These three DJs, known collectively as WiLDKATS, have had a stellar rise to prominence over the last year. Running of the back of a huge first release on Hourglass music, they have been signed up to Krankbrother, had releases selected for Hot Waves Vol. 2 and Lower East records, and have recently returned from a US tour. We managed to grab a few moments with them to try and reminisce over these busy few months. 

ML: You’ve had a busy start to 2012 with tours of South Africa & The States, can you talk us through some of the highlights.

Corey: Our gig in New York was my personal highlight of our travels…Having lived there it’s always a pleasure to go back and see old friends whilst getting down.

Stuart: Man, this is a tricky one to answer, as I tend to love every minute of touring and adventuring (except Corey’s snoring). The highlights are definitely the gigs… every one is different but the buzz is equally as great for each.

Scott: All the parties have been wicked…. I really enjoyed Chicago and New York though. San Fran was cool to party with friends, San Diego to meet some old and new friends…. Also got to mention BPM Festival at the start of the year. That was amazing!

How does the scene in America differ to Europe?

Corey: Europe is more aware of all forms of dance music today. Although a lot of dance music has originated in the States it’s still a relatively underground form of music for the general population.

Stuart: Jeeze… What’s with the tricky questions mudlove! Both have cool scene. Generally everyone is aware of or listens to house music in Europe, it’s in our blood, the scene is very strong. The scene in the US is still very underground as not the majority of people listen to it… commercial dance is huge but to hear our kinda stuff you may have to hunt a bit below the surface… when you do, you’ll find some bangin’ parties! 

Haha our apologies… is it becoming more attractive for DJ’s to explore slightly more unchartered territory with tours rather than sticking with tried and tested places? 

Corey: For me there are tons of places I’d like to visit, but when your Dj’ing at places it’s not as glamourous as you think…Especially on a tour where you’re going somewhere new every night. Unless of course the drive to and from the airport is nice. I’d personally say to stick to what places are always good to play at. 

Stuart: To be honest we have just been touring the places we are booked to play… fortunately for us they have all been wicked so far. If I could choose a place to play next I’d have to say the tried and tested DC10 Ibiza… but I guess that’s every DJs dream.

Scott: I think the scene is getting bigger and bigger which inevitably leads to exploring new places. I love it to be honest…. A lot of your tried and tested places are what you grow up on as a clubber. Trips to the likes of Ibiza & Berlin are what you do all the time but when we had the chance to go to South Africa that was as much about a holiday for me as well as being there to DJ.  (Ed – have a read of last weeks interview with Alexis Raphael and his tour to Brazil here)

What is the ‘behind the scenes’ of the music industry like? Is it important to ‘know’ people when you start getting music signed etc etc…

Corey: There are definitely crews that stick together producer and DJ wise. You’ll find it mostly revolves around certain labels. I think that age old saying “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know” plays some sort of a role in this game. 

Stuart: Yeah when we started off with our production we had all been DJ’ing and partying for many years and new a few key players in the scene- Richy Ahmed, Matt Tolfrey, Russ Yallop to name a few. Of course knowing these guys made it easier to get our music in front of the right people. But you’ve got to have the product they like at the end of the day.

Which is more important, playing out or releasing tracks?

Corey: I feel you need to initially release tracks to get gigs and get a following… but the ultimate goal is to DJ for me.

Stuart: Which comes first…  the chicken or the egg! They both come part and parcel, these days it’s pretty hard to get international success as a DJ without releasing tracks, so make the tracks to get the gigs, then smash the gigs and hopefully word of mouth spreads.

Scott: They are both as big as each other. If you are looking to make a living out of it then that would be really hard pressed just as a producer…. There isn’t a lot of money in releasing music. Not enough to make a living out of anyway… To make a living out of this you have to have the gigs. 

What do you think about house music albums… would you consider making one?

Corey: I think there will come a time in an artist’s career when him or her says its time. For me personally I haven’t got that calling yet.

Stuart: ah you have just planted the seed… watch this space  

Scott: Albums have changed a lot I think over the last 5 – 10 years. Before it was very much about the artist expressing themselves musically but nowadays it seems very much about having 10 or so dance floor tracks. Personally I prefer the journey and that takes a lot of inspiration… Maybe after a crazy tour of South America I might begin that journey!

Now we know that 2/3 of you are from Scotland, does it have a strong house scene?

