Artist: Luke Chable Interview by: Jesse Kuch (Suspekt)

A name like yours doesn't need too much introduction- you've been at the top of your game for 6-7 years now… You had your first release at like 18 right? Can you tell us a bit how you first discovered the progressive scene, and how you got into producing…? Who where some of the guys who first influenced you into making progressive/breaks music…

Ivan Gough was the main guy who brought me into the progressive scene.

He got me signed when I was 18 and we put out my first record together. Phil was the main guy to show me breaks – funnily enough we hardly play a breaks record at all these days! :)

As far as how I started producing records, I started when I was 10, and then made a full time hobby out of it when I was around 14... Didn't ever stop.

Melbourne is a real powerhouse for progressive these days- so many good artists have come from there… Do you think it made it easier or harder to break into the worldwide scene, being from down under?

It was definitely way harder being so far away from the heat of the scene... Although writing strong successful records takes the distance away, and anyone attempting success in this scene should realise that!

You used to get called the “wonderkid” when you were younger and stuff- was there a lot of pressure to reproduce your first successes? It must have been pretty strange- being so young, playing all around the world and stuff… Did you ever feel over your head?

I didn't really travel the world for a while, then I started to find my feet djing. I was put in some hard positions or 'thrown in the deep end' as they say, but it's all a part of the learning curve.

It's come pretty far from the wonderkid days though now… You're well established, and have releases on pretty much every label that matters in the progressive scene… What's happening in 2006 for Luke Chable? How's your label Trojan going? Tell me a bit about the label and where its headed this year…

Actually this is the year I am taking a step back from the full time underground industry and a step into the mainstream industry. I've reached a point where being “cool” comes second to having a secure, real future. (not a nightclub, hotel infused one!) Trojan is still putting away slowly; we are trying to create a strong label, by signing strong records only. It's put us in a position of constantly sifting and searching for the right records.

What about releases on other labels? What should be look out for in the coming months if we want to get some of your music?

My underground music will only be released on Trojan, some collabs may appear on other labels, although unlikely. You will still see remixes here and there – I'm currently finishing another remix of a Shiloh tune...

You collaborate with guys like Nubreed , PQM, Austin Leads, etc- which artists have you been working with lately? Is there any artist you haven't worked with that you would like to?

Shiloh and I have started a new project which is aimed squarely at radio/mainstream. It's more indie/electronica with hints of chemical bros and daft punk.

Wow, really going in for the kill! Tell me a little bit about your studio setup… Do you use a lot of hardware in your productions? Or is it mainly software based like many artists on the go these days? What advice could you give to a producer who is starting out about making a good studio?

I never use hardware on my productions. I have always and only used a computer – Either Logic 7, Logic 5.5.1, Cubase SX3, or Ableton. The first and only thing you need to start with for a good studio is a good computer. DONT GET A MAC!! Get a faster pc, AMD FX60 and install osx on it ;)

What kind of music do you get into when you're just chilling? What's in your stereo at home?

I don't actually have a stereo at home... I also don't really listen to music when I'm bored – I either play video games, go shopping, or play/watch basketball. When I'm in the car I just listen to commercial radio...

So do you spend a lot of time at home in Australia ? Or is it mainly overseas these days? What's your favourite place to visit? Do you ever miss home down under?

I do spend a lot of time in Australia actually, I'm here right now! My favourite place to visit would have to be Greece – where my girlfriend is from. I always miss Australia when I'm away; I love it so much it's hard to rip me away from it after such a long stint away.

If we wanted to catch a Luke Chable show in the next few months- where would we be likely to do that? What's on the agenda tour wise in the next year?

Next year it will be hard to catch me at all... Most likely in Asia or Australia is where you will as I'm focusing more on commercial album projects.

So when's life isn't music, what does it involve?

Basketball, shopping, and computer games! :)

I guess we better wrap this up bro- any famous last words to the people?

“Swank, not crack, I'm peaking, how's that?”

Cheers bro, Thanks for all the influence over the years… keep it real and thanks for the chat!!!

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