The last time we spoke with Rob Swift, he was in town promoting the latest X-Ecutioners’ album and playing a one-off historical gig at the Barbican for the Frank Zappa tribute night. Since then a year has passed and a hell of a lot has happened to Rob, so much so that when we decided to go and catch up with him in February this year we found out to our surprise that Rob was putting the finishing touches to his third solo LP and that he had big plans for the new release. Oh and also since we last spoke Rob left the X-Ecutioners and went back solo, as he was when he first emerged on the scene in the early 90s. So he’s left the X, gone on his own, finished a new album, got John Carluccio to create a DVD based on it, he’s been touring and in between all this madness he managed to take some time to sit down while in London on his last tour and tell us what he has in store for 2005 and the future. One of the nicest man it’s been our pleasure to meet and one hell of an interesting artist speaks on leaving the legendary crew, going back on the road, his new album, production and why America is so fucked up right now. Kick back and enjoy.

So what have you been up to since we last spoke?

Rob: Well since then I've left the X-Ecutioners. I felt like I needed to leave in order to progress further on my own as an artist. I was starting to feel like after 3 years on a major label I needed something new, something different. I was tired of the situation as well, but also I wasn't fully in agreement with the direction we were taking as a crew. I didn't always agree with where we should take things and what we should do. I didn't feel like I wanted to continue on that path and do the same thing again or abide by the rules of the label you're signed to. The label was a major factor in my leaving in the sense that they were making me feel uncomfortable with their demands of having artists feature and doing tracks like 'that track you did before which was successful', you know? You do something that works once and they want you to do it 3 times again. I felt it was time to leave and concentrate on my own thing and take a chance at doing something different. It's been scary as well, I've been thinking a lot about what people might think but also what might happen once I start working on my own and whether or not people would feel what I do on my own. But so far it's been going good so...
And since all this I've started working on a new LP as well which should be dropping in September this year, and it's called 'War Games'. I'm basically going back in the lab and doing something different to what I've done in the past with 'The Ablist' or 'Sound Event'. And I think it's different even from most albums and records that have been put out by DJs before. The album is very politically and socially conscious and aware. Basically I'm trying to make a statement about the country and the state of things since Bush came to power in the US, but I'm doing so through the music I make as a DJ and producer. I'm making a point with the music instead of releasing an album for the sake of it, or making music that showcases my skills, like some of my previous releases. There is going to be a lot of different stuff on there, I've got a lot of samples from TV and news broadcasts, stuff like that. The album is about the war too, how we went to war on false premises, why we're still being lied to about the premises and how things are generally fucked up in America today.
What's also interesting about ‘War Games’ is that the release will be packaged with a DVD. You know how movie directors go out and find people to compose a musical score for their movie once it's done? Well I worked in reverse. Once all of the music to my album was completed I got my friend John Carluccio (director of the acclaimed Battle Sounds documentary) to visually score my album. So when you pop the DVD in at home you can watch all of the news events that inspired each song. The album contains a total of 16 tracks so each song has it's own story and visual images. Basically, the DVD can be considered as War Games the movie. The DVD will also have extras of me performing live and more. So when I say this release will be different from anything fans of the turntable world have ever seen I mean it with all my heart.

Ok, and have you got any guests on it then? You had a lot of guests on 'Sound Event' and the X-Ecutioners' LPs were also rife with MCs.

R: Yeah I've got 3 MCs featuring on there, but that's it. I didn't want to go down the same route as I've done in the past, solo or with the crew. Again I just felt I needed to do something different to what I've done in the past, and I've been in the position before with the X were we got stuck working with MCs because the label wanted it, not necessarily because we wanted to.
So on this LP I've got Akynele, who I used to DJ for in the early 90s. He's a really raw rapper, he's got that raw edge to his rhymes, he's very violent lyrically and so we've done a track where he pretends to be a Taliban fighter blowing everything up! Large Professor is going to feature as well. He's been a mentor of mine throughout my career and it's always a pleasure to work with him. We've done something special as well for this album. We basically did a remake of Main Source's classic 'Friendly game of baseball' track, which was about police brutality. The reason we did this was because of what happened in New York a few years ago when police shot an immigrant called Amadou Diallo 41 times, and the guy turned out to be unarmed. And when I heard the news and saw what happened I was really shocked that something like this could still happen in our day and age. And I think that with this remake of Main Source's classic at least we get to put the message across again.
Finally I've also got an underground MC from NY called Breeze Evaflowin, who features on a track called 'Dream', which is about peace and things being different but it's all a dream.

