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They've been gone for an amazing 8 years, since the release of the Trance classic “1998”, now Binary Finary are back and there here to stay. Binary Finary is the famous collaboration between producers Stuart Matheson and Matt Laws. No question has gone unanswered in this huge interview as we discuss the old Binary, the new and the future Finary. Warning this interview has a lot of smiling :)
With 2006 nearly half way over began the interview by asking what it's been like and what their highlights were, “This year has been interesting!” Stuart replies, he smiles and says, “We've decided to go our own route for releasing our music and it's been a steep learning curve… The music we have been writing has taken a new route as well, which is exciting for us…” Matt's comments that, “I'm ecstatic about the whole direction now – so much has been learned and been re-invested in the music it all just keeps getting better with age :).” With formalities out of the way I get on to a question that I couldn't find the answer to anywhere else, where does the alias Binary Finary come from? Stuart says “I think it started off as a joke at first… The idea was to use the word ‘Binary' as this represents the actual sounds we were using (break them down in an electronic instrument and they are a series of Binary numbers, 0's and 1's)… We were struggling for a name that rhymed with Binary, Finary was the only one we could think of… :)” Matt adds, “Yeah, it had started with ‘Digital' and after shortly found nothing cool rhymed…”
Back to the past, as we start to discuss the cause of they groups split up and what they've been up to in the last 8 years. “A lot of things caused the split,” Stuart comments, “Internal wranglings, pressures from labels, it all mounted up to create an environment which was difficult for Matt and I to take… I left in late 1999, because quite simply it was too frustrating to be so close to something I had dreamed of, yet knew wasn't going anywhere. I went on to be a webmaster in London, then went on a TV show ‘Faking IT!' which subsequently led me to a year in Australia, in which time Matt got back in contact with me via email.” Matt replies “I've gone into computing big style, so all my time has been eaten up mostly with that, writing and creating noises to use for the Binary projects…. I'm a bit of a hermit so I've been pretty much focused on this project for about 10 years now :) - loving every minute of it!” I proceeded to ask them if they regret releasing 1998 at all and if it contributed to the groups demise. “I don't regret 1998 being released,” Stuart replies “In fact I feel honoured to have been part of it… Even though things didn't go to plan, I am happy with what we are doing now and also happy to have Matt back as a friend (which never really went, its just we lost contact)…Once 1998 grew to be huge, there was always going to be pressures associated with this… If 1998 wasn't so huge, maybe Binary in its original state would of gone on further, but ultimately it would of broken up… Certain influences just weren't healthy for the group as a whole.” Matt's feelings are similar, “No regrets – even in the darkest times just the thought of the clubbers enjoying the release kept me alive. If the tune hadn't happened I'd feel incomplete.”
Continuing on the topic of 1998, I asked about their feelings on 1998 getting remixes every year and whether or not they got any royalties from these releases. “Remixes? What remixes? :)” Stuart jokes “It's kind of cool, then at the same time f**king frustrating… We had no control over who or when they were remixed… It was just done… Only limited royalties were ever paid… Nothing has been paid for over 5 years due to legal wranglings… And most likely these will never be paid… We've been asked many times that people thought we were lying on a beach in Bermuda!!! If only…You can bust that myth, I mean just look at how pale we both are! :)” Matt says “I find it funny that there are so, so many remixes – and as Stu has pointed out, we are skint even though the track appears everywhere. Binary was the victim of ‘innocence' when it got f**ked over by the label and the man responsible is still being reminded daily, legally that he owes Binary money.” I ask them a final question on whether or not they continued producing during the last 8 years and if they ever considered a solo career. Stuart replies, “Never stop writing… Matt and I have always written for ourselves… We just love writing music… It was hard after the initial break up, but after a couple of months of nothing it was great to get back to writing… Never considered anything serious really… I had other things going on in my life and felt that entering the industry again would be too hard.” “I was lost” begins Matt “I just kept writing… then computers became a big part of my life and turned out to be the saving grace for Binary (as Stu and myself find working together much better now) – as for solo I always knew that any musician needs a good challenge so I could never get anything out alone – I had tried to find someone that would engage and help run Binary until it dies a natural death :) - then I managed to get Stu's attention over the Net when I was able to get things sorted in my own head.”
