through whatever way you can, this is my way.

Of course, I enjoy working with other people, and I don't mind collaborating, but there has to be some kind of vibe with that person that's on a level you can feed from and interact with. I have had this before, but people change and time moves on and you can't help that. I'm very happy to be working with just myself and my machines, but I get asked to do things now and then by people. I just did some music for an animation about unicorns, which was a bit mad, and I am doing a total studio recording for a rock band's new single. On the other hand, I have tried working with people by just sending files around, working on them for a bit and then giving them back. This works really well I reckon, and it's exciting 'cause you don't know what the other might do, and they have no say or input to what you do, etc. It's an amazing evolution, but I usually have a pretty good idea about how something will progress, from the moment I start writing... it's quite obvious to me where something can and will go, then as I carry on I try to surprise myself with some new elements. It's all a learning process for me... both musically, technically and psychologically.

I'd say, if anyone wants to do any collaborations or remixes, to get in touch with me.

UDR: Talk about your formal education a little bit, your recent MA in
Audio Technology... a bit about what you learned/expected from this
endeavor, and how you feel it has influenced your style & your sound-smithing.

BB: Hm... well, education... never really liked school. School was a good education in how to feel small and useless. My teachers were very good at that. My music teacher tried to supress me by pushing me to read, write, and understand music on a black and white level. There was nothing I really liked except for art class. Saying that, I recently finished an MA in Audio Technology which was a lot of fun, and really allowed me to fall into new directions and ways of working. I tried to avoid any kind of theory work, I don't really want to understand the 'ins and outs' of how things work, too much. It's nice to be naive about things, especially for me and the things I use; it keeps everything more interesting. I like to think my studio is learning to work with me rather than the other way round. But it's still fair to say I'm a 'tech-head' to some extent, but I'd rather use a paintbrush than a soldering iron any day. I'm surrounded by some very clever people who can just see audio and music production on a totally different level than me, and in some ways I'm envious, but more often than not, I'm happy with my own mis/understandings.

UDR: Some of the users may not know about your work prior to the Alias EP. Give us the low-down on your previous releases. I noticed that TLSO was played on BBC Radio 3, which is exciting...

BB: A few years back, my main output was working as a duo on hugely diverse music. We did an album's worth of material together but nothing ever got released as such, but we were doing it mainly for ourselves and exploring what and who we were. Though, I have always written on my own, and after that musical project fizzled out I was able to carry on exploring my own head and finding ways of filtering the results into audio of some description. I did lots of things which still remain in my studio, but some things I have made public, such as some prepared piano pieces I did and a new idea I came up with called TLSO (The London Synthesis Orchestra). This is an orchestra of synthesisers, computers, and radios, conducted by myself, offering a truly innovative and unique experience. I write music for TLSO using non-conventional compositional techniques of color, images, and simple lines on a piece of paper, with an inflamed vision of steering away from rigid structure and melody with a greater desire for influence and interpretation from performers -- the total opposite of what my school teacher tried to impose on me. Please check the website tlso.co.uk or myspace.com/tlso for more information. BBC Radio 3 featured a track of the first ever TLSO performance, a few months back on the 'Mixing It' show, which was great to hear; this mad collection of droning and resonating synths coming from such a mainstream station.

UDR: Talk about your relationship with Herb Recordings and how that came about.

BB: Herb basically received a demo from me at the beginning of the year, as well as a number of other labels, as I thought I was at a good place musically to get some feedback from labels, etc., and I had a little time on my hands, as I had decided to take some time out from the studio. Herb and a few other labels got back to me, and Herb was the first to offer me a deal so I took it. They already had a great bunch of artists on the label, and Craig, who runs Herb, is a nice guy and was showing a truly honest interest in my music. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, getting involved with a label, but it has all been good so far. It has certainly acted as a huge door for fans and people interested in my music to get hold of material, as well as a sense of 'belonging' for me in the ever growing landscape of internet labels and like-minded musicians. I guess it also gives me a focus as an artist and to maybe take myself (dare I say it) a little more 'seriously'; a statement I make with a pinch of salt. However, you wouldn't believe some of the questions I get asked by fans!

UDR: Briefly, what is on the horizon for bit|bin?

BB: This has been the biggest question from people besides asking when the CD of the Alias EP comes out. Well, with an even newer album coming together, which seems to be taking shape very nicely, I am hoping to get out and gig very soon. It's just taking a little organizing, so that it's right for when I do it, and that people want to even come and see me! I'm trying to expand what I do as a writer in the studio and make the live show something more eventful, which engages the audience more than 'one man and a laptop'. It's all going to be live, I know that much. I'm sure the dates will be advertised on my website and on myspace, etc., but I can't imagine it being this year. I'm also making some music videos for the tracks on the Alias EP, as well as doing things like interviews! But the main focus for me 90% of the time is this new album I am working on. I hope to get it finished soon. It's a studio album and explores where the Alias EP left off. I then have some ideas for some live recordings.

There are a few things I have up my sleeve, but you're going to have to wait. In the meantime, I have to get back to my studio. Thanks for the interview.

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