j o y

LD

2009-10-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

getting xpressive

2009-10-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

So I write for Xpress Magazine, street press in Perth. I'm going to post up some writing shortly that has been published over the last two months.

Getting published in print is an accomplishment I am quite proud of.

PaperBump

2009-07-20T01:48:00.000-07:00

Innuendo

2009-07-20T01:23:00.000-07:00

In the latest installment of Loaded Dice's All Black, NZ drum and bass dynamite TREI is back upon our fair shores to celebrate the release of his debut album Innuendo. ANGELA KING caught up with the man before his arrival and delves into the finer details of his career: highlights, influences and a little bit of advice.

Your debut album Innuendo is just about to drop, and we are all pretty excited about celebrating this milestone with you in Perth. Talk me briefly through the process and what your thoughts are on the final product?

Yeh really stoked with the finished product; I set out to make a complete body of work that represented where I’ve come from musically, and where I’m at now. I feel pretty happy that I’ve captured that with the album. It’s a collection of a couple of older tunes that have been revisited and brought upto scratch as well as completely new things exclusive to the album and also a couple of my favourites over the past couple of years.

Innuendo is a pretty mysterious title for an album, is there something specific you are referring to with a name like that?

On the contrary actually; Innuendo means to suggest and to me music represents suggestion in the sense that it’s not necessarily a directive of emotion; more the suggestion of it; i.e. its open to interpretation to the listener in their own way.

Coming from New Zealand, a pretty isolated and small place, you have done exceptionally well and been promoted by the likes of Andy C and DJ Marky -heavyweights of the scene in the Northern Hemisphere. Do you feel being based in NZ is an advantage or disadvantage?

I think these days with the internet and such a global circuit, isolation isn’t really a factor. There is a lot of unity here which is a definite advantage in the sense that it nurtures the success of a lot of NZ producers and DJ’s and I think visiting DJ’s pick up on that quite often.

What initially grabbed you about the drum and bass sound, and do you remember a defining moment when you thought 'Yes, this is for me, I am going to start making my own'?

Not really any particular moment; it was more a gradual thing for me. I’ve been involved in music (writing, bands, jamming etc) since I was 12 so over time it just kinda evolved. I started toying with electronic music with the intent of incorporating it into a live hybrid sound but as I got deeper into it I found myself getting drawn further into it.

A lot of my mates are/were Techno DJ’s so I was always exposed to that side of things but the more I heard Drum’n’Bass, the more I gravitated towards it. I think for me coming from a Rock/Metal background… the energy and vibe of the music grabbed me initially; things like Wormhole (Ed Rush & Optical), Newforms (Roni Size & Reprezent), Photek etc really clicked with me.

Many drum and bass producers have branched out to produce beats to a different tempo such as House and Dubstep; is this something we can expect from you in the future?

The dubstep thing hasn’t really clicked with me yet to be honest but i’ve actually got a ‘techno-esque’ tune on the album called PUSH; which I wrote with one of my old techno friends’ from NZ; I wanted to do something as a little salute I guess to a sound that nudged me a lot towards Drum’n’Bass.

You are a regular at New Zealand’s longest running club night Bass Frontiers, how did you hook up with this event, and how important is it to you to promote the local scene?

I’ve known the Bass Frontiers for a long time and used to help out abit with sound in the earlier stages of their parties so as I progressed I guess you could say I got drafted in. It’s essential to build and maintain the local scene; it provides the platform or spring board to work from; both from providing opportunities for locals to be heard as well as exposure to the worlds top acts.

What, outside of drum and bass has great influence on your production and what are you inspired by?

My friends and people around me inspire me a lot. Musically; i’m still a big fan of guitar-based stuff so a lot of rock/metal, anything from Michael Jackson to Deftones, Stevie Wonder to Tool, The Beatles to Faith No More etc etc etc.

What difference is there between playing overseas compared to a set on home soil, and do you have a preference?

I don’t really have a preference; over the years I’ve gotten to know the home crowds pretty well so have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t and they’re always really responsive so I love playing at home. Overseas is always the great unknown which is also great for keeping you on your toes.

Tell me about some of the highlights of your career so far.

