Burial. Radiohead. Animal Collective. Banjo Or Freakout. Fool's Gold. Just a handful of accidental consent-artists whose innovative approach to music, even though you can't really compare them to each other, caused a storm of enthusiasm even in the mainstream and facile departments over the last years. Now they're connected through a new cybernetic sound from producer Andrew Jernigan, probably better known as St. Louis based Phaseone, who's remixes for before mentioned artists (and a lot more) raised more than just a few eyebrows amongst beat- and indie aficionados.

Having blended Bon Iver with El-P and Blind Man's Colour with Raekwon, the south-city producer is one of these genre-benders that like to keep a low profile, yet his broadening templates of electro-prog, hip-hop, digi-dubstep and indie is much more than the usual odd fusion. In fact, for open-minded audiences, his musical output might feel like opening the best lucky bag ever. Things started off with Mad Weight, a 48-track assault of boom-clap, psychedelic electronica and neo-soul, which he released in the summer of 2008, followed by this year's Thanks But No Thanks that already gave you an idea of things to come. Loose ideas turned into elaborated tracks to form a strong and cohesive album that feels strangely grounded yet totally spaced out. It's like Goblin jamming with John Carpenter during an underground b-boy battle. Just recently he released White Collar Crime, more a mix tape than an actual new album, which mainly showcases his remix work for fractal pop artists that has gained him so much attention lately. It's understandable, after working on putting beatsmithery on a new level almost non-stop for the past two years, that Mr. Jernigan feels a bit worn out these days. Lodown took this opportunity for doing a little Q&A with the prolific producer.

Andrew, how did you get into hip-hop... did you already have a reputation as a DJ in St. Louis or did that happen when you actually started to produce tracks?

I was never a DJ; I came at it solely with production. I was making beats and hitting up the local rappers to make songs. But I was always doing more experimental stuff on the side. Now I run a club night with two friends in Saint Louis but that came later.

I personally connect Saint Louis mainly with mainstream stuff like Nelly or Akon... please tell me a bit about the scene over there. Would you say it's rather open- or narrow-minded?

The rap scene is pretty broad and diverse, you have all sorts of different artists doing different styles, but I wouldn't say it’s open-minded. That's why I got out of it. As a producer, basically giving away tracks for nothing, these rappers didn't want to hear anything you had to say about them or their songs. It was a complete waste of time.

I first came across your name when you released Mad Weight... which was clearly rooted in hip-hop. Would you agree that with your latest mix White Collar Crime you seemed to have found something which is almost your own genre?

Mad Weight was sort of a rap beat marathon. It's maximal but simple. With Thanks But No Thanks, I sort of developed some of the same styles into songs with structures and themes. The idea with White Collar Crime was basically just like putting together a mix tape for your friend or even yourself... I took all these joints that were never really properly released and put them in one place, with some blends and some stuff with a live element, to give it more of a mix tape feel.

Have you always worked instrumentally as Phaseone? And if so, do you have any ambitions to change that anytime soon?

My main focus is electronic music, and the types of sounds I've been chasing haven't provided a need to work with any vocalists but that will change.

You gained a lot of attention through your remix work. Do you find it more challenging to leave your mark on material that isn't necessarily connected to hip-hop or club culture? Or is thinking in genres something you always try to avoid?

I don't really think of it in terms of genres. With remixes for instance, it's always just been about putting my own spin on something else, in whatever way seems appropriate. I've done some tracks that really go off in a club, and some that are more intimate. Really, doing a remix is no different from sampling a record of your own song - it's going to turn into something completely different.

In addition to that: are you sometimes afraid - because your remix work is so strong and unique - that your own material has it twice as hard to live up to people's expectations?

I don't worry about it living up to expectations - if there are any at this point - but I realise that people may be less likely to check for it. People aren't going to jump all over it when they see it like they would if it were something from their favourite artist.

You get a lot of love from the blogosphere... from 'Gorilla vs. Bear' in particular. Do you have any personal connections to them or are they just fans?

No personal connections. I've sent them some music but we never talk about it, they just post it. With them, I think it’s purely coincidental because a lot of the artists I've remixed happen to be their favourite artists or favourite songs.

How important is blog-culture to an artist like Phaseone? And do you think that physical releases on vinyl or CD are obsolete formats?

It's been good for me... how else would I have people in Romania, South Africa and Australia enjoying my music? I still think physical formats are important. I love buying records. I can't stand buying MP3s.

I can imagine there will be more remixes for 'indie-artists' in the very near future... what are you working on right now?

I'm actually not working on any remixes at the moment - I'm kind of worn out. I have a few different albums and EP's I'm trying to roll out at the same time.

Best Albums 2009

Sa-Ra - Nuclear Evolution: The Age Of Love
Dam-Funk - Rhythm Trax 4
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Silkie - City Limits Vol. 1
DOOM - Born Like This
Kryptic Minds - One Of Us

Best Songs 2009

Dam-Funk - Galactic Fun
Silkie - The Horizon
Washed Out - Feel It All Around
Washed Out - Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)
Kryptic Minds - Six Degrees

Best Movies 2009

I haven't seen a new movie all year.

10 Reasons Why Hip-Hop Sucked In 2009

Oh gosh, man, I can't think of anything... if I do I will get back to you! Sorry!

<sub>www.myspace.com/phaseonestl
get his album 'Thanks But No Thanks' and 'Mad Weight' at the digital forum of your choice.

words. Forty
Pic.</sub>