As one of Hoya:Hoya's founders alongside Jonny Dub, Illum Sphere's incredible lineups have featured Bullion, Daedalus, Flying lotus The Gas Lamp Killer and others. Ryan has just released his debut EP on the legendary Fat City Recordings and his remix of Kidkanevil has received some airplay on shows such as the much-lauded Mary Ann Hobbs show on Radio 1
Here is an interview with one of Manchester's rising stars.
How did the name Illum Sphere come about, and why not just Put out records as Ryan Hunn?
The name Illum Sphere came from.... ummm... well, I was browsing this random Australian website with a list of Sci Fi novels, films, b-movies, books, TV series etc. Now, I can't remember if it was the name of a film, or a combination of two, but anyway, that's how it came about.
To be honest, I never ever intended even to DJ as Ryan Hunn, but just never got round to deciding on an alias. As stupid as this sounds, I feel more comfortable being Illum Sphere, I feel I can explore, take myself places and people may never know the person behind the alias. I also find it a lot less restricting. Doing what we do, we know a lot of people in the UK and abroad. I found making music under my own name a restricted my thoughts as people I know would know it's me. Whereas Illum Sphere can go places Ryan can't, ya know? Also, it is quite a mysterious, open ended alias, which is ideal for me, as I just want to make music, I don't wanna necessarily make beats, or house, or techno or whatever. I want to just make Illum Sphere music.
What inspired you to make music and can you briefly describe your music making process?
I started playing instruments at an early age, drums, bass, guitar, piano, random shit etc, and from the age of 11 I always wanted to make music. I still have books full of songs I wrote when I was younger, and recordings of demos when I wanted to make guitar based stuff in my teens. I started venturing into other music really late, not til I was 19. It's crazy to think that 5 years ago, I wasn't necessarily into so much of the music I listen to now. Because to me, music is everything, we're surrounded by sound. So, I started buying records, DJing etc etc. The most influential shift I can remember though was only 3 years ago, listening to Dabrye's 'Two/Three' LP. I remember listening to that album over and over and over again for like a week and being so incredibly blown away by the sonics, sounds, ideas and feel of it. I honestly believe that it was one of the most important albums that opened to door for people like Flying Lotus et al. But because it was a hip-hop album, and because it featured MCs, it was never considered a 'future beats' or whatever album. People are gonna come back to it in years to come and realise how special it was/is/will be.
I remember thinking, 'I wanna do THAT!' Not bite it, not mimmick it, not sample it, but I want to make people feel like the way I did when I heard that album. That album inspired me to buy my first analog synth, it inspired me to really experiment, really not worry about fitting into a sound and just freed my mind up to make music I wanted to make.
What has been your biggest challenge as an upcoming producer and DJ?
The biggest challenge is getting your shit heard or getting the right gigs. I've been hella lucky in that a lot of my friends are people who's opinion I value immensely. Hoya:Hoya (our club night in Manchester) has brought me face to face with many artists, DJs and producers who I rate, and i've been lucky enough to get along with a lot of past guests, and would now class them as friends, ya know? That's where the opportunities like playing at Low End Theory and getting played on Mary Anne Hobbs came from... linking with people, being yourself, not bullshitting and working hard. I have by no means made it, not at all... but each experience is one more step closer to being where you wanna be.
There is rumored to be some upcoming work with Ras G & Phat Kat could you tell us a little bit more about that?
Phat Kat is recording a full vocal on the track 'Hyper', part of it is done, we're just working on the rest. There might be some more collabs with him, in terms of beats for him or whatever, I'm not too sure yet. Regarding Ras, we've kinda done one collab, it was mainly me adding a few sprinkles to something he sent over, but it's predominantly Ras's track. Metropolis from Foreign Beggars may be laying down a vocal for it, but I'm not sure if it will ever come out. We chat a lot, and he may be remixing 'Murky (You Know)', but we're both super busy and obviously live so far away! I'm sure we'll do something together that will come out though.
You've recently played alongside Flying Lotus in Manchester and Leeds, how was that experience?
I actually just played before him in Manchester, Jonny Dub, the other half of Hoya:Hoya played the Leeds show. It was cool, just like any other show really. I played before Lotus the last time he was in Manchester too, and the ony difference this time round is that the venue was more full and his live show has evolved... a killer show though, and a dope guy.
What influence have people like Alex Nut, Benji B. and Mary Ann Hobbs had on the scene?
They've been the people that have really pushed various styles, scenes and sounds. With Mary Anne and Benji, they have the advantage of being broadcast on the BBC, so their influence is felt over a wider area. But without people like Alex, the scene would never be able to bridge that gap between grassroots and established areas. He was the first dude, along with Alex from Stones Thow, who really started pushing my music, and I got the chance to play on Rinse FM before my first release was even out! All because of Alex Nut, and Alex Chase. So, for that, I'll always be thankful to him.
I heard you have some interesting stories about playing at Low End Theory
Yeah, Jonny Dub and I played there in February! Was cool to play there, and so enjoyable to see our LA friends all turn out for it... people like Daedelus, Ras_G, FlyLo, GLK, Kutmah, Nosaj Thing, Dibiase all turned out, and we were playing with Samiyam, who's a mate too. It was also an odd experience... the West Coast doesn't have the sound system culture that the UK has, but Low End was the only time we played on a system that came anywhere near to systems we get over here. Props to Daddy Kev though, who makes it all happen, every Wednesday.
What was it like staying with Flying Lotus and The Gaslamp killer.
We were staying with GLK, not Lotus, but um... no different to staying with any other of our friends really. Willie is just a guy ya know? Except he has big hair, swears a lot and DJs!
How do you feel like your e.p. release went on Fat City and do you have any future releases planned on Fat City.
The EP came out on limited vinyl, and is due to drop on digital any day. It went ok, but, releases never really go exactly how you'd want them to go, especially your first. Currently waiting for my remix of Kidkanevil to drop, and there will be a 7" with a track of mine on one side and Mono/Poly on the other coming out on Fat City in July as part of the Producer Volume 2 series. Other than that I have been working on more stuff and may be releasing on a few of my favourite labels this year, which is exciting.
For more info check:
www.myspace.com/theillumsphere
www.myspace.com/hoyahoyamcr
Also Check Some of the Sphere here
