Interviews
Dr. Huxtable
Dr. Huxtable, the creator of the Axis Soundsystem started a fascination with Jamaican music culture long before 2010. He was playing in bands, but because they did not want to compromise he decided to do the only thing he could and leave. “I wanted to be in total control, these bands I was with did not want to play reggae and ska, but I did so I left”.
Having brought himself up on the sound systems of his treasured home of Preston it is hardly surprising that it comes to this. Pursuing this dream he gave himself, Huxtable moved to Leeds, city long thought to be a hotbed of talent for the provinces, but “there was not much interest in Leeds, but I had a friend who lived in Huddersfield and I tried to out there instead”. Luckily for him this decision pays off as the interest grew and it becomes Huddersfield that becomes the cocoon that will safeguard his fledgling career. Also, it is the place where he would meet his wife and settle down without a second thought.
Trying to relax on the grass there is a suddenly a loud crack coming from the Sound System’s tent, a permanent fixture at the Wickerman Festival. It has been here now for the 7 years the festival has been going. The problem is not that big a deal, merely a fallen lead propels Huxtable back in to sort the problem. “The problem was a lead had come out. The DJ had tried to plug it back in without turning the volume off. I turned it down and put it back in, no problem”. However, this is his not his only achievement.
He has managed to work with the top brass of reggae’s golden hit parade. Recording the likes of Junior Murvin amongst others “it is not something I am focusing on at the moment. It is something that I would like to do more of, but I do not have the time”. Making the occasional dubplate interest is obviously strong. “I am happy doing what I wanted to do and that is building and maintaining my sound system”.
Talking about ethics and a righteous path in life, a theme so concurrent in reggae whether Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry all the way (and beyond) Sizzla Kolonji. “I think it is wrong that anyone, whether a policeman, security guard or a lawyer, you know, Babylon should have authority over anyone else”. Perhaps more importantly he is a man who would like to put his political values in to practice. “I had a do with a security guard saying “you have no right to do that”. Of course he is talking about the heavy handed searching of individuals coming in to his tent.
Clearly a man if substance over style “I want to attract a large collection of people, all reggae fans”. This is achieved by taking the system around with him as he is often asked to play at the nations many summer music festivals, “that is why I want to play my thing and let other DJs play their thing. There will be eclectic offering, but it will be better for the focus of specialisation”. This is not Dr. Huxtable trying to defend Adam Smith, he is not that egotistical. However, he is a master of his work and this allows him to not have a dull life in the real world. His stock is the “1960s and 1970s reggae and retro and of course my sound system”. Dr. Huxtable is a phd in taste dexterity and great smooth riddims. Boo Ya!