Andy 'Aim' Turner chats about re-releases, the Warehouse Project and leaving Grand Central

Over the last 6 years Andy 'Aim' Turner has proved that he's got what it takes when it comes to turning out top-quality records, having won over critics and audiences alike with his  distinctive blend of hip hop, breakbeat and chill out. His first two albums,  Cold Water Music and Hinterland, were released through Mancunian record label Grand Central before he decided to launch his own label, ATIC Records, through which he released third album Flight 602 last year. Now he is about to tour the country to celebrate the re-release of his first two albums and will be touching down at the Warehouse Projects on 16th November.

1) You worked with Grand Central for a long time, releasing your first two albums with the label. What made you decide to go it on your own?

There were two separate things really. I knew I was going to leave the label a long time before I did - it had changed a lot since it first started and I wasn't really into a lot of the music they did. As it happened the label finished... Basically I realised there was no money for promotions or guests for my next album so I thought I'll take my chances somewhere else. It boiled down to whether I should try to find another label or do it on my own. I decided to go down the route of starting my own label, ATIC Records, and it's doing well so far, so it was the right thing to do.

2) Now you are re-releasing your first two records on ATIC Records. Why have you decided to re-release them?

Because Grand Central had finished, the albums wouldn't get pushed or promoted and there wouldn't be any restocking once they had sold out. When Grand Central finished I got the copyright back to all my music and we had extra tracks from the albums' B-sides too. We thought that if we add them, it makes re-releasing the records a worthwhile thing to do.  Plus it means people who haven't had them or haven't had access to them can get into them now.

3) You said that third album Flight 602 was a huge step forward for your sound. How do you feel about Cold Water Music and Hinterland now?

That's a good question. I hadn't listened to them for years. I think they stand up, especially Hinterland with the extra tracks on it. That's a great record. It's very different to what I do now, but it is interesting listening to how it was produced and the sound of it. I think they both stand up. The sound wasn't massively fashionable at the time so it hasn't really dated; they still sound fresh now.

4) Which tracks on the albums really stick out for you?

It's hard to say. Fall Break and From a Seaside Town on Hinterland were always favourites. Most people prefer Cold Water Music but personally I think Hinterland is the better record. Also, there's an extra track we've put on there called Nightlife, with a rapper called Substantial and that's one of the best tracks I've ever done. It's good to get that out there because hardly anyone heard it, it was a B-side on The Girl Who Fell Through The Ice. That's a definite stand-out for me.

5) You are playing the Ape Warehouse Special party  at the Warehouse Project on Friday 16th November . What can audiences expect from a live Aim show?

We manage to be quite faithful to the record. I'm proud of the fact that we don't use any loops or backing tracks. It could all fall apart at any minute, which is good, and we manage to pull it off, which is great. It's a big band but it has to be because the music is made up of loads of little bits so you need that many people to recreate the sound. All the little samples you hear in the records are all there. And we have a brilliant drummer, which is the bottom line really. when you're playing hip hop and breakbeat, the drummer needs to be on it.

7) Your live shows are done with a ten-piece band. Do the musicians you tour with play on your records too?

Most of the stuff I do on my own - it's mainly sample based, and then I might play a bit of guitar or bass. There's a track on Flight 602 called Birchwood and the flute player on that is in the band and the horn player on Ain't Got Time To Waste from Cold Water Music plays with us too, and the percussionist did a track on our latest B-side. They've all done bits and pieces. It would be good to record the band at some point because the tracks have changed a little bit. They've got their own sound now, and it would be good to get that recorded.

8) American jazz singer Niko has taken over from Kate Rogers...

Niko has been singing in the band a few years now and she did a few vocal tracks on Flight 602. It's a transition for her, really, because this time next year she'll be getting her own band together. She's halfway though making her second album now so she'll be taking up the baton, as it were.

9) Any plans to reinstate Kate?

Not really. I've moved on from there now. I liked it, I enjoyed all that stuff but I'm just looking ahead now. Vocally Niko can do all the stuff I need, and I'm moving back towards instrumental stuff now and keeping all the vocal stuff for Niko's album. The new stuff is going to be a lot more like my old stuff.

10) How did you find playing at the Warehouse Project last year?

We did the night where the View were playing in the main room and it was good craic, but the sound wasn't brilliant because of where it was. It's going to be a lot heavier in this venue. I'm looking forward to playing alongside Mos Def. If I could have picked any night to play out of the line-ups this would have been it. It'll be brilliant for them to see us and us to watch them. I'm really looking forward to it, it's a definite highlight of the tour.

We've got a couple of signed albums and a pair of tickets to see Aim live at the Warehouse Project to give away to one lucky reader. For your chance to win, simply send us an email with I'm Taking Aim as your subject to win@manchesterad.co.uk and tell us who will be appearing alongside Aim at the Warehouse Project on 16th November. Don't forget to leave your mobile number so we can tell you that you've won! Or, if you want to be sure of getting tickets to this or another Warehouse Project party you can buy them through Manchester AfterDark here.

Words: Claire Symonds

 

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