Back in the present day I ask them about the song called “Niterider”, which contrary to some people's beliefs is not a real Binary Finary release. “Spot on, Niterider wasn't actually by Binary Finary at all,” Stuart tells me “The writer was sacked from the group in 1999. There were 4 original members of the group… Other people were drafted in for the bogus Binary Finary that were playing out.” Matt explains further “Yep Niterider was nothing to do with Binary (along with Many remixes). The original members were given an opportunity to have some fun and decided that they'd fare better as assholes, which is ironic as they now have nothing (except kit they nicked from me).” I get onto the question of their reuniting, how did it happen and did they ever think it would happen. “We just decided to give it a go!” Stuart says, “We never really felt Binary was given a chance to grow, so we thought we'd give it a go now… It was ultimately a difficult decision… Matt and I discussed at length what was going to happen, just because the past was so painful for both of us. It's been a rocky road for us both in regard to Binary Finary, but I am just happy to be writing with Matt again.” Matt replies, “I agree with Stu… A lot more planning has taken place to make sure that Binary stays stable and able for this next journey into the music business. Stu and I get on really well – good communication and no-nonsense means that our productions get better all the time.”
Binary Finary have a new artist album called “The Lost Tracks”, which is currently available on digital release. I ask the guys, how long was spent making it, their favourite tracks and what it means to them. Stuart explains “It's a new album made up of tracks that were written by us from 1998 onwards… My favourite tracks are ‘Twenty Four' and ‘ChacMool'. This album signify's the music we would of liked to release, but were never able to… the music on the album related to the journey we have had from the early conception of Binary to where we are now. I am just thrilled to be able to offer this out to people who might of wondered where we went to.” “This release to me is our first solid step forward” Says Matt, “Everything gets better from here and now that all this music can be heard means that we can fully fly forward now that it has all been ‘finalised' – my fave tracks?…. hmm – ‘Secrets' because it's light and bouncy and ‘From Beyond' because it focused me a lot developing a piece like that.” Something interesting to note is the cover image for the album, it's a picture of the Australian Outback! I ask what Australia means to them and why the choice of this photo. “Australia is significant in the development of Binary as we are now,” Stuart explains “If it wasn't for Australia, Binary wouldn't be back together… The idea that the outback is a desolate and empty environment just struck a chord for us from what we went through after 1998 went big… The next album cover will be a positive cheery affair! Honest! :)” Matt replies, “I agree with Stu…and also for me Oz was a real buzz for me to hear that people were getting into the tune on the other side of the world. It really felt as though Binary had touched everyone on the planet (into trance of course)”
Onto the topic of the Trance scene and I ask what they feel it's like at the moment, specially due to their being there before it existed and also due to them contributing so much to it. “Damn you making me feel old!! :)” Stuart jokes “Its difficult to pin point where the scene is at the moment… The word ‘Trance' over in the UK is treated like it's a dirty word… I think that is maybe due to the pop crap that was wrongly labelled trance in the late 90's and the early millennium. There aren't many trance nights on in London anyone… Before, there was a night every other night, now its either House or R&B. I'm looking forward to the day the artists have more of a say in the industry, rather than the shareholders in the music companies… We can dream!! :)” Matt gives his view “The scene seems to be a mess - probably due to the advent of digital and new equipment letting everyone have a go at music… Binary and many trance acts helped establish ‘Trance' as a style which will never go away (as with many styles created in the last 10 years) – This is a good thing as it keeps the scene creative. I haven't had much time to look back at the moment! :)” Something people may not know at the moment is that Binary Finary is a live DJ act using programs like Ableton and Reaktor to DJ, so I asked their opinions on these types of programs and if either had been Djing back during the original Binary. Stuart says “I love the idea that as producers we can bring a live set out that's different every time we play it, and also has elements that will be first heard there and then never again… A unique set for that night. I used to DJ to relax years ago, but never took it seriously… And to be honest, I was probably shit house at it… Ableton just allows us to express ourselves in a way that we couldn't due with traditional mixing… I can understand people having reservations about this type of technology, but it works for us and we are finding it fun.” Matt replies “I've never Dj'd and just getting into Abelton (using mostly Reason live!) – I love the scope we now have live… being able to write music live is great… Binary always was a spontaneous act / music machine – this technology lets us free!”
