Aubrey Fry [Interview]

With signings to Sasha's Last Night On Earth, John Digweed's Bedrock Records, and Nick Warren's The Soundgarden, Aubrey Sky's sonic creations have captivated audiences across the globe, from the streets of Miami to the neon-lit alleys of Tokyo. Beyond his accolades as an electronic music producer, Aubrey's prowess extends to his electrifying DJ sets, where he takes listeners on a journey through the depths of sound. Sharing stages with legends like Dave Clarke, Guy J, Jody Wisternoff and John Digweed, Aubrey's sets are a masterclass in diversity, effortlessly traversing a multitude of genres with finesse and flair. With 2023 being highlighted by his latest vehicle for Bedrock Records, the well-received three-track showcase 'Riser', Aubrey now presents his first project of 2024, making his Musique de Lune Noire debut with 'Like A Crime'.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Aubrey to learn more about the release of 'Like A Crime', his background, electronic music in the UK, DJing and much more. Enjoy

Hi Aubrey, thanks for talking to us today. How has the first half of the year been so far and please tell us something interesting about your day today?

Thanks for having me! It has been a busy start to the year in the studio. I have been doing a ton of remixes as well as original material. Today, I have been working on a remix for an absolutely legendary band from the 90’s. Top, top secret!

Let’s look back on the first half of the year, what gig of yours has stood out the most and why?

I played in Rome back in March. I have never played in Italy before and ROMA does not disappoint. What a city, what amazing people and food. I must have done something right, I am invited back this October.

Now let’s look at tracks (not your own), what is a track which has come out this year that has impressed you the most and why?

I struggle to find time to go through promos as I’m usually writing my own jams. It feels like I build up huge banks of new music and then have to take a day or two to go through it all, which I find really hard. I’m mostly playing all my own material or stuff my counterparts are sending me. Guy J sent me a copy of his unreleased track Metro. I really dig this one. But release wise, JUSTICE did the biz on their new album. And, for chill, Portico Quartet’s 2019 album Memory Streams has been on heavy rotation recently.

Most producers tend to work their way up the ranks so to speak in terms of labels but your first release was with Bedrock, please tell us how that came to be and the relationship you forged with the label going forward, as Bedrock has been your primary home since your 2021 debut.

John Digweed is probably my greatest inspiration as a DJ. Both he and Sasha are pretty much on a par when it comes to my idols and I am releasing on both of their labels. During COVID I sent John five tracks, we were deep in lockdown so he was spending a lot of time at home doing A&R and not touring. He came straight back to me and signed them all. We have become great friends since. Scott Dawson the Bedrock label manager is also a total legend and someone I love dearly! Bedrock will always be my UK home, watch this space!

With a view on the scene not only as a producer but as a well travelled DJ, how do you see the electronic scene evolving in the coming years?

Things seem to have taken a turn towards the harder side of electronica! The kids love it! A buzzing rave-revival and also day-raves all over the place it feels like the scene has gone full circle. Here we go again! Always keep one foot in the rave!

What was the music genre you discovered first before you turned to electronic music, and what made you continue with the latter?

I was brought up on the likes of James Brown, Prince, The Doors, Micheal Jackson and The Smiths. All dance floor bands, quite progressive in their own way! As soon as I heard high production value progressive house that was it, I purchased some soundlab DLP 1600’s. Everyone is a Dj until you put a pair of DLP 1600’s in front of them. :)

When you were first getting started in production did you have someone help you or are you completely self-taught? And what would you recommend new producers do to help with the learning curve of production?

In the year 2000 I went to college in Brighton to study music production. I worked with some amazing producers in my time there. They taught me tons! I spent years working in music and the film industry, mostly in audio production. Then life to a turn and I didn’t write for many years. It wasn’t until COVID that I started again. Proof that from every situation however bad, good things can rise to the top.

How did growing up in the UK influence your music taste and direction? Or did it all?

I lived half a mile from the early 90’s rave venue Clyro Court. Every weekend I would be in bed listening to an Emotion, Genesis or Fantasia rave going off! One night I broke out to go and find out what all the noise was about. Acid House and Rave culture was everywhere, I was unable to get away from it from a very young age.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

Cream 6th Birthday - Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha Judge Jules, Tall Paul, Seb Fontaine, John Kelly, Dave Seaman, Nick Warren, Steve Lawler, Paul Bleasdale, Craig Richards & Lee Burridge what a lineup! You don’t get this kind of night these days.

You have a new single ‘Like A Crime’ which is available now via Musique de Lune Noire. Tell us a bit about the track and what sort of vibe you were going for on it. And how much play has it gotten in your sets and to what reaction?

