We're thrilled to share the latest installment of "Behind The Rytm"! This time, we're bringing you an exclusive interview with Gary Beck, the powerhouse behind Bek Audio and a leading figure in Glasgow's techno scene. Get ready for a fascinating conversation filled with exclusive insights from one of the scene's most influential figures!
What production tools and techniques do you particularly enjoy using?
I have a very 'old school' way of working. I still use a PC, and I still use software such as Acid Pro and Sound Forge, with very little plug-ins and effects. I feel so comfortable with this fairly simple set up. I'm constantly recording sounds from my hardware along with sampling old vinyl from the 70s/80's & 90's. This is a very enjoyable way of working for me! I love traveling to 'Charity shops' and Car boot sales, in the hope of finding some old vinyl. Not only is it enjoyable to listen to the old records, but it's so much fun finding a tiny sample that works in the track I'm constructing. I feel that there's a lovely texture added to the music when I record this way.
Your drums and synths consistently stand out in your productions. Could you share your preferred method for achieving such distinctiveness?
I love to layer my drums until It feels full and complete. I've built up a huge database of kicks and one hit sounds that I just mix and match together. I have my Model Cycles by Electron, which has added a whole new dimension to my drums. The sounds from this piece of equipment really boosts the depth and 'punchiness' off the drums. I like to mess around with the final sounds in Izotope 'Ozone', just to give it that final squeeze and polish. In terms of the synths, I mostly use my Roland Fa-09, which has a nice range of sounds. I especially love its soundbank of synths that sound more orchestral, as you will hear in my track 'Ghost'.
Throughout your nearly two decades of touring, is there a show that holds a special place in your heart?
Yes, I remember it well. My father had never seen me play before, and he was always a little unsure about what I was doing. He is a huge fan of Football, especially South American football. So, a few days before I was due to play Crobar in Buenos Aires, I decided to ask him if he wanted to come. To my Suprise, he said yes! Fast forward two days, and my father was in the club, standing behind me in front of a packed out Crobar! It was a really surreal moment, and one that I will cherish forever. The following day we went to see Boca Juniors, so it was an incredible weekend of Techno and Football for us!
When crafting your tracks, do you typically draw from old sample banks or record drum machines, processing them either in or out of the box for each new track?
I sometimes go back to old folders if I'm feeling a little bit stuck trying to find the right element, but to be honest I don't like doing it that much. I prefer to work on new elements that will give the track its own identity. Of course, there are some sounds that you just know will work, like certain rides and claps, but it's more of a last resort for me. I like to create new sounds from my machines, along with interesting samples from old records. I'll process them all in the computer afterwards.
Do you find yourself mixing as you compose, or do you prefer to complete a track before diving into the mixing process?
Yes, I'm always mixing as I compose. I used to do a 16 bar loop and just build on that until I had the right elements. However, sometimes when I went to arrange and mix the track, I would lose something from the song. It could be the energy, the feeling or whatever. Now I stretch out every individual track into 5 minutes long. Then I just layer, chop, and mix/eq everything as I go. Once it's complete, I might change a few small elements.
How has your hometown of Glasgow influenced the development of your sound?
It certainly inspired me at the beginning. Glasgow is a City with a huge musical heritage. I was lucky to work in a club called the Arches as a barman, and every weekend, they would bring in DJ's & musicians such as Jeff Mills, Goldie, and Zero 7 to name a few. I was learning all the time from hearing such incredible Artists. I would take inspiration from what I heard in the Arches, and try to replicate it in my small studio. I would spend hours in my studio, obsessed in trying to find my own sound. Eventually it captured the interest of Glasgow's 'Soma Records'.
Have you encountered any particularly challenging periods in your career? If so, how did you navigate through them?
Yes, at the beginning, I spent years trying to get signed to a label. I went through endless knockbacks on the way. I remember times when I seriously questioned my ability, and if the pursuit was worth it. I started to DJ at some small local parties around this time, and I plucked up the courage to play some of my unsigned music. To my surprise, they worked well! So this gave me the inner belief that it was only a matter of time, so I kept at it.
With an impressive discography, is there an EP that you're especially proud of? Could you share why it holds significance for you?
I have two that stick in my mind. One is an EP and one is a single. The first one would be my release on Richie Hawtin's 'M_nus' label, called 'Consumed'. At the time, nothing was really happening for me musically, until I received a phone call from Richie while out shopping. He said he had heard a demo of a track called 'Consumed' and he wanted it for the label. It was an incredible moment for me. It pretty much helped change my whole life! After this release, I found myself traveling all over the globe, which was like a dream. The second would be my first EP 'Over To You' on my record label BEK Audio. Naturally, this one means a lot to me, as it signaled the birth of my label, which I'm still running almost 15 years later.
From your experience, what's the most important advice you would give to the new generation of DJs and producers?
Do it for the right reasons. Do it because you love it. Do it because you want to push the envelope with your sound. You might not get the results at the beginning, but trust in yourself and always believe. Good music will always shine through. Don't get too wrapped up in all the social media noise. It only gets you down and wastes valuable studio time.
Are there any specific artists, tracks, or DJ mixes that serve as inspiration for your own music?
There's so many. But if I was to highlight one, it would be Luke Slater. He is a genius, and I've found his music so inspiring over the years. I love the constant energy and soul he puts in his tracks. The energy never drops, especially under his P.A.S alias. I often check back and listen to his tracks and mixes if I'm feeling a little uninspired. He has his own unique sound, and sometimes his tracks make me laugh - they are that good! A true artist. I recommend any aspiring Techno producer should check him out.