Exploring Birmingham’s Influence on Surgeon’s Music Career

When it comes to music, sometimes it takes a change in scenery to truly expand one’s horizons. For Surgeon, the move to Birmingham proved to be a pivotal moment in his musical journey. Surrounded by a diverse group of people who were into all sorts of odd music, Surgeon found himself exposed to sounds he had never heard before. It was in Birmingham where he first heard Faust, a band that would go on to be incredibly important to him.

One of the key figures in Surgeon’s musical development in Birmingham was Mick Harris, a fellow music lover and creative. As the drummer of Napalm Death, Mick Harris invented the term ‘grindcore’ and played a role in connecting Surgeon with fellow techno producer Regis, ultimately helping kickstart Downwards Records. Mick and Surgeon bonded over a shared love of artists like Coil, Basic Channel, and Mike Leigh films.

Mick Harris also had a significant impact on Surgeon’s music production journey. He introduced Surgeon to Miles Davis’ ‘Bitches Brew’, a double CD that would take Surgeon 15 years to truly understand. Mick also provided Surgeon with access to a small studio at his house, allowing Surgeon to continue creating music even when he had limited access to equipment and funds.

Surgeon’s approach to music production has been shaped by his experiences in Birmingham and his DIY mentality. Reflecting on his early days, Surgeon recalls a time before the abundance of online tutorials and software, where he had to rely on his creativity and ingenuity to produce sounds that he heard and wanted to recreate. He values the limitations he faced in terms of equipment, as it forced him to think outside the box and find new ways to make music.

Since those early days in Birmingham, Surgeon has built a successful career as a techno producer and DJ. His discography is extensive, featuring numerous albums, remixes, and collaborations released through his own labels as well as established imprints. Despite his global success, Surgeon remains rooted in his Birmingham origins, recognizing the city’s diverse sound and rich musical history.

For Surgeon, Birmingham was not just a city where he honed his craft and made pivotal connections – it was a place where he witnessed the explosion of dance music culture in the late eighties and early nineties. This cultural shift had a profound impact on Surgeon and countless others, shaping the trajectory of his musical career.

As Surgeon continues to make waves in the techno scene, he remains grateful for the role that Birmingham played in his musical development. From the diverse array of music he was exposed to, to the connections he made with fellow creatives, Birmingham will always hold a special place in Surgeon’s heart as the city where his musical journey truly began.