Playing in Perth for the first time with Andy C, Shimon, D Bridge & of course Shock One at Heavyweight Sounds was huge for me; first time playing outside of NZ and to an insane crowd, in a line-up like that was a real buzz.

The 1^st tour to Europe was a biggie to; playing in places like Russia, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland was an incredible experience, having people on the other side of the globe knowing your music is wicked.

And one special gig just last weekend; promoting the album in Wellington and playing to a full club to my home crowd was incredible; a really proud moment.

For any aspiring DJ/Producer, do you have any words of advice?

Hard work and persistence… and of course a passion for music itself.

Catch Trei at Loaded Dice: ALL BLACK, Friday 24^th July from 8pm till late at the Rosemount Hotel.

State of Mind Interview

2009-06-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

Kiwi drum and bass production and DJ twosome State of Mind are on fire. Hot off the heels of releasing their second album “Faster than Light”, along with juggling a record label, touring and hosting drum and bass radio show 'Next Level' (Saturday 9-11pm NZ time, at www.95bfm.com), Patrick Hawkins and Stu Maxwell still manage to fit in a quick chat with Angela King on the eve of their Australian tour.

Loaded Dice are bringing you back to Perth again as a part of “All Black”. How do the Australian audiences compare to those at home, and what can we expect from you this year?
Every time we come over to oz it’s always a pleasure. Oz crowds are normally really up for it so it’s good for us DJ’s. I think to be fair, NZ crowds and oz crowds are pretty similar but it depends on the gig and where you are. What can you expect from us this time? Hopefully a good set with loads of new tunes and plenty from ourselves! We've just done a new album Faster than Light, so we had better play some of that...

The name "State of Mind" has been used for films, albums, even a fashion label -what made you guys choose it?
I don't actually know of any films or fashion labels called State of Mind. We would have used IMDB to check but I don't think we had the internet back in those days in NZ. There is a Billy Joel song called “New York State of Mind” so I'm told. I've never heard it.

New Zealand is a melting pot of top quality music, despite its isolation from the rest of the world. Do you feel being based in NZ is an advantage or disadvantage?
I think its an advantage in some respects, you get mad support from NZ'ers all over the world and it helps make it viable to be in the music business. The NZ government gets behind it too, giving out grants for videos and stuff if you're lucky and talented. On the other hand, not being from the UK is a major draw-back. I hate to say it but there is still a very strong “if it ain’t from the UK it’s not as good” attitude within DnB. That makes it a bit tougher to get a following over there.

What have been some highlights of your career so far?
Playing some of the big festivals I guess, like the Big Day Out or R N V in NZ. We did a Pirate Station in Moscow too. That was pretty mad.

You have had tracks signed to CIA and Technique’ Recordings and now have your own label, SOM MUSIC. How much of an asset is it to have your own label to release music on?
Yeh it’s great. It gives you creative control over when and what you release. There's nothing stopping us releasing on other labels so we get the best of both worlds.

Clearly drum and bass is your passion, has there been any thoughts to make the, dare I say it, move to Dubstep or other genres?
We just finished a new house track today actually. We are working on an alias doing electro house sorta stuff but I don't really wanna give away too much. I doubt we will ever make Dubstep. We are making breaks sorta stuff as State of Mind, in addition to DnB.

What does the future hold for State of Mind?
Another album in 2010 or early 2011. We are doing some EPs soon as well on our label with a bunch of artists. Plus plenty more touring. I'm off to Japan in a few weeks, then back over to Europe again, and America towards the end of the year. We are also building a live show which will be launched over the New Years festivals in NZ. Hopefully we can bring it your way!

Catch State of Mind with MC LOWQUI at The Rosemount Hotel on Friday 26th July from 8pm

tatatar

2009-05-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

ratatat

capitol, perth

17 may 2009

cray cays

2009-05-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

So long I've been gone
So many things have changed
But I know where I belong and I know when I reach that place

I see the rain come down while the sun is shining
Stand at the base of your mountain high

Dance into the night

tatatar

2009-05-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

ratatat
capitol, perth

17 may 2009

Bad Robot Reunion

2009-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

London Elektricity Interview

2009-04-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't get too far into a conversation about drum and bass and not hear about London Elektricity or Hospital Recordings. As the solo front man for LE and head-honcho of his record label, Tony Coleman is heading back to our fair shores this May to remind Perth what it's all about. Angela King chews the fat with Tony, exploring gift giving, to jazz or not to jazz and all things Elektric...

