Tuesday 21 September 2010

Silicone Soul - The Darkroom Dubs interview

Ahead of the next Socialeyes party we catch up with Graeme from Silicone Soul to chat about Soma Records, the Glasgow scene, listening to and making music and what makes a good party.

Q:  You are signed to the excellent Soma Records, and you have your own label “Darkroom Dubs”, do you release music yourselves on both labels or is Darkroom Dubs for other artists?

A: Darkroom dubs is there more to release work from other artists although we do like to put something out of our own from time to time and we get involved remixing some of the releases. We recently released "The Time Mariner's Mirrour" on the label which was well received.

Q:  Soma Records has been a force on the electronic scene since the early 90’s, what positive benefits have you found being part of a family like that? Did you release music on any other labels before you signed to Soma?

A: For us it means a great deal to be signed with soma, we first were exposed to the music by Slam at the arches, the first records we bought were soma releases so it's really encouraging that they support us, I think when you are working with a label that has such a great, long running reputation it can only help when it comes to getting your music across to people. we actually started out releasing 2 records on our own “Depth Perception” label in the late 90s , slam were playing the tracks at their gigs and that was kind of the first step to us signing with them .

Q:  There’s a really strong electronic music scene in Glasgow, it’s certainly been an important city for house music over the years, why do you think this is?

A: For me the strength of Glasgow’s electronic scene can really be traced back to the guys that kicked it off – Slam / Soma and Harri and the gang at the Subclub, they’ve guaranteed that you can hear the best in electronic music in the city ever since.

Q: Do you get time to listen to other music and if so what music do you take inspiration from?

A: Yeah we both try to keep our home listening as varied as possible. We grew up pretty mad for rocky/punky 60s/70s music and to this day it's something we feel rubs off on the tunes all the time, obviously dub has had a big impact along with soul & disco sounds, 
 but in general it's impossible not to take something from everything you hear - even if it's " I don't want to ever sound like that ".

Q:  What else in life gives you inspiration to make music?

A:  Everything and anything from personal experience and emotional responses to books, movies, current events... Again I think if you're into music and making music, whatever you live through and come across will affect matters in some way .

Q:  What projects and releases are you working on at the moment?

A:  We are working on a bunch of remixes at the moment as well as starting to put together ideas for a new album. Next year is Soma's 20th birthday so there's going to be all kinds of exciting stuff happening with that .

Q:  Silicone Soul is a duo but I believe you live in different countries? How do you work the production process?

A: These days it involves a lot of swapping projects by email, we both run the same daw so it's really easy. In many ways it helps because between us we're like an octopus now.
Q:  At your gigs do you play records, cds or are you computer based? 

A:  I play with cds these days and Craig uses Traktor. I think a lot of folk get hung up on this but it's the noise that matters not what makes it.

Q:  What makes a good party for you?

A: For me the important stuff is the people and the soundsystem. I enjoy playing so it's got to be quite a dire situation before a party could be anything other than good :)

Interview by Robin Ball.

SILICONE SOUL PLAY AT SOCIALEYES ALONGSIDE FUNK D VOID, JUSTIN ROBERTSON, ELITE FORCE, TAYO AND ROBIN BALL THIS SATURDAY 25TH SETPEMBER @ CORSICA STUDIOS.  CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Silicone Soul Soundcloud
Silicone Soul Mixes 

Wednesday 1 September 2010

SOCIALEYES 25 SEPTEMBER @ CORSICA STUDIOS






















On Saturday 25th September, Socialeyes returns to Corsica Studios for its third party of the summer with another killer line-up, merging the sounds of the new-breed with some of the best loved DJ’s on the circuit for a night of quality techno, electro, house, disco, dubstep, breaks, beats and bass. 

Since 2006 Socialeyes have been running special one-off parties around London.  This summer saw the first party at Corsica Studios back in May, followed by the 6th boat party down the River Thames.   Always pushing open-minded, forward thinking electronic dance music on the best quality sound systems in intimate fun spaces.  Corsica Studios is a favourite venue for Socialeyes, having been voted ‘Best Small Club’ in DJ Magazine, boasting two intimate rooms, both with Funktion 1 sound systems, and with its raw underground vibe it fits perfectly with the Socialeyes ethos.

Socialeyes is not restricted to one genre of music, the emphasis is quite simply on ‘good’ music.  Created by Robin Ball, Socialeyes was born out of a passion for quality electronic music, a desire to hear big DJ’s on big soundsystems in small intimate spaces, and a place for friends old and new to just come and dance to music they love.  Through Socialeyes, and a lot of hard work Robin is realising his dream.

So on Saturday 25th September, in the ‘Groove Pleasure’ Room you’ll find the brilliant Funk D Void, Silicone Soul and Justin Robertson, complemented by Socialeyes creator Robin Ball, all playing a sublime mixture of electro, disco, house and techno.  While in the ‘Groovepressure’ Room is one of London’s favourite pioneers of breaks, dubstep and beats; Elite Force, alongside man of many musical talents; Tayo (known for his infamous Tracksuit Parties, and a long-serving residency at Fabric with his Cool & Deadly nights), plus Robin Ball in his Robin Beats moniker.  This is one busy man!

The Groove Pleasure and Groovepressure rooms represent the different sides to Robin’s musical passions.  They are also the names of his previous record labels and are currently used as titles to his radio shows on Samurai FM.  Tune in here to check them out – www.samurai.fm/groovepleasure   /  www.samurai.fm/groovepressure 


WEB LINKS FOR SOCIALEYES
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BUY TICKETS


SOCIALEYES @ CORSICA STUDIOS
SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2010 
10pm – 6am
Corsica Studios, 4/5 Elephant Road, London, SE17 1LB
Nearest tube: Elephant & Castle
Tickets = Early Bird £8 / Advance & Student £10 / On the door £13
Available from http://socialeyescorsica.eventbrite.com/


LINE UP:  FUNK D VOID, SILICONE SOUL, JUSTIN ROBERTSON, TAYO, ELITE FORCE, ROBIN BALL