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Friday, 16 May, 2008

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PLACE OF BIRTH: West London Hospital, Hammersmith. DATE OF BIRTH: 20th June 1982 PERSONAL MOTTO: “Love like you’ve never been hurt, Dance like nobody’s watching, Eat at Nandos” STYLE OF MUSIC: Hip hop with no fronting DESCRIBE YOURSELF : Really good at rapping, honest Intelligent and extremely versatile, Example has worked with an array of artists and producers, honing his talent to pinpoint perfection. His vocals feature on the recent album by The Streets, having been roped in for his off key vocals as the other session singers were apparently too good and a grimier sound was required. Example, AKA Elliot Gleave, Fulham’s finest lyricist and multi-tasking IT boy teams up with long-term collaborator (and rogue double-agent) Rusher, reaches into his bag of music tricks and pulls out tasty hip hop gems just brimming for aural consumption. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? If the fit birds have already gone home untouched (very rare) then we decide (my producer and I) to go home and smoke a fat one and watch 80s comedy films. ‘Coming To America’ is always a good choice although ‘Trading Places’ can’t be beaten for the scene when Dan Ackroyd eats a whole salmon he’s hidden under his santa outfit whilst he picks out bits of hair from his fake beard. And the ‘Three Amigos’ too. What is your biggest achievement so far? Finishing in the top 100 in the Reading Half Marathon, I was only beaten by professional Club Runners and Kenyans. Fact. Who are your musical heroes ? The Kinks, Michael Jackson, Prince, Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – he got skills! And Rusher is well into Todd Edwards. Tell us about your new projects... We’ve just done an assignment on Tudor England, next term we’re doing the Egyptians. When we get a spare moment we’re putting out a mixtape with loadsa “cool” stuff on their catering for the “in” crowd. As I write this Rusher is working his socks off colouring-in the front cover. An album is about 70% there, we need some rich bastard to cough up some Johnny Cash and we can start putting up posters, printing t-shirts and the like. What are your plans for the future? Get married, have kids, win an Olympic gold medal, climb Everest, swim the English Channel - not necessarily in that order. Are there any artists you would like to work with? Kanye West, Sway, Plan B, Klashnekoff, DJ Premier, Basement Jaxx, Joss Stone (we wouldn’t get much work done) and Rolf Harris. What is catching your ear at the moment? Lupe Fiasco’s ‘Kick Push’ is a tayoon! And Plan B – he’s taking over this year. Look out for a band called Thabani, they’re very special live performers. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? For a fuckin’ good debate and a lot of laughter it’d be Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, Jeremy Clarkson, Stephen Fry and Nigella to do the cookin’ – oooh sexist remark, one female and she’s only there for the cooking. What is your recipe for success? Example, Rusher and a pinch of money. What makes you happy? Women with big eyes and sexy lips who have a “thing” for rappers. And BBQ Baby Back Ribs. Not at the same time. What makes you angry? Fuckheads who try using their Oyster cards but clearly they ain’t got no balance on there and they hold up the queue. What was the last CD/record you bought? I bought the new Public Enemy album, Blink 182’s greatest hits, Kano’s album, Franz Ferdinand, and Low Key’s new mixtape just before xmas all on the same day. What is your favourite song? ‘It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World’ by James Brown If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? A film director or a Blue Peter presenter – I could spend my life bungee jumping, skiing, baking cakes and rinsin’ my fit female co-presenters. NEW SINGLE ‘I DON’T WANT TO/LONELINESS COSTS’ OUT NOW ON 7INCH VINYL (ALL THE CHATS RECORDS), AVAILABLE THROUGH PURE GROOVE. VISIT / WWW.EXAMPLEONLINE.CO.UK/ FOR VIDEOS, GIG LISTS AND MORE.

