"Critics Aren’t Important to Me, nor Will They Ever Be," Says Mancunian DJ Trus'me Ahead of Zhao Dai Set
Just what makes Trus’me so trustworthy? The Manchester DJ, born David James Wolstencroft, adopted the alias for a fun but also pragmatic reason, which he explained to the Beijinger ahead of Jan 26 performance at Zhao Dai (the show is being put on by local promoter Bye Bye Disco).
Read our Q&A with Bye Bye Disco founder Pei Pei Sun.
Regardless of the origins of the name, you can rest assured that the acclaimed DJ and producer will get you moving, whether he plays cuts from recent releases like the techno-indebted Planet 4, or the more soulful house-leaning debut Brown's. We get into it with the producer, DJ, and label owner.
On coming up with the Trus’me alias: I heard the expression several times coming up in the scene in Manchester. Whether it be the local record shop or the pushy promoters, the sentence would always end with confirming response: "trust me.” What better way to present yourself, leaving a positive imprint before the listener hears you for the first time?
On recalling the early days: My first EPs were a combination of several years working the scene, in the local bars of Manchester. I wanted to produce music I was looking to buy and found a lack of in the record shops at that time. Since then, the sound I was producing back in 2007 is the mood of today, and we are spoilt for choice of good solid productions in that genre.
On hometown pride: If one has been to Manchester, you quickly learn that the city was one of the first to push the sound of house music in Europe with the infamous Haćienda night club, and the rest of Europe followed suit. So in many ways, producers like myself are by-products of these legendary venues and parties that flourished in the boom of the Manchester scene in the '90s.
On eclectic inspirations: I listened to indie music as much as dance music. Everything from Daft Punk to Orbital, 808 State to New Order. Manchester is rich in musical knowledge and truly genre-stretching DJs. You cannot be into just one thing here in this rainy city.
On critical mass: Critics aren’t important to me, nor will they ever be. I have kept to my morals of producing music that challenges me, and to never stand still in this process. I continue to dig deeper and expand my musical palette, so that I may embrace this in both my sets and productions as an artist.
On the horizon: I’m returning to my more disco roots. After 10 years of producing, I have gone full circle and enjoying the sound of my earlier works once more. I have an EP coming out with the Groovement record label and am currently putting together the concept for a new label. I’m also really enjoying producing again. And I’ve moved to Lisbon and am working on a new exciting project here. I have been busy with a new chapter in my life.
On recommendations: I’m a big fan of the Heatwave guys out in LA. You can catch their shows on NTS. The OB collective in Lisbon is solid too, as is my friend and business partner Justin Miller, who is running a weekly show on the Lot Radio. That should keep you all entertained for a while. Happy listening.
Trus’me will perform at Zhao Dai on Jan 26. Tickets prices are TBA. For more information, click here.
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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
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Photos: Resident Advisor, Bye Bye Disco
