Doing Deep Dance Floor Business with Luke McKeehan

Growing up in Toronto, Luke McKeehan was always the one with the mixed tape. Today he is one of North America's most recognised house producers, with everyone from Puschkin Vodka to David Bowie wanting a piece of him.

For Luke McKeehan success is defined as being able to work as a DJ and producer.

"Being able to do music for a living is more than I could have imagined, so I'm content. Everything else is gravy."

It began during the 80's warehouse days where Luke found himself immersed in DJ culture and despite his frequent attempts to remove himself from the scene; he could not be kept away.

"I got into DJing as a hobby in high school in Toronto. I was the guy in the car who always had a tape, a mix to listen to or throw on at a party. I tried a few times to distance myself from it, but I always came back."

Oddly, North America's dance music scene has a tendency to be forgotten down here in the south but Luke assures me that all is growing healthily up British Colombia way.

"Here hip-hop has always been number 1, so I don't think a lot of producers have pop star expectations. The scene is going through changes as it is everywhere, but the sheer number of working producers and labels doing it in Vancouver alone is testament to the strength of the underground. Whether or not people can always appreciate it is another story."

Appreciation for Luke's distinctive style once came in the form of the opening act for David Bowie, and yes he actually did get to meet the superstar.

"We met back stage but there was only 30 seconds before I had to play. He was super-supportive and I think his fans expected me to play Bowie or classic rock, but that wasn't gonna happen and it was great to hear some of our cuts on such a huge PA."

Luke has always been regarded as somewhat an innovator. Playing a pivotal role in the shaping of Canada's dance scene, Luke is renowned for avoiding formulaic productions and giving his crowds that little bit extra.

"We joke that a lot of our music is house for people who don't like house. Typically a lot of people associate 'house' with cheesy, bodybuilder-type club events, and we couldn't be further from that. There's room for everyone and we try to cater to a crowd who want music with a little more impact, as opposed to formula."

Much of the music that is making an impression on fans and critics alike is coming from Luke's 'Nordic Trax'. Formed in 1997, Nordic Trax has enlisted the talents of Gavin Froome, Tim Shumaker a.k.a. Home & Garden, JT Donaldson, Colette, Swayzak, Morgan Page, DJ Heather, Halo Varga, and Andrew Macari.

Collectively they have produced seven albums and 25 singles, many of which have been licensed to television and film productions and advertisements (Queer as Folk, Nike, Defected Records, Sony Canada and Sweden and Puschkin Vodka for starters) and despite living next door to Bryan Adams $20 million studio without any hint of a deal in the making,

"Too bad I don't get a deal,"

Luke has had notable success with the critically acclaimed 'New CPU Experience' and the 2001 release 'Lazy Transmissions'. It became a best seller and went on to be released in over 20 territories abroad.

Even for successful producers like Luke knowing when a track is complete can be a tormenting business.

"I'm really bad at knowing when to stop and computers have made it worse because you really can keep going back to it forever. In the early days you don't think anyone will be actually dancing to your records, but I think with success you're willing to take more chances so it can take hours or weeks, but I now have a process for me to pass through."

That process has an end product and it's what Luke promises to be giving out to the punters on his upcoming Australian tour.

"If I were to describe it in 5 words or less, I would call it deep dance floor business."

Weird Gear @ Honkytonks presents
Luke McKeehan (Canada - Nordic Trax)
Friday 13th

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