LUKE EARGOGGLE: Go, Gotoburg, Go!
Interview by Erkki Rautio / pHinnWeb
8 March 2003 -- Luke Eargoggle, a.k.a. Lucas Pettersson, hails from Gothenburg (a.k.a. Gotoburg), Sweden. Luke runs his own label, Stilleben Records and has recorded his ultra-funky brand of electro also for Holland's Bunker Records, Germany's Kommando 6 and others. Luke Eargoggle's Club Telex Noise Ensemble remix (machine-like electro meets 80s style Prince-like funky keyboard licks) appears early 2003 on pHinnMilk's CTNERMX compilation. pHinnWeb took contact with Sweden's funky wonderboy, and here are the results. Tack så mycket, Luke, och ha det bra!
- So what's now happening in the life of Luke Eargoggle, any news?
Well, it depends on how you see it. Basically taking care of the mini-family: me and my son Elliot; doing some music. Meeting friends, performing some; taking care of the label and also preparing the path for some secret plans I won't mention here, because I'm still working on them [winks].- First a question about your musical background: how did you start making music in the beginning?
It all started, when a friend of mine was going to the U.S to study, and he asked me if I could take care of his studio while he was there. And I thought I might as well, so I started to make some noise that maybe became music, without any special thought dedicated to it. And here I am...- What kind of a device is "eargoggle", anyway?
It's in your own imagination to make life even more beautiful: what do you want it to be? Feel free to design [smiles].- What kind of equipment you create your music with?
Really basic stuff. I don't think it's necessary to mention their names here, but I have some synths and effects combined with a sampler and the Atari sequencing. In the future I'm planning to do some shopping, though, for the production part and, of course, for the basslines as well [winks].- Are there any role models or influential artists for you?
No, not really. I think all the people, who are in touch with their souls and beliefs are an inspiration to me -- I'm just happy if I meet them. Doesn't matter if they make music or not; they just have to be funky. Life is full of music you can't hear, so use the codes...- Erm, OK... And any current acts which would particularly impress you, or you feel are on the same wavelength with you?
The same wavelength? Hard to say. I'm not really a fan of my own music myself; I'm always trying to do some better...But I really love Dopplereffekt, Pametex, Legowelt, Orgue Electronique, 8-Bit Rockers, Midi Kassette & Prince Limousine BDD...
- What about your live performances, and any interesting anecdotes about them? What have been the best and worst places to play, for example?
I think all of my live sets been very fun to do in different ways. Brussels has a very strong electro scene; I knew that when I arrived there but still I was suprised of how many electro freaks there were. Very nice, Brussels!Actually, I have a nice story from tonight, when I was DJing at an opening night for a culture house here in Gothenburg. When I was playing I heard one of my own tracks coming out of the speakers, but I knew I didn't bring that record, and I also saw that what I was playing was another record. Really confused, I took the needle off the record and still there was my song coming out of the speakers even louder, without any record spinning there on any of the turntables. I almost freaked! Behind me sat one of my friends, who earlier on had been doing a live set, laughing his head off because he had one of my tracks pumping out of his computer. He really, really got me [smiles].
- You have also played here in Finland: how was that for you?
It was nice! The welcome committee was really something special; waiting with an Egyptian Lover sign at the airport! And in less than 25 minutes I was drunk by the famous and notorius Finnish "Sorbus" wine, and the rest of the trip had the same vibe [winks]. Mini and Perttu -- that was pure love! The gigs were also great fun, and the people: ohhhh yeahhhhhhhhh...- And you have been dealing a lot with Dutch electro people: can you tell any comments how it's has been working with them?
For me, it has been really important in many ways, not only musically; I also got to know some really good friends in Holland that are in the same freaky neighbourhood as I am mentally. For me it's all good and perfect.The sleazy Catnip project together with Legowelt is really something I didn't know before we did some of that stuff... I'm glad we did it, and will do again. Miauwwwww [winks].
- What kind of scene there is where you live? Are there any other interesting electro artists coming from Sweden at the moment? Are you aware of what Pluxus are doing, for example?
The scene in Gothenburg is really fresh when it comes to electro. There are a lot of freaks living here, though it's not that big on the map. Gothenburg is definitely the electro capital of Sweden. I think there are some really good music coming this year from artists like Volfram, Rutherford, Yourpyramid... I don't know about Pluxus, but I've heard people saying nice and inspiring things about them [smiles].- What do you think of the current musical fashions or trends like electroclash and so on?
It is what it is.- Your own Top Ten for the moment/all-time?
The Smiths
The Cure
Hashim
Egyptian Lover
Dopplereffekt and all aliases
Kraftwerk
Joy Division/New Order
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
Drexciya
Dutch electro scene
Old school electro
- Your own future plans now?
To continue my journey as an "Audio Warrior"! Doing more records and tours, some of them together with the labels and projects I'm involved with. There are a lot more of labels coming up right now for different styles and angles, so that will be a lot of work.- Your favourite question they never ask in interviews?
"Tell me, Luke! There's one thing I've been thinking about for a few years now. How can I be as SUAVE as you!?" [Winks.]
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