Plain & Simple speak to The Japanese Popstars
12/9/11 | By Plain & Simple – Melissa-Jane Frost
On Saturday October 1st Japanese Popstars play their live festival techno show, which has drawn parallels to Underworld and also helped land them a major deal and appearances at some of the world’s best festivals. An electronic act from Northern Ireland, Japanese Popstars consists of Declan McLaughlin aka Decky Hedrock, Gary Curran, and Gareth Donoghue. In 2010 they collected the Best Live Act award at the Irish Dance Music Awards and were signed to Virgin/EMI Records (also signed to indie label, Gung-Ho Recordings in the UK, and Beatink in Japan, home of Underworld, Aphex Twin, and Cinematic Orchestra). Over the years they have toured with Basement Jaxx and JUSTICE in Japan and have recently colborated with the likes of Green Velvet and Robert Smith of the Cure on their new album. If all this wasn’t enough the band even have their very own brand of Nike trainers called JAPSTARS01!!! Ahead of their gig at Spectrum we met up with the 3 lads for a quick chinwag:
Yeah thats were the original idea to put together a live dance act came from, festivals were and are great fun but they were just getting so expensive, we needed a way to get to as many as possible without breaking the bank, this seemed like a good way to do it
Its mainly drivers that come to airports or hotels that find it most confusing, they are holding up a sign saying japanese popstars and they are literally expecting japanese popstars to appear. Alot of time in the early days people would think we were just trying to blag a free lift somewhere.
Playing in Derry is always fun and usually gets a tad messy. Thats where the bands home is, even though one of the member isn’t from there, we build all our early support and did the majority of our early shows in the city. We still get Derry folks coming to our shows no matter were in the world it is, its great to have that support.
Yeah there really is. We have so many friends that make great dance music in Ireland, both North and South and at literally every Irish show we always get demo’s given to us by upcoming new producers, the standard of these tracks are scary, there are so many good producers out there at the moment.
Massive fans. We decided to approach people that we really look up to, chancing our arms a bit but at the end of the day, the worst people can do it say no. Green Velvet has been playing in Belfast for Shine for years, I have had so many good nights on the floor to that guy, and when we started having the chance to do some shows with him he asked about doing some vocals, it was great. We are all massive Cure fans as well, Disintegration is still probably my most played album ever. It was unbelievable to get Robert on board
Hopefully a lot of energy and something that people can engage with and its something that they haven’t heard before. We try and change it up as much as possible live, plus we normally drop in some new stuff that we are working on just to try it out
Yeah it was. It was an absolutely crazy trip. Just to be on that tour with those guys was so much fun, we made some good friends
No unfortunately we haven’t had a chance. It was a scary time, we have family and a lot of friends out there, and at the time no one could get in contact with anyone. We were planning on going out to do some festivals shows in support of our new album but have had to change and probably postpone until next year
Yeah maybe it was. I guess I will know after album three. It definitely was tough at times, we were really pushing ourselves on this one. The first album was done at a time where we had no expectations, we had nothing to prove and we had a lot of time to come up with those ideas. For the second album all of a sudden we are now professional producers or musicians , whatever way you want to look at it, none of us have any real training at this and we are still to a large extent writing music in our bedrooms. But we also constantly on the road, and people have expectations , and we want to deliver something that we will be proud of. We definitely pushed ourselves very hard on this one
The one production tool that has been at the centre of the majority of Japanese Popstars tracks is Propellerheads Reason. Thats been our main platform from day one
We would all probably have deferent answers on that. Its a tough one, I am really liking the Arcade Fire album at the minute, a tie up with those guys would be great, Bruce Springsteen would be an amazing project, or what about getting big Frank on a techno cut
We have another two singles from the album to come out before the end of the year, Take Forever and Shells of Silver. We also plan on releasing a few EPs of more underground tracks
In a word, no. We know we are some of the luckiest guys in the world, we just want to keep working as hard as possible to try and make the best music and do the best shows that we possibly can
Interview by: Melissa-Jane Frost
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The Big Questions: Catz ‘n Dogz
July 5th, 2011 | by CC Borjeson
Catz ‘n’ Dogz Exclusive Mix by Mixmag
Poland’s biggest export of groovy house and techno, Catz ‘n Dogz, answer the questions we ask every month.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Greg: A bin man truck driver
Voitek: I have always wanted to do something with music for as long as I can remember. I was singing in a boys choir when I was 7
What’s the worst club you’ve been to?
