Planet Notion - Music - 60 Seconds

Home

Music

Live

Lifestyle

My Planet

Who the f**k?

60 seconds

Features

Albums

Downloads

Change Background

You are here -> Music / 60 Seconds

Saturday, 22 November, 2008

PLANETNOTION TELEVISION!

CAMERA-FOLK AND FILM EDITORS WANTED!

Planet Notion is looking for guys and dolls to film and edit features for its new TV channel, PNTV. Accompanying Notion to artist interviews, gigs, fashion shows, festivals and international events, you will be skilled, passionate and full of ideas about how to produce shit-hot video content. Camera-folk will be experienced and ideally have their own equipment, or at least access to equipment, while editors must be able to turn projects around quickly, and with stylistic flare. If you can both film and edit content, we would especially like to hear from you! These casual, unpaid positions would be ideal for those looking to develop their showreels, and to get the chance to travel, film major artists and top events.

Please email lucy(at)musichqmedia
(dot)com if you’re interested in getting involved, cheers!

INFO

You are browsing the 60 second interviews. Short sharp questions and answers with anyone we think is worth a squirt of HTML. Oh baby give me your URL.

RSS FEEDS

Subscribe Feeds

Union of Knives

Union of Knives

PLACE OF BIRTH: Stewarton DATE OF BIRTH: 16/8/71 PERSONAL MOTTO: It begins with you. STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): Dark epic electronic pop music. DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): Sporty, Ginger, Scary, Posh, Baby. Union of Knives are a perfect balance of youth and experience, brutality and compassion, dirt and clinical cleanliness. On stage Craig Grant and Chris Gordon play dual frontman roles, supported, like a seesaw on an axis, by Dave McClean. The music they make is steely hard, yet cut through with raw, emotive longing and power. Chris and Dave are from Glasgow, and Craig is from Aberdeen though he’s now an “adopted Glaswegian.” Chris and Dave met in Glasgow’s Nice and Sleazy. Dave was a soundman there, Chris ended up working behind the bar when he wasn’t singing on Dave’s tracks or producing demos of local bands. The pair eventually set up their own studio where they recorded bands and did remixes for Craig Armstrong, Snow Patrol and others. Then, one night, back in N&S, they met Craig. Craig had moved to Glasgow and was writing songs in his bedroom. He had been singing at a local acoustic night and was recording with his band, Close to the Ground. When Chris came to produce demos for the band, things changed. Quickly. Chris and Dave’s band, now called Union of Knives, were static. “The tracks were great but we were unsure what to do with them,” says Chris. “There were songs that didn’t have lyrics or melodies, but Craig would come and improvise this amazing stuff over them.” Gigs started happening, new recordings were planned and in the summer of 2004, Craig became a full time member. Union of Knives share the same mix of light and shadow to their music characteristic of other bands found on similar northern hemisphere lines of latitude, such as Sigur Ros and Arcade Fire, probably a consequence of those long nights and short days. Their intricate melodies and harmonies part combine and part collide with an array of serrated sonics and darker overtones. The result is an intense yet pleasurable experience that really breaks the mould. Questions answered by Chris What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Have the masseur rub my aching limbs til I am revived enough to flop into the limo on my way to the five star hotel for a late supper of nearly extinct species and Buckfast Tonic Wine What is your biggest achievement so far? Those occasional moments when I slide from the illusion to the void and come back with a small trace of the truth that burns inside me til the next time. Who are your musical heroes? Lately I love Sigur Ros, Arcade Fire and Bruce Springsteen. Tell us about your new projects? Union of Knives make music with a computer or two and whatever else is lying around. We twist and torment natural sounds til they fit our needs then sing our gospel over the top. It took a while for us to come by what we thought of as our sound but we knew we could find it eventually and when we did we were like, “fuck yes”. What are your plans for the future? To do something even better than we did before and expand simultaneously in all directions that suit our needs or sing to our souls. Are there any artists you would like to work with? I know a ton of talented people in Glasgow that I have the pleasure of working with. It regularly blows me away. What is catching your ear at the moment? Heard a Filthy Dukes remix of I know not what and it had that “fuck yes” effect on me. What is your recipe for success? I think we all want to have a rethink about success and just how we might re-frame it so that it will no longer bring the planet to the brink of rejecting us. What makes you angry? Two frozen chicken breasts were the last thing to properly rile me. Oh and when that Ampeg bass cab landed on my finger and broke it I was a bit miffed too. What was the last CD/record you bought? Two Sigur Ros albums, I can’t believe I just let them into my life last year but then again I do spend a lot of time with my head in the sand/up my own arse (delete as appropriate). What is your favourite song? ‘Hallelujah’ If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? A footballer of course! Oh, how my friends and team mates will howl with laughter but I was only talking about carving out a reclusive career in the Highland Leagues. ‘I DECLINE’ - THE EP IS AVAILABLE THROUGH RELENTLESS ON MAY 1. THE DEBUT ALBUM BY UNION OF KNIVES IS DUE FOR RELEASE IN JULY.

