Zip FM radio laidos "Amenų Broliai" vedantysis JaZzy kalbina, į Lietuvą planuojančius atvykti, Nookie ir Qumulus. Interviu originalo kalboje. Kalba netaisyta.

You have been in the scene for a long time. And both of you work not only with drumandbass music. Nevertheless, drumandbass is the music you like the most, isn't it?

Nookie: Drum & Bass has definitely been at the forefront as far as my musical career goes, and I would say it is the most diverse and interesting form of dance music out there, mainly because D&B incorporates many forms of other music genres into it, like Reggae, Soul, Hip-Hop, Jazz, even Rock and Heavy Metal! Production wise I'm starting to release Deep House and Down Tempo tracks under my Urban Deep artist name.

Qumulus: I wouldn't really say it's the one music I like the most, I think its probably fairer to say that it is the one music that I have spent the most time on making, playing and releasing in the last couple of years. I'm still a very big house and hip hop fan too. I still go out looking for other kinds of music as much as possible as it's hard to stay motivated by just one type of music when there is so much amazing music out there.

There are lots of young people who want to start DJing or producing. What was your beginning?

Nookie: I done my DJ apprenticeship as a young mobile DJ doing mainly birthday parties that were good times because it was a good way for me and my mates to get free booze and meet lots of girls! From there I got to work in a record shop in London and got to meet other DJ's and producers. I started producing music when I was about 15 years old, mainly making Hip-Hop beats and working with local rappers and crews.

Qumulus: My older brother started collecting records and then eventually became a DJ. So I got into it very early on from when I was about 15. We collected records for a very long time before I even thought about DJ'ing. I started to DJ as it was exciting being able to play all my favorite music continuously. It was even more exciting when I first experienced the feeling of playing out my favorite music to lots of people in a club who were enjoying it too!

Do you know the answer to question ' how to become popular'?

Nookie: Make a hit record! These days profile plays a big part in the music business, like promoting yourself on Myspace or Facebook, pictures on flyers, etc. Having your own logo and website helps too.

Qumulus: I don't think I know how to answer that question yet. Popularity is a relative concept. Are we talking popular like a pop star or are we talking popular like LTJ Bukem?!

In the East of Europe there are enough people who like hard/dark drumandbass, in Lithuania as well. What do you think? When you come to party you should spend your time joyfully, with good mood and friends or lose your head, get so high and kill yourself? When you were young boys, what kind of ways of having a party did you prefer?

Nookie: When I was younger there were all types of music in the big raves so you had a good choice to listen to. It was more about checking out certain DJ's more then anything else, because you always had your group of favorite DJ's playing the type of music you were into. Back then dance music was at a very early stage so you would witness the development and the segregation of the new forms of dance music, you would be listening to say Grooverider drop a dark and menacing Detroit Techno tune next to an uplifting vocal House tune, and everyone would be into it. These days there are so many genres and sub-genres of dance music and most DJ's only play that certain type of sound relating to that genre so the punters only get to hear that certain sound. That's probably why most people think Drum & Bass = Pendulum!

Qumulus: I miss the way things used to be when I was growing up in London. You had all styles under one roof. Today, everything is divided up so you get a special event for one type of sound and then another event for another type of sound. I don't think that this isn't a progressive way to be. I don't mind either kind of sound really; a mixture of good music never hurt anyone. No one should say that one type of music is superior to another as that is like saying that if you listen to something that no one else listens to, there is something wrong with you. But I still think the good old fashioned rave in a warehouse/basement or a field is the best. But I've never agreed that you needed to get high to have a good time.

When I was growing up in West London, I preferred to go to parties where there was all kinds of music all under one roof. Those are still the best parties Where you can listen to some hard or soulful dnb in one room, some deep house in another and some hip hop in another. There is so much amazing music out there; people need to be exposed to it.

A month ago you had a tour in Poland? What can you say about our neighbors?

Nookie: I've played in Poland many times from Lutz to Krakow to Warsaw to Sopot, I've even played in hell! Poland always has good parties and the people are very warm and welcoming to DJ's from overseas. There are many great producers starting to come out of Poland and this can only be a good thing for the D&B and international relationships! Although I'm surprised that our parties in Poland are busy cause most of the Poles are in the UK and Dublin!

Qumulus: The scene there is still quite new. They still have a very fresh perspective on this kind of music and they certainly know how to party. Other than that, they are great hosts and made us all feel extremely welcome. I hope to go back there in the summer.

What was the best party ever during your DJ career? Where you would like to come back to play again and again?

Nookie: Liquid Rooms in Tokyo, Japan in 1998. Absolutely amazing club on something like the 25 floor, about 2000 crazy Japs having it right off! That year I was there to promote my album on Sony Records with Ray Keith, Five Alive and my singer Beverly. Legendary club!

