Stereosonic Exclusive Interview With BT
Brian Transeau, better known as BT, has forged an extraordinarily complex career since leaving behind his formal studies at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College Of Music (and those punk band days!).
The Maryland native hung out with Deep Dish in the early ’90s before going it alone. BT bonded with the Brit Sasha – and pioneered epic house, his Perfecto debut, ima, and its sequel, ESCM (home to Flaming June), now classics. Late he’d explore nu-skool breaks. By the start of the 2000s, BT had gone from remixing Madonna to producing pop stars like *NSYNC. On top of that, he’s composed music for movies, among his credits Charlize Theron’s acclaimed Monster.
Yet the self-described technologist continues to be at the forefront of electronica, with a blistering live show. We caught up with the busy BT ahead of his Stereosonic 2011 tour.
Your 1995 debut ima was a landmark – and now people grow misty-eyed talking about it. How do you look back on that project today?
“It was a wonderful beginning. It may sound strange to say, but I enjoy looking at my own arc and listening to ima now. I can hear who I am as a musician so clearly and I am proud of that. [It was] recorded in my bedroom at my parents’ house on a Bose 8-channel mixer and a PC 386 with 16K of RAM! It was epic.”
Pop (and electronic dance) culture is under the sway of nostalgia, but you’re not someone who generally looks back. How do you feel about the cult of ‘retromania’?
“It depends. I am always nostalgic for the years ’81 – ’83, but you can keep New Jack Swing.”
Your last major album project was These Hopeful Machines in 2010. Are you working towards another?
“Yes – and it’s mental…”
You’ve collaborated with some iconic performers, from Tori Amos to David Bowie to the much missed Guru. Is there anyone you’d still really like to record with?
“Yes – and they are all on the new album! Secrets (laughs).”
You’ve done an amazing amount of film-scoring now. How do you find working in that area, given that you probably have many directives from the film-makers?
“I love it. It’s being a part of a team, like a band. Also, writing for an orchestra is something I’ve studied since I was a kid, so I love doing that and it’s the only time I get to [do it]. I am working with PIXAR Studios [the Californian animation company behind the Toy Story films] now.”
Many urban acts are working with house producers. In some ways dance is now ‘mainstream’ Stateside. Did you see this coming?
“Yes – and it’s awesome.”
What is inspiring you today in electronic music – and what do you make of things like dubstep?
“There is finally innovation in electronic music. I love it. I’m deeply inspired by what is happening now in music. Go to www.laptopsymphony.com and you can hear my radio shows airing on Sirius XM Radio in the US.”
At one stage you were working with superstars like *NSYNC and Britney Spears, but then you seemed to pull back. Would you like to do more pop again?
“I just work on things I like, with people I like. When an opportunity meets this criteria, I do it.”
How are you challenging yourself as an artist?
“Study daily, grow, repeat…”
You’re headed back to Oz for Stereosonic 2011. What can you tell us about the show you’re bringing?
“Check some of the online clips of Electric Zoo. [It'll be] like that. It’s gonna be insane.”