Truly unclassifiable in any of today’s genres, British beatsmith Om Unit (aka Jim Coles) has mastered the art of non-discriminatory electronic music. Originally known as a turntablist under the moniker 2tall, Coles has traversed through different periods of music whilst still maintaining his signature luscious textures and head-knocking beats. Ranging all the way from ass-shaking tracks like “Neptune,” which was featured on a 2010 Low End Theory podcast, to the instrumental 4/4 grooves of early Chicago house found in “The Power of Love,” Om Unit’s work has diversified his audience. Coles’ surging instrumentation and exuberant synthwork has received appraisal from many fellow UK super-producers, including recently remix duties by the likes of Salva and Shigeto. His most recent project, The Timps EP, is out now through Civil Music. We got the opportunity to chat with Coles about the origin of his name, his unexpected hardcore past, and his upcoming UK summer tour.
Interview by Jesse Pimenta.
What’s the origin of your name, Om Unit?
Om is the western way, I guess, of writing AUM, which is the classic Sanskrit term for the nameless and unknowable. There’s different interpretations but it’s basically creation. Unit is a singularity so I guess to me its creation through a singularity.
Interesting…
Sure, look it up.
How did your involvement with music first begin?
I guess first through playing instruments, then I got into electronic music around ’94.
So you’ve been at it for a while now.
Yeah, I got into making hardcore stuff back on a DOS-based PC software called Trackers, but I didn’t put anything out until 2003 or so.
…hardcore? Never expected that. You have a lot of different influences. Who would be a dream collaborator for you? There must be some classics that you grew up idolizing.
Well those guys from back then have all moved on. I guess in the ’90s the biggest influence on me would have been the jungle/dnb producers. I would have loved to worked with Krust or someone like Dom n Roland. I wasn’t that serious about it all though, I was just a kid. They captured my imagination. Krust was making these epic records like “True Stories” around ’97 that really got me. People like Mark Pritchard still play that record today. You might hear it on pirate occasionally. That era influenced many people who you may have not realized. I guess that was the “bass music” of the time, at least for us kids in the UK!
Yeah, there’s always that life-changing album for every producer.
Right.
You’ve been in the electronic world since you were young; have the day and night of Om Unit been consistent? Is music your primary provider, or is there a day job you’re a slave to?
Right now I’m at this full time.
Computer Jay – The Phantom (Om Unit Remix)
Thats a great feeling to be able to do what you love whenever you feel like it. So that means we should expect a lot from you this year, ay?
I hope to have more music out when it feels right, not too rushed, there’s a fair bit coming in terms of remixes and a few collabs that I cant mention yet. I do a lot of reworking/sketches etc.. just practicing stuff really… But all in good time.
The anticipation is a killer, but practice makes perfect. Now you’re playing all over the UK this summer, any place you’re most excited for?
I’m really looking forward to playing at Pinch’s Dubloaded night in Bristol. It’s a great honour to be asked by him to come and play, as I know he’s a man who knows a thing or two. I really enjoy playing out in general though. I tend to get away with a broad selection too, just doing my thing wherever I can!
That sounds like quite the night, Something we’re missing here in Southern California. Any plans of coming to the States?
I certainly hope to come to the US as soon as possible, especially LA. Watch this space!
The Mahavishnu Orchestra – The Power (Om Unit Remix)
Soon, hopefully!
Can’t wait!
Miley Cyrus or Gucci Mane?
Hahaha man I’m not even gonna answer that.
Right answer. Would you like to enlighten us with any parting wisdom?
Hmmm….It is against the law to sing off-key in North Carolina.
Chak
January 12, 2012
One of my my favourite producers by far! So consistent and forward thinking, but it’s mainly because the shit he produces makes my head swim! Neptune actually blew my speakers out. Oh the joy!