tags: | union of knives | craig grant | chris gordon | dave mcclean | nice and sleazy | more...

STANTON WARRIORS

STANTON WARRIORS

PLACE OF BIRTH: MARK: Devon DOM: Bristol DATE OF BIRTH: M: 1975 D: 1974 PERSONAL MOTTO: M: Procrastination is the thief of time. D: Live large and prosper. STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS) M: Da, nce, mu, s, ic. D: Boom tat boom boom tat DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): M: Consistently inconsistent, half ass perfectionist D: A warrior in pursuit of an edge. Stanton Warriors must be the most hardworking men in breakbeat – in the past three years the duo have clocked up over 250, 000 air miles on a pioneering mission to promote their sound across the globe, whilst also snatching time in the studio for their new artist tracks, and getting together a selection of hot remixes for the follow up to their legendary ‘Stanton Sessions Volume 1’released in 2001. The UK’s most pioneering and distinctive DJ, production and remix outfit are going to release a double album comprising a ‘Stanton Sessions Volume 2’ compilation and ‘The Lost Files’ – an artist album featuring brand new collaborations (The Beatnuts, Big Daddy Kane). ‘Stanton Sessions Volume 1’ was the world’s biggest selling breaks compilation – a massive achievement. ‘Volume 2’ will include exclusive edits/remixes of various tracks from different genres, all happily submitting to the Stanton scalpel: “if it ain’t broke, break it.” The infamous Punks label which the duo started in 2003, was and is the place where the Stantons put out their edits – edits which go on to out-sell every other label of the same genre. For an underground label, Punks shifts some serious units. The Stantons manage to put their unique style of breaks into the boxes of house, electro and leftfield-spinning DJs alike – an eclectic feat. There are not many constants in the world, but you can pretty much rely on the Stanton Warriors treatment to get a party started. It’s a principal that Mark and Dom have always adhered to and one that should be a guide to all budding producers out there: a good track is a good track the world over and a good track gets people dancing. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? M: Groupies D: Even more groupies What is your biggest achievement so far? M: Earning money doing something I love. D: Getting out of bed when I want. Who are your musical heroes? M: Prince, Brian Wilson, Nick Drake, Frank Zappa, George Clinton, Quincy Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Dre... D: Herbie Hancock, James Brown, MAW, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim... Tell us about your new projects... M: We are releasing a double album on V2. We are also releasing singles on our own label Punks that feature the dope vocals of UK rapper Sway (‘Get Em High’) and US latino rappers The Beatnuts (‘Shake It Up’). We have a large backlog of stuff to get out. What are your plans for the future? M: To put on a lot more Stanton Sessions club nights around the world and to get another album out very soon. Are there any artists you would like to work with? M: We would love to collaborate with Trentemoller on something that would be bad, electro-house-booty-breaks. We’re looking to get Ludracris in the studio as well that would be great. What is catching your ear at the moment? M: On a breaks tip, Rogue Element is killing it at the moment. He’s done a remix for us of our latest release ‘Hope Time’ which is slammin. MANDY, DJ T, Switch and Solid Groove are writing some great house at the moment and proving to a lot of people that there is still some originality in house production. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? All our groupies What is your recipe for success? M: Don’t listen to anyone you can’t learn from. D: Listen to your instincts, anything is achievable. What makes you happy? D: Love and wine What makes you angry? D: God What was the last CD/record you bought ? M: ‘Multiply’ by Jamie Lidell D: ‘Piracy Funds Terrorism’ by Diplo What is your favourite song? M: ‘Ballad of Dorothy Parker’ by Prince D: ‘Jam on it’ by Nucleus ‘STANTON SESSIONS VOLUME 2’ AND ‘THE LOST FILES’ WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH V2 RECORDINGS ON MAY 29TH.

