'Control' doesn’t have a specific message or meaning, but Big in Borneo want listeners to contemplate their own. For him, the opening monologue, about control of populations, compliments the almost commanding repetition of the ‘move your body’ sample. The song is definitely the darkest of the singles he has released so far, both in subject matter and sound design but he hope it still sounds like a Big in Borneo production. Everything he do from his little bedroom studio in Hackney, London on his lonesome.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Big in Borneo, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Hi Kamil, nice to speak to you too :)
I used to play drums and alto sax way back in my school days, but it was during a trip to see my older brother Tom, in Australia, that I fell in love with producing electronic music.
He’s a class DJ and has an awesome vinyl collection, so we spent 2 weeks drinking VB and playing absolute anthems.
We thought it would be fun to buy a cheap midi controller and download an Ableton trial to mess around with. I’ve never looked back!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I’m not a great instrumentalist, and my voice sounds pretty bad if I don’t do a whole lot of processing to it haha…
So, an ideal collaborator would be someone with a raw, beautiful, and unique voice, or an amazing instrumentalist. I’m a sucker for string instruments, so a collaboration with someone like Miguel Atwood-Ferguson would be an absolute dream!
Your latest song is 'Control'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I don't really have an idea in mind when starting a project... I feel like I’m just throwing paint at a wall until I see a picture start to emerge, then my songs take on a meaning of their own. Going in with any preconceived ideas doesn't work for me…
For this track I knew I wanted to create a pure UK garage beat with a unique spin on it, but the song really started to come alive when my bro Tom pointed me towards the opening sample, which he was using in a mix at the time.
It’s quite a moody song and has more darkness to it than anything I’ve released so far, but I still think at its heart, it sounds like a ‘Big in Borneo’ production, or at least I hope it does!
What are you focussing on right now?
Currently I’m working on my 5th single, which is coming along nicely, and I’m also working on a collaboration with a close friend of mine, Roezeau, which we’re both very excited about! Then it’s probably time to start working on a multi-track EP, which makes me a tad nervous aha
It’s been quite freeing so far to only focus on one track at a time, with no pressure to connect them in any cohesive way, but I think after track 5, it will be time…
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Something I resonated with and try to adhere by is;
‘There is no competition, there are only connections. Stop being envious of other musicians and start making friends. When we help each other, we ALL benefit’
If we all lift each other up and support one another the benefits are obvious, plus who doesn’t want friends with similar interests and creative goals!
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
I think the biggest challenge for me is making time for music when I have to work another demanding job, it takes a lot of energy to be creative and productive when you’ve just finished a 10-hour shift!
Luckily because I love making music so much, I can usually convince myself to do those couple of hours after the day job!
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
In the past year I’ve recently fallen in love with keeping and caring for plants. Zazu, my bird of paradise is the OG, and he’s thriving, three new leaves already! I feel like it’s only a matter of time before I’m surrounded by green, leafy roommates! I’m up to 4 already!
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Not in the shower because I’m usually cleaning my teeth haha (I like to be efficient) but when I’m driving home from work, I’ll belt out my own made-up lyrics over songs on the radio, anything about what I’m currently doing, “Changing lanes, on the M25!” that kind of thing…
What are your plans for the future?
I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself so I’m not setting too many deadlines. My plan is just to keep on making and releasing music, and to make sure I’m always having fun while doing it :)