Corey: It definitely breeds amazing artists.  Big Up Scott n Stu…

Stuart: I’m from Edinburgh where the scene was pretty crappy when I was growing up, or maybe I wasn’t going the right places… you would always have to go through to Glasgow where there is a much stronger scene with clubs like the Arches, Subclub etc, but there seems to be some cool nights in Edinburgh now too.

Scott: Unfortunately if we were to answer honestly it is not the strongest… I have a few different groups of friends who are doing some nights in Edinburgh but there is a massive lack of good venues in the capital which really makes it hard to do anything party wise. Glasgow on the other hand does have a really strong scene and one of the longest standing clubs in the Subclub. AMAZING club! 

How was signing with Krankbrother helped your career(s)

All: Kieran from Krankbrothers has been great. He has helped us in ton of ways. Getting gigs, building relationships, gave me quite a few stamps on my passport too!!!

What is your approach to making music and how does it change over time? Are ‘trends’ important for example the big bass sound that has dominated the deep-house genre in recent times?

All: Generally we have some sort of an idea to start off. After that anything goes really. As for the trends… we try not to follow them too closely otherwise you just end up trying to do something like someone else has already done. Being original is so much cooler. But that’s the big challenge isn’t it!!!

What can we expect from WiLDKATS production wise over the coming months?

All: We have just had an E.P come out on Akbal with close friend TBOY, also a remix on Get Physical and another on Digital Delight…  coming next is a remix for Miguel Migs coming on OM Records, which we’re really excited about. We are currently working in the studio on some new material, and have recently worked with Thugfucker and Pillowtalk’s Mikey Tello, both projects are very early stages but sounding cool.

Who would you (individually) most like to collaborate with and why?

Corey: I’m a big fan of David August, H.O.S.H, Solomun, and I’d love to work with even one of them… those Germans know how to move a dance floor. I’m really diggin’ their individual styles.. they just get it!

Stuart: James Blake… love his voice.

Scott: I reckon a good old mash up with Tale of Us could be interesting???

Thanks so much guys and let’s hope those collabs happen! Finally, one question we ask at every interview – do you think DJs are the modern rockstars?

All: I think it’s definitely going in that direction. Now days it’s incredible how much attention and how big some DJs have become… and I guess us DJ’s party like rockstars!

WiLDKATS are playing this saturday at mudlove’s May Bank Holiday Party in Notting Hill…. details here tickets here

ML: Did your Brazil dates live up to your expectations?

AR: They exceeded them to be honest. 2 absolutely amazing parties, plus a guest slot at the legendary D Edge club in Sao Paolo.

Were you well received by the crowds over there and were you surprised by how connected with the underground scene Brazilian clubbers are?

I played proper underground house music, I doubt the crowd knew any of the tracks, but the parties rocked and people digged it. To me that says the crowd are bang on the money. There are two types of people that go out – ones that want to hear tracks they know, and ones that want to hear music they don’t know or in other words, people who want to be educated.  I’m all about playing to the latter. The Brazil peeps were open to everything which was great.

Where did you play in Brazil? How did the venues match up to what you are used to in Europe and the US?

D Edge can compete with any club in the world, it really was great. The Sao Paolo party, Forward, I played at was in this massive room with glass all around so you can see the centre of Sao Paolo and it had a beautiful roof terrace. It was a great venue. Then the second gig in the South of Brazil, a Sunset Terrace party, could rival any set up I’ve ever seen. They had a huge marquee with festival standard production and 2,000 people raving away. It was truly awesome.

Did you come across any Brazilian producers, DJs, labels, parties etc that caught you attention?

Yes, the promoters and DJs at Forward played me some of their music and it was really, really good. Junior C is one of Sao Paolo’s best respected DJs and I’ve told him to forward me all his music as I was really impressed.

Were you introduced to any new styles of music that you hadn’t heard before whilst in Brazil at all? Have you ever been influenced by Brazilian music before?

They were telling me about Brazilian funk. I’ve been given some links to Youtube so I gotta check it out. I like to listen to as broad a range of music as possible, and I suppose it all influences the music I make.

Have you been pleased with the reactions to your Hot Creations release?

Yes, it’s quite amazing how popular ‘I Know’ has become.  2,000 people singing it in Brazil the day before it’s actually released. ‘Into The Light’ also still gets a massive reaction, it will be interesting to see which one sells better.