tags: | stanton warriors | stanton sessions | �the lost files� | the beatnuts | big daddy kane | more...

Grandaddy

PLACE OF BIRTH : Modesto, California USA DATE OF BIRTH: 26/3/69 PERSONAL MOTTO: There is much in little. STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): Pretty hillbilly, Chopin-like rock. DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): Ugly hillbilly lives under rock. The start of this year came with the sad news that Grandaddy had gone their separate ways. After countless captivating moments on record and live – barbecues, bicycles, skateboards and, most importantly, a house full of recording equipment, have been put into storage and Jason has called a day on this glorious band. Their final album is a gift to a fanbase that has loved them every step of the way and a warm welcome for all those latecomers who have just stepped into Grandaddy’s world of musical enchantment. Written as a final goodbye to the Central Valley and most specifically the hometown of Modesto that formed and influenced Jason’s writings. It is a chapter closing and a remarkable tour de force from the band of talented musicians formerly known as Grandaddy. The story behind the title – ‘Just Like the Fambly Cat’: “Cats are renowned for just disappearing when they’re ailing. And then they are just gone. There’s something very noble and romantic about that.” Questions answered by Jason What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Try not to drink three bottles of wine and listen to people creating conversational static. Make sure I’m no closer than 20 feet to take-out pizza and hopefully visit with some old acquaintances wherever I’m at. What is your biggest achievement so far? Getting into the trouble I’ve gotten into and still being alive and somewhat normal and approachable. Most of all, in terms of the band history, it’s nice to look back on a back catalogue of albums and various other releases and be able to be proud of everything that exists. Who are your musical heroes? Beethoven, Jeff Lynne (ELO) and Howe Gelb. Tell us about your new projects? I’m promoting the new album which is an old project. I’m in the process of moving (homes) and I’m relocating to America’s version of the Swiss Alps which is Montana. So I will be looking forward to see how my new environment will affect the music that I will be undoubtedly working on What are your plans for the future? I have no plans for the future, except to keep waking up, drinking coffee, crossing off items from my to-do lists, waiting for inspiration and acting upon it and hopefully, occasionally, integrating a female into all of that. Are there any artists you would like to work with? I think Juliana Hatfield has a sweet voice. I also have friends who make art and I think it would be great to make soundtracks for their art shows. What is catching your ear at the moment? I like the new Doves record and I like a guy from San Francisco named Kelley Stoltz. And I like anyone who seems true and appears to be making something exciting. I’m curious about the Arctic Monkeys - though I haven’t heard them yet. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? If I had a dinner party I would invite people who could cook. Unless my guests were craving canned chicken, soda crackers and Heinz ketchup. I’m not a very good entertainer. I always forget to introduce people and my houses never have couches because there is always recording equipment strewn about inside. What is your recipe for success? Don’t ever think things will let up and you won’t have to fight for your beliefs any longer. If anything, things get more difficult and more people want to screw with your vision. What makes you happy? Walking in the outdoors feeling good about nothing in particular and receiving a phone call from someone you love. What makes you angry? People who abuse their power. What was the last CD/record you bought? Some Rachmaninov Best of CD and the new Belle and Sebastian album. What is your favourite song? ‘I’m Not in Love’ by 10 CC. A song like that would have zero chance of making it onto commercial radio these days. If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? Bicycle mechanic, forest ranger, sunglasses designer, dishwasher or Clint Eastwood GRANDADDY’S FINAL ALBUM ‘JUST LIKE THE FAMBLY CAT’ IS AVAILABLE NOW.