You last played in Perth as part of Good Vibrations festival few years back, this time round it’s with DJ Marky and MC Wrec for Loaded Dice Heavyweight Soundz. Tell us what Perth audiences can expect from you?

Hopefully you know what to expect: drum and bass and other music I love played using 2 technics, real records and dubplates. I can’t wait to bash it up in Perth again!

You are renown for handing out random gifts to punters at your shows, can you say if there will be any give-aways at Metro City this May?

Haha it all depends what’s not nailed down in the dressing room

How would you describe the style of music you play and produce?

Drum and bass of course, and within that – well beauty (or ugliness) is in the eye of the beholder so I’m really not the person to ask!

Syncopated City, released late last year, is a jazzy fusion of soulful drum and bass; can you give us an insight on the inspiration you had for the album, and your thoughts on the final product?

I’ve spent my whole life fighting the description jazzy but it keeps coming back so maybe you’re right, although I don’t ever listen to (or sample) jazz records. Maybe the music I listen to is influenced by jazz. I don’t know. The inspiration for me is beautiful music, a lot of what I love is classical or soundtrack music, and rock.

I’m very happy with this album – I could listen back to it after I’d finished it, and that’s a first for me. With previous albums it took about a year before I could bear to listen to them.

How much of an advantage is it to be a producer and have your own label to release music on?

It’s swings and roundabouts – good points are that I know my tunes will get released and promoted! Bad points – I have to juggle making music with running the label!

Do you see yourself more as a DJ or Producer? Why?

Producing is the horse and DJing is the cart!

How do you balance your music with other obligations - family, Hospital Records?

It’s a dark art and one that I’m far from perfecting. I do my best and it seems to work ok – but if anyone has a magic formula please tell me!

What is next for London Elektricity?

I’m still in the middle of writer’s block so I’m turning down remixes left right and centre. Just as well cos my house is being renovated and we don’t even have a kitchen. No kitchen = no tea. No tea = no beats. Been doing a mental amount of A+R at Hospital, we have the debut album from BOP and the SICK MUSIC comp coming before the summer is out. My next music? I really don’t know how it’s going to sound!

ShockOne Interview

2009-04-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

With firm foundations in the drum and bass scene, not only in his home town of Perth, but right around the globe and a smashing debut EP just released on Viper, ShockOne a.k.a Karl Thomas has a lot to smile about right now. I caught up with the man behind the music, offering insight into what has shaped this musician and brought him the accomplishment he experiences today.

Your self titled EP has just dropped on Viper Recordings, talk me briefly through the process and what your thoughts are on the final product?

I'm really happy with the EP, it's one of the first pieces of work I've done that I'm actually satisfied with, musically and production wise. In some respects it was a fairly long writing process, in others really short. For example 'Polygon' took several months of tweaking and rewriting, where as 'Adachigahara's theme' took about 2 or 3 days. To be honest I wasn't really sure if any of the songs we're any good, so for them to get the support and response they have is totally mind blowing for me.

Adachigahara's Theme, your first dubstep release, features on the EP. Is this a direction you will be exploring further? What else outside of DnB are you perusing?

Yeh I'll definitely be doing more dubstep, although it may not be as large sounding as Adachi. I'm keen to get more experimental with my dubstep this year, it's a really exciting time for this genre and for music in general at the moment. I have always written some housey stuff and there is a whole back cat of stuff half finished by myself and phet on that front, so it will hopefully see the light of day this year.

What has great influence on your production and what are you inspired by?

I couldn't really say that there are definite genres or certain things in life that inspire me. I am always thinking about music, I am a believer that creativity is something that comes through you, not necessarily from you. You must be open to energy around you and willing to explore what ever direction you find yourself heading in. So I try not to be to premeditated in the studio and just open up and let what ever comes out happen.

How did you link up with Futurebound and Viper Recordings, and how would you describe working with them from an artist’s perspective?

