Eats Everything Talks UK Hardcore, Bass Music, and New EP on Dirtybird

Crossfade: How did you first get drawn to electronic dance music? When did you get into DJing and production?

Eats Everything: I first got drawn to dance music in about 1991, when listening to the Pet Shop Boys doing a Radio 1 show. They played Felix's "Don't You Want Me" and to my 10 year-old ears it was like nothing I had heard before. Soon after that I discovered oldskool hardcore, or hardcore as it was known then, and I was hooked. I got my first set of belt-drive turntables the Christmas of 1992, and have been DJing ever since. I started producing in about 2001-2002, but only started taking it seriously in about 2008. I became Eats Everything in 2008 and the rest, you could say, is history!

Your hometown of Bristol has a booming and uniquely eclectic dance music scene, with even Resident Advisor calling it "arguably the most creative city in electronic music right now." How has the scene there shaped you as an artist? Is there a sense of community as far as you collaborating with and exchanging ideas with other artists? 

There is definitely a sense of community amongst a lot of the artists here, and we do fire ideas back and forth and get each others opinions on what we are doing, etc. As far as the scene shaping me, I wouldn't say it has a great deal, because I don't really take many influences from famous Bristol music per se -- I just make what I make and hope that people like it. Bristol is an amazing place though, and I absolutely love living here and would never leave permanently -- it will always be my home.

You're currently at the forefront of a new wave of UK producers blending house and bass influences. How did you develop your sound? Were you originally focused more on house or bass before you started crossing over?

I have always liked music with heavy bass and I have always been into house, jungle and hardcore. So I just kind of fuse those musical styles together, generally at a house tempo, and hope for the best! Seriously though, as I said before, I just make what I make. I didn't at any point set out to make music that sounds like a particular thing, I just make it and cross my fingers that people like it. No one is ever going to like everything I do, but if some people like some of it, then I am happy! Luckily for me, quite a lot of people seem to be into what I am doing, so I am massively thankful for that because it allows me to do the job of my dreams. I am a very lucky person.

How did you come up with the name "Eats Everything"?

I came up with it because I like to eat a lot, and the music I play and make is quite across the board, so the Eats comes from eating, and the Everything comes from a broad musical background, I suppose!

What have been the highlights of this year's international breakthrough success?

There have been so many, it's hard to pinpoint just one or two to be honest. The whole last 18 months have been a bit of a whirlwind blur for me. All I can say is that it has been absolutely amazing and I have to keep on working hard to ensure that it stays amazing for years to come!

So what can fans expect from you during the rest of this year? Any new studio material or collaborative projects? 

I have a new EP out on Dirtybird in October which is already getting massive support from the likes of Seth Troxler, Maceo Plex, Jamie Jones, etc, which is nice, and I have a solo EP on my hometown label, Futureboogie, which is a more funky downtempo affair. I also have a colab EP with Justin Martin coming on Hypercolour hopefully before the year is out also.

You're about to embark on your first North American tour, including a stop at Miami's Electric Pickle. What can US fans expect during this tour? Do you have any tricks up your sleeve or special surprises in store for us?

Now that would be telling! You will just have to come to the Pickle and see!

CANCELED Eats Everything. Sunday, September 2. Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. The show starts at 10 p.m. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com.

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