tags: | grandaddy | �just like the fambly cat�

Whomadewho

PLACE OF BIRTH: TB: Copenhagen JK: Kerteminde TH: Roskilde – know the festival? DATE OF BIRTH: TB: 21/3/75 JK: 11/11/75 TH: 15/1/74 PERSONAL MOTTO: TB: Isn’t it cheesy to have a personal motto? JK: Keep an open mind. STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): TH: Beautiful, emotional, personal, timeless and honest. DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): JK: Long bearded creative loving guitarist TH: Optimistic, hungry, stubborn, emotional, absentminded. Whomadewho are three guys from Denmark with three slightly different backgrounds that have their very own sound. Tomas Barfod (drummer) is a house DJ on the Scandinavian house scene, Tomas Hoffding (vocals/bass) used to play in Danish garage rock bands before getting infected by the disco virus and Jeppe Kjellberg (vocals/guitar) used to play in avant garde jazz bands. As Whomadewho, they play disco and include many varied influences from surf to folk to 70s funk. Their three 12” singles created a buzz and heavy rotations with DJs all over the world. They are best known for ‘The Loop’ and their disco-punk cover of Benny Benassi’s ‘Satisfaction’. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? TB: Actually, I like chilling to deep techno – like Kompakt and other German stuff. I know old people think it’s very noisy but I like the deep and monotone sounds when I’m relaxing. TH: If I am lucky, there’s a bathtub at the hotel where I can chill out way too long. Sometimes we get drunk like a rock band should. What is your biggest achievement so far? TB: Whomadewho. It started as a fun thing but now it’s the biggest musical thing I have ever been involved in, and I’m having fun while doing it. JK: Staying with my girlfriend for four and a half years. Who are your musical heroes? TH: All the old ones – Bowie, Beatles, Dylan and exciting new stuff like Flaming Lips, Beck and Smog. I try not to waste my time listening to stuff that’s big today and gone tomorrow. I think it’s amazing how some artists manage to make albums that you want to listen to over and over, and some of them you just grow tired of in no time. There is so much beautiful music around, and I will never get to know more than a fraction of it. Tell us about your new projects... TB: There is a new acoustic album which is folk/country versions of our debut album. We will soon start working on our next “real” album as well as the Tomboy album – my side-project on Gomma records. It’s gonna be a weird mix of live disco and old skool techno. TH: One is with an old band of mine called Garbo and another is a duo with a very talented songwriter friend of mine. Of course, I’ll be recording a kickass-rockdisco- country-goth-blues-house-boogiewoogie album with Whomadewho. I have absolutely no idea what it will end up sounding like. What is catching your ear at the moment? TB: Harmonies and warm sounds. TH: Delays, synths and strange sounds. People who sing badly in a nice way. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? TB: The legendary 80s icon Grace Jones who I would persuade to work with me. Also, a lot of other cool and eccentric people that will be nice to namedrop later. TH: Beck, John Lennon, Mozart, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Kirsten Dunst. I will ask the guys to go to my studio to write and record the greatest song in the history of music. When they start work, I will spend the night trying to convince Kirsten to be my girlfriend. What is your recipe for success? TB: Being talented, original and energetic. JK: Focus, hard work and a small amount of talent. What makes you happy? TB: When I succeed in things I have pursued. What makes you angry? JK: Intolerant people that don’t show respect to each other. People that refer to “us” when you are together and mention other people as “them” in a very bad way. That’s a very annoying Danish thing that makes me angry. TH: Creating something good and working towards finishing something. It’s also a good feeling of finally finishing something off. Then, after five minutes of relaxing and enjoying the wonder just created, I feel empty inside and start up something new as fast as I can. What is your favourite song? TH: That’s impossible to answer. ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd always gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes. I think you judge a song on the associations it gives you, based on what happened in your life at the time when you got to know it. Songs are a big pipeline to your soul and your memory. THE SINGLE ‘OUT THE DOOR’ (WITH SUPERDISCOUNT REMIX) IS OUT NOW ON GOMMA.

