2 Fly founder: "So many bands these days don't have the craft. It's style over substance." [Exposed Magazine]

2 Fly studios has been a Sheffield institution since 2001, playing host to some of the city's finest exports like Reverend and the Makers and Arctic Monkeys. Avant Garbage had a chinwag with founder Alan Smyth about modern music, Oasis try-hards and his prestigious recording studio.

So first up, why did you start 2Fly Studios?

I used to be in a band, I can't remember the name now, but I learnt my craft by using a tape recorder way back. The recordings got other people listening and they wanted me to do it for them. None of my really old stuff is online unfortunately, this is before the digital age otherwise I'd drag it out. But yeah, other people liked what I was doing and I thought why not create my own studio.

Speaking of the digital age, how has music production changed since you started?

Well, you used to have to be able to play your instruments - there was no messing about it, you couldn't get away with what you can now. These days you can just use Garage Band - which is a stunning device by the way - but even with a good idea you have to be adept at using the instrument. That skill still needs to be there. The level of mediocrity has risen considerably; there are so many people doing fairly crap work that sounds like it's reasonable but when you properly listen it's just not that good.

“The really technically good people always rise above the surface."

It's more style over substance.

Yeah, exactly. And that doesn't last. The really technically good people always rise above the surface. The mediocrity is more than it was back then.

Because of the tools we have available now? So do you think technology is more of a hindrance then a help?

The tools are amazing but it can hinder people if they rest on their laurels and focus on the software alone. It doesn't make you a better musician.

Do you play a big part in scouting any talent?

I just wait for people to turn up and hope some of them are gonna be good. If they are good, I'll recognise it straight away. There's a lot of bands imitating Oasis and more often they're sub-Oasis: and I don't really like Oasis anyway. When the Arctic Monkeys became famous so many people were streaming through trying to imitate them but they didn't have the lyrics or the melodies. You need it all.

You play a big part in editing - do you have much control over the process or do you give full reign to the artists?

If they've got great songs but they're a bit shit at playing them I can make them sound better but I don't tamper with the songs themselves. Quite often it's the drummers who aren't good enough, it's a really hard craft. You need such good rhythm and they're the bedrock of the band. A lot of the time they haven't probably practised together as a whole, complete band and it shows.

Would you say Sheffield music is good right now?

It always goes in cycles and there are times when there seems to be huge spikes of creativity but I think it's a coincidence - just a crop of a few really exciting bands that come to the fore around the same time. In the late 70s Human League were on ABC, they completely took over the city; then there was a huge gap where nothing was happening but then Pulp arrived in the early 90's. And then again another huge gap and the Arctic's. There's stuff coming in at the minute where I think 'Ooh. That's good.' I had a band in the other day called Silverfish who I think are really special.

I'll check them out. Are there any other bands you recommend?

I Set the Sea On Fire are great. They go many places on record.

What records that have been made at 2Fly are you the most proud of?

Obviously the Arctic's. I did a bit on the first album and all the demo's that were circulating in the early days.

How does it feel to see them go on to big things?

It's really nice for them to say things like 'we wouldn't be here without you' but I'm just enjoying the job that I do. The fact that I make little money doesn't make any difference to me. I saw Jarvis Cocker the other day because I worked with them prior to 2Fly and there's no airs and graces to him because I've known them for so long.

I love my job every day really. All I'll say is think of something new - I don't wanna hear anymore Oasis.

One final thing - where did the name 2Fly come from?

In my old band the drummer said to the bassist jokingly 'you're just too fly, you are.' We just wrote it down: 2Fly.