tags: | example | elliot gleave | rusher

Dan Sartain

Having picked up great reviews in the UK music press, ‘Dan Sartain vs the Serpientes’ is both as raw and accomplished a debut album as you’ll find, and finally brings some much deserved recognition to the 23 year old from Alabama. His considerable talent isn’t restricted to the record alone, with honest, bareknuckle performances over a two week period in September last year covering no less than ten dates centred in the London area, and four regional shows as part of the Club NME tour. Signed after a chance encounter with Rocket from the Crypt frontman/guitarist, and founder of Swami Records, John Reis, Dan was described by Reis as “the past and future of great voices that have bubbled up from the underground well of rebel thought.” With an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, and a sponge-like ability to absorb the sounds around him, his debut album brings together raw 50s style rhythm ‘n’ blues, country and rockabilly, 60s lo-fi garage surf sound, with late 70s post-punk angst. Ramshackle rock ‘n’ roll to perfectly beautiful, despairing sparse arrangements in a Johnny Cash meets Ian Curtis harmony. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Smoke a big fat joint. What is your biggest achievement so far? Getting signed to Swami Records (in the US), it’s the first record label I’ve tried to get signed to, and they signed me. Who are your musical heroes? I’d rather not give any musical heroes because without hearing my music I think that it would molest your idea of what it would be before you heard it. But recently Mike Tyson, I think he would knock out Muhammed Ali if they were both in their prime. It seems like most people would say Ali because he’s “the greatest”, I think people only call him the greatest because he’s smart and handsome. I think I could hang out with Mike Tyson and also the RZA. Tell us about your new projects... It’s the best. Every time I think I’m done with it, I keep going back. And every time I go back, it seems like a better idea to go back. I’ve been working on it for over a year now. It’s not gonna get put out until its exactly like I want it, which means on a personal level it will be perfect in every way. Whether or not other people see it that way is yet to be seen. But for any artist, it’s a great accomplishment to do something exactly like you want it and be happy with it 100%. Some artists never do that. Whether five copies get sold or five billion, I know I’ll be happy with it. What are your plans for the future? I wanna stop being poor soon. This starving artist shit is getting old. And I’m gonna quote Ol’ Dirty Bastard: “who the fuck wants to be an MC if you can’t get paid to be a fucking MC.” Not to say that I’m not always gonna play music anyway, but it’s just really hard trying to tour and not make money, and hold some kind of shitty pizza job or something when you’re gone for a month on the side. Are there any artists you would like to work with? I’d really like to try to make Alice Cooper have another good album. I wouldn’t mind doing a Rick Rubin style thing like when Jack White worked with Loretta Lynn. Blow the dust off some old person’s mic. I think I could do a better job than any one of those guys. What is catching your ear at the moment? Righteous Brothers, despite all the cheesy 80s movies and stuff, they sound great. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you like to invite and why? I wouldn’t invite too many people. I’d be disappointed when they didn’t show up. What is your recipe for success? I’ll have to succeed first and then come back and tell you. What makes you happy? Weed, smoking, headphones. What was the last CD/record you bought? I found that Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood record in the $1 bin.All my “cool” friends have it and now so do I...so it makes me that much cooler now that I have it. What is your favourite song? That’s like asking an artist what their favourite colour is. But ‘Psycho Killer’ by The Talking Heads never gets old to me. If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? I always wanted to be a mechanic. I tried but I was really bad at it. It’s a job that people call skilled labour, but mechanics are as talented as any artist. THE SINGLE ‘WALK AMONG THE COBRAS PT 1’ IS RELEASED ON 27TH FEB DAN SUPPORTS THE SOLEDAD BROTHERS ON THEIR FORTHCOMING UK TOUR: FEB – BIRMINGHAM BARFLY (22), GLASGOW NICE N SLEAZY (23), NEWCASTLE CLUNY (24), YORK FIBBERS (25) AND LONDON BARFLY (27)