Futurebound was one of the first people who was feeling the more electro vibes of music back when I wrote 'Let me go' and 'The Calling' so thats how I got on board with them. They are a great label to work with, very professional. Viper recordings have made a conscious effort to develop me as an artist over the last year and a bit which I really appreciate. They give me complete artistic control which is really nice. Me and Futurebound are totally on the same page musically so I think thats why my music works so well on his label.

You have a range of local vocalists featuring on your tunes, collaborate with DJ/Producer Phetsta and recruited Perth artist Kid Zoom for your album art, is keeping it local something you like to promote?

It was never something that I consciously tried to do, it just inevitably happened because we have so much amazing talent here in Perth and I always want to work with other passionate people. Reija Lee (on Polygon) is actually my little sister, so that is very 'local' :P I just needed a vocal for the tune and she is a musician and singer so naturally was the first person I asked. Kid zoom and I have been friends since we were about 17 and have wanted to work with each other since, so that is very overdue and I am so overly stoked with the art work. Phetsta and I have been working together so long it feels like we are the same producer/DJ

What difference is there between playing overseas compared to a set on home soil, and do you have a preference?

Yeh there is a bit of a difference, the main one is it takes me 25 hours to get to the overseas shows, and 5 mintutes to get to the local ones. Certain countries crowds go more apeshit compared to others, Liverpool and Vienna crowds were pretty mad. But my launch here at shape in march was still one of the biggest vibes I've had at a gig so big yourself up Perth!

When reflecting on your success as an international DJ/producer, what aspects of your upbringing can you credit/discredit?

Well I think the most obvious thing is the support from my parents my whole life. Buying me a drum kit at age 4 seemed to pay off. They have always been 150% percent behind my passion musically as they are musicians too, so I could never have had the success I've enjoyed with out them. I've always had the opinion that if you have a plan b you will inevitably end up doing it, so I purposely never had one and put all my eggs in one basket.

Tell me about some of the highlights of your career so far.

Touring Europe would have to be one of the best things I've experienced. Mainly just because it's something that as a child seemed so far fetched. To be touring the world playing music really is a teenagers dream. Recently getting stuff played regularly on Triple J was a bit of a milestone for me, again because you grow up as a kid in Australia listening to that radio station so to get friends messaging you totally buzzing about hearing you on the radio is a really good feeling.

Do you think of yourself as more of a producer, or a DJ? Why?

Definitely a producer first. I was always a musician/producer before I was a DJ. I only learned to DJ once I had records released. Not to say I don't enjoy DJing a lot, it is something I'm really glad I stumbled into!

For any aspiring DJ/Producer, do you have any words of advice?

It's a steep learning curve, so be prepared to dedicate a lot of time to it if you want success. Spend time experimenting and be creative, its those hours of experimentation where you will find something unique.

Catch Shockone next at The Big Rinse featuring The Others, Truth, and Kito. Saturday 9th May at Villa.

telemental

2009-03-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

Marcio took us on a journey through time, space, drums and bass. playing the radiohead mashup (wierd fishes)/ skyscraper tune and THE BANE, completed my night. mega love to the crew... def in the top 10 :D

Telemetrik
27 March 2009
Shape, Perth

headhunted

2009-03-22T20:32:00.001-07:00

hands down the best dubstep set I have seen and heard: engaging deep flow and huge sexual energy. my stomach hurt from the bass.

headhunter
19 March 2009
ambar, perth

c4c

2009-03-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Cause4Concern

13 March 09

Shape, Perth

stark

2009-03-14T01:16:00.001-07:00

Starkey

12 March 09
Ambar, Perth

shockers party

2009-03-09T18:11:00.001-07:00

ShockOne EP Launch

6 March 2009

Shape, Perth

street

2009-02-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

this was my first gig that gave me a photographer pass... big deal for a girl with a point and shoot camera. :D

the streets
metro city, perth
13 february 2009

cheddar

2009-02-08T18:16:00.001-08:00

rusko
ambar, perth
05 Feb '09

raw

2009-02-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

the bug ft warrior queen

the bakery, northbridge, perth

23 Jan '09