Leeds-based electronic artist CARMICHAEL on his latest music
Early influences being Radiohead, Oceansize, Burial, Four Tet & Bonobo. Drummer & percussionist. The importance of being consistent & patient. Mezcalitas. His monthly radio residency on Bloop London & more.
Fuzzer: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some of our questions! First of all, we'd love to know about your musical journey from when you started producing and making music?
CARMICHAEL: So started playing and making music from a very young age with my Dad and brother, performing and writing in bands for a long time. I’m a drummer & percussionist by trade after studying at Leeds College of Music and have worked as a session player for many years, however I always had a passion for songwriting. I started my production path around 3 years ago to feed my obsession with electronic music. CARMICHAEL as a solo project has only been in the world for a couple of years but I’ve done a lot previously in the industry which really helped me kind of figure want I want (and didn’t want!) to create as an artist.
Fuzzer: Awesome! Where are you from, and where are you based now?
CARMICHAEL: I’m originally from a small village outside of Glasgow but moved to Leeds to study back in 2010 and that’s where I am still based currently.
Fuzzer: Who were your main musical and creative influences growing up?
CARMICHAEL: I was extremely lucky to be exposed to a vast and eclectic range of different kinds of music growing up whether it be from my dad or brother and friends. I was listening to absolutely anything I could get my hands on. I’ve been hugely influenced by the post-rock era of the early 00s but also acts that crossed over the boundaries of band & electronic music such Radiohead, Oceansize, Burial, Four Tet & Bonobo.
Fuzzer: One of our favourite tracks of yours is 'understandme'? Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this track?
CARMICHAEL: ‘understandme’ is a bit of an up-tempo/lofi-house number which was something stylistically I’d been exploring for a while after being inspired by artists such as Fred Again.. & Duskus. I actually had multiple versions of the idea before settling on its direction.
Fuzzer: Nice! Another track of yours that we love is "CTRL" with Josef Khan! How did this collaboration come about?
CARMICHAEL: One of my tracks was getting played on the BBC Introducing show and so I was listening in that night. The track before mine came on was by this guy I hadn’t heard of before - Josef Khan - and it blew me away so I was straight onto his socials and sent him a DM to see if he’d like to come to the studio and have a session. Next thing we knew we’d come up with CTRL after a matter of hours and it really was such a natural environment between the two of us. We got along great and have released another track together as well as sitting on a good few works in progress which will hopefully make it out into the world this year.
Fuzzer: Amazing! One thing we do for each of our interviews is we customise a cocktail recipe in relation to a project of the artist we're interviewing! So if your track "all the love i give " was a cocktail, what type of drink would it be? What liquor or flavours do you think it would have?
CARMICHAEL: It would have to be some sort of a twist on a mezcalita. Mezcal, lime, Cointreau, agave, basil and elderflower.
Fuzzer: That sounds absolutely delicious! And what music are you listening to at the moment? Are there any new artists/songs you would recommend we listen to?
CARMICHAEL: Aw man I listen to so much variety really. I recently saw a folk/funk fusion band live called the olllam who are insane. I’m really into an electronic producer called Waleed right now - think his stuff is just so forward thinking and inspiring. And also I’ve been rinsing the new Moses Yoofee Trio album which is just like this unbelievable future jazz vibe.
Fuzzer: What's one of the best pieces of advice or lessons you've learnt across your career so far?
CARMICHAEL: I think I’d have to say just be consistent, patient but persistent and just literally make as much music as you can because you’re always only one tune away from making your next milestone.
Fuzzer: Great advice. Last question! What have you got planned for 2025?
CARMICHAEL: I’ve got my first release of the on 28th Feb with my good friend Junior Simba which I’m excited about. I’ve sitting on a ton of music so will be hopefully putting out plenty of singles throughout the year. I’ve got my monthly radio residency on Bloop London and have plenty of guest slots on other radio stations lined up … anddddd most of all I’m writing an album secretly in the background but that will surface when the time is right - could be this year though with any luck!