And production wise did you go back to similar production as your last few projects, or have you gone for something different?

R: The production style on War Games is different from my past albums. This album is darker and highlights my scratches way more. I think the true fans of turntable music will appreciate this one. There is always something going on with regards to scratches and stuff. Although I did incorporate live instrumentation on the new album the main focus is what I'm doing on the turntables. For example, I got a song called ‘Terrorism’ featuring DJ Quest on the turntable and Bob James on piano. In comparison to ‘Salsa Scratch’ on my last album ‘Sound Event’, I used Bob very minimally this time around. Where on ‘Salsa Scratch’ his piano playing was featured throughout the majority of the song, I wanted the turntable to be the main focus on ‘Terrorism’. Although I worked with live musicians again on ‘War Games’, it was more important for me to make sure that the execution of my scratches were at the forefront of every song. Not necessarily cause I want to show off but because the songs are being driven by news sound bits or other sounds I either found while record digging or burned on to CD. So each song revolves around me.

And you’re doing a tour at the minute aren’t you? Is it to promote the album then or just to get back on the road?

R: Basically this is my first tour as a solo artist, separate from the X-Ecutioners. Before I’ve toured by myself but people always attached what I did with the X-Ecutioners. So this is the first tour that I have done where it’s just me and I’m no longer a member of the group. So I guess I’m just re-exposing myself, and I decided to come out here to Europe. I’ve just come from Norway, did two dates there, and came here, on my way to Sheffield tomorrow. I’m going to Budapest, Italy, Denmark, again it’s like to a degree I feel like I have to start all over again. Even though a lot of people know who I am, I’m telling myself I have to start over with a clean slate and go out there and hustle, so tonight I’ll be at the Jazz Café and I’m looking forward to doing that. It’s been cool and I get to let people know I have a new album coming out.

I actually had a question about the collaboration you guys did with Mike Patton. I was talking to a friend about it and we were wondering how it came about, as it’s a bit of an interesting one…

R: Yeah it’s pretty crazy.

Yeah it’s different.

R: We performed with Mike Patton about 3-4 years ago, and that’s how we met him. I knew about him before from his days with Faith No More and when we performed with him it was bugged out because we saw a side to him that I never knew existed. He has like a real sparse, spread out type of view towards creativity. And what I mean by that is that he does whatever he feels, and it’s not like he falls under any category when it comes to musicianship or being an artist. So when we were on stage with him he’d be doing a beatbox, we’d be cutting, then he had this FX machine that would do stuff to his voice, and he would sing and say stuff and it would alter his voice and we’d be providing the music under all that. And it was just bugged out doing it because, at least for me, I always enjoy doing different things and that’s how doing what I do stays interesting and stays fun, when you don’t expect to perform like that with Mike Patton. So we basically bonded from there, we got really cool with him and he was like ‘yo man I had so much fun performing with you guys I’d really like to sit down and record with you, make music’. And about a year later he came to us with the idea of making this album, and we didn’t record it in a conventional way either, it’s not like we were in a studio all together. He would call us and be like ‘guys just record ideas, put down stuff, beats, scratches, weird noises, anything. Send it to me and let me see what I can work out with it’. And that’s what we did.

So it was all back and forth?

R: Yeah just back and forth, just sending each other material and stuff like that and he took everything we gave him and composed this album. So it was really impressive that he managed to make sense out of all the stuff we sent him.

Cool, so you enjoyed it then, like you said?

R: Yeah, it’s not something that I would probably do on my own, but I was appreciative of the fact that I got to do something that had no limits. And that was one of the things that really disappointed me about being on the major labels. There were limitations; there were always these perimeters that were being put on us. Like ‘we want you guys to work on two songs that could be singles that could go to a rock radio, and then we need another two songs that could be singles that could go to urban radio. And make sure that this song could be played on MTV. And watch this, and watch that…’, so there were always these rules. And while I’m really thankful of the opportunity to be on a major label and experience that, I feel like I’m free now and I’m actually relieved that I can now do things on my own terms.

