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Features
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Aquasky exclusive ‘Teamplayers’ interview — breakbeat legends!
Reported by Tom Cypher
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Submitted 08-03-06 01:01
Dave Wallace, Brent Newitt and Keiron Bailey make up the trio that is Aquasky, three producers who in their time have not only been responsible for shaping the sound of drum and bass but also inventing the sound of ‘bassline’ breaks. In their 10 years spent producing together the trio have notched up seven artist albums, numerous singles over labels including seminal deebee imprint Moving Shadow, legendary techno label R&S, major label Polydor through to underground breaks label Botchit and Scarper and many more. The trio have worked with artists as wide ranging as the Scratch Perverts, Snowboy and The Ragga Twins, as well as remixing the likes of 4 Hero, Art Of Noise, A Guy Called Gerald, The Freestylers and Masta Ace as well as touring the globe converting the masses to their unique sound.
We caught up with Aquasky on the eve of the release of their tenth anniversary album ‘Teamplayers’, a collaborative project that sees Aquasky team up with some of the leading producers and vocalists on the scene including Freq Nasty, Tayo, Meat Katie, El hornet from Pendulum, Spyder, Phil Hartnoll, Breakfastaz, Ragga Twins, UK Apache and many, many more!
Where did the idea of ‘Teamplayers’ come from?
Originally we decided it would be fun to record with a few people just to see how the tunes came out. Though, the deeper we got into it, the more we enjoyed it and consequently we have spent the last 18 months rounding up the fattest selection of guests ever to feature on a breakbeat LP.
Aquasky
What have you set out to achieve with this album?
To change the preconceptions many have of Aquasky and our labels. We have over the years been stereotyped due to us coming up with the whole bassline breaks theme back in 99/00.
You’re starting to experiment with new sounds that are distinct changes from your old style; do you think you might lose some of your traditional ‘bassline’ fan base?
I think we are more than capable to come back to that scene whenever we wanted and drop a tune that will blow away the competition. But we always evolve, that is why we are here 10 years on still making music that people dance to. If we had just stuck to making jazzy d&b like we did in 95 then I doubt we would be here now chatting. People, live and the world evolves and revolves. We have to do the same otherwise we will be left standing still watching people go past us!!!
Aquasky & Freq Nasty
Did you ever see yourself getting into more housey beats?
On the last 4 albums we have done we have produced 4/4 tracks and ‘Teamplayers’ is no exception. Its just the way we are… we love music and want to try and do as many styles and throw as many genres into the mix when producing breakbeat because we are lucky enough to be apart of the scene whilst it is still open to new ideas…
Will 2006 see Aquasky making more house/electro or techno?
Yes, of course it will… we will continue to mess with peoples heads!
During the ‘Teamplayers’ project you’ve collaborated with some 30 plus artists, who has the worst studio manners?
They were all well behaved young ladies and gentlemen. We can’t work with people who have egos and issues… we are quite dedicated to what we do but there were a few stories and incidents that freaked us out. But mum is the word on those!
The Teamplayers!
Who has the worst time keeping?
Tayo, hahaha…! He turned up 7 days late for a session… ‘Looking for a Session’ was the name of the final track we did with him… I think that may have been what he was up to for those 7 days!!!
Not saying you’re old or anything, but you’ve lived through not only the drum n bass times but rave and hip hop times before that, which has been your favourite era?
Hip hop and electro will always be my best period as that was through my school years and those memories are always looked back on fondly, whether it be music, friendships or nights out, rose tinted glasses and all that! I think the rave scene has left the biggest impression on me though as I loved the way the music was all mashed up, with loadsa different styles played in people’s sets. Also the freedom of the outdoor rave scene, I hate corporate clubs because their real interest is in making money and playing it safe. Sensible process really when in business but not so good when you are an act trying something new.
I have the utmost respect for all those rave guys and early d&b pioneers and any who has met me will testify to this. They laid down the rules and then broke them and laid them down again… and a week later they broke them again!!! That’s what is about, being a scene shaker and that ethos runs through my veins. There is something magical about watching the sunrise in a forest, on a beach or in a farmer’s field with loadsa like-minded souls. No attitude, just music and clean air! D&B is what made us into who we are and it taught us how to conduct ourselves in the public eye and how to deal with others correctly and that knowledge and those friendships are still with us today.
Aquasky, Tayo (main offender) and Earl 16
Finally, after 18 months working solidly on ‘Teamplayers’… what is next?
Well, we’re taking what we consider a well-earned break from the studio to rest up and recuperate, we’re still going to continue the DJ gigs and will probably dabble in the odd production but ‘Teamplayers’ marks the last ‘Aquasky’ release you’ll hear in a good few months!
Many thanks and good luck guys!
Aquasky’s 10th anniversary ‘Teamplayers’ LP is out now on Passenger Records. For more information please visit www.aquasky.co.uk
Aquasky are hosting two ‘Teamplayers’ launch parties:
Teamplayers London @ Chew The Fat on Friday 10 March with the line up including Aquasky , Drummatics, Ragga Twins, Friendly, Paul Arnold, Atomic Hooligan and many more. For more info check out www.thefatclub.com
Teamplayers Bristol @ Risk, Club UK on Friday 17 March with the line up including Aquasky, The Autobots, The Drummatic Twins, FHK, Chirvais, Pornobreaks and many more. For more info see www.armadasound.com/
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Other Features By Tom Cypher: Perfect Stranger Takes a Leap of Faith With His New Album Marco Scherer's Patchwork 17 Lee Mortimer goes Loopy. My Digital Enemy Studio Talk with Organ Donors
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: maliksta on 8th Mar 2006 08:14.41 great interview Tom.
booeeeyyyyy
From: JC-TAKTIKAL on 8th Mar 2006 10:48.17 boooooooowaaai! Legends
From: benz on 8th Mar 2006 10:57.29 LEGENDS! check the album review here: http://www.gurn.net/tunes/Passenger/Teamplayers
From: voodoobass on 8th Mar 2006 11:39.52 Some of the best names in the busness show up on this album, a true collaboration piece. Big up Aquasky!
From: steelo kuchiki on 8th Mar 2006 13:12.49 theyre playing chew the fat friday if anyones interested
big up mc spee in the middle pick, was all about getting battered on rat in the bogs with him 3 years ago at breakspoll. proper classic
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