Local lad and long time Teknoscaper, Heretik, has returned from flying the flag for Australian breaks in Dubai. He catches up with Taxman, ahead of his Destination? debut on Australia Day.

Musically, what path have you taken to arrive at the sound you’re currently producing and playing?
Well I’ve always loved breakbeats, Drum’N’Bass held its place in my heart for a lot of years but as things progressed I lost the love for it and caught the Breaks bug as they say, but I think I’m just getting old.

What’s behind the name Heretik?
The meaning of the word is a pretty good resemblance to a non-believer like myself and I was never really a fan of the Church or their teachings so the word kind of just stuck in my head.

You’ve recently returned from Dubai, where you supported several touring breaks artists. What’s the scene like in Dubai, and how does it compare with that of Perth?
The house scene is absolutely huge in Dubai, but there’s a bustling breaks scene with a lot of Artists flying into play regularly, I think the Stanton Warriors gig was sold out to 600 People so it’s quite a healthy little scene happening there.

You have some tracks released on Voodoo Freqs, an internet label. Given the time and costs associated with pressing up vinyl, would you encourage budding producers to focus on digital labels for signing their first few tracks?
I wouldn’t limit yourself to focusing on a certain format, or a style, or label… Just make what you feel and get it to sound the best it can before you consider signing them.

What is your production arsenal comprised of? Are there plans for a Heretik live show in the future?
It’s a very modest arsenal really. My trusty laptop is the workhorse for just about everything, that and a lot of speakers. It’s just amazing what you can do with a computer, a sequencer and some virtual instruments these days, you really don’t need anything else.
I can’t see myself doing a live show though unless I had a band to back me up on stage. Something like NIN… Maybe one day.

Do you think the electro influences that many breaks tracks are currently exhibiting will continue for much longer, or are we due for a return to darker styles?
Well it’s a healthy thing but breaks has definitely been lacking in output of darker styles. I’ve been a fan of all things dark and one tune I fell in love with, Fex – Striken Roots on Marine Parade is just one of the best and darkest tunes I’ve ever heard so I hope things can return from the grave a bit. I’ll certainly be helping the cause in the studio.

Behind the decks, are you a straight faced picture of concentration, or do you like to dance and jump around?
I’ll usually have a bit of a jump around, when the crowds having fun it’s hard not to, I’ve even jumped down onto the dance floor in the past for a quick shimmy so if you buy me enough drinks I might do anything.

What’s your all time clubbing moment?
It would have to be seeing The Prodigy a few years ago. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stage act perform any better.

Finally, what are your plans for Australia Day? BBQ and beers in the sun, or will you be bunkered down in the studio finishing a track for the party people at Destination?
I’m so slack when it comes to finishing tunes so I’ll most likely be preparing with a scotch and a snagger in either hand instead of a mouse and computer. Watch out for a couple of new things from me though, I’m working on a remix for Influenza at the moment and some new techy bits so definitely keep your ears peeled.