I’ve seen  a few comments  from people online who seem to think I’ve copied Tiga or got the idea from him. He covered the vocal about 6 years ago.  So to set the record straight, the vocal was originally Candi Staton from the 70s, and altern8 used it in a track in 1991 which I’ve got on vinyl.  It was a massive charting rave track back then. I’ve always loved the vocal after hearing it in their record and it was great to give it a  new lease of life for a new generation. If anything, it was altern8 I owe for finding the vocal originally. It’s great because mine, Tiga’s and altern8’s versions are all so different, I think all 3 are great records, but with totally different interpretations on the song.  That’s house music.

What else have you got lined up production-wise?

I’ve got my next Lower East EP completed. I have two new tracks on there, ‘The Message” and “Rumble in The Jungle.”  I tested The Message out for the first time in Brazil and it blew the dance floor apart. Both tracks take my music in a different direction to what people are used to, but I have to keep evolving, that’s what dance music is about really.  Although I say it’s a new direction, I think it’s still distinctly Alexis Raphael music, the sweet vocals are still there.

I’m about to give a collaboration a go with a close friend I grew up with. He’s had huge success with hip hop and performed in successful bands. He’s a great musician and we’re going to be spending some time in the studio together to see what we can do. Watch this space.

On the release front as well as the Lower East EP I’ve got Beverly Hills coming out on Lower East Inner Circles Vol 2 and I also think a track is being signed for the next Hot Waves although it’s not confirmed yet, I’m waiting on confirmation from Richy Ahmed.  Also, my remix of Kim English’s ‘Nnite Life’ comes out on Nervous in the next couple of months with 2 other remixes also in the package.

With nights like Jaded, Secretsundaze and your Crèche parties, London has always had a strong reputation for Sunday clubbing. What’s the best thing about partying on a Sunday?

I think there’s a feeling of naughtiness about it. Initially I think you got a more interesting crowd. The 9-5 office people hit Saturday nights, whilst the music industry heads, the DJ’s, the strippers, the gangsters, etc etc with no work Monday hit Sundays which made for a more, let’s say diverse, crowd. Now I think everybody comes out on a Sunday it’s become pretty standard. It doesn’t make sense really, if you’ve got work on a Monday surely a Saturday day would be better. But I think for the reasons I just explained the cooler parties became  the Sunday parties and now everyone’s joined in.  

How are you looking to build on the success Crèche has enjoyed over the last year or so? What have you got lined up for the summer?

Wow me and Cozzy have some really exciting plans for the Summer. We’re launching Creche Ibiza 2012 on May 27^th with a free party in a never before used location, hidden up in the hills. We’ve searched far and wide for some unique spaces where we’re going to bring some freshness and uniqueness to the island.  We’re going to try to bring back some of the original Ibiza spirit of outdoor parties in special places for the right amount of people, not too big. A lot of parties seem to be going on at the same venues, and to us venues are the key, so we’re trying to do something different. The party on the 27th will be free entry guestlist and run from 4pm until 4am. Location will be revealed nearer the time but keep your eyes peeled because crèche summer 2012 is going to be something really unique not to be missed.

And finally, how do you aim to develop as an artist this year?

Like I said earlier, my sound needs to keep evolving and that’s really what I aim to do. For me it’s all about pushing new ideas and making new music that’s fresh that people dig. If I can do that, ill be a happy man.

Thanks Alexis!

Catch him this Saturday at Sankey’s, info here

Lower East Records

Hot Creations

Everyone behind the ML blog has put in a huge effort over the past few years which has seen the blog grow immensely. But due to various shifts in the lifestyles of its key editors we have struggled to find replacements to take over the editorial responsibilities – so we have decided to shut down the blog altogether.

We would like to thank all of our dedicated readers and we hope we have provided you with interest over the years. Getting to interview the likes of Steve Bug, Carl Craig and Radio Slave and hosting charts from Heidi, Midland, Shonky plus many more has been a truly amazing experience.

ML as a whole will still be continuing via the facebook page which always has loads of content being posts and our bi-annual events being held in London, and we are contactable via mail@mudlove.co.uk.

Peace, ML

Headlining the official launch party tonight is the deep house and disco maestro, Hot Toddy. For anyone who doesn’t know he’s half of the production behind the phenomenally successful live house and disco group Crazy P and has been releasing material under his own name since the late 90’s.
Check out Hot Toddy – On The 1AM

Next to grace tonight’s line up is Joachim Pastor – hotly tipped in the techno world he’s come all the way from Paris to play the launch. Check out his soundcloud to get a taste of his production.

www.soundcloud.com/joachim-pastor

Tickets are still available so if you’re up for a fun one book them here, otherwise they’ll be some on the door.

