CM>>>Todd the first thing I remarked when I started to devise my questions for you I remarked that your family name is Osborn, your artists name is “Osborne”. At first sight its just an “e”, but then I the deeper I started my investigations I found out that “Osborne” was the first mobile… or better say “portable” computer. So after my researches I really came to the conclusion that this machine was the inspiration for your artist’s name… Ok now you can laugh about me – am I completely wrong?
Todd>>> Yeah, a lot of people assume that but the real story is much less interesting. I already had releases out as "Todd Osborn" and the owner of Ghostly wanted a moniker that was strictly used only for Ghostly/Spectral. "Osborne" was suggested and I didn't mind since most magazines always spelled my real name wrong ..with an "e"... anyhow.
CM>>>Ok, before we talk about your musical career I would like to ask you some questions about your multitalented way of living. When I first read the press info I received by the release of your album called “Osborne” last year I thought the whole story is a kind of joke. A guy who modifies computers, instruments, cars and airplanes, a person who speaks Japanese, spent some time at the army and he was the one of the first ones who brought Jungle and Drum and Bass to Detroit, a restless and genius musician … and he also is a proud family man, this must be a construct…
Then I found out that all these facts are true. I was completely confused and I really had problems to sort my questions. So lets start with easiest one. Would you describe yourself as a restless or as constant curious person?
Todd>>>I guess a bit of both, but to me that seems natural. Such as, if you're into music why not be interested in what makes the music? How it's recorded and how the gear works? This could keep going and keep going into any area.
CM>>>Do you have a clue from where this kind curiosity came from? Is it a kind of trademark of your family – or is this curios way of living a kind of your personal “lust for life statement”?
Todd>>>I'm just interested in many different things. I don't feel it's strange, though. In fact, I think it's weird that so many people seem to not mind limiting themselves to one area or subject when there are so many interesting things.
CM>>>You’ve been based as a member of the army in the Japan, what I really found totally interesting is the fact that you learned to speak Japanese. So I asked myself if you – for whatever reason – if you have to move to Greenland would you been interested to learn the language?
Todd>>>Possibly, but before I moved there I had always been interested in Japan since I was little because of electronics, design, and movies from there... and ninjas, of course. haha
CM>>>To be honest really really fascinated about all these things you do. What’s the secret behind all these capabilities? Are you a perfectionist or do you live a personal way of pragmatism?
Todd>>> Probably more overall perfectionism. I have friends that will take the pragmatic way of fixing a motorcycle engine only to the point that it works. I always go a step further and restore the entire bike to original condition. I usually focus on one project and try to do it as perfect as I can but also as efficiently fast as possible.
CM>>>But pragmatism can be a problem if you fly an airplane. Did you ever get in some trouble during a flight? And I really asked myself isn’t it very time-consuming to receive aircraft license?
Todd>>> Yes, I've had trouble flying before, the worst was an engine fire, but never because of my repairs. With something mechanical it's usually the case that something goes wrong eventually and I use that opportunity to fully repair or restore the machine. The length of time to get an aircraft licence depends on how much money you have for fuel and instruction and your connections; I've just always had great connections. There are other factors of course, such as how good you are at flying...It may take you more hours before you can pass your check-ride....., and of course there is much more training and hours depending on what rating you want to go for.
CM>>>And from where did you get this airplane? And is it’s very expensive to rent a hangar and keep an airplane in a good shape?
Todd>>> It was owned by the father of a friend of mine and we pretty much just took it over after we had totally rebuilt it ourselves. We have a second plane …a Navion… in Ohio as well that we are selling soon so we can put the money towards a bi-plane. Hanger space around the Midwest, outside of major cities, is very cheap, and maintenance costs really low are when you're doing it yourself.
CM>>>During my researches I also saw a video at Ghostly representing “Todd Osborn” representing you and your family. Is the crazy skateboarder one of your sons?
Todd>>> Yeah, that's my older son Kaito. He's 11 and already better than skating that I ever was. His latest trick is frontside 180 kickflip to 50/50. He and a few of his friends have turned an abandoned gas station near our house into their own small skatepark.
