Balancing Bikes, Boards and Beats: Alan Fitzpatrick Exclusive Interview

Reverberating kicks softly supported the fluttering cadences of sizzle cymbals as they floated above the dance floor at Q Nightclub last Thursday, as London-based producer and DJ Alan Fitzpatrick took to the stage for this week’s Studio 4/4 — Seattle’s host to some of the world’s best House, Progressive, Tech, Deep, and Disco talent. Dance Music Northwest was fortunate to spend a few minutes with the accomplished artist before his set to get the following exclusive interview:

What have you been working on lately?

AF: We’re at the final stages of the CD release tour, the fabric 87 tour, so a lot of focus has been on that recently – six more shows. Production wise, I’m trying to focus on a new album. I’m about 80% there with music, but that’s always changing; not sure of a particular direction it is going yet. We also I have a new track coming out my Whistleblower label, a track called Bollocks on the 30th and a track called Warehouse on Dusky’s label 17 steps.

What have you been listening to lately?

AF: At the moment I’ve been listening to a lot of old music. It’s been a bit of a funny year for me as I’m a big Bowie fan, and I’m a big Prince fan so I’ve been listening to a lot of Prince and a lot of Bowie. I’ve been watching interviews from these guys and a lot of old footage which has kinda had me focus on my writing again. It’s weird to think that these people were here one minute and then gone the next. It just makes you want to get your music out there to people and not sit on it too long.

What are your hobbies? What contributes to your musicality?

AF: I guess I live this double life. Outside of music I find myself doing something that is way more chill, or away from hectic city life; so I go paddle boarding out in the lakes by me and mountain biking, tennis, football, and tinkering with cars. But me and my wife, we paddle board a lot which is a good way of getting away from everything hiding in the forest or something.

How about in the studio?

AF: Usually if I’m starting to feel a bit stuck I’ll just save it and come back to it another time. Then start something new and usually when you do that, focus your attention on something else, that then becomes a whole new track to focus on for awhile. And then you can usually go back to the thing with a whole new perspective. Otherwise, I’ll put on some records and listen to other stuff and try and get some inspiration from that.

And finally, what’s your favorite breakfast food?

AF: As of late it’s probably scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. I’m definitely getting some for breakfast after the show. It’s probably going to feel like afternoon and my body clock will think it’s about lunch time when we’re done playing the show.

Thanks Alan for taking the time to talk with us, we’re excited for your set and look forward to the new track!

That night at Q, opening support from Rob Winter and Naturalkind primed the crowd for Fitzpatrick to introduce his thick tech-house grooves to a packed floor. Effortlessly layered melody and relentless percussion sent trance-like vibrations and tingling rhythms inducing the audience into mesmerized sways as he gently carved the pathways of rave-inspired energy. Fabric:87 is available now on CD or Digital.