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\nEric Lau is a London based producer, known for his work with an array of international artists including Lupe Fiasco, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Chris \u201cDaddy\u201d Dave, Dudley Perkins, Guilty Simpson, Oddisee, Muhsinah, Tanya Morgan, and several others.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to production work he is also a well respected DJ having toured the world and supported acts such as Erykah Badu, Questlove and Robert Glasper to name a few. His debut album “New Territories” to great critical acclaim was nominated as one of Giles Peterson\u02bcs Worldwide Top Albums of the Year 2008, establishing him as a key name at the forefront of progressive production talent.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to 2012 and he has recently completed “The Mission” EP featuring Detroit\u2019s native Guilty Simpson amongst others. Grindin’ caught up with Eric before he embarked on his Australasian tour in May.<\/p>\n

Who were your musical influences growing up?<\/strong>
\nIn my teenage years I was into a lot of guitar based music Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Beatles, The Kinks, Brit Pop stuff. I listened to a bit of Hip Hop but wasn’t deep into it until my friend lent me some Roy Ayers and Curtis Mayfield. It made me understand how hip hop was made and it opened me up to even more types of music.<\/p>\n

What got you into music production?<\/strong>
\nWhen I was at University my friend lent me some simple music software, it was like a game to me and I was hooked! I played the music that I had made to other people and they seemed to feel it. Once I started recording with vocalists and musicians I never really looked back! I never thought I would be making music, music found me.<\/p>\n

What equipment were you using when you first started out and what are you now using?<\/strong>
\nI started on a normal PC and Hip Hop Ejay. The went on to Fruity Loops. Now I use the MPC, Moog, Outboard eq’s and Logic.<\/p>\n

When did you realise you could make this as a career?<\/strong>
\nWhen I got my first production job with a British group called Hil St Soul<\/p>\n

You originally grew up in Cambridge and then made the move to London how did you find relocating to such a big city and did it help with your production?<\/strong>
\nMoving to London helped me develop as person and opened me up to a lot of different cultures, especially in music. I didn’t really make music until I was in London but I feel moving there definitely helped in terms of the infrastructure. There always some show to go to or at the time a record store to hang out at. It helped me develop a lot of face to face relationships that helped me in my progression to where I am now.<\/p>\n

Being of British Chinese descent and that you aren’t from London was it hard breaking into Hip Hop circles given the lack of other British Chinese within it?<\/strong>
\nYes and no. Many people did not take me seriously at first however people never expect anything from us so they are often pleasantly surprised. I use it to my advantage.<\/p>\n