Never More, real name Colin Balzli, is a producer and former label manager of RePublik Music Recordings. He has always found solace in the seclusion in his studio often spending days on end just toying with one idea or trying to recreate one sound or melody – Privacy and self-loathing are imperative during the creative process to him, as insane as it sounds – mainly because it is. He is a real music head and lives and breathes music in all styles and forms but has always cited 80’s pop music as his biggest influence.
Knowing that having an image and a signature sound has become something of a necessity in order to advance in contemporary music. He started the Never More project in 2016 as a way of being able to create music without having to stick to one sound or style of music and allowing him to create freely without having to worry about maintaining a particular image or style so as to take the stress and rejection out of making music. While his output has been quite low since its inception he has still managed to release music on labels like Selador, Manual Music, ASTIR & Suro with his tracks gaining support from some of his idols like Sasha, John Digweed, Dave Seaman, Lee Van Dowski, Petar Dundov and Guy J amongst others.
We had the chance to talk with Never More about his new EP ‘Paradise’ released on Dance Artifakts.
Electronic Groove: Hi, Colin, and welcome to EG. Tell us, where are you right now and what have you been up?
Never More: Hello EG! I am in my chair in work dreaming about going to bed and not answering the phone for 2 whole days! Just getting ready to become a dad for the first time too. I’ve been working really hard on my dad’s body. I’m pretty happy with how it’s going. You might even say I’m in the shape of my life.
EG: Great news and congratulations! Moving into music, you have a new EP titled ‘Paradise’ coming out today on Dance Artifakts. What can you tell us about it in terms of production and inspiration?
Never More: The original idea came about close to 4 years ago now I think and it sat on a hard drive for a few months after that. I returned to it with the idea of experimenting with a more simplified melody, cutting out the arps and introducing afro style drums and samples. I have been fascinated with the afro sounds for a few years now and this was the first time I made something with that sound that also sounded like me.
EG: Where was the EP produced and what equipment did you use?
Never More: It started in Liverpool and it was completed in my studio in Waterford, Ireland about 2-3 years ago.
It was produced in Ableton with a midi keyboard, Moog Minitaur and lots of software like U-He Diva, NI Massive and Addictive Drums.
EG: Why did you use the name Paradise?
Never More: The name ‘Paradise’ is actually related to a theme of polarities which I am really interested in. Heaven and hell, good and bad, happy and sad. Paradise is where many religions believe you go after death and I suppose in my head that’s what this was about. The start depicts the beginning of life and the end depicts death… in this case, I was trying to make it as big and dramatic as possible. I guess that’s how I’d like to leave this life. As big and dramatically as possible, kicking and screaming if you will ?
“You can just tell with some people that they are honest, genuine and caring people and it’s almost a compulsion that you want them to succeed in everything they do”
EG: How did you get in touch with the label? How did the conversation begin?
Never More: A year or two ago I saw that Terron had started a label and some of his earlier releases included some people that I knew like Neil Flynn and Davin Coady (Akari/Between Ourselves). Then after a few conversations, I realized he had a close connection to Waterford, as he had lived with Neil’s brother in Miami many moons ago. So I offered to connect him with some people that I knew that might be able to help him grow his label. We’ve kept in touch regularly since… You can just tell with some people that they are honest, genuine and caring people and it’s almost a compulsion that you want them to succeed in everything they do especially when you see the kind of passion that Terron has for music and people in general. He’s a really good dude.
So the label I was involved with RePublik went on hiatus so everyone could focus on their own projects – The guys have their hands full with their club nights, RePublik and their festival Konnect. If you’re not familiar, look them up! Paradise had been earmarked for the RePublik label but then became available and I asked Terron would he like to release it and here we are now.
EG: Do you have any favorites from their catalog?
Never More: Yeah… Each track has a place in the right setting to be fair but as far as ones that I love… Well, I’d probably say Anthony George Patrice’s Sonnenalle mix of ‘Its been a while’, that’s a bit special, isn’t it? Neil Flynn’s version of ‘Hiding place’ is a beauty too. There’s also an upcoming release from Jay Skelly that’s due out next year… And boy howdy is that a humdinger too! Keep an eye out for that.
EG: You’ve been producing for quite some time. What’s your take on the evolution of Dance music and its current state?
Never More: Music is cyclical and completely subjective. Things change and evolve, get faster and slower. If you want to read about clever and well thought out opinions on various music scenes and counter-culture movements look up Graham St John. He has his finger on the pulse.
EG: In your experience in running a label, what advice would you give to those venturing into the business of opening and managing one?
Never More: Make sure you have the money, the time and the right support to deal with running a label – this means you need to have enough money to support your first 12 months and all of the releases without getting a penny back. Don’t accept things unless you are completely happy with them. If you don’t click with someone, just don’t work with them. You will only end up having arguments and dealing with the stress of not being on the same page and that is avoidable. If they are unprofessional or unreliable move away from them as well – music is filled with part-timers and glory hogs that don’t care about your projects as much as you and contrary to what people say – It’s not normal and you don’t have to accept it. You rely on a number of people to fulfill certain duties ranging from distribution to artwork to mastering and you are only as strong as your weakest link. Work with people that get you and your vision and want to see you fulfill the plan that’s in your head.
EG: What would you say have been your toughest times as a musician and how have you overcome them?
Never More: There are lots of things I find tough. Sending music to labels must be the most difficult though. Not only do you have to research who, how and where to send your music that you’ve spent hour, days, weeks and months making but you are also expected to come up with some cock and bull story about how you made these tracks for their label and you think you would be perfect for their team and all this other bull that no-one actually believes…. and then you have to wait anxiously for a reply that may never come. That’s the most trying thing. Not hearing back. I could very easily live without that part.
EG: Can you share a classic tune you can’t live without? One that really made an impact on you?
Never More: 6th Borough Project – Miss World. You will not get better than those pads! I’m still trying to recreate them 10 years on.
EG: Where should we go for a pint (or two) when visiting your hometown?
Never More: Geoff’’s. If you like good music, good Guinness and no TV’s this is your place!
Never More’s ‘Paradise’ is now available via Dance Artifakts. Grab your copy here.
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