tags: | dan sartain | club nme tour | swami records | john reis

COLOSSUS

DATE OF BIRTH : 23/01/68 PLACE OF BIRTH : THE WORLD FAMOUS WELWYN GARDEN CITY PERSONAL MOTTO: “HELL YEAH!” STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): SOUL JAZZ FUNK HOP THANG DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): A BIG ‘OL LOT Having in the past supported the likes of Roy Ayers, Fred Wesley, Gil Scott Heron, Don Blackman and James Brown (playing bass in the funk band the Big Cheese Allstars), it’s no wonder that 6’ 8” Englishman Charlie Tate’s music sounds the way it does. A move to Oakland, California, in October 2002, the purchase of copious amounts of second hand jazz and Colossus was born! Launching the weekly Slow Gin jazz and soul party in Oakland, Tate discovered some extremely talented local Bay Area MCs, four of whom are featured on the ‘West Oaktown’ album. Capitol A has worked with King Britt, Jazzanova, and 4 Hero, Delphi, a new cat straight outta Flint MI, Azeem, a Bay area stalwart, and Regi B originally from Buffalo New York, and upon returning to London, Hilton Smythe AKA Roots Manuva joins in on a few guest vocal tracks. Created as a complete album including something for the hip hop heads and another side for the jazz lovers, on listening, it’s pretty self evident where ‘West Oaktown’ is coming from – hip hop but with a hefty dose of jazz, funk and soul...and as far as influences go, see above! What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? I like to be drinking refreshing beverages with my good buddies... maybe I’ll get down if I’m feelin it! What is your biggest achievement so far? Getting a really kick ass band together with absolutely no budget. Who are your musical heroes? James Brown, Roy Ayers, Gill Scott Heron, John Coltraine, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, A Tribe Called Quest. Tell us about your new projects. Well, the Colossus LP is out now. Just playing some shows, DJing a bit, gonna start recording a new album in the new year. Doing a few bits and pieces with Freerange, a bit of deep house, amongst other things, with King Kooba... you know... stuff. What are your plans for the future? Just gonna keep writing. Are there any artists you would like to work with? Freddie Hubbard ...yeah! What is catching your ear at the moment? I’ve just been buying loads of old Latin jazz... a bit of hip hop... yeah, old 60s Latin... Really right back into it! You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? Niall Ferguson. I’ve been reading his book ‘Colossus’. He’s just the best writer of history and politics at the moment. Freddie Hubbard, Oliver Reed and George Best... Oh, and a couple of birds! What is your recipe for success? Cumin and coriander. What makes you happy? The sun. What makes you angry? Late running public transport - drives me nuts. What was the last CD/record you bought? A 1962 bossa record with Cal Tjader and Sergio Mendes. What is your favourite song? ‘Where is the Love’ by Donnie and Roberta - what a killer cut! If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? I’d probably be making furniture. Colossus ‘West Oaktown’ available on Om Records

tags: | colossus | big cheese allstars | charlie tate | roots manuva

BUSHNUT

WHO: MARCUS (FRONTMAN), NIK (BASSIST/VOCALIST), CHRIS (GUITARIST), MARC (DRUMMER) AND J-ME (DJ). PLACE OF BIRTH: NIK: BROXBOURNE MARCUS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UROPIA, DELTEA SOLAR SYSTEM. DATE OF BIRTH: NIK: 21/3/76 / PERSONAL MOTTOS: NIK: ‘TRUST NO ONE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS’ MARCUS: ‘LET MEN BE BOYS’ STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): NIK: ‘KICKING, SCREAMING, BLEEPING, ROCKING, GRINNING’ MARCUS: ‘EVERY THING I REALLY LOVE’ DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): NIK: ‘SAME AS ABOVE’ MARCUS: ‘CRAZY, COOL, EMOTIONAL, SHORT, GIANT’ From the ashes of musical crossover luminaries Hybrid, and alongside the rock electro fusing Flak comes Bushnut – a band that takes all your conceptions about music, seals them in a box and then repeatedly runs over them with a juggernaut. From grime to pop, metal to soul, we are assaulted by a plethora of musical styles every single day. Bushnut’s manifesto is to take all those sounds and mix them up into one heady, hyperactive audio feast. Marcus Williams, the frontman and conduit behind the band, had worked in dance music for a number of years, but felt that he needed a change of direction and a fresh approach to making music. Walking into his local in East London one day he saw Flak performing onstage and he knew he had to get involved. “They had a backline and a dance element and I thought I could raw it up and make it stronger”, he explains. After the gig he seized the opportunity to grab the band and explain his masterplan. From the first rehearsal the Bushnut sound was unmistakable, and a bigger – and louder! – reality than anyone could have imagined. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Nik: Have a cup of tea and listen to my tinnitus. What is your biggest achievement so far? Nik: Getting up before ten this morning. Marcus: My son, Blue, is the achievement of which I’m most proud. His name is Blue because it is a peaceful colour. Who are your musical heroes? Nik: Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Peter Gabriel... Marcus: And of course Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Bob Marley... you’re trying to picture our sound now, right?! Tell us about your new projects... Both: We’ve been busy recording our debut album, plus we’ve been infiltrating the American networks, contributing the theme tunes for the TV shows ‘Cops’, and ‘Las Vegas’. We’ve also been recording tracks for several new computer games and getting ready to hit the live scene! Nik: I’ve also got an Electro rock thing called Flak which isn’t exactly new but has had a bit of success - being remixed by the Dust Brothers and Ozomatli, featuring on ‘Malcolm In The Middle’, MTV etc. I’ve also got a pure synth project with my sister which I’m very excited about. Marcus: I’ve so many it’s impossible I don’t know where to begin, I’ve got the hottest producer in the UK, he’s only 16 but I swear he‘s incredible beyond belief. I’ve also got a dance production team called Wonder Chops, a hot new label and I’m looking out for new acts and I could go on and on and on.... You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? Nik: Robbie Williams, James Blunt, Jamie Cullum, Elton John, semtex. The presence of the explosive explains why the guests were invited. Obviously I would make my excuses and leave early. Marcus: George Bush and Donald Rumsfield. Why? Because they would make me look very intelligent! What is your recipe for success? Nik: Very similar to the recipe for Christmas cake. Marcus: Love everything. What makes you happy? Nik: Jack Russell terriers. Marcus: Everything. Being alive. And appreciating it. What makes you angry? Nik: My dinner party guests. Marcus: Nik’s dinner parties. What was the last CD/record you bought? Marcus: The Grease soundtrack (seriously). What is your favourite song? Nik: That’s impossible to answer! OK then ‘Ant Rap’ by Adam and the Ants. If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? Nik: Probably a goalkeeper. / Marcus: There is nothing else. Visit /www.bushnut.com/ or /www.myspace.com/bushnut/

