Andy Carthy aka Mr Scruff recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of his monthly residency Keep it Unreal and the release of his 5th album, Friendly Bacteria, on celebrated British indie label Ninja Tune.
Mr. Scruff & Friends All Dayer at The Roundhouse Photo: Fabrice Bourgelle
Comparing spinning records in clubs to performing at festivals he says you get the lights just how you want and you have the advantage of sound check — at a festival you’re also at the “mercy of the elements”. The energy is very different at festivals because people are away from their phones and real-life obligations.
They’re in “nature for a few days, so people really kind of let their cares fall to one side and just get properly into the music”. Scruff says it makes his year performing — or working — more diverse and “richer”.
Friendly Bacteria is darker than Scruff’s previous tracks; he puts that down to the collaboration with friend and fellow musician Dennis Jones, who played on five of the tracks.
"I find his style is quite soulful but it’s quite rough and in terms of his vocals there’s some lyrics there which I’m not sure what they mean but he definitely doesn’t sound happy at certain times.”
Listen to the full length interview with Zen Yates-Fill: