Larry Heard, Chicago-USA

Name:Mr.Larry Heard
Born:May 31, 1960
Age:39
Occupation:Musician, Composer, Producer, Artist,
Television Audio Director, Reporter,
Graphic Artist and Mentor.

1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage music could you tell us how you got started in this game?

I started playing drums in 1977. In 1984 or '85 after several years of lack of forward momentum and creative input with numerous groups and styles, decided to do some experimenting with keyboards and drum machines. Soon afterward I independently release a musical piece that I'd done in 1985 (Mystery of Love / Loose Fingers)that had been receiving really good responses on the "underground/club" level in Chicago.

1B.Many people within the music profession term you as a multi-keyboardist. However, we know that you are quite good at the drumming, percussion playing and of course Djing. Which doing you prefer. Making the music, or playing it as a DJ?

Making the music!

2.There seems to be a huge influx of Chicagoans within the world of Soulful House,Deep House and Garage ranging from Roy Davies Junior to Glen Underground, to Chris Gray to Steve "Silk" Hurley that has influenced many people across the world...What's so special about the area to have yielded some of the most influential acts within the scene....? Or am I seeing things which are not there again?

I don't think there's anything really "special" about the Chicago area. It's probably simply the fusion of the styles we came up listening to [what was presented publicly, for the most part, i.e. radio and clubs] and the current generations' creative ideas and needs. And, just to make note, there's not an "influx" of Chicagoans, Chicago is an indispensable component in the genre'.

2a.I have spoken to a number of people about this, and had conversations over e-mail about this very statement. Some, of your greatest works were with Robert Owens and Ron Davis as Fingers Inc. "Never No More Lonely' 'Distant Planet' or 'A Love Of My Life' suddenly spring to mind. Is this fair to say. Or are we forgetting the other moments in your musical career? Is there a chance of seeing one more time as a album project another "Finger Inc" release?

Sorry - Correction: Ron Wilson. "A Love of My Own"

"Greatest Works" would be more of a "individual taste" issue. Therefore, I couldn't say what that you're missing or forgetting about any particular titles due to the fact that I don't know exactly how much each person has heard. The same would apply to the general public also. For example, when I was recently in London, a guy told me how much he loved "Big Bang Theory", and that really shocked me! And, I always get those kinds of shocks from people. Of course, there are titles that come up more than others, but for the most part the comments pretty much cover the whole body of work. The creative person [especially musicians] and the listener are viewing the scenario from different perspectives and are seeking different kinds of fulfillment. I more see the "body of work" as a whole and the listeners see the individual selections. I think I touched on the subject matter of the "popularity contest" that you're drafted into when you release music. I personally prefer not to participate in that aspect. We have to really realize that just because something isn't at the top of the charts doesn't mean that it's not relevant.

-As far as another "Fingers, Inc." release, only time can answer that question. I have spoken to Robert about collaborating and he is positive about it. Coordinating it is more the issue than being creatively compatible. I don't know where Ron Wilson is at the present.

3.You have only just a finished your trip to London, England. How did you fair? Where did you play out to this time around...? I heard that Marica Carr from UK Rumbal had you on her Internet Pirate radio show. How did you get on there?

The trip was excellent! I wasn't in to do any performing, just press stuff. I taped a show with Marcia Carr @ UK Rumbal, it was cool, but then, Marcia and I go back a good way, so at this point we're pretty much friends as well as associates and contemporaries in this type of pursuit. I also stopped in a "hung out" with "Janice and Lorraine" @ Atlantic 252 and Alek Sethi @ SBN as well as a few others for chats.

3b. As we are talking about London. Garage City and the Loft (both situated in London) are often mentioned over here as places to go if you want to here Soulful Type House...Have you been to them yourself? Did you get a chance to visit them as a clubber instead as a performer? If so, was there any major differences between UK Clubbers and Audiences, and that of the USA?

Sorry, I haven't been to Garage City or The Loft.

The major difference that I've seen as far as the clubgoers as well as just plain "listeners" internationally, is that they're still [to an extent] interested in the MUSIC and still [to an extent] "receptive" to creative ideas.

4.I posed this question to DJ Cosmo, and now I'm going to pose it to you.Did you get a chance to listen to those "famous", or infamous illegal pirate radio shows" within London? Did you get invited to play on any of them? Would you have played on them any way?

