THIS WEEK: BOBBY WOTNOT
Bobby Wotnot is an electronic musician/producer/remixer based in St Ives, Cornwall. It’s fair to say I have known Bobby as part of the online music community we both frequent for a good – what – five years or so? We have yet to meet face-to-face but it’s an enduring example of the power of internet that we have managed to maintain a trusted friendship. Even though we don’t catch up so often these days. we always seem to pick up where we left off.
Bobby also has links to me through the HOME compilations of various under the radar artists (all of which are FREE to download via Rash Records by the way.) It’s been lovely to see some of the artists involved – such as Stealing Sheep – go on to greater things. Bobby has been an integral member of the HOME inner circle of trust – and has also kindly provided me with the odd bootylicious remix of my own music.
I invited Bobby to do an interview for Prick and Ding not because he is a friend but because I’ve always really enjoyed his music and I think you would do too. (God knows, the idea of Jobs For The Boys and mates With Crap Music being featured on Fresh On The Net made me shudder).
Since the halcyon days of Myspace Bobby Wotnot has been putting out vibrant music fuelled with ambient & dance loveliness. Vermillion (below) is a particular favourite of mine: it’s the perfect marriage of the core elements found in ambient chilled downtempo music. Bobby does upbeat really well but for me he has always excelled and hit the bullseye with his blissed-out, downtempo numbers.
Mr Wotnot has paid his dues over time by being involved in an array of bands and musical projects since the late 70’s. Here is a mere snapshot:
More Trivia 1979/80 Genre-Punk/new wave,
Paah Douche 1983 Moody New Wave,
The Optional Finger Nail Project 1982/1984 experimental,
New Mutants 1985 – 1991 1993 – 2005 Indie,
Discordia 1994- 2002 – Dance act and Djing,
Library recordings for Studio G “Ambient House’ & ‘Techno Mania’ 1993 – 1997,
Kidlogic – Dj 2001 – 2005,
Smokescreen – 2005 – 2009 indie.
I think I’d like to hear what Moody New Wave sounds like :).
He has been working as Bobby Wotnot since 2006, releasing two albums in the shape of ‘Enjoy Dealing with This…?’ and ‘Front Room Laptop Drama’. Bobby has also been busy remixing/collaborating with Neville Staples, MG and the Paper Trails and er…..me (below)
At the moment Mr W is working on two new albums and a re-release program: looking at his CV, the latter could take a while 😉 He is doing all this alongside running St Ives lovely Cafe Art, I bet he has to pre-book time in his diary to scratch his nose and to tie his shoe laces – blimey!
I greatly look forward to hearing what Mr Wotnot gets up to next.I hope you can join him on his journey. Live – he’ll be appearing at St Ives September Festival 2013 – venue to be confirmed. This is Bobby Wotnot & this is Prick and Ding 51.
Soundcloud | Mixcloud | Reverbnation
1. What are you up to at the moment?
At the moment my life is very full, running an Arts Cafe and exhibiting my abstract drawings, so sometimes music has to sit on the back burner from time to time, although I have a few remixes that I might do soon. I am also finishing off my next album (as yet untitled) and a re-release schedule for my older material.
2. Favourite childhood memory?
Being taken on my first holiday which was to Cornwall. My parents only told me we were going when I got home from school that I had to get up early because we were going at 2am… I was so excited and have loved Cornwall ever since and now I live there.
3. Hero?
Heroes are difficult, I had many when I was younger I was like Bowie, Kraftwerk and John Lydon but as time goes on I respect people rather than hero worship them. There are so many people I respect that there are too many to mention..
4. Villain?
Villains are anyone who is a war mongering politician and people who work against the greater good in our troubled world. If I go on longer I will sound angry..
5. What/who makes you laugh?
My wife makes me laugh the most and some comediens Bill Bailey,Sean Lock, Charlie Brooker, Jack Dee etc
Most comedy dates very quickly and some seems old before it even gets on the TV so I do like a bit of live upto date comedy.
6. Describe what you do?
I am a Musician and Artist who runs and Arts Cafe in a coastal town in Cornwall, as well as being a father and husband.
7. Whose hair would you like to have for just one day?
My old hair would do me – before I got some greys
8. Best musical experience to date?
Touring Collages in the late 80s and 90s and DJ’ing for big rave organisations such as Dreamscape. My ultimate experience was putting out my last album ‘Front Room Laptop Drama’
9. What artist inspires you?
Life, people, family, the sea, the sky and all music and art….
10. What does Fresh On The Net mean to you?
Fresh On The Net has meant so much to me over the years, Tom gave me my first BBC airplay that I had ever had and that was especially inspiring to hear it on air. It help me finish my last album but it is always a great eclectic listen – it was well worth fighting for along with the whole of 6Music when it was under threat. 6 is now all I listen to, apart from some internet-based stations around the world. Thanks for all the support !
