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Music

Make Life Your Beach with Eddie C's Blissful New Album, 'On The Shore'

Stream the new LP from the Canadian producer and DJ, whose recent move to Berlin played a large role in shaping the album's musical psyche.
Photo courtesy of the artist.

Listen to Canadian stalwart Eddie C's (real name Edward Currelly) music and you can tell his mind likes to wander, off to a place where the sky is blue, and the trees green and tall. Having recently relocated from his picturesque home in the Alberta mountains (his 2013 album Country City Country was filled with nods to skiing and the outdoors) to Berlin, a city known for cold winters and even colder techno, the producer and DJ's third album LP for Toyko's Mule Musiq offshoot Endless Flight, On The Shore, feels like a tale from a man torn between two worlds. Playful vibes gleam from some tracks on the album, other times the beat ride low towards the dancefloor's more meditative underbelly.

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Currelly doesn't shy away from the struggles of moving to a city so far—by way of location and personality—from his former home, and the album is a clear reflection of the emotional struggle that often comes with that. "I've had many sleepless nights [in Berlin] especially in the wintertime. I suppose the music is a mix of feelings and inspiration from life here," he says. But like any great artist creating art in a new place, On The Shore, flows with its creators psyche and the sounds they've always loved. Through its 12 wackily titled tracks, like the balearic charmer "Boipeba Praia," it's a blissful ride from a man whose identity continues to evolve. In addition to a full stream of the album, we caught up with Eddie for a short interview.

Listen to Canadian stalwart Eddie C's (real name Edward Currelly) music and you can tell his mind likes to wander, off to a place where the sky is blue, and the trees green and tall. Having recently relocated from his picturesque home in the Alberta mountains (his 2013 album Country City Country was filled with nods to skiing and the outdoors) to Berlin, a city known for cold winters and even colder techno, the producer and DJ's third album LP for Toyko's Mule Musiq offshoot Endless Flight, On The Shore, feels like a tale from a man torn between two worlds. Playful vibes gleam from some tracks on the album, other times the beat ride low towards the dancefloor's more meditative underbelly.

Currelly doesn't shy away from the struggles of moving to a city so far—by way of location and personality—from his former home, and the album is a clear reflection of the emotional struggle that often comes with that. "I've had many sleepless nights [in Berlin] especially in the wintertime. I suppose the music is a mix of feelings and inspiration from life here," he says. But like any great artist creating art in a new place, On The Shore, flows with its creators psyche and the sounds they've always loved. Through its 12 wackily titled tracks, like the balearic charmer "Boipeba Praia," it's a blissful ride from a man whose identity continues to evolve. In addition to a full stream of the album, we caught up with Eddie for a short interview.


THUMP: I read you recorded this album in your studio in Berlin near the Panke river. How did the setting and your time thus far living in the city influence the vibe of the album? It certainly doesn't sound like a lot of music coming out of the city right now.
Eddie C: We've been here almost five years now and never lived in the epicenter of the partying but can get there with a short U-Bahn ride. Everyone who visits here goes straight to Kreuzberg or Neukölln, understandably I suppose. You can go to a party "late" in Berlin and the bouncers will say something like "you know there's only five hours left right?" They've been saying the Wedding district in Berlin is the next up-and-coming neighborhood for a while now. And you know what? They've closed the fight club and put in a kindergarten. The skinhead bar is now a live music venue. They're closing a bunch of the sketchy casinos and porno theaters, so things are looking up. As greasy as that sounds there's actually a lot of green space, great restaurants, and interesting music venues. There are also a number of traditional DIY Berlin no-name bars, one of which plays only cassettes. Actually a Canadian guy just opened a coffee shop across the street from Stadtbad [a "cultural complex" located in the city]. Still it will be a while before tourists make it to this part of the city. But I digress, I don't really make techno. Whatever comes out comes out.

Did you find it different to record in Berlin versus when you were home in Canada?
Yes it's certainly a different set up I have here technically and emotionally. Still using the same brain though.

Was there any interesting gear or production techniques you utilized in the recording of the album?
I found a nice drum machine at a market here. It's a stand-up Japanese-made Hillwood from the 70s. It has lots of crisp presets that you can combine together to make some nice spacey rhythms. It also has kill switches for each sound and an EQ.

Do you have a favorite track from the album?
Making music is something I do every day like breathing or shopping at Lidl. There are days that are better than others for sure. I have lots of unreleased material. There are certain moments that are just better for creativity. If I find something frustrating musically I know it's not the right time to work.