tags: | bushnut | hybrid | marcus williams | flak

Warren Suicide

Place of birth: Spain Date of birth: 22nd May 1975 Personal motto : Bite to pieces your diseases Musical Style: Electrodiscopunktrashrock Describe yourself (in five words): Red, yellow, pathetic, angry, optimistic, anarchistic (that’s 6 words!) - questions answered by Nackt Warren Suicide consists of Berlin-based Nackt, Bertil and Cherie. In their original line-up (featuring singer Lucki) they took the UK media by storm after notching up a string of glowing references from the likes of Annie Nightingale, Eddy Temple Morris and Mark Moore, as well as blanket praise in broadsheets and music titles. Winter 2004 saw Warren Suicide sell-out gigs in Paris and London, terrorise the airwaves of influential LA radio show ‘Passport Approved’on Indie 103.6 FM and hold off the hordes long enough for super-fan Zane Lowe to make the dash from Radio 1 headquarters to catch the guys at their last London gig. Their multimedia poetry explores the world of Warren Suicide, a human caricature living in a fictional, dystopic world. The band is entering now its busiest phase yet: they have just played their first ever shows in NYC in September. Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus even lent them his gear. With the new line-up they are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Well, chilling out after a Warren gig seems almost impossible! The energy level stays up for a few more hours after each show. You get to meet so many exciting people when doing a gig, such as freaks, other artists, fans etc. Spending time with those people seems to be too inspiring to miss a single moment of it. What is your biggest achievement so far? When we first got invited to play band-oriented clubs in England, it felt like a major opportunity for us. We were more used to playing at pure electro events where everybody in the house mainly focused on drugs and sex. It was this different attention from different gigs that made us work harder on our performance and our songwriting. Who are your musical heroes? Basically everybody whose music is sustained in society, no matter at what point, in terms of fashion or environment, it had been written. On both writing and performing levels, the biggest achievement as an artist in general is to create a value that stays meaningful forever. Bach, Miles Davis, Beatles, Velvet Underground, Sex Pistols, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode etc did that for a wider range of people whereas the likes of Jakob Obrecht, Ornette Coleman, The Godmachine, Aphex Twin, Archive, Fehlfarben and tons of other unknown artists have maybe touched on smaller audiences but they will always remain inspiring. I try to follow that ideal. Tell us about your new projects... In November we’ll be playing gigs all over Europe to introduce our drummer Bert-Ill. Now, having the physical impact on the beats, the gigs became way more powerful and to be honest, they’re a lot more fun. You can hear that new side of Warren on our latest track ‘Fulford’ which is the first track recorded with Bert-Ill. We are also about to record a version of the ‘Yerblues’ from the Beatles’ ‘White Album’. It’s a great challenge as most Beatles covers tend to suck, which again points out the greatness of their songs and performances and makes other bands sound like criminals. Are there any artists you would like to work with? We’d like to work with every artist there is but unfortunately life lasts only for about 130 years! In fact, that could be paradise, eternally working on one project with each artist who has ever existed. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? Every couple of weeks we invite a bunch of people, mostly musicians and artists, to our commune kitchen. We usually give them a theme... something like World War 2 or the string theory, ask them to dress accordingly and bring some eatables. Everything is filmed and recorded so maybe at some point we’ll be able to release something like a ‘Best Of’. Quite a few very special moments of art and fun have taken place already. What makes you angry? Every person who is not trying hard to become the best version of themselves. We’re all sinking in the same boat if only one person screws up. Forget about the outside (money, power, image) and focus on yourselves. The single ‘Fulford’ by Warren Suicide is out now. Their debut album ‘The Hello’ will follow in early 2006.