tags: | whomadewho | gomma | denmark | tomas hoffding | jeppe kjellberg | tomas barfod

Marco Bailey

PLACE OF BIRTH: Hasselt, Belgium. DATE OF BIRTH: July 20th 1970 PERSONAL MOTTO : Go for it and rock da houses. STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): From minimal to electro and techno. DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): Crazy, music-mad all night long! “Techno is not dead ...much the contrary: nowadays, people listen to techno music in their cars, in their favourite clubs or even while studying on their computer. Techno, as a genre, has matured and will keep on reinventing itself.” These wise words come from the mouth of Marco Bailey and he should know. As a successful producer, label owner, promoter and DJ, he really knows the world of techno. After more than 10 years of hard work, he has reached a level and reputation to be proud of. He has accomplished and pioneered what many fellow artists can only dream of. There are two reasons why he is at where he is today: sacrifice and dedication. Marco is a self-made man with a mission to entertain people. Carl Cox asked Marco, in 1999, to release records on his internationally renowned label, Intec. In 2002, after many successful releases on labels such as Intec, Primate, Zync, Kobayashi, Intense and Prime’vill, Pornographic Recordings was born – a label established with Spain’s number one techno don Cristian Varela. The same year, MB Elektronics was born, his label imprint for pure MB productions. In 2004, Marco seduced the broader but very demanding public with his own compilation albums, releasing the versatile album ‘Rude Boy’ In 2005 and 2006, in addition to continuing playing the tough sounds he is known for, Marco will be showcasing his ‘Positive Disorder’ sound. What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? I like listening to some great music like Boards of Canada in my hotel room as well as having a warm shower and trying to get some much needed sleep. What is your biggest achievement so far? Being a DJ/ Producer like where I am today. Travelling all around the world and meeting so many nice people in Asia and South America etc - great ! Who are your musical heroes? I don’t have really “heroes” but people I really look up to are Richard D James > afx , LFO , Boards of Canada and Richie Hawtin. Tell us about your new projects... There’s plenty coming; first a new 12” on my label MB Elektronics called ‘Passion Cocktail’ (check the artwork for this by the way) this comes with a great Phil Kieran (from AlloyMental) remix. Then there is another 12” planned for May with three of my own tracks, again on MB Elektronics, we are coming up to the 30th release. I’m also working on new tracks for Carl Cox’s label Intec, as well as a future compilation for them, called ‘Intecnique’, as well as working hard on various remixes along the way... it doesn’t stop. What are your plans for the future? Just to carry on working hard as usual and trying to make more innovative music and doing lots of gigs. Let’s rock. Are there any artists you would like to work with? Working with my soulmate Tom Hades almost every day is already enough, although of course I’m ready to do remixes for any other artists, always. What is catching your ear at the moment? Anything that is innovative, anything that still grooves at the floor. Boring and transparent music does not. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? This is easy. My girlfriend would be most fun. What is your recipe for success? Working hard and staying in sharp focus. What makes you happy? People having a great time while I play and... sex! (Of course I don’t mean people having sex when I play. Lol). What makes you angry? People who judge you without knowing you, or without knowing how you really are at play or work ...especially through the stupid internet. What was the last CD/record you bought? I buy lots of records every week and cds - too many to tell, Of course being in the industry I’m in- I get sent loads too. What is your favourite song? Definitely U2 – ‘Where the Streets have no Name and ‘Autechre Vletrmx’ – (It’s on the Garbage EP) which is the most beautiful song ever made. If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? I would say, probably a cyclist. I did a competition years ago before I started DJing MARCO BAILEY – ‘BOLLOCKS’ IS AVAILABLE NOW ON MB ELEKTRONICS MARCO BAILEY – ‘PASSION COCKTAIL’ IS AVAILABLE NOW ON MB ELEKTRONICS WWW.MBELEKTRONICS.COM

tags: | marco bailey | carl cox | intec | primate | zync | kobayashi | intense | prime�vill | more...

