Interviewer: Anthony Huttley
How would you describe your sound and the music that you play?
My sound is a direction of atmospheric progressive house with techy elements and vocals.
You’re based in Melbourne, let’s pretend for a minute that covid doesn’t exist… What’s the music scene like there? Is there much room for underground electronic music there?
Melbourne’s scene was at a growing point when we went into this global mess. We had a lot of talent brewing and it is starting to show on a global level. From Anthony Pappa returning back to Melbourne and bringing his years of knowledge with him, too guys like GMJ & Matter who are killing it with their releases on global labels currently and have recently just started their own label Meanwhile Recordings with a bang!
I would like to see these guys get booked more and overall bringing back some of those prog events that really display the awesome artists’ lots of Australia doesn’t even know they have!
Adding to that I think some of these really amazing artists don’t have the time, energy or health to be out Friday to Sunday socialising just to get there names on the bills. I think when your new you have to do that, but when we are talking about some of the best artists in the world of their genre, then there should be more thought given to their experience and not their social status or popularity.
Ultimately I would love to see our best homegrown talent not go unnoticed.
How did you wind up in electronic music? Were you born with a drum machine in your hand, or did you take the standard “classically trained” route like (apparently) many others?
Haha, I started out when I was younger like many learning Guitar out of school, and Clarinet in school. It was fun and definitely helped form some underlying knowledge but when it comes to music academics I am useless. I was self taught on Ableton and just picked it up and am now at a position I feel comfortable doing what I do best with it.
Are there any gigs or events over the past year or 2 that have really stood out for you either as an artist or a punter?
New Caledonia is always a place that stays close to my heart. The community over there for electronic music is tight and passionate, and their hospitality left a lasting impression on me for life. The last time I travelled there was when I was booked to support Nick Warren for Subcultures 6th Birthday and those gigs were fantastic. In Melbourne there have been some really fantastic events going down at My Aeon leading up to this break, and Morning After were definitely making moves as one of if not the best parties in Melbourne with their Enchanted Gardens Party aswell as hosting The Soundgarden’s Australian Show.
You had a bit to do with Nick Warren and the Soundgarden earlier this year. How did that all come about? Are there any plans to work with Nick again in the Future?
I met Nick when I supported him in New Caledonia for his gig there, we spent a day or two seeing each other and chatting, My release was great with them and I am honoured to have been accepted onto such a huge label spearheaded by the creative minds of Nick & Petra. I hope in the future to work with them more, definitely, and can at least say there is still something in the pipelines for us 😉 .
You recently released a huge tune with John Baptiste, “Neon Sky”. What was the collaboration process like? Would you mind walking us through it a bit?
Neon Sky is part of the Neon Skies EP.
Me and John have worked together for a few years now and have built up quite a flow in the studio. I can tend to try and create and create and create, whereas John can be very selective and firm when it comes to how something can sound. So together we have a great balance of creating and tightening our songs in the process. Apart from that we just play tennis in the studio and hop on and off the computer more or less having our input.
What is your DAW of choice and why?
Ableton is my DAW. I never really learnt anything else and was self taught so stuck with it. I love the intuition that follows after you have spent time figuring out what it is you want to do with it. Once you learn how to get in your flow in your DAW nothing can stop you.
What are your 3 favourite plugs at the moment?
I always love using my Soundtoys Bundle, Serum & the Reaktor 6 Plugins
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I am spending a lot of time in the studio writing my own music at the moment, I receive a fair few promo’s so sorting through them is fun but leaves me tired and just wanting to listen to soft music at the end of the day. I have been doing Meditation and Qi Gong with my partner at the moment outside if my music time and that is really nice.
Where can we find your tracks and sets?
I would say the easiest place would be my Soundcloud as I try and keep everything up to date there.
www.soundcloud.com/liam-sieker
What do you like to do away from music?
I recently bought some mountain bikes with my partner and we have been loving going on bike rides and exploring the trails around my area. Other then that I like watching shows, playing games occasionally, or meditating and relaxing with my girlfriend.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020?
I was supposed to be going on a big travel of Europe and South America with my music at the moment, but due to current circumstances we had to cancel all those plans and are remaining in Australia for now. I hope to make alot more music and prepare for when the world re-opens and I can take my music out to all those international dancefloors!
I have a number of releases planned so you can be sure to expect to hear new material from me soon!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
French Toast (Sweet or Savoury)
& Bed. They can go together, that’s fine.
Soundcloud:
Liam Sieker
www.Soundcloud.com/Liam-Sieker
FaceBook:
Liam Sieker
www.facebook.com/liamsiekermusic
Beatport:
Liam Sieker
http://dj.beatport.com/profile/293829
Resident Advisor:
Liam Sieker
https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/liamsieker