G: There was a club in Bremen, but I don’t remember the name. Sound was shit and the atmosphere was horrible…
V: I don’t remember the name of it but it was somewhere in Bremen. Really arrogant stuff – the club was empty and the sound-system was the worst ever
What’s been your worst job?
G: Tax Officer in the City Hall
V: When I was younger i was working in a mall as an Action Man. I had a soldier outfit and I had to convince parents to buy those Action Figures
What are you obsessed with right now?
G: Healthy living, because I’m not
V: Good food and having music that no one else has
And what do you hate right now?
G: Middle seat on long flights
V: I’m a hater so we would need another interview for this haha
When and where were you your happiest?
G: In the country side with friends
V: I’m really lucky in my life basically
How do you describe what you do to someone who doesn’t know you?
G: I play, you dance
V: It depends who the “someone” is. I’m trying to not use the word DJ because people think this is only about playing music and getting drunk
Have you ever been arrested?
G: No, but Voitek was [smiles]
V: Yes, and it was really stupid. It was in my hometown. I was really loud on the street and taking some posters from the wall, and when the police caught me I started arguing with them so they had to put me to the car [laughs]
What’s the best record ever made?
G: that’s the hardest question for me always. One of my all time favourites is Jeff Mills ‘Gamma Player’ for sure, but there’s a lot of other good tracks from different genres
V: Stardust ‘Music Sounds Better With You’
What’s the coolest thing in your house?
G: Balcony
V: I don’t have a house
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
G: Think twice before you say something. But I always forget about it.
V: Before you do something, think over it first.
Who’s your all-time hero and why?
G: My mum
V: My grandmother. She was really unlucky in life, but she was always keeping it together and never complained.
What do you collect – apart from records?
G: Flyers and troubles
V: I don’t collect anything because I’m moving in and out to much. Friends keep saying I have too many T-shirts, though
What’s your vice?
G: Gadgets
V: Food
Who was your first love and what happened?
G: I still remember when I heard the first dance track and I felt in love
V: My first love was a girl name Julia. After all these years I still keep her picture on my desktop cuz i think it brings me luck when I make music. We broke up because we were both too weird.
What were you doing at 2pm last Sunday afternoon?
G: sleeping after Off Sonar madness
V: Hmmmm…ah yes now I know…I was in Barcelona sleeping after my birthday
What’s your answer to everything?
G: It will be all good
V: The problem is I always have one million answers for everything
On a scale of one to ten, how good are you in the sack?
G: I asked my girlfriend and she said 10, because I’m romantic
V: I would say like 8. I was always pretty good in sports
What was your last treat for yourself?
G: Two days of seaside holiday
V: In one party I played a track that only I like.
What do you spend your money on?
G: Records, clothes, food and mostly stupid stuff that I don’t use later
V: Mostly going out and eating. I also go on holidays from time to time, and I try to safe some money on the side
What’s your drug of choice?
G: I enjoy alcohol
V: None
What can’t you live without?
G: Internet and emails
V: A lot of friends and family, good music and good food
Do you have a recurring dream?
G: Drowning in a car
V: No, I don’t really have dreams unfortunately. I just sleep and wake up [laughs]
What would you change about yourself if you could?
G: Io not care too much about stupid stuff
V: I would love to be more relaxed.
What’s the worst item of clothing you’ve ever worn?
G: 90’s raver outfit
V: Full jeans outfit
If you had a Tardis, what time would you go to?
G: Back to the 80’s and I would like to be a new romantic singer
V: I like “now”
Stay tuned for an exclusive Catz ‘n Dogz Mixmag mix, and win tickets to their next gig for budding London underground collective Select*elect, July 23.
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Matthew Styles Interview. May 10, 2011
Interview by: We Are Vague
Q. You are a successful and respected DJ/Producer and have spent time building your career in London and Berlin. What are the main differences between the two cities underground music scene?
A. There are many cultural differences in both cities, but they both have diverse music scenes in different ways. London because of its size and multiculturalism has a rapidly evolving scene in many different directions. There is this very large Afro-Caribbean, South American and asian communities in London of which there isn’t in Berlin. Berlin is much smaller and cheaper to live, therefore the communication and development between artists is much easier, which is also very interesting in the case of sharing ideas. The government in Berlin is much more relaxed than in the UK, so you get these great underground parties & clubs that couldn’t exist so easily in the UK. Also many clubs in Berlin stay open as long as there are people there, but in UK the opening hours are generally more restricted. However the energy can be more intense in the UK because of this. Both are great though in their own way though
Q. Do you prefer a big crowd or small intimate venue?
A. The crowd and sound are the most important things for me, if you have a large space but the crowd are relaxed and the sound is good then it can be fantastic. Generally though in a small space it’s more easy to make a connection with the people.
