Ilija Rudman talks music, influences, and the story behind the Dead Horse Gang project

When we heard Zagreb based Ilija Rudman was launching a new concept album, we took the opportunity to talk to the man himself about the inspiration behind the project, as well as to find out a little more about where his music comes from.

The Dead Horse Gang is Ilija’s latest brainchild, a brand dedicated to a ‘cinematic dance concept, laying on the Los Angeles funk attitude’.

The result is an introspective, quirky, and - as ever - immaculately produced set of soundscapes. 12 bit grooves echo with shades of The Art Of Noise. From the skippy rhythms of opener ‘Three Four Amazing’, the mystery and suspense of title track ‘Where Wild Horses Go’, through to the rolling funk bass of ‘Over The Hill’, the carefully constructed and coherent collection exudes a sense of drama and metaphor. From melancholic reflection, to cheerful optimism, it’s clear that there’s a story to be told here…

Hey Ilija, nice to talk to you here. So, we've been collecting your records for quite some time, how long have you been producing and how did you start?

‘Hi, thanks for having me and it's a pleasure to talk with you guys about my new Album. Yes, it's been going for some time – around 20 years of releasing music. I released my first record in ‘99. Good to hear it reached your shelves!

Well, I was very young and had this huge desire to express myself in the form of music and to share it with the outer world. I was lucky enough to be in London around the time of the crossing of the centuries, and met some interesting people there who instantly recognized my first outputs. I remember I had 8 tracks done, and was looking for distributor and pressing plants. That's when the good people of (now non-existent) Swag Records connected me with (back then huge) Amato Distribution. I started my first label, Red Music, and we hit first few releases - that went down really nice. It was a period when pressing 1000 records was normal. I love to remember that time, it was just perfect for my output, so much interest from out of nowhere. Together we sold around 19 000 records – 19 vinyl releases – on Red Music.

Regarding my desire for production, it all started after numerous years of playing in bands, I discovered sequencers and ability to create music as a one-man band. That was love at first sight! So, I started to collect my first old drum machines, synths etc and was getting into organizing ideas into something to close the circle - creating music as a stand-alone platform. it was a priority for me, as it was very hard to find people with the same passion and heart to be involved in the same way – so being a one-man band for me was the solution and goal. Later I collaborated with many people I had desired to, but it was crucial to spend years in the process of self-work to find those people and have a perfect match – and a childish desire to collaborate at one point. I'm lucky enough to say it all happened.

That was indeed a golden period, and a great time to be in London. Now, can you describe your sound to us?

‘It's not easy and, in the same way, it is. It has always been organic played stuff and still is. I was never into generic, easy access sounds or a way of making packaged music – that is just not interesting, but also, it’s going nowhere. People like to make music just to say 'I make music' to impress someone. It doesn't last long, as they grow – and get mature – and they get stuck – easily leaving it all behind as if an infant dream.

My sound lays down on roots, lays down on an era when music was the most exciting. It happened to be '70s '80s even '90s sound. Creative form back then was super strong – people making crazy stuff with limited resources instead of the opposite of today's world. Everything is possible, but actually, in reality – it all sounds like... give me a break! Is this a joke?’

Haha, yeah, don’t get us started on that generic ‘drag and drop’ shit. We've seen some dope photos of your studio and it looks very impressive to us. Do you have any favourite pieces of equipment you can tell us about?

‘Thanks so much. I feel the same when I open the door and enter the room! It was built very slow – it took around 20 years to have it like this, in this form like today. I don't really a favourite piece, as all the gear was chosen with 'think twice' logic, so I would say there are a few favourites, not just one. It would definitely be hard to express myself without the EMU II Keyboard sampler, Prophet V or Oberheim OBX-a, but also without some of the beautiful outboard like the URSA Stargate, or EMT Compressor Limiters. None of this would be the same without the major core of the studio, and that is MCI 542 D Desk - the essential signature of my sound’.

It looks amazing, man. A fantastic set-up. OK, so we’re interested to know what the music scene is like in Zagreb, do you have any favourite places to play there?

‘The music scene in Zagreb is blooming, but that doesn't mean the flowers are growing everywhere. A lot of people are doing nights, but that also does not mean anything, as a lot of the nights are pure rubbish! This commercial thing – DJ's with tattoos, hands waving in booths, self liking - it's killing the game! Anyone with good connections and cheap morals can DJ, and with no experience... They're so out there, so loud. Man, they are everywhere!

But, also, there are a few things are going in a promising direction. I hold my residency in Zagreb – doing Imogen Label Nights 3 or 4 times per year on different locations – bringing people like Darshan Jesrani, Charles Webster, Don Carlos, Dj Garth, Kai Alce, Ashley Beedle, Maurice Fulton to play along. It's good, I like it’.

Yes, generic pretty boy/ girl laptop DJs. Again, it’s something that troubles us too. Your night sounds great, though. So, what's the ideal setting for your music to be played?

‘It is surf atmosphere, long roads, moto gangs riding, or dark Rooms – it is just very cinematic, can easily take you on a journey that's hidden inside of you. Emotions are the setting’.

That’s beautiful, man. Can you tell us some favourite artists of yours (musicians, producers or DJs)?

‘Another one hard to answer – as from past to today, there were so many amazing people involved in music and there still are. The best would be – just to drop names – Conny Plank, Tee Scott, Gino Soccio, Rick Rubin, Quincy, Larry, Prince, Morgan Geist, and I like the raw grooves of today's Moon B, Sasac, Benedek. But, in general, too many to mention’.

And anyone from any point in time you would love to collaborate with?

‘Morgan Geist’.

We love so much of his work and his sound. Now, please name one record you couldn't live without?

‘Hysear Don Walker – Complete Expressions Vol 2. I'm just crazy about it. Love it’.

I must admit, we had to research that one, but it’s great. Thanks for the tip-off. Onto your new album, can you tell us how the Dead Horse Gang came about, what was the inspiration behind the project?

DHG was something I wanted to create for years. I felt it is the right time. It's music from the deepest part of inside, not meant to satisfy anyone but myself. Maybe that's the key that leads to many hearts. Dead Horse Gang is a moniker to a time when liberation appears – fighting for the right cause, making it pure – fight the evil. That is Dead Horse Gang.

And we understand you're releasing on Bandcamp first, do you see this as the platform of the future for artists?

I think it already is. For me, it's something new and exciting. I never released music digitally first, so this is a premiere in my world. I think it's the right thing to do, to make it available and in reach to anyone. Vinyl is making it difficult, I know as I've been making them for 20 years, it's just an overhyped thing. Vinyl only – give me a break! Sure, this DHG album will have many modes of release – CD, cassette, vinyl, and even reel tape – but I wanted to give it a go at Bandcamp. One day for everybody. It's out there, knock yourself out!

Any interesting plans for the future, releases, tours etc?

I have a release at the start of 2020 on Beyond Paradise from Leeds, UK – Ilija Rudman 'Sparks Ep' 12“ with a Dennis Kane Remix. Then later in the year a 7“ inch release on Imogen Recordings, Brand New Heavies 'The Funk Is Back' – Remixes I did for their new Album.

I'll play Cosmic Slop - again from Leeds, UK - in the start of 2020, as well as Love International 2020. I'm going to play Zurich, Switzerland – famous Kasheme on 27th of Dec- and NYE in Zagreb.

Wonderful Ilija. Thanks again for talking to us, and good luck with this and all future releases.

Dead Horse Gang ‘Where Wild Horses Go’ will be released first via Bandcamp on 6th December 2019. You can read more about Ilija in our previous piece, here.