Making pleasing, interesting and expressive electronic music, Inwards has consistently crafted music that impresses. Mastermind Kris Shelley has recently released his Feeling So Fun Reality LP, creating an inviting concoction that takes Orbital’s euphoria, the dreaminess of Lemon Jelly, the progressive minimalism of The Field and Aphex Twin’s displaced drum patterns into one incredible package. As one of Brighton’s most interesting producers, we had to find out more about Inwards.

Where did you grow up?
Lower Moor, Worcestershire.

Is there much of a music scene there?
No scene at all!

Do you think where you lived or live now has influenced your music and how?
I think growing up in a rural place just created a lot of boredom which led to an interest in creating things. When I was younger I used to love skateboarding. I guess it's quite similar to making music from a creative point of view, you create different tricks or sequences of movements over different obstacles. There is also an element of performing to an audience or scene and sharing ideas within a community of people who love the same thing. I think that time was an important influence on the music I make now. Moving to the city was a good idea as it encouraged me to start performing my music live, something which when I started out seemed impossible to make happen.

What kind of music were you brought up on?
I wasn't really interested in music when I was growing up at all. My parents were never massive music listeners but I do remember my dad listening to Squeeze. Apparently I used to sing my own songs a lot when I was really young but I don't remember any of them.

Can you remember the first album you bought?
Second–Hand Smoke by Sublime. Their song ‘Legal Dub’ was one of my favourites. We used to lay around on the grass a lot on the field most days and listen to tunes on this sketchy speaker that would rinse AA batteries.

What was the first instrument you played, and when? Do you have a favourite instrument?
My first instrument was the flute at age nine – I was rubbish! I wouldn't say I had a favourite instrument now, I think they are all wicked and would love to have the chance to have a go on as many instruments as possible for sampling. I like to set up different bits of equipment and build these little systems which in their own way become instruments. In the studio it sometimes feels like recruiting members for a mechanical ensemble. It’s good practise for me at the moment to think of the sum of the equipment being an instrument rather than the individual parts being separate instruments.

What drives you to write music?
I just enjoy making art and the best way for me to express my ideas seems to be through music. I have recently started learning how to make animations but that's a long road to go down. Maybe soon you will see some of them too.

Has your style of music always been the same?
Well it has always been electronically orientated but it has changed a lot over the time I have been doing it, naturally changing with new equipment and studio locations as such. I wouldn’t like to say the music is this genre or that genre, as I avoid sticking to anything like that in the mind as it can limit what I end up making. The music has changed as I have I suppose!

When did you start making music as Inwards?
2012/13.

Is there a story behind the name?
I came up with it after a year or so of making music solo. I used to play in bands and had always worked with other musicians, so this project was the first time I had experimented without anyone else’s input. It sums up the process I go through when I make music – shutting off from outside stimulation.

How would you briefly describe your ethos?
My ethics would just be to experiment with what resources I have in an honest way.

What are your main influences?
Other music, especially live music. Hearing things really loud through a PA, whether they are made by myself or another artist I find quite inspiring. I am also heavily influenced by natural things; sunsets, mountains, trees, the sea, plants and fungi etc. 

How do you approach the writing process?
I use a range of equipment to write music with, Ableton for recording and editing, a small 6U modular system, an even smaller 24hp 3U Effects modular I have compiled, The Machinedrum SPS1, an Electro Harmonix Memory Man, the Korg MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, and the Roland JV 30 for playing keys. I don't have a consistent approach to writing music unless I leave the equipment set up in a certain way for a period of time. Whatever I do I try to do with pace, as when I spend too much time dwelling on things, my perception can become all hazy and I don't know how to finish the song. It's good to break habits in the writing process like using things in a particular way, it's so easy to repeat ourselves because our thinking becomes rigid. Recently I have been using my equipment in a totally different way just from taking a load of modules out of the case so I can't use them. Less is more, sometimes.

Tell us a bit about Feeling So Fun Reality?
The album title is a play on words of an earlier piece of work I released called Feelings Of Unreality. The tracks are a collection of music I made over a time span of around three years which is the first time I have compiled something like that. I have a library of music that I have made, from single samples to layers of audio to finished tracks. I was listening through a lot of stuff and curated a playlist which then got reworked a few times and became Feeling So Fun Reality. There is no solid concept behind the album it is simply a collection of music that I felt complimented each other when played in that particular order. I felt like it tied something off when I released it and I could go on and continue to make new things which is always a great feeling.

Have you thought about the next releases?
I actually have another full length album ready to release but I am unable to disclose any info at this moment! I am excited to show you; I expect it to be released later this year. I am also working on more music at the moment using a new setup I have recently configured, the setup is somewhere between live and studio which is great because it feels like it works in both environments. For a long time, I felt that there was always an invisible barrier in the way that I set my gear up between studio recording and live performing but it feels like this new setup melts that boundary which is exciting.

What has been a musical eye-opener and how has it affected you?
I went to Bangface Festival (2012) when I was 19 on my own with nowhere to stay, was just hoping that something would work out and it did! I ended up meeting Aphex Twin and Luke Vibert, and staying in their caravan on the Saturday night. It was surreal to meet two people who have made so much music that I loved and to be sat right there chilling with them. After the festival I arrived home feeling the most inspired (and derailed) I had ever felt in my life, got Reason installed on my PC and started making electronic music. Since then it has just evolved into what it is now.

What would be your perfect line-up for a concert you are putting on and where would it be?
Sun Ra, J Dilla and Frank Zappa, at the Wyre Piddle Village Hall.

If you could work with any artist from the past or present, who would it be and what would they bring to Inwards?
Good question. I would like to expand Inwards into something that incorporates more types of media, video and animation to be specific. If you are reading this and would like to work together on a project, then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

What music are you listening to at the moment, any recommendations?
Recently I discovered Bowery Electric, and I think they are wicked. I have also been listening to United Organics.

Do you get to go to many gigs?
I used to work as a live sound engineer so I was at a gig almost every night. There were quite a few that stood out. I did the sound for a Moodhoover show once, those guys are incredible. Please go and watch them if you get the chance.

What are your future plans?
I have a new release planned for this year like I said earlier and like last year will again focus on playing shows. Keep your eyes peeled on the pages for updates on performances, releases and collaborations.

Facebook: facebook.com/inwardsuk
Twitter: twitter.com/inwards_