Q. What acts and labels are inspiring you at the moment?
A. In terms of electronic music I’m always checking a wide variety of stuff, anything from Ramadanman to Murk, Theo Parrish, Skudge, Gemini, Blaze, Dance Mania, Herbert, NSI and Roska. I just look for good tracks with a feeling, thats in my tempo range.
Q. ..and what inspires you in general?
A. I think in general I’m open to be inspired by anything around me and as much as I can. Inspiration for me is the energy to keep going and make something that represents me. I find the internet and media can suck that energy though with too much information and noise, which leads to confusion.
Q. What advice would you give to any up and coming DJ/Producers?
A. Develop your own style, being inspired by something is one thing but to copy is another. Find your voice within, not use someone else’s.
Q. We’re really looking forward to having you play for us on the 28th. From what we have gathered, your last London gig was in December 2009. So, correct us if our research has fallen short, but, what can people expect from your set after such a long time away from playing out here in London?
A. Thanks I am looking forward to playing for you. The last time I played in london was last year at Fabric though with Dinky and Ricardo. Quite often in the last few years I have played for them un-announced until the night. I hope to give you a good representation of records I am feeling right now, whether they be new or old.
Q. And finally, what have you been working on recently and/or whats next in the pipe line for Matthew Styles?
A. I am working on a project with my fiancée Dinky, which is more about songs with a different tempo and structure. I will do more club music, but generally my philosophy is not about having a huge repertoire of dance music out monthly to get gigs. I am very interested in sound and the possibilities for creating them. We have a lot of possibilities available to us to create now and I really like to explore those and the contexts we can use them in.
Check out this awesome mix Mr Styles did at the end of last year: HERE
PromoMixes.com Podcast – Zanzibar by matthewstyles
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Interview with Jakwob. May 26th 2011
Q: You have come to fame through your big remixes for other artists but just recently you have put out your first Jakwob single and your forthcoming release has just been aired on radio 1, are you pleased with the results and what reaction are you getting from your fans?
A: I’m very happy with the response, in fact, it’s been pretty overwhelming. I’m glad that radio and fans are still on board.
Q: What other projects and releases are you working on at the moment? Can we expect to see a Jakwob album in the future?
A: I’m currently working on an album which is due for release early 2012. There’s another single on the way soon too!
Q: Your first release was on your own “Boomting” label, will your new material be on there as well and will anyone else be recording for this label?
A: We’re currently working with a few different artists on material for release through Boomting. My album and the rest of my singles will be released through Boomting Recordings / Mercury Records.
Q: I believe you are writing music for other artists is this a role you are comfortable in and will you be doing more of this in the future?
A: Yes, I’m writing with lots of different people and I like to constantly challenge myself by working with people from lots of different backgrounds and genres.
Q: How does your production process work and how does the process differ when writing for someone else?
A: It’s a very similar creative process. The latter just requires more focus on what the artist wants to do.
Q: Do you get time to listen to other styles of music and if so what music do you take inspiration from?
A: I always have the time to listen to music. I’m in a studio practically 24/7. I listen to anything and everything.
Q: You have made your name as a dubstep producer can we expect to see you covering any other styles of music in the future?
A: Yes, it’s going to be an interesting journey through the next few singles and the album. Dubstep is just part of a larger sound that we’ll be releasing over the coming months.
Q: At your dj gigs do you play just dubstep or do you get to vary the style you play at some events?
A: I usually just play straight dubstep, some drum and bass and reggae, but in the coming months I’ll be switching it up even more with a lot more minimal dub, hip-hop and funky.
Q: As a dj do you play records, cds or are you computer based?
A: When I DJ, I use CDs. I used to use vinyl but it was too impractical on long-haul gigs.
Q: If you were going to have a night off and go out to a gig which artist or DJ would you like to hear?
A: I would go see Niki & The Dove, again.
Q: What makes a good party for you?
A: Good friends and good music.
Q: What are your ambitions for the future?
A: To write music that will inspire others.