Well actually seeing as how you mentioned you’d be touching on certain subjects with ‘War Games’, and seeing as how you’ve also lived and experienced being an artist on a major label, will you be touching on any of that in the LP? The whole corporation aspect and being forced to fit into slots, you know?

R: I’m not really touching on that as far as the corporate side of things goes, but on the intro to the album I’ve got a load of quotes and sound bites and that touches on some of the corporate scandals and things like that which have happened in the US. But not the music wise side of it. I guess I’m voicing my opinion on that in the interviews I do.

When we last spoke, you mentioned you had a big liking for the more musical works that have been coming out of the scratch scene in recent years, like the stuff that D-Styles has been doing etc… And since leaving the X-Ecutioners have you had the chance to check out anymore of that side of things, see the artists and hear what they’ve been doing?

R: Well actually… Literally a week after I left the X-Ecutioners, Ricci Rucker and Toadstyle from Ned Hoddings and Gunkhole emailed me. And it’s funny because I never spoke to those guys, and I looked up to them for what they were doing with D-Styles and the newness that they brought to the art. But I didn’t talk to them, never met them, and somehow they got my email, and they emailed me to say ‘Yo Rob we just wanted you to know that we’re still checking for you man. And we know that you leaving the group must have been a hard decision and we respect you because it lets us know that you’re in it for the music. You were part of this major group signed to a major label and you left anyway. And obviously you left because creatively you wanted to move to another level’. And it makes sense that this would be coming from them because they’ve been doing that already. So I replied and next thing you know we’re on the phone talking, and next thing after that I’ve got them on the album! So I’ve got them both featuring on the album on a song called ‘Military Scratch’ and they’re killing it. And it’s one of the most creative scratch songs I ever did because from a standpoint of the style of scratch music that I’m doing, it’s real musical. Which is something I’ve always done, but when you’re doing it with them you’ve got to step it up a notch, because they’re so good at what they do.

Yeah and it’s crossing generations as well…

R: That too!

It’s interesting because I remember Ricci saying he always looked up to you guys, when he was starting, so it’s come back full circle.

R: Exactly, and for me that’s how I feel as well. I did a complete 360. I started out on my own, next thing I know I’m a member of the X-Men, then we do the X-Ecutioners, we’re on major labels and now I’m back on my own doing it again. So yeah it’s really interesting.

Oh and did you get a chance to see that ‘Night at the Knitting Factory’ DVD in the end? (ed note: in reference to our interview with the X-Ecutioners last year)

R: Yeah! You were probably one of the only guys that talked to me about it because I then bought it when I went back home. And I’ve got it with me now, I carry it with my portable DVD player. I always carry it with me and I always study it. So yeah it’s weird man, because I left one situation and it was a good situation for a long time. And now I feel like I’m in a better situation, to be honest with you, and I don’t regret being a member of the group and bonding with Raida and Eclipse, and even Sinister for that fact. We accomplished a lot, but obviously now, for me at least, it’s time to re-invent myself and take it to a new level.

People have to move on ultimately. Especially with DJs, and more so with scratching and turntablism, progression has to come in different forms and shapes, through change. You can look at D-Styles as another person who has moved on from the ISPs and then the Junkies onto something new, and it’s interesting to hear you say you’re in a similar position.

R: And you can be really scared, and that’s the bottom line. You can fear failure, ‘what is it going to be like to be by myself?’ You know I didn’t want to just be a member of the group, be in the X-Ecutioners because that’s all I knew and that’s what I was familiar with. I wasn’t scared to see what it would be like to be on my own again. And I feel that the dividends are already paying off. And I can’t wait to just release that album, so that people see what I’m trying to do with the music. Whereas when you’re in a group you’ve always got to consider what the other guys want to do, try to fit your ideas within theirs, and now I can take it exactly where I want to and there’s no limits you know?

Totally. Well the next thing I wanted to ask you was about equipment. What are you using in the studio at the moment? You mentioned the MPC and the turns, anything else?