tags: | warren suicide | richard fortus

Darren Tate

Place of birth : London Date of birth: 22nd October 1972 Personal motto : Don’t get caught wearing your mum’s undies Musical Style : Music that lifts your spirits Describe yourself (in five words): Can easily outwit a chimp Darren Tate is an international producer and DJ. As a classically trained musician, Darren has earned his reputation as one of Europe’s leading producers, having worked with a wide range of international artists and writers. He is also one of the world’s most successful dance producers, having had huge international hits with the likes of Jurgen Vries, Angelic, Orion, Citizen Caned and most recently DT8 Project. He has also worked with a huge array of top international artists and writers and has enjoyed success in the areas of television, film and musical theatre. ‘Horizons 01’ is a collection of some of his biggest underground club records which also features six brand new singles. Early next year will see the full release of the highly anticipated DT8 Project album which promises to be one of the most inspired and original electronica albums of 2006. The album will include the massive hits ‘The Sun Is Shining (Down on Me)’ and ‘Winter’, and will feature exclusive performances by various major international artists. Darren also has an ever growing reputation as one of the worlds premiere DJs, where his blend of trance, hard trance and progressive house has been causing a huge stir in the dance community. He has received rave reviews for his mix duties on albums such as ‘Beyond Euphoria (MOS)’, ‘Trance Republic (with John Askew and Agnelli & Nelson)’ and the forthcoming ‘Mondo Sessions 001’ with Mike Koglin. In addition he also hosts the radio show ‘Mondo in the Mix’ on Ministry of Sound Radio (Monday 4-6pm fortnightly). In terms of public performances, Darren is touring across the world throughout the year, including headlining at the Zurich Street Parade (to an audience of over 1 million). In addition, his label Mondo Records continues to go from strength to strength, as does the newly formed Mondo DJ agency and music publishing division, Mondo Music Publishing. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Knitting or bingo, it’s a tough choice. What is your biggest achievement so far? Surviving the music business... and hitting the No.3 spot in the UK singles chart. Who are your musical heroes? Sergie Rachmaninov, U2, Stevie Wonder, there’s hundreds... Tell us about your new projects... ’Horizons 01’ album is due out in January featuring all my big underground club trance releases. We’re doing a worldwide tour supporting that starting in January next year. Then there’s the DT8 Project album which is due out mid 2006 – that’s a big one for me. What are your plans for the future? More albums, artist collaborations and some film work are all on the horizon. What is catching your ear at the moment? There’s a lot of interesting electro-house coming through, although I’m not so keen on some of the 80s rehashes I’ve been hearing. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? I thought I’d go for lots of vintage comedians, like George W Bush. What is your recipe for success? You have to work very hard, believe in yourself, never give up, and ignore all the critics (especially those not qualified to criticise). Sometimes beer helps too. What makes you happy? Monkeys What makes you angry? Clowns What was the last CD/record you bought? I got a good deal on a pack of 50 TDK CD-Rs. What is your favourite song? Massive Attack – ‘Unfinished Symphony’ If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? I think I would make a really good trapeze artist. Darren Tate – Horizons 01 Vinyl EP is out now. Darren Tate – Horizons 01 CD Album out January 23rd 2006 www.darrentate.com

tags: | daren tate | jurgen vries | angelic | orion | citizen caned | dt8 project | mike koglin | more...

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