I wrote the track about three years ago. I was listening to Giorgio Moroder and watching 1970/80’s action movies and TV shows like Blade Runner and Nighthawk! I had been working with her majesti at the time with my band project ACiDTRAX. I played her an early instrumental version of “like a crime” and she loved it and wrote the topline for it. The original is a pop/indie dance crossover track and have also been playing the remixes of it in DJ sets, keep your ears and eyes peeled!

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in your recent productions and more specifically on your ‘Like A Crime’?

My favourite bits of equipment are my speakers (ATC 50’s) Acoustic Architecture stands and Sound ID reference software. Without these I would be lost! I also have a mini funktion one sound system as the rave-reference speakers! Overkill, but this is what I like to play out on most, so my thinking was that it’s always good to hear club tracks on a loud club system. Well that’s my excuse for having an F1 sound system anyway.

This is your first time working with vocalist Her Majesti, how did you discover her and eventually decide to collaborate on a track together?

I have worked with her majesti for a few years. She asked me to remix some of her original music, with my band ACiDTRAX. I was hooked on her sound, she has an amazing voice! She will go far!

You’ve released on some notable labels, Bedrock and Last Night On Earth come to mind, but this is your first appearance on Musique de Lune Noire, what was it about the label which made it a good home for ‘Like A Crime’?

The guys from MDL were really into the track. It is a real cross over track, almost pop and the original could be on the radio. So I was super impressed that they wanted to put it out and Jordan’s enthusiasm was what made me feel it was the right home. I felt it needed to be with a “cool” independent label.  Jordan and MDL have been super helpful in accommodating my art. I’m pretty specific about my direction and they totally get where I’m coming from.

Now let’s talk about DJing for a moment. I’ve read that you like to traverse a multitude of genres during your sets, tell us about that vision and your overall approach to DJing and programming a set.

I have a special place in my heart for Laurent Garnier! He is an absolute don when it comes to traverse genres! DJing is about reading crowds, knowing when to switch gears and knowing when not to. I used to plan sets in the vinyl days. But these days with sync buttons, efx and usbs, you can quite literally go anywhere! I did my time on wax, I can beatmatch, technology is there to be embraced and what is now possible is limited only by how far the DJ is willing to take things. No set is the same and everything is on the turntable!

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ and performing for larger crowds has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

I love DJing, I particularly like to vibe the crowd and make track list decisions on the fly. As a producer, i do like to attend events, I find events so inspirational. When your not playing, you can focus on the music as a receiver. It’s a great way of gaining inspiration. It is also a great way of making new connections. So many people email me each week asking if they can play at one of my events in Wales. I tell them all the same thing, come to one of my events, get in my face, make connections and you will have a much better shot at getting a gig.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

Zero prep other than loading good vibes into rekordbox. It’s all about the vibe.

Current Top five tracks in your sets?

Mostly my own stuff. All unreleased, all super exclusive and all super secret. Sorry!

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

I’m completely sober these days (4 years), I keep it strictly professional. I’m told I’m not very funny but I’m great fun! So generally, I’m tearing up the dance floor.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

Lee Burrage & Craig Richards 5pm - 7pm

Guy J 7pm - 10pm

Sasha & John Digweed 10pm - 1am

Laurent Garnier 1am - 3am

Aubrey Fry & Laurent Garnier 3am - 5am

Looking back on your career thus far, what advice would you offer to your younger self?

Stay clean!

If you were not a DJ/Producer what do you think you’d be doing with your life? 

A chef! I love food!

If you are not DJing, producing in the studio or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

I like to go walking in the hills, cycling, canoeing, fly fishing and being outdoors. Walking my dog and hanging with my son. Life is short, make the most of it. Live it!

What’s something people do not know about you?

I am probably the only person in the world to have a picture of either side of my family’s ancestors on a £5 and £50 Notes. Elizabeth Fry & James Watt.

If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Vangellis! Because he was the absolute don. We would remix tears in rain.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

Breaking Bad - All time top

Ozark - Right up there next to BB.

What can we look forward to from you for the rest of 2024? Any releases or gigs you are looking forward to?

Gigs, I have gigs in Wales, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Argentina and Mexico, so far. I have a new agent Fabricio info@fpbeats.com

who is going great guns on the gig front. Music, I have a release a month up until 2025. Lots to come. Drop me a message and follow @aubreyfrymusic for more updates. Peace, AF x

'Like A Crime' is available now via Musique de Lune Noire: https://tinyurl.com/3ynk3cvs