Before we go any further, watch this:
That’s the work of London-born, Kenyan-raised and now Perth-based producer Sid Pattni. Having his humble beginnings on the flipside of the mixing desk, Pattni was first known in the industry a...
Before we go any further, watch this:
That’s the work of London-born, Kenyan-raised and now Perth-based producer Sid Pattni. Having his humble beginnings on the flipside of the mixing desk, Pattni was first known in the industry as one of the best drummers around. It was a severe injury in ‘09 that forced him to roll down his sleeves, instructed by doctors that he would lose all function in his arm and never drum again.
Pattni began a yearlong hiatus teaching himself piano as a means of physical therapy. Piano playing quickly turned to production as Pattni was serendipitously introduced to the music of LA producer, Knxwledge. Heavily inspired, he went on to release his debut EP ‘Le Vidé’ in 2012, which reached Bandcamp’s top 10 bestsellers chart in its first week.
Mr Alpha Ft. Whiskey Winter is his latest track, and after just one listen we got in touch with Pattni to fan out and ask some questions.
What inspires you to write and produce music?
Anything from a J. Dilla bassline to a Fela Kuti percussion groove. It just depends on the day and how I’m feeling.
What was the first gig you went to?
I’m fairly sure the first concert I went to was Ben Harper down in Margaret River. His music was one of my obsessions all through high school so it makes perfect sense that he popped my concert cherry.
What is your favourite jam at the moment?
Would have be Knxwledge’s track Plaiurprt. Everything about it makes perfect sense.
What’s at the top of your iPod playlist?
The Ipod has a lot of stuff on rotation but the albums that seem to be taking priority over the others at the moment would be:
Herbie Hancock – Man Child
Toro Y Moi – Anything In Return
Kendrick Lamar – Section. 80
Esperanza Spalding – Esperanza
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I’d love to collaborate with people I have grown up admiring. It would be great to do something with Toro y Moi so I can find out how he meshes all those layers together so seamlessly in a mix. At the same time I’d also love to collaborate with someone like Britney Spears so I can give my auto tune software a work out.
Who has been the main person who has supported you?
My mother. She had to put up with me, a kid that had no idea what he wanted to do, other than make music. Most mothers would have hit the panic button and enrolled their son in an engineering course but mine did the opposite. She let me do a three-year Bachelors degree in painting and then a subsequent two-year degree in music. All the while encouraging every decision and never questioning any of it.
How would you describe your music?
People have asked me this before and I give a different answer every time. It’s a hard question to answer as I’m still searching to find my sound. At the moment I’d say it’s a mix of Marvin Gaye’s voice, J Dilla’s bass line, and Kanye’s kick drum.
What’s your most treasured item?
My dog. I know he’s not an item but I consider us to be an item. Apologies for bending the parameters of that question.
Who was your favourite artist growing up?
There have been so many different people at different points in my life. When I was 12 it was the Backstreet Boys, when I was in school it was Wu Tang Clan. As soon as I reached university it was Jeff Buckley and most recently it’s been Robert Glasper. Tomorrow will probably be someone else. It’s everchanging.
If you were down to your last $5 what would you spend it on?
That’s easy. I’d give it to the homeless woman down the street. I can just borrow a fiver off mum and never pay her back.
Stay up to date on Pattni’s movements here.