CM>>>So he must be educated by squirrels doing some skateboard trick in the trees?
Todd>>>One of his other favorite sports is "jumping-from-high-places", haha. It goes well with skateboarding, too.
CM>>>Am I allowed to ask you how old you are?
Todd>>>Of course not, haha.
CM>>>Do you think you will ever get grown-up?
Todd>>>Actually, I hope so. Maybe if I had a normal job I wouldn't be stressed out as much. Although I can't imagine being interested in a "normal job". A year or so ago I had a job briefly fixing commercial airliners at the main airport in Detroit for Northwest but I quickly realized it wasn't for me. People’s attitudes towards working were just bringing me down even started to make me lose interest in what I was doing.
CM>>>I also asked myself who teaches you to modify electronic devices? Have you taught it yourself by reading books and magazines?
Todd>>> Well, machines would stop working and rather than throw it out or pay someone I just would troubleshoot them myself. Analog equipment is much easier to conceptually understand, as opposed to newer digital gear. Much like a carburetor compared to an electronic fuel injection system.
CM>>>Ok lets start with your musical career. You are the first one who ran the first Drum and Bass record store un the Detroit area with the Dubplate Pressure shop. You also ran the Rewind label and you had several releases at Rephlex as Soundmurderer. So is it right to say that Jungle and Drum and Bass was your first love in terms of electronic dance music?
Todd>>> No, I was into electronic music way before jungle existed. I came to electronic music from early hip hop, so the first records I bought that could start to be considered electronic were mostly hip hop/electro crossovers like "Egypt, Egypt" and "Boogie Down Bronx" around 1984. A couple of years later I started finding Chicago house and then on to stuff like 808 State. My store was mainly jungle and independent hip hop because at that time there was no place around that had a good selection. I also carried lots of graffiti supplies.
CM>>>What is for you personally the fascinating thing bout Jungle and Drum and Bass? Is it this timeless feeling the listener receives when he let him self-go with the beats? Maybe like flying?
Todd>>> Just the complexity of the beats and the energy of it all. At the time ..around 1994… it seemed like the most futuristic music, which was really interesting since the breaks in jungle are organic, hand-played drum breaks and up until them a lot of the music I would have thought as 'future music' was all electronic and programmed drum machines.
CM>>>Do you still release music as Soundmurderer? I stumbled upon a limited release called “Toned Down” from Belgium this year?
Todd>>> I still make a lot of Soundmurderer tracks but many never get released and the majority of them are more melodic instead of ragga, like the tracks on the EP you mention.
CM>>>But is it right to state that the album “Osborne” you released on Ghostly last year as a kind of début album?
Todd>>> Only in the sense of the format (LP). Some tracks were previously released and there have been other singles on Ghostly/Spectral as well. There was never a concept behind the album. In fact, there isn't even a reasoning behind the track order other than the owner of Ghostly suggesting it flowed best that way. So it would be weird to think of it as a debut album in the classic pop/rock sense, you know?
CM>>>This album bewitched me with its unbelievable mixture of styles and emotions. The album kicks off with the melancholic track “16th Stage” and you really expect that this album will become a laid-back heart breaking album, but than tracks like “Air Pistol”, “Afrika” or “Outta Sight” wipes the floor with their intelligent dance attitude. Is it right to state that “Osborne” is a reflection of your personality?
Todd>>> Well like I said, there isn't really a reasoning behind the track selection on that LP but yes, I make a lot of different styles of music ad I guess the LP has a bit of variety. Though, I originally planned on the variety being a lot more drastic with less 4/4 beats.
CM>>>Is it right to say that songs like “Downtown” or “Junkfood” are kind of musical diaries or snapshots from things that happen around you?
Todd>>> Well, I guess most music is. It wasn't consciously intended if that's what you're asking, but just reflects what music I'm into. Although some of the music I make is only made for the fun of trying to complete it. Such as taking a small melody and just seeing where it can go. Sometimes areas of tracks are lacking because I focus too much on melody and counter-melodies and all the possibilities and I forget to envision the track as a whole, but like I said, sometimes it's all just meant to be an exercise that way.
