Western star

The saying: ‘life’s a beach’ easily applies to Nick Warren DJ producer of one of the UK’s top progressive music acts – Way Out West. He’s lucky enough to have enjoyed longevity in a musical landscape which changes it’s allegiance like people change their hairstyles.

He’s probably best known for his early career-makings as tour-dj to the seminal trip-hopsters (from the early 90s) Massive Attack. He has since carved his niche as a producer/dj under the guise of Way Out West. Along with his buddy in producing Jody Wisternoff they are now enjoying their sixteenth year of success which he attributes to the nature of their relationship.

“We don’t see that much of each other outside of the studio, so we don’t sort of go to the pub together or have nights out together and wake up feeling like shit, so it works really well. We’ve lasted longer than most marriages, he laughs.

“People have asked me before if I’d like to work with someone else it’s kind of like asking me if I’d like to sleep with someone else if I was with my wife, you don’t do that do you? So no, I’m more than happy with Jody, so while it works well we’ll stay together. “

On the eve of their imminent tour to Australia (where they’ll play as headliners for the Future Music Festival) Warren is mindful that a resurgence in progressive – house and trance is well and truly underway and thinks it’s got everything to do with the fact they play their own music live but also the crowds are more discerning these days.

“I think it’s a Backlash to the whole minimal sound which appeared. I think people wanted some melodies, some bass-lines and some energy back into it without it being cheesy,” he concludes.

Currently reaping the rewards of their latest offering, We love Machine (Warren believes has been received really well and is reflected in sales) the duo have decided to get the whole album remixed which promises some surprises in itself.
“I think we’ve got something like 15 remixes coming out in either March or April, as well our track The Gift – Sony is re-releasing that I think in April so there is some new mixes, some new dub-step mixes, Logistics (producers) have done an amazing drum and bass remix.”

Warren eludes to more studio time once the European summer is behind them because there’s no point waiting another three years in his mind if you’re inspired right this minute.

“I think we’ll make some singles, which will take like two tracks and much less time to do, we’re going to do some movie stuff, I’ve got some best-ever solo material this year to release and, Jodie’s got some solo stuff coming out also.”

Returning to the opening statement ‘life’s a beach’ if you’re perplexed because Warren appears too busy to be relaxing beach side, fear not he’s found the best blend of both worlds.

He’s recently completed a deep-sea fishing expedition (his other love) at the base of Argentina (near Antarctica) but manages to combine this r and r with work, hardly hard work, a show in Buenos Aires on his way home and he’s not in any hurry to give up his current lifestyle.

“Music has been my career for so long, I think I’m a better dj now than I was ten years ago.

“So while I’m still enjoying, while I think I’m on top of my game, I’ll keep going. I think that’s when I realise that my interest is waning that I’ll stop but I still love it at the moment.”

Way out West play Future Music dates throughout March visit: www.futureentertainment.com.au for details.

Ruth Bailey

Posted: March 15th, 2010 under FESTIVALS, INTERVIEWS, international.
Comments: 2

Frequently seen kids

Unashamedly it’s the allure of the Australian sun that provides the drawcard for Manchurian Peter Turner. He makes up one fifth of the UK’s most recent overnight success story Elbow, and along with his fellow band members who’ve been basking in glory they’ll be heading here in March just in time to take reigns on the V Festival taking place nationally.

An overnight success story 18 years in the making is the headline to accompany this band’s tale and Peter has no qualms himself in confirming this fact.

“The Mercury was the big thing, I think it changed a lot of things for us overnight, I mean it kind of put us up there in the mainstream a lot more really.”

Winners of the reputable Mercury Music Prize late last year for their album The Seldom Seen Kid and has literally bought Elbow back from the ‘wilderness’ of music making they had been wandering in.

“It was hard this one cos we were in-between record labels, we didn’t think V2 promoted ‘Leaders’ very well and we didn’t want to write another album, spend ages on it, for it not to be promoted and not to sell that many copies.,” recalls Peter.

This year’s Mercury Prize awarded for their most recent long player recorded this time through label Fiction has proven a different story though. It delivers a mix of their signature, melancholic instrumentation embedded by earnest and at times sombre lyrical motifs.

A clear favourite this year for judges who were choosing from an array of bands including acts such as Last Shadow Puppets, Laura Marling, Estelle and Neon Neon and the success story doesn’t end there just yet for the five-piece who came together in rehearsals back in sixth form ( equivalent of year 12 in Australia). They’ve also received recent nominations for three of the prestigious Brit Awards, including: Best National Release.

The album has been around just on a year now but it’s still the carrot the band uses to build their fanbase. Peter considers their swell in crowd numbers an opportunity to educate listeners in their back catalogue. However he remains realistic about the effects of acclaim on bands.

“The thing that I think we’ve all sort of thought recently, we’ve always of our four albums always had the critics really on our side, I think now we’re sort of fair game and there will probably be a bit of a comedown now from you know, critical acclaim.” He says matter-of-factly.

‘Grounds for Divorce’

If you thought the band might be quaking in fear at producing a follow up to their award winning album, Peter thinks it’s likely to be the impetus the band need to retain their status as one of the UK’s most favoured acts.

“We certainly won’t put anything out that we feel isn’t up to the standard and better of previous albums which for us is now four albums.

“The next album we really want to write something that’s a bit better for us, it’s just like a bit of a challenge really.”

Another challenge for the five-piece made up of Guy Garvey (lead vocals) brothers Mark and Craig Potter as well as Richard Jupp could be their ability to remain passionate after so long together. Touring, some band members now with family, the dynamics of the band one would imagine aren’t the same as their fledgling rock and roll years.

However give the band some alone time, off the coast of Scotland on an island to record their upcoming album which is what is ahead for them shortly and Peter knows exactly what he’s in for.

“You know we’ve not really sat down the five of us and talked about the fun things that have happened, so it’s the five of us hanging out, just having fun, eating and drinking - just hanging out.

Embarking again shortly on a British tour and then of course travailing seas to head to our shores, Peter’s mindful of the fact the band remain as tight as they were back in their initial performances.

“There is no hierarchy or anything like that, it’s just a good bunch of mates all going out doing shows and then having fun, you know drinking, meeting people, we’re actually really good friends,” he says.

Catch Elbow when they perform at V Festival nationally. Visit: www.vfestival.com.au for ticket and event details.

Also see them when they perform in sideshows just announced:
Brisbane: The Tivoli March 31. Tickets available through Ticketek
Sydney: The Metro April 1. Tickets available through Box office and Ticketek
Melbourne: The Corner Hotel April 2. Tickets available through www.cornerhotel.com.au.

Ruth Bailey

object>

Posted: March 22nd, 2009 under INTERVIEWS, international.
Comments: 14