They say that record producers and engineers are the people behind the curtain, but if so London's Dan Carey seems to be hiding deep in the backstage shadows while the artists he work with take center stage. These artists include Franz Ferdinand, Kylie Minogue, CSS, M.I.A., Lily Allen, Hot Chip, Emilíana Torrini, Santigold, The Kills, La Roux, Oh Land, Bat For Lashes, Willy Mason, and Yeasayer. Despite the attention these people receive, it's rare to read about Dan or to even come across a short interview with him. So I trekked through South London to his Streatham-based studio where we had quite a great chat amid his massive collection of musical instruments and recording gear.
I notice you've obviously got a lot of sound processing equipment. I think I saw an EMT 140 in the back. What kind of spring reverbs are you using?
The Orban [Dual Reverberation], the AKG BX 5, and the Slinky.
You use the Slinky trick?
I've had that for ages actually. I quite like the sound the sound that it makes, even without the speaker, the spring itself if you hit it. Or we connect wire drum brushes to a car battery and then the other side of the car battery to one end of the Slinky. Then you just stroke it and the sparks just go "fshhhh" and sets the spring off with this kind of "fshinnng."
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That's the ultimate spring reverb. [laughter]
It's like kicking the amp.
You have some tape delays too?
Yes, the [Roland] Space Echo, but the Klemt [Echolette] is favorite one. And a Watkins Copicat.
This place is like a treasure trove.
It is nice isn't it? You can see I like having everything out. I find if I do writing sessions I try to get people to come over here because you can walk around and, "Oh, I've got a song."
Is everything plugged in or easily accessible?
Pretty much. Within a couple of minutes you know? Everything is so close. If you want to play a guitar, just choose an amp.
When did you move into this space?
About eight years ago.
You live upstairs?
