While most of us were sneaking furtively into clubs and making out on sticky dance floors blasting the Top 40, Jacques Greene instead spent his adolescence carefully tuning his ear to the intricacies of techno composition, feeling his way around synthesisers and drum machines. This early fascination has since resulted in collaborations with iconic sound artists including Radiohead and The xx, as well as the release of his co-owned label, Vase records.
Despite an impressive track record, Greene has somehow managed to dodge the mainstream media spotlight for the most part – a circumstance that he says is far from accidental. “I try to keep a tiny bit of distance from full blown transparency, maybe call me old-fashioned,” Greene says. ”I don’t want to go full anonymous because that betrays the purpose by drawing more attention to your identity. But yeah, I think I’ve kept a healthy distance.”
This relatively old school approach interlaces Greene’s work on a multitude of levels beyond media exposure. His regular implementation of analogue equipment within the recording process and live sets is one particular characteristic of Greene’s which sets him apart from an increasingly competitive crowd.
“Every single record at least has a few analogue elements,” explains Greene. “It started with just being something I idolised as a kid; the image of someone figuring out a synthesiser or a drum machine appealed so much more to me than sitting at a computer, clicking away. From there, it became a thing of comfort. I enjoy the physical nature of using those instruments. I think we just have an incredible luxury in this time to be able to choose what approach we want. In the late ‘80s, if you wanted to make a house record there were not that many ways to go about it. You needed the machines and the knowledge to program them.”
Such words could just as easily emanate from the lips of a wisened digital media veteran. At only 25 years old, however, Greene speaks with a calm confidence that belies his youth, thanks to a 10-year pedigree already neatly tucked beneath his belt. “Twenty-five almost feels old at this point, actually, simply because I started using drum machines, synthesisers and production software around the age of 15.” Greene says.
On March 13, Greene will be arriving in Cambodia for the first time to perform a characteristically dreamy house and techno set. According to Greene, Punters will be treated to some of his new material, which partly draws upon his recent eclectic, alternative influences.
“I’ve been in the studio writing a lot, and when I do I like to remove myself a bit from the immediate context of my peers. So I’ve been listening to artists like Gila Monsta, Shlohmo, and all those new Aphex Twin SoundCloud uploads. I’ve been working on a lot of new music, so hopefully I get to try out a few. I try to surprise myself as much as I can, so hopefully something that keeps everyone, myself included, excited.”
Jaqcues Greene will perform at 10pm on Friday March 13 at Pontoon Pulse, #80 St. 172. Tickets are $8 (incl. one drink). Presale available at Pontoon, Duplex and Samai Distillery.