Michael Wells is widely known as one half of G.T.O.- Greater Than One but he is even more widely known as Tricky Disco, an early project which, with the self-tiled track it became a milestone and the most recognizable release for Warp Records, giving the label the iconic reputation. Technohead and Church of Exstasy are another two of this numerous projects, all aliases paired with his partner Lee Newman since 1985.
Both shared the feeling that the electronic music scene in UK was getting out of principle and dominated by fashion and trends, the drug policy resulted alot of restrictions which resulted too many criminals. they moved to Amsterdam started working for different labels and magazines all over the world.
Michael Wells based on his visual communication studies and a doctorate in clean arts (Royal College of Arts) has an ability of seeing things beyond the surface. About music he believes techno began in Germany, in experimental music from the 60s and not in Detroit.
UK born and now based, Michael Wells continues to DJ and record music under various names such as S.O.L.O. and The Man as well as a selection of his previous projects.
- -
1. What plays in your car?
Normally Spanish Radio
2. How did it all start for you?
I started experimenting with sound whilst I was a student at the Royal College of Art. I was making performance Art and Super 8 films and needed soundtracks. I discovered that the music and film department had sound effect records, a record player and a real to reel tape recorder...I would make tape loops and scratch records (literally) then re re-record over and over to get tribal industrial sounding rhythms.
When I left college I worked as a freelance illustrator and Fine Artist and eventually saved
enough money to buy some recording equipment. Then together with Lee we started to
release and perform as Greater Than One. We released cassette packages and sold them in
limited editions. We then released some vinyl which got the attention of other labels, but we
were experimenting with different styles so it made sense to make up a new Artist name for
each project. That is how so many names came about. It's funny because we had an
Industrial Album out on Wax Trax in Chicago, the same time as Tricky Disco was on Warp.
3. What is one subgenre you think doesn't get the attention it deserves?
I like dark ambient and Drone soundscape music. And very minimal techno. I am a fan of the Finnish label Sahko.
4. What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear?
The Passion by Technohead
Other peoples music: Where's your Child by Bam Bam, Knight of Vision by Knightvision
Internal Empire by Robert Hood
5. As both a DJ/Producer, which side are you on: entertainment or educational?
I span from the totally self indulgent to the let's have fun together. Music can be multi faceted
and I guess my moods can be reflected in that. I must say I am comfortable making all styles
of electronic music from Hardcore to Ambient. I am not a purist I am a pluralist.
All music is political because people make choices and choice is a deliberate thought.
6. Do you walk around humming melodies?
No I rarely do.
7. Your message to Report2Dancefloor Radio (including ahead plans)
Message to all is to enjoy what you do. And thanks to Report2dancefloor for supporting all
artists and labels.
New tracks coming as Michael Wells a.k.a G.T.O on Pure Dope Digital and Dataflow, Tom
Wax & Michael Wells on Dolma Records and Technohead on Mokum.
Thanks, Michael
facebook.com/Audieanimaniac1
Both shared the feeling that the electronic music scene in UK was getting out of principle and dominated by fashion and trends, the drug policy resulted alot of restrictions which resulted too many criminals. they moved to Amsterdam started working for different labels and magazines all over the world.
Michael Wells based on his visual communication studies and a doctorate in clean arts (Royal College of Arts) has an ability of seeing things beyond the surface. About music he believes techno began in Germany, in experimental music from the 60s and not in Detroit.
UK born and now based, Michael Wells continues to DJ and record music under various names such as S.O.L.O. and The Man as well as a selection of his previous projects.
- -
1. What plays in your car?
Normally Spanish Radio
2. How did it all start for you?
I started experimenting with sound whilst I was a student at the Royal College of Art. I was making performance Art and Super 8 films and needed soundtracks. I discovered that the music and film department had sound effect records, a record player and a real to reel tape recorder...I would make tape loops and scratch records (literally) then re re-record over and over to get tribal industrial sounding rhythms.
When I left college I worked as a freelance illustrator and Fine Artist and eventually saved
enough money to buy some recording equipment. Then together with Lee we started to
release and perform as Greater Than One. We released cassette packages and sold them in
limited editions. We then released some vinyl which got the attention of other labels, but we
were experimenting with different styles so it made sense to make up a new Artist name for
each project. That is how so many names came about. It's funny because we had an
Industrial Album out on Wax Trax in Chicago, the same time as Tricky Disco was on Warp.
3. What is one subgenre you think doesn't get the attention it deserves?
I like dark ambient and Drone soundscape music. And very minimal techno. I am a fan of the Finnish label Sahko.
4. What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear?
The Passion by Technohead
Other peoples music: Where's your Child by Bam Bam, Knight of Vision by Knightvision
Internal Empire by Robert Hood
5. As both a DJ/Producer, which side are you on: entertainment or educational?
I span from the totally self indulgent to the let's have fun together. Music can be multi faceted
and I guess my moods can be reflected in that. I must say I am comfortable making all styles
of electronic music from Hardcore to Ambient. I am not a purist I am a pluralist.
All music is political because people make choices and choice is a deliberate thought.
6. Do you walk around humming melodies?
No I rarely do.
7. Your message to Report2Dancefloor Radio (including ahead plans)
Message to all is to enjoy what you do. And thanks to Report2dancefloor for supporting all
artists and labels.
New tracks coming as Michael Wells a.k.a G.T.O on Pure Dope Digital and Dataflow, Tom
Wax & Michael Wells on Dolma Records and Technohead on Mokum.
Thanks, Michael
facebook.com/Audieanimaniac1
RSS Feed