Actually, this time around, I didn't. The schedule, as I mentioned, was pretty much press work for the recent trip. Of course, I would have been interested, but "time" does play a factor in how much one can get done.

5.Whilst you were in London did you have any time to do any record shopping. Or was it a case of using the time to visit or meet up with old lost friends and relations?

I did get a chance to go record shopping!

6.Being a D/Producer, as you are. Could you see a difference in the crowds towards House and Garage in America, and House and Garage in Europe?

To share an observation, it's not "house and garage in America" and "house and garage in Europe", it's "house and garage on a GLOBAL level". And, as I mentioned before, the international world outside of the US has always been more receptive of it. That in itself is a MAJOR difference!

7.Whilst playing your set over here. Where you allowed to play a more of a "selective set" here in the UK, than in the USA through. Or was this the other way around. Where you expected to stick to your predetermined sound that was on the flyers that was being advertised in regard to the events that you were playing for?

This question must be for "active" DJs. I didn't play any sets while I was in London, and I don't "actively" DJ in the states. I CAN DJ, but the MUSICIAN is the dominant force in my creative life!

8.Who, if given the chance would you like to work with in the World of House and Garage music at this present moment in time? Masters at Work, Don Carlos, Derrick Carter, Kerri Chandler, Grant Nelson, Shazzz..who??

I'm actually a lot more flexible that I get credit for. And, I'm probably more prone to work with people that you would never mention in a conversation with me. Of course people would expect Marshall Jefferson or Shazz or Derrick Carter. What most people don't realize [or want to face] is that my thoughts DO go outside of the "club" atmosphere.

10.Who do you rate as one to look out for in the future? Who should we keep an eye out for!From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer From what you have heard or seen from abroad? DJ/ music artist/s producer.

I don't have an answer for that one! I'm simply involved in so many things that I just don't have time to keep up with every artist and new artist. That's a full-time job there!

11. Are you at peace with the press? Do you still constantly worry about being misquoted.Or do you have a good relationship with the press as a whole?

I think so! I am "concerned" about being misquoted, as I'm the one who has to "re-quote" what I said originally in those instances. Overall, I think that I do have a good relationship with the press. They've been very supportive since the beginning for me [misquotes and all!].

12. Are you planning to Tour Europe again soon?Or do you have a to hectic a schedule at the moment?

There are no plans as of right now, but we'll see! You know these things DO have to justify themselves and, as I mentioned, I am involved in numerous activities currently.

13. The very mention of UK Underground House brings about mummerings of "Here we come again", or "More please". It has led to some hefty conversations and aguments among dance music columns, and e-mails forums alike. Have you managed to listen to these types of new House coming mainly from London, now known as 2 Step Garage or still known in some corners as Speed Garage?

No, not really.

14.Changing the subject again..Are you running a label of anykind? (for the first time reader of this interview) And if so,who have you got signed to the label? Any important Releases that we should keep a look out for?

My labels [Alleviated Records / M.T.G Records] are in "inactive" status at the present. I do conduct the administrative duties and license out releases as requested. I do hope to get time to coordinate more releases and reactivate the labels.

15.Are you in charge of a Radio Show, or maybe you own a Record Shop?

No, I don't run a record shop or a radio show [though the radio show is very close as the communications company that I work for owns many stations in the US]

15a New York via its records labels seems to hitting back of late which have definitely caught eye of the Soulful Head buyers in England and Europe..Can we see more USA Underground labels appearing within the record shelves of England/Europe.. Next year maybe? Or is this a case of wishful thinking.. Already Spiritual Life, Ibadan and Wave Records are starting to become cult status over here...The same with Chicago with Guidance.Is it a case of "The Empire Strikes Back!!!

I think a psychic would be better suited to answer this question.

No, I don't run a record shop or a radio show [though the radio show is very close as the communications company that I work for owns many stations in the US]. I am an Audio Director for the ABC & UPN news broadcasts locally in Memphis, and they ask for my input about background music for the news show and segues. Most people don't know some of the many ways that publishing income can be earned, and this is just one of them.

I accept submissions for possible use @ P.O. Box 280792 / Memphis , TN. 38168 [USA] [for anyone who wishes to send their music]. Note: ABC television in Memphis uses a selection by NOOKIE when they show their station identification!

16. The Body and Soul club on a Sunday in New York is often talked about as New York's finest Deep House and Garage club. Do you go? Or is it a case of not having the time. Would you go if you had the time? Has Chicago got a similar club or scene nowadays?