Qumulus: One of the best parties I played was in fact while I was at school. I did an end of year rave that people were talking about for many years afterwards! I loved doing house parties when I was younger too; the "Atmosphere" was always so lively and raw.

Nookie, why can't I find 'Beyond Blue' LP anywhere in the shops?

Nookie: It was only every released as an album on CD, with certain tracks from the album being remixed and released on vinyl as 12" singles.

Nookie, I have listened you remix of Crix's tune "I Don't Wanna Loose You". It sounds different than music you are creating usually. Does that tune sound so hard originally, or you made it to sound hard?

Nookie: The main riff was quite dark and hard from the original, I to be honest that was the best bit that I liked from the original. But it needed to have tougher beats and the arrangement needed to flow better to work in the clubs.

Maybe you will start to create hard and dark dnb?

Nookie: I like making music, all types of music, if you hear some of my early stuff back around '94 / '95 I used some nasty and dark sounds, I'm into all types of music but has to be good, no noise please!

Qumulus, you only have promo releases everywhere. Me and my friends like LPs with full artworks, not those white labels. When will decent releases appear?

Qumulus: Haha! You have a good point but the cost of providing artwork and also the delays to the release date are big factors. If I have time, and the labels don't mind paying more money, Ill start providing some artwork. What is important to me most is that my music reaches the public as quickly as possible and isn't delayed because I want a picture on the cover. I have spoken to the labels/distributors and they also agree that the product should also be visually impressive too so hopefully my future releases will have artwork.

Let's come back to your creative work. Nookie, what is the Urban Deep? Tell us.

Nookie: Urban Deep is my House & Down Tempo project with my singer Ryan Daniels. Basically I write all the music and Ryan writes and sings the vocals, seems to work well like this. We are signed to Irma Records in Japan and the first single and album gets a full release in March 2008. We are also gonna be doing a DJ + vocalist live set as well as doing the full band thing live with about 6-7 musicians. You can check out some of my House sets on Myspace and our website www.urbandeep.co.uk.

Maybe some day Urban Deep will come to Lithuania? I can introduce you to house promoters.

Nookie: Yeah that would be cool, we have just done 2 gigs in Moscow which went down really well, so we'd definitely be up for that.

By the way, how old are both of you? Are you married?

Nookie: 28 and a half! Not married.

Qumulus: I'm 29 and single. I've just moved to a town outside of London to start a new job, and I'm enjoying the single life!

What are you going to do if after marriage your wife will start make a claim because of frequent traveling, being far away from home and kids and etc?

Nookie: I would trade her in for a younger model. Anyway the secret is to keep buying her gifts like perfume from the duty free shop to keep her sweet!

Qumulus: I'll warn her first that this is the lifestyle that I lead and that she must accept it if she is to be part of my life. But, its not all rock and roll as a DJ/producer, I also prefer quiet evenings in with a bottle of wine and a good film too!!!

From my experience I can say that the music and sex are related. Have you ever notice that work with music is getting better after sex?

Qumulus: I'd like to think that my work in music is good with and without it! Although, if there is anyone out there that is willing to help me test this theory, they are most welcome!

Nookie: The last thing I want to do after sex is to sit in front of a computer making beats! Usually a smoke does me fine! I heard Qumulus is still a virgin!

Who or what does the biggest influence to you, creators?

Nookie: Influences vary from all types of music and producers to experiences I go through in everyday life. When I was younger I grew up listening to a lot of Soul, Hip-Hop and Techno so I think my sound especially in Drum & Bass takes a little from each of these genres of music.

Qumulus: People influence me. They don't need to be famous or geniuses, they just have to be real and inspiring. Events influence me too. Things that happen in my life affect the way I see things and have a big effect on the type of music I decide to play or create. There are hundreds of musicians and artists that have influenced me in the last 15 years of music, but I'm not going to name them all here!

Why don't you want to go to Lithuania without MC Lady Free? Maybe you are in love with her secretly?

Nookie: Because she acts like our Mum and we are her naughty kids running around causing havoc, so we need someone to keep us in line and make sure we behave ourselves!

Qumulus: Hahahaha! Anita is a brilliant vocalist and is definitely a strong presence in our sets. She has worked with other artists so she has the experience behind her too. She has been an important part of the Atmosphere sound for some time now and is part of the whole "Atmosphere" experience.

One more time about the music. What is your opinion about UK popular new school Jump up aka clownstep?

Nookie: Each to there own I say, I've never really been into the mainstream music and I never follow the 'in' crowd. I think it is more important to have your own identity.

Qumulus: That stuff seems to work and is popular, so I guess I can't knock it. I'm not into it myself as there is nothing in that kind of sound that does anything for me. I prefer melodic, organic music that has soul and emotion. The UK has passed through many phases in the last 10 years, this new clown step is a reflection of what the majority seem to be listening to, but that doesn't mean that I will stop playing and making what I love.

More:

http://www.myspace.com/djnookie
http://www.myspace.com/qumulusness