Interview - Reggie Dokes (Psychostasia Recordings)

Sunday, August 16th, 2009 | Sounds

Reggie Dokes has produced some of the deepest music to come out of Detroit in the past decade. Reggie’s output on his Psychostasia Recordings, as well as a host of other labels, has stretched the limits of house music and has helped define the Beatdown sound. In this interview Reggie tells us about his early influences and what he’s currently up to.

Q: What was your earliest musical memory?

A: My earliest musical memory would have to be Earth Wind and Fire. I have this cousin from Arkansas, that showed up on our front door step one morning. He had a bag of clothes and a stack of records. My cousin, Kenneth Que Williams introduced me to soul music. As far as house music goes, my first musical experience has to be Martin Circus on Prelude. That track officially introduced me to some different kind of music.

Q: How did you get into producing music? Was there anyone in particular that inspired/ helped you on your musical path?

A: Being a DJ was great, but I noticed I was not getting the calls like the other guys because I did not have any records out there with my name on them. Then one day while sitting in Derrick May’s office, I was inspired to start my own thing. This was the beginning of producing for me, which was 2001. I give full credit to mentor at the time Derrick May for making the transition into production.

Q: You was born and raised in Detroit but now live in Atlanta. Is there anything you miss about Detroit in particular relating to it’s music community?

A: Yes I was born and raised in Detroit and now live in the ATL, and I do miss some of DJ colleagues and some of the great parties from time to time. When I was there, I was a regular at the Beatdown Sounds events every Sunday with Delano Smith, Norm Talley and Mike Clark. That was my release and form of inspiration.

Q: How is the music scene in Atlanta? Any plans to collaborate with Kai Alce?

A: The music scene as it relates to house music is very cool in Atlanta. You have the guys who do the Sweat events, Calvin and Michael. Then you have the 4Deep ATL guys, then you have Kai and Ramone that do their thing. Each event draws its own following, very small and intimate settings. Soulful and great music comes out of these events. As it relates to my brother Kai, we have not talked about collaborating, but I am going to put it out in the atmosphere and Universe, and say it will definitely happen in the near future. I appreciate that man so much.

Q: You’re currently working on R&B material. Tell us about that and which R&B artists/producers from past and present do you appreciate.

A: Yes, I am currently producing R&B, Pop and Hip Hop in Atlanta. That was one of my reasons for coming to Atlanta, Georgia. I appreciate most genres of music, and it has always been a passion of mine to pursue and challenge myself creatively. Right now as far as R&B producers of the past, it would have to be Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Baby Face and L.A. Reid and Teddy Riley. In the present it would have to be Tricky Stewart and The Dream, Danja Handz, Timbaland and the Neptunes.

Q: Fellow Detroit artist Marc Kinchen also took a similar musical path going from producing house & techno to working with major label R&B artists. This was a very deliberate move on his part to broaden his horizons as well create career longevity and financial benefits - does this resonate with you?

A: The move Marc Kinchen made from house to R&B is certainly inspirational and definitely something I draw from. I remember years ago seeing his name for R&B credits and was blown away. My first love is house and techno on the deep side of things, but I just want to broaden my creative aspirations. Longevity is certainly the key in this game, but it is just important for me to put my stamp on music, before I leave this planet.

Q: Europe’s recent fascination with deep house has resulted in a renewed interest in US artists. In the past year you’ve released on Prime Numbers, Philpot, Clone and Planet Harrier - is it ever tempting to base yourself in Europe for convenience sake?

A: Moving to Europe has certainly crossed my mind, but I think it is best I remain here in the states. Without question, I have released on some great European labels, and they have certainly shed a light on what I am doing in house and techno.

Q: What do you have lined up and when can we expect new material from your label Psychostasia Recordings?

A: Psychostasia Recordings will be releasing a new EP within the next few months. It will be myself and an artist very dear to me called Pinky. She is very talented and deserves to be heard again and again. I will stop there for now on Psychostasia.

Q: African rhythms have been a constant sound within your works and this seems to have come full circle as you recently tapped South African producer Culoe De Song for remix duties on the Let Me Go EP - he turned in an amazing remix. How did that relationship come about?

A: Those African rhythms seem to slip in there every now and then. I can’t help myself. I love percussive tracks with bongos and bells and most instruments in the percussion family. I was formally trained on the concert snare and eventually the drum set as a youth, so I am a beat junkie. I have my father Dr. Limuel Dokes to thank for that one. He was a music teacher with the Detroit Public Schools for years. In addition, Africa is a part of my wonderful heritage, and I find music a great way to express my fondness for the Motherland. My relationship with Culoe came about through my friend Boddhi Satva. I met Boddhi years ago when I was doing a tour in Belgium. Boddhi is a great spirit and I was drawn to him because of his spirit and love for music. We reconnected through this EP I did for his label, and meeting Culoe through music and developing a friendship with him happened naturally. I can’t wait to go to South Africa one day soon to DJ.

Q: I take it you’re passing down your musical knowledge to your kids in the same way your father did to yourself? Giving your working knowledge of the realities of being a musician, what advice would you give to your kids if they decided to follow in your footsteps?

A: I am exposing my children to various genres of music, but they are still kind of young and still in play mode. They both love music thanks to me, but if they decided to pursue it as a career, I would say, “If this is what you love to do, then go for it.” In addition, ” Don’t let people’s comments about your music keep you from expressing what you honestly feel.”

Q: Your productions are sonically very distinct but at the same time they have the archetypal Detroit sound. What artists/releases for you, sound how Detroit feels?

A: There a some artists that are really doing it for me as it relates to the Detroit sound and they would be: Patrice Scott, Theo Parrish, Pirahnnahead, Omar S, Delano Smith, Kenny Dixon Jr., Kai Alce and Norm Talley to name a few.

Buy Reggie Dokes releases at Beatport

Tags: Detroit, Detroit house, Detroit techno, Interview, Reggie Dokes

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