Who are you, and where are you from?

My name’s Richard Wigglesworth, I’ve lived in Bristol for 7 years, via Hertfordshire and Sheffield – and tonight, Matthew, I’m going to be one half of Luke Vibert & Richard Wigglesworth

How did you first start out writing & releasing music?

Got into synths and Roland drum machines when I was a wee strip of a school lad, got more serious in Sheffield.

Released a limited 7″ as Hysteresis in 2002 which John Peel played at the right speed.

In 2009 I set up my record label Tudor Acid.

Who were your greatest influences when you first began, and who or what influences you now?

Stuff like New Order I grew up with, but the REAL big f**k-off kick up the arse came from seeing Autechre, Sabres Of Paradise and LFO live in Sheffield in 1994!

If you weren’t writing music, what would you probably be doing?

Never thought of that before – I’d like to spend my time somewhere cold and remote mountaineering and filiming the scenery on super 8 film.  But have been getting into Martial Arts (Shorinji Kempo) recently so probably I’d progress a bit faster at that.

How did you hook up with Balkan Vinyl?

I did some gigs at I Love Acid, and then when Luke Vibert promised Balkan Vinyl a track, he gave them the one we did in Bristle.

What other artists are you listening to or excited by currently?

The Doubtful Guest – it’s seriously addictive gabba.
Luke’s new one is awesome.
My hot tip for 2010 is GOSH who runs “All Your Base Are Belong To Us” in Reading. He’s an amazing producer who properly cares about what he does.

What is your favourite biscuit?

Custard Cream. Actually wait, no, Party rings. I can eat a whole pack in 5 mins.

What’s your opinion on the current state of the music industry, how it is affected by and can it react & adapt to piracy, new technology, and the change in distribution and availability?

I think it means that it is harder to get people’s attention as there is a lot of stuff out there, and I think a lot of music gets half-listened too.
It shouldn’t matter too much if you love what you do and are doing what you love, but that’s a mite idealistic… :-/

My main concern with music is that there are so many re-releases, so many remasters, it’s as if fans and producers and labels are constantly looking and striving for the ‘perfect’ definitive version of the same album which has already done well, why rewrite history? It’s kind of a never ending quest for perfection which is flawed in its aims and objectives. Although I do love the Kraftwerk remasters, maybe it is justified in that case :-/

Anyway, sorry, that’s not really the question you were asking.

What is your proudest achievement, musically

Probably my new album ‘Merri Portland’

How did the 2000’s treat you?

At the beginning pretty crap, then slightly better, then interesting and kind of sweet, then boring but kind of fun, followed by really good and increasingly exciting ending with a sense of “Shit! lots of work to do. This is serious, got to work hard.”

Good though.

How do you write music – do you have a method or any habits or traditions?

I generally write all the time, but I kind of had a slight hiatus while I was putting together promotion and ting for the Merri Portland album and other label stuff,  so kind of a relief to be back into it now.

I generally start with a drum beat or a nice keyboard sound/riff or acid line.

What software & hardware do you use?

I don’t use computers much, I am more into electronic instruments with a nice physical interface – 808, 303 (obviously!) 909 and Machinedrum.  I also built a DiY kit acid box recently.

What have you got happening now or in the near future?

The Merri Portland album on out now Tudor Acid,  also have Tudor Acid remix EP on 12″ vinyl coming out, with mixes by Luke Vibert and Radioactive man.

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Richard Wigglesworth features on Balkan RED
For more info, check the Tudor Acid Myspace page