 |
Freemasons had a nice 2005, the single 'Love On My Mind' just missed out on the top 10, charting at #11 and the follow-up single 'Watchin' should fair just as well.
We asked some questions and they answered. |
So... Russell you were obviously half of Phats & Small, but how long have the both of you two known each other and when did you start working together?
We have known each other for about 5 years and have been working together on and off for those 5 years, the last 3 being more on.
On each other?
Err, sure!
Amanda has been used twice on the vocals now, whereas quite a lot of dance acts like to chop and change their vocalist, this one a keeper then?
We have recorded Amanda on about 4 tracks in total and yes we love working with her. Not many singers in this country could reach that high note on 'Watchin' at full voice, but she did it on the second take! Not only that, she takes our cheekiness with a pinch of salt. But like most dance acts we will probably use other singers, who might appear on future singles.
Where did you find Amanda?
We were recommended her by another dance production team via our label manager.
|
One thing dance acts seem to struggle on, commercially, is an album. I think last year the only notable one was from the Chemical Brothers, and then there were the flops of Uniting Nations and Deep Dish – would you like to do an album?
If we get a few big records behind us, we would not rule it out - we would however rule out making an album that sounded anything like Uniting Nations!
|
|
The lyrics for 'Watchin' are taken from Deborah Cox's track 'It’s Over Now', so essentially it's a cover – what do you think of the whole sampling craze in dance music right now? Would you ever do it?
The Deborah Cox track we took it from was actually two different tracks, an old RnB track, which I cant remember and an old Harold Melvin track - so we got it second hand! Sampling or replaying bits of tracks to use in other tracks, has been happening for years, it's just now people are using more commonly known songs. Lets be honest if the Gallaghers had grown up using samplers instead of guitars, they would have just sampled Beatles records.
You're remixes go down amazingly well in the clubs, how does it compare to creating your own track?
It's about the same to be honest, we treat each remix as a separate animal as you have to bring out the best parts of each track. It also stops us sounding formulaic. We're back on new material at the moment as quite a lot has built up and we’re REALLY enjoying it... it'll make this years remixes fresh too.
You've got a storyline based video this time, how come you don't get your skimpy dress on an parade around the camera like all dance videos?!
We thought about it, but there would have been rioting in the streets. Also we find our leg hairs get stuck in thick denier!
How do microwaves work?
They generate microwaves at the exact resonant frequency of water, making the molecules vibrate - hence get warm. When water gets warm, it expands, hence the reason your crispy pasty goes soggy in a microwave!
What will you be like when you get old?
Just as cheeky as we are now, but armed with Zimmer frames!
Here are some X & Y questions we like to ask our little interviewees, it's just a bit of fun….
|
 |
Cats or dogs?
Russel: Dogs.
James: Cats.
Pepsi or Coca Cola?
Coca Cola.
Burger King or McDonalds?
Burger King.
|
Tea or coffee?
Coffee and none of that de-caff shit!
Mods or rockers?
Mods!
Vinyl or CD?
CDs to stop your arms being extended to the length of a Monkey's and vinyl for the covers and sound.
This or that?
That.
And rather fittingly, THAT was Freemasons!
'Watchin' is released February 27th.
You can watch the video, which sadly does not contain men in bikinis, here. |
|