Canadian dance music seems to be really having a moment right now. Anything specific you're excited about? Do you have any plans to move back?
It's always been pretty good! I'm enjoying the Mood Hut releases, Lnrdcroy and PSS (Pender Street Steppers). Jex and Roberto are making some nice records in and around Toronto. And my friends on Vancouver Island are still throwing some of the best disco parties I've ever been to. There are a number of Canadians in Berlin actually who came here during the big minimal and tech-house boom a decade or so ago. I don't have any plans to move back to Canada quite yet. It's been a rather arduous process just to be able to stay in Germany, I'd hate to waste all that effort. The winters are so bad though. If anything we'll split our time up and leave during the winter. So dark... and everyone wearing black.

What have you been up to this summer, and what's coming up?
Lots of traveling but I've actually had the whole month of August in Berlin. It's been great. Lots of friends in town at the moment. I'm sure there's something going on tonight but I'm probably just going to order some Thai food from around the corner and watch a few episodes of Rhythm Roulette or Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou. Which reminds me, I'm going to Japan in a few weeks! I really love it there. If I may advertise for a moment, my label Red Motorbike has just had it's 15th release featuring myself and Roberto, out this week. I've done a remix for Deo & Z-Man which is out shortly and an EP for Mareh's Barefoot Beats from Brazil due out later this year.

THUMP: I read you recorded this album in your studio in Berlin near the Panke river. How did the setting and your time thus far living in the city influence the vibe of the album? It certainly doesn't sound like a lot of music coming out of the city right now.
Eddie C: We've been here almost five years now and never lived in the epicenter of the partying but can get there with a short U-Bahn ride. Everyone who visits here goes straight to Kreuzberg or Neukölln, understandably I suppose. You can go to a party "late" in Berlin and the bouncers will say something like "you know there's only five hours left right?" They've been saying the Wedding district in Berlin is the next up-and-coming neighborhood for a while now. And you know what? They've closed the fight club and put in a kindergarten. The skinhead bar is now a live music venue. They're closing a bunch of the sketchy casinos and porno theaters, so things are looking up. As greasy as that sounds there's actually a lot of green space, great restaurants, and interesting music venues. There are also a number of traditional DIY Berlin no-name bars, one of which plays only cassettes. Actually a Canadian guy just opened a coffee shop across the street from Stadtbad [a "cultural complex" located in the city]. Still it will be a while before tourists make it to this part of the city. But I digress, I don't really make techno. Whatever comes out comes out.

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Did you find it different to record in Berlin versus when you were home in Canada?
Yes it's certainly a different set up I have here technically and emotionally. Still using the same brain though.

Was there any interesting gear or production techniques you utilized in the recording of the album?
I found a nice drum machine at a market here. It's a stand-up Japanese-made Hillwood from the 70s. It has lots of crisp presets that you can combine together to make some nice spacey rhythms. It also has kill switches for each sound and an EQ.

Do you have a favorite track from the album?
Making music is something I do every day like breathing or shopping at Lidl. There are days that are better than others for sure. I have lots of unreleased material. There are certain moments that are just better for creativity. If I find something frustrating musically I know it's not the right time to work.

Canadian dance music seems to be really having a moment right now. Anything specific you're excited about? Do you have any plans to move back?
It's always been pretty good! I'm enjoying the Mood Hut releases, Lnrdcroy and PSS (Pender Street Steppers). Jex and Roberto are making some nice records in and around Toronto. And my friends on Vancouver Island are still throwing some of the best disco parties I've ever been to. There are a number of Canadians in Berlin actually who came here during the big minimal and tech-house boom a decade or so ago. I don't have any plans to move back to Canada quite yet. It's been a rather arduous process just to be able to stay in Germany, I'd hate to waste all that effort. The winters are so bad though. If anything we'll split our time up and leave during the winter. So dark… and everyone wearing black.

What have you been up to this summer, and what's coming up?
Lots of traveling but I've actually had the whole month of August in Berlin. It's been great. Lots of friends in town at the moment. I'm sure there's something going on tonight but I'm probably just going to order some Thai food from around the corner and watch a few episodes of Rhythm Roulette or Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou. Which reminds me, I'm going to Japan in a few weeks! I really love it there. If I may advertise for a moment, my label Red Motorbike has just had it's 15th release featuring myself and Roberto, out this week. I've done a remix for Deo & Z-Man which is out shortly and an EP for Mareh's Barefoot Beats from Brazil due out later this year.