In this edition of IdioSYNcratic Routine, I got to dish out my brand of silly questions. This time, they were directed toward the one Richard Warren better known to most as ECHOBOY.

This interview comes right off the heels of the release of his newest album Elektrik Soul Psymphonie. His first album since 2003 and first on new label, The First Time Records.

First off, you seem like a busy person. Do you find it tough devoting your time from one awesome project to another equally awesome project?
Yes, it can be a bit of a nightmare and I’d rather just be doing one thing at a time. Hopefully now I’ll be able just to concentrate on one thing from now on.

Over the years, your music has gotten a lot of comparisons to several different and influential artists. Many people see this as a form of flattery. Others think it’s a simple way to easily classify music. As someone who’s had this done to them, what are your feelings?
If we’re compared to someone we like, we’re flattered. If we’re compared to someone we hate, we’re being far to easily classified…..(is that not a Morrissey song?) It’s a fickle business you know.

You’ve had numerous chances to play with and in different bands. What is the process you use when determining who you collaborate with and who you don’t? Do they just need to tell you how great you are and it’s a done deal? Or is the process a bit more involved than that?
It’s always about the people for me, even before the music. The only other bands I’ve worked with I’ve done because I’ve been approached as a friend. I couldn’t play music with people I didn’t particularly like (musically or personally). I can think of a couple of occasions where I felt a bit like a session musician and I hated it, I not that technically proficient and I’m far too opinionated.

Not only do you make your own music, but you’ve been known to produce and remix other people’s music. Is it rewarding being creative with other people’s creations?
No not really. It’s nice as a personal test on your production skills, to see how for you can twist someone’s ideas and sounds. But because I’m not really a dance music tech-head. I tend to take forever on every project and end up using loads of ideas I should probably use on my own songs. I can think of a couple of great guitar riffs I’ve used on remixes that could have been great Echoboy songs. The cash helps though!

My co-worker has a band, do you think you could do a remix of on of his songs and make people like them more?
I’m employed to take nice successful songs that people usually like quite a lot and twist them into something strange that people usually don’t. So no!

Do you have any rituals that you perform to prep you to record a new album? Go on tour?
I’ve been either on tour or in a recording studio for as long as I can remember so life has become one long ritual. And I’d hate to bore you with that.

If you were to define it in your own words. How would you classify an Elektrik Soul Psymphonie? It took me about 2 weeks to properly spell it so I’m a bit hesitant about trying to figure out what it means.
I tried to sum up the sound of the whole record in one snappy title. Elements of Electronic, Soul, Psychedelic, and symphonic music. The spelling mistakes just hint at it being slightly fucked up I suppose.

We want to thank Richard for his time. Hopefully he’ll begin speaking to us again soon! ECHOBOY’s new album Elektrik Soul Psymphonie is in stores now via The First Time Records.

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