Steve Davis

1.) WHICH RECORD HAS HAD THE MOST PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON YOU?
Like many Magma fans (especially first time around fans) I would immediately respond with MDK but I think the Magma album that has informed my acceptance and appreciation of “difficult” music I think I’ll go with their masterpiece Köhntarkösz. A live version exists on CD only Théâtre Du Taur – Concert 1975 – Toulouse which is jaw dropping! If I had a Time Machine it would be in my top ten places to “re visit”.

2.) HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU SPEND A WEEK RECORDING/PLAYING/CREATING?
I’m listening to music every day and have times where I binge on creating or “rehearsing” (arguably difficult for improvised stuff!). Modular Synths don’t require any real dexterity so it’s more a case of learning modules in order to harness their (and your) potential.

3.) WHICH OF YOUR OWN CREATIONS IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
I’m torn between our first eponymous release on Rocket Recordings and our second private release Dreamsweeper.

It was exhilarating when our first album was released. The whole process, from improvising, editing, and producing a physical release was totally new to me. All of it felt so surreal and to get such positive reviews was beyond our wildest expectation.

Dreamsweeper was another matter entirely. It was a very early gig in our journey and also our first in London. I was to a large degree still very inexperienced, and also not that proficient on modular synth, so to get a live recording of a piece that I was involved in that we also thought was worthy of a release was the point where I popped my Cherry as a “musician”. I’m still not sure I’ve fully accepted that but I’m happy to say that I’m enjoying the learning curve now rather than shitting myself before every gig!

4.) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET?
As far as music is concerned, not continuing to embrace experimental music after a great start in my teenage years by preferring Henry Cow over Genesis. I got side-tracked by Soul Music in the 80’s and while I still love it, given another crack at “life” I would have fully committed to the weirder end of stuff and maybe that would have encouraged me to making music earlier in my life…….. but then that would mean The Utopia Strong and Dreamsweeper wouldn’t have existed ….. so …… I regret nothing!!

5.) WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
Apart from hanging out with other Modular friends and making improvised music, my one obsession is a YouTube channel every Friday night created by (a now good friend of mine) StuntrockConfusion.

It’s a 2 1/2 hour journey into amazing music that I previously had not been aware of! If it wasn’t for Stunty and his amazing musical knowledge, I would have never been aware of an artist called Andrew Liles.

6.) OTHER THAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION?
I suppose I’d have to say my vinyl record collection.

Perhaps it should be my Eurorack stuff and what it currently allows me to do?

Historically it is of course my Snooker cue and the journey we went on. I don’t need it now but it sits in its corner and doesn’t seem to complain that it has been retired from duty.

7.) TELL ME THREE OF YOUR HEROES/HEROINES?
Barry Hearn, my best mate and the most amazing person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Kavus Torabi and Mike York for being brave enough to risk their careers on stage with a Snooker Player!

8.) WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
My music room.

9.) IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR ART WHAT OCCUPATION DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING?
I’ve been so lucky that both of my hobbies/obsessions have become professions. If neither of them had been available to me then I have no clue. Most snooker players have continued to play or be involved in the Snooker scene after dropping off the tour. I suppose I would have done that. I still enjoy working on the three BBC snooker events and that is perfect for me.

10.) IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT YOU HAVE NEVER CONVEYED IN AN INTERVIEW BEFORE WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
That I’m not a techno DJ. I just found a pair of headphone in a drawer.