We caught up with Drum ‘n’ Bass innovator Goldie at Birmingham’s MADE Festival this weekend to talk performing, collabs and all things music…

Where did your passion for music really start?

I’ve been in music since I was a kid – I’ve always loved music.

How old were you?

Probably 7 or 8 – I heard Super Trap, it blew my mind. Stranglers, Buzzcocks, I was a bit of a punk when I was younger. Marley, English reggae bands, and the rest is history to be honest. I’ve always painted music, that’s my thing.

How would you sum up your sound in 3 words?

It’s hard to sum it up in 3 words. Our label has been running for 25 years. We’ve been in and out of fashion so many times. That’s the drum and base culture and I’ve been in that culture from the beginning. I love music and I love art.

Where’s been the best place you’ve ever performed?

Tokyo was pretty rad, I’ve done New York, LA has always been amazing. This country eats music and spits it out so quickly, more than any other country. It’s got to have longevity. And longevity is hard to maintain.  You can be a flavour one minute and out of flavour the next.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

I’ve pretty much done everyone I wanted to do – I’ve just done Skepta that’s coming out this month. I’ve worked with Carris, Gallagher, Bowie – loads of people.

Who’s on your playlist right now?

I listen to a lot of classical music, believe it or not. I listen to a lot of old Studio One reggae; you know Dennis Brown and all that. I like a lot of early punk; I keep an open mind with music. I’ve been listening to a lot of new stuff on the label – I’ve got a pretty diverse music taste.

Photo: Instagram