What is happening with the Greenskeepers as a band?

Over the last year i have taken a break from the band to focus on solo
projects and collaborating with other artist. Greenskeepers has always
been a name that represented me and the music I made on my own and with other artist. It started out with Nick Maurer and I and then I released music on my own for years under the name "Greenskeepers". I've also released music under the Greenskeepers name for music that I collaborated with artist such as JDub, Mark Share, Diz, Lance Desardi, Ziggy Franklen,
and Joshua (IZ).


What does the music you have worked on over the last year sound like?

I've been really busy throwing myself into different projects. I have a
new single that features JDub called "We Just Won't Stop" that is being released on DFA. It sounds like a cross between early house and hip house.

I have finished a whole album with Tommie Sunshine that is in the process of being mixed down in New York right now. I gave him really fun 80's sounding electronic dance music that he then took and added live drums to and his secret Tommie Sunshine ingredients.
I am also close to being finished with an album I have done with Chris
Holmes of Smashing Pumpkins fame. That is more of a pop record full of guest vocalist including JDub.

There is a new mix CD I did for the club Electric Circus that is being
released right now on OM and GKM. I've also done a lot of remixes and released some fun house singles on my own label GKM.


When can we expect the next Greenskeepers/James Curd tour?

I'm in the process of fine tuning a new live show. I'm going to head out
on the road this time with a couple of new faces. Nick Maurer used to man the microphone but he has moved away to Germany with his wife to begin the next chapter of his life. It's really been exciting picking a mix of old Greenskeepers favorites to perform live along with the brand new music. There is going to be 3 people on the mic this time around including JDub and an even more vamped up show.


You also own Greenskeepers music, what artists do you work with, and what other labels is James Curd on?

Greenskeepers music is a label I've been doing for almost 10 years. I
really do it to feature music that my other musician friends and I make.
It's really a joy to work on. The most notable artist that have been
featured on GKM are, PNAU, Kaskade, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Gene Farris, Diz, Ron Carroll, Exit Only and Lance Desardi. I've released a lot of music on other labels most recently DFA.


How did you get your song Vagabond in Grand Theft Auto IV?

I was contacted by the music supervisor of rockstar who happened to run a label here in Chicago called Guidance. His name is Ivan and he and I had known each other from a long time ago. We started kicking around ideas and I was able to use some of my old band mates from Greenskeepers and bringth em into the studio to collaborate with JDub who was a vocalist that I was working with on a lot of new music. The end result was 2 vocals on the song that really complimented each other and worked perfectly for the game and TV ad. I can't wait to do this song live!


How would you describe the music you make?

It really depends on what style I'm making at the moment. The more house music I make is old fashioned Chicago Jazzy house. I put a bit of swing with it as well. I also make more electronic disco sounding music that is featured on DFA.


How would you describe your dj set?

My dj set really depends on the party I'm playing at. I love digging for
new popular music and see if i can make my own edits to incorporate in my sets. That way it may be a song people know but done in a way that is brand new to them. I also play a lot of fun chicago house with a bit of vocal and r'n b flavors through out.


Which artists do you aspire to?

I love listening to the french band AIR. I like tons of the bands coming
out of Australia like PNAU, The Presets, Cut Copy, Empire of the Sun.
There are so many!


How do you manage to differentiate yourself from all the other djs out there?

I think the biggest difference is that I have been DJIng ever since i was
young because i really have fun doing it. When you come to a party that I'm playing at I think you will enjoy the music but you will also
appreciate the happy care free atmosphere the music inspires.


Your songs appear in diverse places, from Greys Anatomy to GTA - any others?

A few other TV shows like CSI Miami, and Big Shots. We were just in the film "What Happens in Vegas". One funny feature I can think of is a shoe company that makes shoes for cheerleaders used our song for their TV AD.


Its be noted that you now dj off cds prodominantly, do you believe records are a thing of the past?

I love records and I still buy and make records for GKM. I would love to
be able to dj on all vinyl because it's much more fun for me as a dj but
it's become almost impossible due to the traveling and the clubs are so used to only having djs using CDs that they have left the turntables in terrible condition. Plus when I'm doing a festival CDs are the only way to battle heat, rain and wind!


Do you feel house music is dying out?

I think music goes in cycles. House will never die. It has a niche
audience and I think it's due for a bigger following soon.


What can we expect of you in the upcoming year?

A brand new live show, more solo projects, more collaborations and a new Greenskeepers album!


There are rumours you want to move from Chicago?

I love Chicago and it has been my home for my entire life but I really
enjoy being in Australia with my girlfriend Min. I feel like I have a much
more well rounded life there with her. I look forward to moving my base
there.


Do you have any bad habits?

i drink way too much coke! I used to bite my nails! Especially when on nervous flights, but during the last trip to Australia I managed to kick the habit with a little help from some awful tasting nail varnish!


What do you like doing in your spare time?
 
Having dinners with Min, playing scrabble, golfing, seeing movies and
skateboarding.


What are your favourite things in life?

My girlfriend, my dog Morgan, Music and sleep.
 

How do you cope with so much travel?

I still don't know the best cure to jet lag.


What do you do to pass the time on flights?

I read books, watch movies and I'm about to start trying to work on the
laptop.


What would be your worst or scariest experience?

The scariest was when we were on a flight from Chicago to Manchester and right before we were about to start to cross the Atlantic one of the engines went out and we had to make an emergency landing in Halifax Canada!.


Vanilla vs Chocolate
Chocolate

Sunrise vs Sunsets
Sunsets

Early bird vs Night owl
Night owl

Flowers vs Gifts
BOTH!!

Spender vs Saver
Spender

Coke vs Pepsi
Coke

Bingo vs Bowling
Bowling

Poker vs Blackjack
I really want to learn poker but to be safe I'll go with Blackjack

Lover vs Fighter
Lover