CM>>>I also remarked that when I listened to your music that it owns a kind of musical watermark, a very special sound by merging a classic electronic... analogue sound together with a soulful modern electronica sound. Would you say that this typical sound is the result of a kind of research or more the result of your personality? I mean that it is some like the hand-writing?
Todd>>> Yes, that's true... it is a lot like handwriting. I may make some tracks that sound different, or maybe even make some that I think sound like copies of something else, and yet friends will listen and immediately know it's me that made it. So in some way either my personality or some predisposition to program/arrange tracks must come through even though I'm usually not consciously trying.
CM>>>So it would be needless to ask where you recorded this album – I think you run a kind of home-studio? What can you tell me about the equipment you use for your album? I ask – or better say I am curious because it sounds so organic... analogue...
Todd>>> It's all over the place. There isn't any equipment that stays here very long, it's always passing through. Any equipment that I do hold on to usually just goes into Tadd Mullinix' studio because he has a more dedicated spot than I and it's easier to have all the gear in one spot rather than break it down and haul all of it back and forth between our houses like we used to do.
CM>>>So when you record an album at your home-studio – isn't it hard to separate family life and a working process? Or is it inspiring for you when someone, it shouldn't sound too rude, “disturbs” you during your work? For example your kids asking you to help you with their homework...or things like that.
Todd>>> Yes, very much so! I don't actually have a studio - just a desk in my dining room, between the living room and kitchen. So there is always lots of noise during the day. I would like a small studio but I'd rather wait until we move to another house.
CM>>>Do you need a special mood when you create a new song – or are you more like one who gets the idea for a new song when he buys milk and chips at the supermarket?
Todd>>> I hardly ever have an idea for song or a melody in my head. I just sit down and mess around on the piano and usually that melody starts to turn into a track.
CM>>>How do you get in touch to the wonderful Ghostly label for the first time? From where do you know each other?
Todd>>> The owner, Sam, used to shop at my record store. Later on he bought an early house 12" of mine and asked me if I had any more music like that so I gave him a bit.
CM>>>This year “Ghostly” becomes ten years – your personal feeling about this special birthday of this innovative label? What’s your personal birthday message?
Todd>>> Its great they've lasted so long and I'm really appreciate that they put out my music. Between my record store and releasing music I've dealt with a lot of labels over the years and it's rare to come across a label that has the integrity and honesty that Sam, and therefore Ghostly, has.
CM>>>Do you have any plans for a second Osborne album? And if it is so – what can we expect: a different sound, more vocal-tracks....?
Todd>>> I think so. I have many, many tracks finished but it depends on if the people at Ghostly think any are appropriate for a new release. Regardless, music will keep coming out and I am starting a new label with Tadd called Portfolio for some of these tracks to be released.
CM>>>Do you perform live or do you represent your music in a kind of DJ set?
Todd>>> I may devise a live set in the future but for now I just enjoy DJing. Plus, I don't like playing my music out so I'd rather DJ and hopefully turn some people on to other music I like.
CM>>>Am I allowed to ask you if you have a job besides being a musician – and what kind of job it is?
Todd>>> No, nothing else. Just making music.
CM>>>If you could change something in this world with three finger-snips – what would you change immediately?
Todd>>> Making manned intergalactic travel possible.
CM>>>Back to the lame journalists questions – will there be any chance to see performing or Djing in Europe in the next months or maybe the next year?
Todd>>>Yes, but I'm not sure when. I was supposed to be there a few times this year but I had a bad BMX accident and broke a lot of bones and other things so I couldn't travel for a long while. I think around Spring 2010 I may be around.
CM>>>So what do you need for a perfect day in your life?
Todd>>> Just a hug from my wife.
http://ghostly.com/artists/osborne
Photos by permisson of Ghostly International
Interview Michael Mück
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