The technology since 1998 has really progressed, I ask the guys how they find it and if they've been keeping up with it as it has evolved over the years. “Yes!! Wow!!!!!!” Stuart begins “Yes!! Wow!!!!!! I find it amazing that you can start writing tracks using a laptop whilst sitting on a train, incredible. I remember first starting out having to actually code my soundcard to make noises… It would take me about 4 hours to get an acid sounding lead line going and then ultimately it sounded like a damp squid… Thank F**K for brilliant software engineers!!!! :) We still use hardware, it's just that software makes the creation of tracks so much easier between the two of us (we live quite a bit away from each other) and as we don't have our own studio, it makes it possible to take our studio on the move if we need to.” Matt comments, “After I went into software I've never looked back – but I still use analogues to make 90% of the noises you hear… I'm old school in that way :) - analogues still leave me shocked.” With questions running out its time to get to know the guys even better, I inquire about their touring schedule and whether or not they'll be coming out to Australia. “Lol,” Exclaims Stuart “I will be living there in November! :) So yes!!!! :) I am getting married to a lovely Australian lady in December this year… I am hoping Matt will make it out for the wedding and who knows maybe we should have a celebratory wedding event in Australia? What do you reckon? :)” Matt adds, “I'd love to come out there :)”
There new single is called “Difference” it's a co-production between Binary and Jose Amnesia. I ask Stuart about how he knew Jose and about when the track was made. “Difference was the first track I wrote when I first got to Australia,” Stuart explains “I had shipped over my entire studio (travelling light!!) And it took ages to get there… The track was written in a mad 8 hours and sent to Jose the following day… I knew Jose from my Fiancé who had been friends with him for a while. It didn't take much for this song to be signed… We only sent it to a couple of labels and I guess we were quite lucky.” So comes time to ask, how long will they be around for this time? Stuart replies, “For as long as possible! :) We love writing music, love playing out and love being active in the scene… One day the time might come to stop, but we will still continue to write music… Of that I'm sure!!!” Matt comments, “Same here… as long as possible! – sooooo much fun!” And I ask how on their plans for where they would like their music to take them, if it's a living or a lifestyle for them. Stuart tells, “Producing is a huge part of my life… It mostly all I think about… Playing back a track you've written is the best experience and actually creating it and realising the potential for a finished track is the best feeling in the world. It's definitely a life style for us at the moment… We have to work to make ends meet… Our only perk is getting to travel to places we wouldn't normally travel to, to do gigs… And we feel extremely fortunate and humble to be given that chance.” “Finishing the music is a big buzz,” Matt explains “I'm getting into production big time and getting everything sounding as good as possible – that's my area of focus after the writing is mostly done… I just love the cycle of applying experience… very satisfying! – I'm focusing on the new material now…still trying to get over it :)”
Looking over the questions I realise the enormity of the interview so I conclude by asking Stuart and Matt if they can give any advanced information what we can expect from them in the future. “Yes!” Stuart replies “We have a more progressive sound on the way… We are hoping for another album for this progressive style and an E.P. release should be with you by the end of the summer.” Matt adds “I'm hyped up about the new music and releases this year… It's already shaping up to be really cool. All the music will get the total Binary treatment – lots of hard work and love going in!” I give the guys one last thank you and wish them the best in the future, and Stuart concludes the interview “Thanks for the good questions! See you in Aus shortly. Take it easy… Stu”
Link: TranceTribe
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