See you down there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/363924060286008/

1. Will Saul & Tam Cooper – Hi Lo

2. Solomun – International Hustle

3. Jon Cutler feat. E-man – It’s yours

4. Real Nice and Cubiq – Had Enough (Luke Pompey remix)

5. Davide Giugliano – MWAK (Par Grindvik remix)

6. Jae B. – Perfect Match

7. Maetrik – The Entity

8. So – Who’s Gonna Love Me? (Toby Tobias Remix)

9. Timmy P – Chill Spot

10. Death on the Balcony – Them 3 Words (Eats Everything remix)

Big thank you to Cubiq for a wicked chart! Check out their recent chart-busting release here, which includes remixes by Matt Fear, Luke Pompey, Kreature, James Pople and Archie Hamilton.

For those that don’t know, 2 Bears is an audio amalgamation, made up of Joe Goddard from Hot Chip and Raf Daddy. Both are part of the Greco-Roman Soundsystem and have already shown that they have buckets of talent, not only with their careers but also with recent releases under their moniker as 2 Bears. This album is definitely not one to disappoint.

There are echoes of Goddard’s Hot Chip throughout the LP – in the lovely little interlude in the ‘The Birds and the Bees’ there’s a sense of sunny serenity that’s similar to Hot Chip’s track ‘Lemon Jelly’.

A happy summer holiday feel swims and dances throughout the album. ‘Church’ is a good example of this, oozing Caribbean sounds and steel drums – all that’s needed is a squeeze of lime, some juice and a good shake over ice to see you flying free from a sober commute.

There’s a tropical reggaeton edge to ‘Warm & Easy’, which features a snippet of a moombahton drum pattern –  ’it’s more wiley than Wiley but nowhere near as trim as Trim.’

‘Bear Hug’ is no doubt one of the standouts tracks by the electro duo, giving valuable insight into what the album can deliver – it’s a strong track but leaves you longing for more vocal. Another excellent vocal can be heard lulling in the beat ‘Take a look around’ – as the drops kicks in, you’re whisked to another dimension serenaded by the female voices that sings alongside Goddard’s.

Raf Daddy’s voice fits snugly into the track ‘Church’ which is definitley one of the best on the LP and for all you Midland fans – his remix of this track is definitely the one.

Overall the album sees you flying away to a carefree summery paradise, flowing effortlessly and spilling with feel good melodies while displaying a unique electro production style throughout.

‘Reach out and keep a hold of somebody there won’t be no problems if you just move your body’.

www.the2bears.co.uk

reviewed by Harry

Real Nice Presents; Noir Music’s ‘Hot Since 82′, who will be tearing up the ones and twos at Westbourne Studios tonight. There’s no denying that Hot Since 82 is completely killing it at the moment. His track ‘Let It Ride’ saw dancefloors exploding last summer and recent snippets released on his soundcloud over the past few months have left us all whining and pining for more.

Joining Hot Since 82 will be Trouble Vision’s head honcho Park Ranger who knows exactly how to work a crowd and conjure some of those big party vibes.

And last but not least notorious DJS, producers and tonight party hosts, Real Nice, will be doing what they do best.

Not to forget their two residents Lucas Lafone and Rollo!

It’s not too late to get tickets! Make sure you fix up and get on it!

Greenville Massive are Danish duo Jesper Zebitz and Simon Knosgaard, featuring here on the embryonic Initials label. Both act and label are fresh, and this one is really quite exciting.

This is largely because of ‘Box’, the standout track. The intro is smooth and glides into the ear almost undetected, before bursting into life with a bass so resonant it sounds like it was recorded in a Cathedral. The sampled and highly processed guitar twangs loop over and over creating a euphoric backdrop for a crisp, straightforward beat.The track envelopes you in warmth like an opiate, it is truly soulful deep house with a distinctly Northern European feel.

‘Plastic’ retains the dreaminess cultivated in ‘Box’, but perhaps lacks the ambitious scope of the latter. The beat hits a little harder; the gentle vocals and chords feel a lot more like classic house. ‘Tone’ reintroduces the looming and grandiose atmosphere of ‘Box’ with dark chord stabs, whilst the Troy Pierce remix is busier and dirtier, extracting the dubby elements of the original and puncturing them with hectic percussion.

These boys have hinted at their potential to produce a mix of dark and smooth grooves, so we’ll be watching them with interest. For me, ‘Box’ single-handedly merits close attention to the development of these newcomers; both artist and label.

‘Reflections’ is released on Initials 11th Feb 2012