Giant Drag

PLACE OF BIRTH: Laguna Beach / California PERSONAL MOTTO: Don’t be a piece of shit...which I guess is short for “treat others as you would like to be treated” and always put the toilet seat down before you flush. STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): Kitties, karate, pizza, blow pop. DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): Irritable, lazy, tired, hungry, invisible. It’s not every day that a new band is mentioned in the same breath as My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Mazzy Star, PJ Harvey, the Beach Boys and Nirvana. It’s rarer still when that same band’s first recording was a Journey cover. But indeed, that is part of the story behind Los Angeles combo Giant Drag – guitarist/singer Annie Hardy and drummer Micah Calabrese. The germination of Giant Drag was down to a matchmaking parent, oddly enough, Annie’s mother and Micah worked together – with Mrs Hardy always prodding Micah, “my daughter is a musician, you should meet her!” meanwhile telling Annie, “this guy at my work is in a band, you should meet him!” Micah saw this as a recipe for disaster and fearing the worst hoped he would never be forced to meet this wannabe singer/songwriter. Annie, meanwhile, also dreading an awkward encounter, hoped she’d never be introduced to the young fellow. Through some quirk of fate, they actually met one another in 2001 through both of their best friends who just happened to be dating. Despite those initial reservations, the pair quickly became friends, having random jam sessions at Micah’s practice space. The formation of what would be Giant Drag came soon after when the two decided to record that Journey song – ‘Who’s Crying Now?’ – at Micah’s home studio, after which they got “serious” and recorded what would be their debut five track ‘Lemona’ EP which was released in the UK in October 2004. Following the release of their ‘Kevin is Gay’ single last October and their tour with Nine Black Alps, the dynamic duo have now released their debut album ‘Hearts & Unicorns’. Live favourites like the now infamous ‘You Fuck Like My Dad’ and the anthemic ‘This Isn’t It’ showcase Annie’s mischievous charm and killer pop hooks. QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY ANNIE What do you do to chill out after a hectic night performing? Watch television in my hotel room while eating snacks. What is your biggest achievement so far? Scoring 10,000 points on Ms. Pacman. Who are your musical heroes? Neil Young, Eddie Murphy, Micah and Oprah. Tell us about your new projects... I am considering making a solo album of cover songs with just me and a crappy Yamaha keyboard. ‘November Rain’ by Guns n’ Roses will be one of the tracks. This is if I ever have free time to do such a thing. What are your plans for the future? To finish this interview, go play this show here at Leeds University and finally get something to eat and go back to the hotel. After that, more of the same for days and days. Are there any artists you would like to work with? Kanye West, most definitely. What is catching your ear at the moment? The Cribs playing upstairs. You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why? I’d invite my friend Jonah because he would help me eat everything so I don’t have to dirty any of my tupperware with leftovers. What is your recipe for success? Same as brownies but add the word buttfuck. What makes you happy? Dogs wearing sweaters, my cat Oprah, cats in general and funny stuff. What makes you angry? Inconsiderate people, being lied to and being misquoted. What was the last CD/record you bought? Lilys ‘The 3 Way’ which I bought off the internet. I’ve been trying to find this record for a while but it’s impossible. I finally found it on Amazon and I think it is the first record I actually bought in a long time. What is your favourite song? ’Sleepwalking’ by Santo and Johnny. If not a DJ/producer/artist then what? I do not understand this question. I am guessing this means if I wasn’t playing music what would I do? I would probably be a cook or one of those ladies that has a lot of cats and wears purple sweatpants ...hmm, I do have a cat and I am wearing purple sweatpants... THE ALBUM ‘HEARTS & UNICORNS’ AND NEW SINGLE ‘THIS ISN’T IT’ ARE AVAILABLE NOW ON KICKBALL/INTERSCOPE.

tags: | giant drag | annie hardy | micah calabrese

9

NEWSLETTER!

Click here and sign up to our weekly newsletter, to get the latest Notion goodness.