FaltyDL: To New York

Andrew Lustman AKA FaltyDL is the latest signing to Planet Mu records.Hailing from New York City; Drew rep’s the East-Coast’s burgeoning beat scene. A huge fan of UK Garage and Jungle sound, he draws on both the genres adding a distinct dubstep twist, incorporating a 2-step bounce and sprinkling of hip-hop and jazz to boot making his own productions feel complex and yet, still inherently danceable as he displayed with his debut album ‘Love Is A Liability’ earlier this year.

Now lining up a whole host of releases, including his ‘Bravery’ mini album (you can find that also on Planet Mu) and his ‘Party’ single on RAMP Recordings at the end of the month, his sound has been compared by some to Hyperdub’s most elusive producer, Burial, but you can file him alongside such luminaries as Martyn and SBTRKT or under the genre he likes call “New York Garage.”

When he’s not sat at his computer makes beats in his underpants, Falty works as a substitute teacher and we’re hoping he’ll teach us a thing or two about NY 2-step when he plays his debut London show this Friday at fabric. We caught up with the ex-sushi making now beat-making teacher via email to get the down low on the New York Garage sound.

Name: Drew Lustman

Age: 26

Hometown: NYC

What have you been up to for the past two weeks?
I’ve been getting my live set together and finishing some remixes. Not too much of my own production at the moment, just gearing up for this mini tour...

So tell us, what were you listening to growing up?
A lot of Frank Zappa and Miles Davis... a pinch of Raffi as well.

Your sound seems to have an affinity to the UK, what are you favourite sounds to have come out of the UK and why?
Jungle has to be my favourite sound. It’s just so raw and rough. Very dark and alien to what I grew up listening to. After that, UKG has a special place in my heart as well.

Okay, so what five records defined the Jungle era for you?
Hmmm, I’ma leave this to my heroes alone, Remarc and Doc Scott. ‘Nasty Habbits’ is amazing, but the B side ‘Prototype’ I believe, is an excellent amen work out. Giving my age, Remarc’s compilations on Planet Mu was my homework. I've searched far and wide for originals... Discogs is my friend.

What are your top five UK Garage tracks?
I'm all about ‘A London Thing.’ Garcia had a few 12"s but that one opened my mind a lot when I was 17. Man I'm bad at top 5's... I'm sure all 5 will be played on Friday though...

You’re sound has been likened to that of Burial's, what do you think about this comparison though?
Whatever to be honest... I don't care anymore at this point haha. I’m just trying to get out of my head what I hear so I can make room for more sounds. It’s all good.

‘To London’ went down well in the UK, what did you think of the reaction to it?
Yeah, well I made that track one night at like 4 am, so it was just the tune and I. I didn’t ever imagine it would even get released, so it’s great to hear people like it. I’ve heard it in clubs and it’s a bit awkward cause it was just this thing I did one night, you know? I think the name probably helps too haha.



Tell us about your new EP ‘Bravery’, what’s your favourite track?
‘Play Child’ has to be my favourite track, the strings original source makes me cry every time. I made the EP shortly after completing the LP ‘Love Is A Liability,’ without the thought of releasing the tunes. I just got back to playing things out and experimenting. The EP is a very free stream of conscious for me, it varies a lot.

Since you have a very UK sound, how does it go down in the US?
I don’t know to be honest. I’m getting gigs on both coasts and the middle too, so it’s going alright I suppose. It’s hard doing press in the states, especially coming from a UK label. We try though...

I’ve seen people describe your music as everything from Dubstep to Drum and Bass and Jungle to Techno. What genre would you place your music in?
Hmmm... I’ll choose NYG.

In terms of the US ‘beats scene’ on the West Coast you’ve got the Brainfeeder crew representing the sound, but tell me, what’s going on in the East side? Who should we be looking out for?
Oh man, good question. A few serious things in the works right now, I’m very excited to be a part of some things over here. I’d look at Mike Slott (part of the LuckyMe fam) he lives in NYC and is doing his thing. Others too whose names escape me right now... But y’know, Queensbridge baby, Nasty Nas. So we got our history over here. I wonder who will pick up the ball next, I’d like Def Jux to continue to do their thing, I’m a fan of that.



What artists are you into at the moment and why?
I really dig Actress, and Floating Points as well so much right now. Actress gets this tin like sound sometimes in his compression that I couldn't replicate in 100 years, it’s amazing.

What was the last record you bought?
Luke Vibert, ‘We Hear You.’ He’s beyond the curve that man. I think the first track ‘Belief File’ has the heaviest drop I’ve heard in years, and he probably didn't even try to make it heavy.

Where do you see your own productions going?
Hopefully cleaner haha! Just not to repeat myself would be nice. I’m loving remixing right now.

Where do you see yourself this time next year, what do you hope to achieve in that time?
I'd like to travel more. Most importantly, I’d like to continue to learn more about myself through the process of making music. Try and figure out why I feel the need to create tunes in the first place.

And finally, what can we expect from your set on Friday?
I’ma try and integrate as much of my own material with other peeps goodness as much as possible while trying to maximize my new Akai MPD24. Looking forward to it.

Falty is appearing this Friday alongside Hyetal, Luke.Envoy and King Cannibal in Room Three. For information on the full lineup go here:
fabriclondon.com/club/listings/