Thursday 1 March 2012

FEATURED ARTIST INTERVIEW

DEATH ON THE BALCONY 


So how did it all begin, no one actually died on a balcony did they? Paul: Not exactly no! Our name came from the working title we gave to our 1st studio session, it was held on my balcony of my flat at the time…Mark:  We were having a break from the beats and a smoke and got into a fairly deep conversation about life & death – on the balcony.. there you have it!

One of your more recent releases ‘Them 3 Words’ was part of the superbly creative Pet Recordings ‘Friends Will Carry You Home’ compilation – how do you guys get creative? Does it often end with them 3 words being pronounced to each other when you’ve finished a track?
There is a endless ways to be inspired from anything & everyone around you, it regularly starts with one of us bringing an idea, be it a melody, a sample, a vocal hook or whatever and we will then build it together. The important thing about a duo is that you have respect for each other and there is no power struggle. You have confidence in each others ability and also are able to voice your opinions when you don’t like something without the other taking it personally. Obviously no ones perfect you argue sometimes but its all for the good of the track.. most of the time its all about “them 3 words“ but in a purely plutonic brotherly way of course! 

You guys are rather eclectic in regards to style – can you explain how and why?
We don’t always see ourselves as eclectic, but suppose the use of that word is subjective. What’s most important to us is playing music for people to dance to. Whether it is a disco track or a house track we always want to make people dance. We like to draw influences from many different genres across the board bringing them to the dancefloor while maintaining a warmth & soul. The thread throughout our sets that links the music is through a 4x4 beat.. we just feel it makes for entertaining listening & we hope you agree!

Are there any stand out artists that have had a huge influence in your music (apart from Bananarama of course!)? In terms of our sampled work we have many different artists to thank, most of whom had their success in the 70’s/80’s.. A certain side of our production is dedicated to taking fairly obscure samples/tracks perhaps not originally dance/club tracks and bringing those to the club. Half the fun is the guessing part though so wouldn’t want to name our sources here as it would spoil the way you experience the music!

Can you tell us a few tracks/producers that are really doing it for you at the moment? You could really could go on forever. Even if the music industry isn’t making anywhere near the money it used to the one thing it can say is that there is still a hell of a lot of good music out there!! Which is what its all about!

Finally, what can we expect from your ‘Magicbag’ at You Are We?
Some gems from the realms of disco, house & deep techno! We think Data transmission summed it up best recently, “Whether it’s disco inflected fuel or house rhythms, these eclectically deft producers will juxtapose anything they lay their hands upon, mixing the beat of the drum with the melodic buzz of a hazy brain.We’ll let you decide on the night!

Death on the Balcony (Culprit LA/Pets/Silver Network/One Records)

http://www.beatport.com/artist/death-on-the-balcony/80454


 You Are We contributor: Rudi Morgan  

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