Producers that got soul usually know how to pluck the heartstrings of every person who listens to their tunes; the same applies with DJs who have a feel for rhythms wrapping around the heads on the dancefloor, picking people’s mind apart and implementing something invigorating and vibrant all at once. Enter George FitzGerald, who has found solace in taking elements of current and classic techno, UK garage and RnB, molding his favorite bits into tunes and mixes that not only melt your heart but make you marvel. The almost effortless mixing and superb selections are something that will make people guess at how someone could pull stuff off like he can, and as well as get a girl on the floor excited. George is not only a great producer but an excellent guide towards finding sounds that stretch beyond the basic goal of making one dance. Perhaps he’s reaching out emotionally on the floor to make us feel something more special…

Either way, George took the time to answer some questions about himself and his exclusive mix for URB. More info on George, the mix and tracklist after the jump.

URB – George FitzGerald Q/A

URB: What was your trigger into making tunes?

GEORGE FITZGERALD: I was a DJ for a long time before getting into making tracks. I guess I just got bored of playing other people’s music all the time.

URB: How long did it take to the mold the sound you’re making now?

GF: For me, it took a while to find the right ways of splicing different genres together. I made a lot of crap along the way but I feel like I’m just starting to get near to what you might call a ‘sound’. I think that’s really important too; I love it when you can tell a certain producers tracks straight away just from hearing them – that’s a mark of greatness.

URB: What were some of your biggest musical influences, past/present?

GF: I think I’ll always be a house and garage man at heart. The playfulness of some of late ‘90s UK garage is something I keep coming back to – Tuff Jam, Wookie, that kind of stuff. At the same time, the depth and rigor of some techno artists like Shed is really interesting to me. Outside of dance music, I’ve always listened to a lot of hip-hop – anything by Pete Rock or Wu-Tang!

URB: You mix a lot of current techno, garage and bass tunes in your mixes, how do you find common ground in such different audible vibes?

GF: I try not to think about tracks in terms of genres. That sounds corny but I reckon it’s better to listen to their atmosphere and mood. When you look at things along those lines, it isn’t so hard to, for example, place garage records next to techno ones – as long as they create a narrative in your set that makes sense to the listener. The challenge is to make sure their technical characteristics don’t clash too much, but that’s half the fun. I respect the purism of people who can play 3 hours of straight techno or house or whatever, but that’s boring to me.

URB: What’s next for George FitzGerald in the foreseeable future?

GF: More releases and more gigs I hope! My next 12″ – ‘Don’t You’ – will be coming out on Hotflush very soon. Scuba has done a killer SCB remix for the B-side.

URB Presents: George FitzGerald – DOWNLOAD HERE

1. Seven Wonders – Crazy (DJ’s for Life)
2. George FitzGerald – Friends In High Places (CDR)
3. WAX – 30003 B (WAX)
4. Will Saul & Mike Monday – Sequence (Scuba Remix) (forthcoming AUS)
5. KMA – Cape Fear (Groove Chronicles)
6. George FitzGerald – Fernweh (CDR)
7. Surgeon – Floorshow (Counterbalance)
8. George FitzGerald – Don’t You (forthcoming Hotflush)
9. Scuba – Three Sided Shape (forthcoming Hotflush)
10. xxxy – This Much (CDR)
11. Pariah – The Slump (R&S)
12. Groove Theory – Tell Me (George FitzGerald Remix) (CDR)