No more questions about clubs, please. Let's clarify something here. I don't spend every day of my life in and out of clubs.

17. As labels go..Have you a favourite One that you always stop by as you flick through the piles of Records in your specialist record shop?

No.

18. Your technique when playing out. Does it differ to when you are working within the structures of your Radio studios. Do you blend more when you are on the Radio station, or vica versa? Or has too much emphasis been placed on mixing. Should really be about the tunes being dropped or played?

Another "DJ" question.

19. Are you governed to what you must play? Do Club promoters dictate what you must and must play on your DJ sets either in the USA or in Europe?

Another "DJ" question. But, if I was presented with this type of situation, I think that stipulation alone would be good enough reason to decline the engagement.

20.It seems that you are continuing to experiment with music. You compose lyrics in a number various styles which includes numerous writing, production or remix work.Your music, has often been described as "atmospheric" and "passionate" - which to my knowledge has seen record labels such as Capitol, Mercury, Warner Brothers and other majors knocking on door over the years. The label Deep House seems to fit you like a glove. Do you like being labeled a Deep House Producer. Does it limit you being known as that?

"House Producer" isn't the criteria that every label is looking for on your resume" these days.

20a. When going about making a song do you think of the melodies first, then placing the lyrics to fit it.Or do you write lyrics first, and then put the melody around it if it is a vocal type House track.... How do you go about it.

I play it by ear, so it's different each time.

21. "Can you feel it" is constantly brought up in conversations around the world whenever the name Larry Heard is mentioned. Are you proud of this single. Or have you become bored with this. Is it a noose around your neck. Do you hate the single now when you hear it?

I appreciate the fact that so many people responded so well to "Can You Feel It?" Of course, I can't say that I feel like reminiscing every time someone asks me about it, but it's cool that it has enjoyed that kind of "staying power!"

22. A magazine in England, that I have recently gone back to and read from a few years back used to run a music column that was devoted to USA House and Garage. And in that weeks column the writer stated that if God had a voice it would be Robert Owens your former partner in Finger Inc. Is he the best vocalist you have ever worked with..? Do you still keep in touch?

I've worked with a lot of vocalists in my musical pursuits, including Donell Rush, Sheila Hutchinson [lead singer of The Emotions], David Hollister [formerly with Teddy Riley's "Blackstreet"], Kriss Coleman and numerous others and I think that Robert is one of the few who is not trying to be like some other singer. That's what makes him "unique" to listeners. And, yes I [try to] keep in touch with him.

23. What is your status now within the House and Garage world. I'm not to sure what to believe. We were told about a year and a half ago that you had retired. Now we see you out with a new album called "Genesis". Are you retired? And secondly the album Genesis, what are trying to convey with this album release. Is on geared for chart success...

I'm not sure what you mean by "status" in the scene and I don't know WHO you heard what you heard from, but, I'm not "retired" as you may have noticed. In actuality, I don't know how a person "retires" from having creative ideas!

With "Genesis", I can't say that I'm trying to "convey" anything in particular. Anyone who wants to take a little "musical journey" is more than welcome to come along!

24. Chicago has come back to form it seems with Roy Davies Davies junior, Chris Gray, Ron Trent, Glen Underground and of course yourself delivering the good again. And then there's that label called "Guidance Records". Is the city of Chicago ready to prove to the world that it never went away with regards to House music?

Where do you think it went? [see question #2]

25.Its getting nearer to Christmas now,and more importantly New Years; and its that time of year when promoters have already, or are looking to book their star line ups for their Christmas and New Year bashes..Are you part of any star line booking either in the States or in Europe for this year? Or is it "Feet up for you, and enjoy the Holiday? (*Reputedly some DJ's in the past have been paid in excess of 20,000 pounds or more to play Christmas, or New Year Bashes.. Is this right, or could this harm the music in the long run...what are your views on this?)

I pretty much try to enjoy the holidays. I can only remember 1 year that I played on New Years Eve.

I pretty much like to avoid the chaos that goes on around that time of year and relax a little. I couldn't give you any information about the revenues that have reportedly been paid out.

If these establishments want someone to play, the artist or DJ does have the right to ask for what they want, right? If they don't agree, they can say NO!

26. Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage.Any rules that he should adhere to!!!

Common sense goes a long way! Is the only thing I can say without writing a whole book!

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