R: MPC, Pioneer CDJs, Rane mixers, Shure needles, turns, I’ve also got Pro Tools set up. And then a Roland 2480 and a Roland 1680, that I use as an alternate to Pro Tools to dump all my music on to mix and stuff. I’ve got a nice little setup in my house and that’s where I record all my music. That’s where I did the whole album.

And how do you integrate the turntables into your work? If we take the new LP as an example, did you start on turns and then go to the MPC and computer or the other way around?

R: Both, both ways really. Sometimes I would get friends to play stuff. I have a friend who plays guitar, so I’d get him to play stuff, then I’d scratch it on the CD turns. Or I’d find obscure records I could sample to create moods for a dark vibe on a song. I do whatever I can to get the idea across, it doesn’t matter how.

Cool, and what’s your opinion on the new technological improvements and new equipment being put out by companies. Things like the CDX, the new turntables being worked on, the QFO, and things like that.

R: I saw the QFO being used by Qbert. Rane has its new Serato software program as well, which is nice. I welcome it all really. I think it’s good for technology to keep catering to what DJs do. Obviously I’d never turn my back on the turntables, you’ll always see me with them. For example tonight on my show I’ve got a CD deck that I use to play beats on or scratch to. So you can always make use of whatever is being brought out, it’s all about how you approach it and incorporate it with what you do on the turntables.

Well I did have one more question, which is quite interesting in light of what you said about your new LP. I was going to ask you what you though of Bush’s re-election? So it’s quite timely.

R: Crazy! Yeah for me it’s the perfect time to speak on it. And the perfect time to release this album. It’s his inaugural year, he got re-elected and the country is more in debt now then we ever were. We went to war to find Saddam’s so-called weapons of mass destruction, which turned out he didn’t have. So now we’ve changed our reason for going in, and now it’s to liberate people, who weren’t looking to us to liberate them in the first place. There is a lot more serious stuff going on in the Sudan right now, and nobody is talking about that in the states. And yet he got re-elected… and you know to me it’s really similar to what I was talking about with regards to leaving the group. It feels like people are so scared of change and so scared of the unknown that they will settle to be in a situation that isn’t good for them. But they’ll stay in that situation because they’re afraid it might get worse if they leave that situation. And it’s like being in a 20 year marriage but you’re miserable and you’re scared to leave that marriage because you don’t know what will happen if you do. It’s all the same shit, and I just feel like the majority of America is just so scared that they’d rather stay with Bush who got them into all this mess instead of looking for new leadership. And that’s not to say that Kerry was the best alternative, I understand the whole lesser of two evils theory, but still it couldn’t have got any worse with Kerry, I know that much. It’s shocking to me how scared people were. And I think that the fear of terrorism, the pumping of the fear worked. It all worked for them. And look we re-elected this guy. It’s incredible to me that we went to war for reasons that turned out to be untrue, it’s just crazy.

And like you said it’s quite timely you chose to release such a politically conscious album this year. Especially because there seemingly isn’t a lot of pro-active, conscious music being put out by people like there was in the 80s for example with PE and other people who chose to speak on what was wrong with the country they lived in, and spread the message to a whole generation.

R: I miss those days. And I know I’m not going to reach a billion people with this but as long as I reach a couple of thousands, and I know I’m saying something with my music and doing my part to make a difference not just creatively but on a social level as well, then I’m happy. It’s great that I’m finally getting a chance to do that.

Any last words?

R: For all the fans out there, I’m still here, I’m not going anywhere, please continue to support my music and I appreciate all the support until now. And just look out for the new album ‘War Games’ this September. I also want everyone to log on to my new web site djrobswift.com. I want it to be a fun place for fans of the art or for people who want to learn more about the art itself. It will contain live footage of DJs like myself, A-trak and many other performing live, so if you have quick time you'll be in for a treat. If you don't have quick time I suggest you go get it. Peace ya'll!

Many thanks to Rob for his time and Claire at Jazz Café, J at ukhh.com and Lothar for their help in sorting out this interview. You can find out more about Rob and the forthcoming War Games Lp at his site. You can also check the May Turntable Radio show for an edited version of this interview and tracks from Rob’s previous albums. And keep your ears on the show for exclusive tracks from the LP soon. Lastly if you're interested in booking Rob for a gig then hit up Premiere Artists Group who have a hefty list of quality tablists on their roster.