Rhythmism.comQ&A w/ Mr. C | Poker Flat Showcase - Saturday, February 20th
by rhythmism
Thursday, Feb 18th 2010, 02:02 PM
There is no denying that Mr. C is a legend of dance music. Over the span of his 20+ years in the scene he has tried his hand at virtually every aspect of it. Mr.C’s musical career began as an MC in the U.K. As the vicious front man for the hip hop outfit The Shamen, he was responsible for a string of mainstream and club hits during the early 90’s. After that came his successful solo career as a DJ/Producer, as well as club owner. Along with partner Layo Paskin, their clubs The End and AKA Bar provided Londoners with memorable nights for well over a decade. During their tenure, the venues became two of the city’s most legendary dance establishments. His many labels include Plink Plonk, The End Recordings, and Superfreq Recordings, which also is the name of his world famous club night. Mr. C has released countless productions under a variety of aliases for some of the world’s most prestigious techno and house labels including Sexonwax and Hallucination Ltd.
His latest collaborative effort is with New York’s own Adultnapper under the Sycophant Slags moniker. Their newly released EP on Poker Flat, “Keep Off” is a trippy slice of underground house. A tight, clean, and superbly produced track, “Keep Off” also marks Mr. C’s return to vocal duties. With the catchy “sky’s the limit” refrain, the track has immediately lifted itself to late night anthem status. The EP also features unique interpretations from renowned acts Reboot and The Wighnomy Brothers. Mr. C has also released his first solo EP in nearly 5 years with ‘Lunar EP’ on Wagon Repair. Lunar EP showcases his diversity with three distinct variations on one common theme. The sunrise perfect “Full Moon”, deep after hours style “Waxing, and peak time “Dark Moon” come together to form a complete representation of the sounds that make up a Mr.C set. The Sycophant Slags will be making a special appearance in New York City as Crazy Larry & Time to Get Ill bring Mr.C and Adultnapper to the Poker Flat Recordings Showcase on Saturday, February 20th, 2010. Also playing at the exclusive secret location event will be Poker Flat's Martin Landsky, Blk|Market Membership's Taimur + Fahad, and Crazy Larry himself. This will be a special EP & Video release party for "Keep Off" and the video will be screened during the event.
You have recently released your new single "Keep Off" under your Sycophant Slags collaboration with Adultnapper. How did this collaboration form?
I was snowed in, in NYC & Adultnapper (Francis Harris) kindly put me up while I was there. We had some time on our hands so decided to go into the studio together during which time, with our twisted sense of humor, we ripped on everyone we could think off, especially those that brown nose DJ's. The Sycophant Slags was then born.
How did you two come up with the name 'Sycophant Slags'?
During that time, we were both laughing about how so many people have their tongues firmly routed up the trendy DJ's bottoms as a way to better themselves in the dance music community & it was the influence of these very slags that give us the inspiration for the name. As Adultnapper says "I knew him 1st & I knew him well".
Your single "Keep Off" marks your first return to vocal duties since your Shamen days. Why did you choose this particular time and track to return to vocals?
I've always used live vocals in some of my sets which always go down a treat, in fact some places insist that I use the mic. As for this track, we really wanted to express what the Sycophant Slags are about a taking the piss with vocals is so much fun which is basically ripping the shit out of all the brown nosing idiots that have their tongues firmly routed up the trendy DJ's bottoms. We will be continuing the theme but we warn you, we are going to be less subtle with the piss taking at later stages.
The video for "Keep Off" is distinctly New York as it was filmed in the city and features a cast of New Yorkers. What was the concept behind the video? How did everyone involved with the video come to be involved?
Everyone in the video are our friends basically & even though the video looks like a million bucks, it was shot on a shoe string so we invited all out friends to join in as they're our friends & would do it for fun & for free & who needs actors & models when you have gorgeous mates who have so much personality.
The idea for the video was that 1 of my pals has a set of keys to my apartment & all the sycophants come round my place after a party & all hide like hide & seek waiting for me to get home. I then find them all & of course I'm none to impressed with their sycophantic behavior which is why I look pissed throughout.
Do you miss the days of being a frontman for a group? Opposed to all those years behind the decks?
Not at all. Fronting the Shamen was a lot of fun but then so is partying all night, every weekend with proper loonies. Also, being a pop star is a young mans game which was great when I was in my 20's, but in my 40's it really isn't so attractive. However, should the Sycophant Slags blow up with us not compromising our music, then for sure we'll have a whole lot of fun with this project.
You have recently moved to L.A. Why did you choose the West Coast as the place to relocate?
There's a few reason for moving to the West Coast, mainly to pursue my acting dreams as there's no way I can do as well in London on the big screen as I can do in LA, but also for the weather, quality of life, being closer to Mexico & my in-laws & also the city is damn cool right now!
What kind of culture shock have you experienced in LA?
That people are actually very very friendly & will do anything for you. In London, we're very much like New Yorker's in that we can be a little cold & stoney & we're always on the go at a million mile an hour, but in LA, it's so much more laid back & people do actually have time for each other which I think, along with the weather, is my biggest shock to the system.
We hear you're pursuing a career in acting. Have you always had an interest in acting? Are there any roles in the works which you can tell us about?
Anything I tell you about now would only be pie in the sky as nothing in the movie industry is actually real until the shoot is done! I do have 2 movies in the pipe line, both British, but lets just wait & see what happens. The great thing is, as I have such a great career in DJing & making music, I'm not desperate to get work which means I can be very relaxed about how this whole acting thing progresses. I do think that I'll have an impact on the social scene in LA which is half the battle.
I didn't think about acting until I got into my 30's even though I know a few actors & people in the industry & have had so many people tell me that I should do it. I got more serious about acting over 6 years ago when I started to study the Spiritual Psychology of Acting with Miracle Tree Productions which is very serious for of Method Acting which is loosely based on the teachings of Constantin Stanislavski.
What is the most difficult part of relocating so far from where you are from? Did all your studio equipment and records make it across the pond?
The most difficult thing is getting finance for the house being a foreigner with no USA credit rating. I've been working with amazing people though & we managed to pull it off & move into our place 1 month ago. Also moving out of 1 place, placing all my stuff etc was a nightmare. I'm selling pretty much my entire record collection on Discogs & have about 1800 up for sale already. I will of course keep my absolute faves like the disco stuff etc & the off classic. My studio equipment will be here by late spring. It's coming on the slow boat next month so that'll be my project for the summer.
You have been involved in the dance music scene for 20+ years now and have made frequent stops throughout the U.S. Some say that dance music is really coming into its own in this country. With your knowledge of the U.S dance scene, would you agree with that statement? Outside of New York and L.A, which other areas do you feel have striving dance music scenes in this country?
The USA is coming into it's own & has been for a few years now. In fact for the most part I prefer spinning in the US to Europe, mainly because the people here are more serious about the music as opposed to felching DJ's which is the case in Europe. Also, America has always had an underground scene which was the root of what's happening in Europe right now. Just ask any of the old school dudes from Detroit & Chicago & NYC, they'll tell you what time it is. Of course San Francisco & Chicago are having it as well as NYC & L.A but also Denver, Tampa, Miami, Detroit, San Diego, DC ect all have healthy underground scenes happening as does Canada. It can now only get bigger!
You've always been a proponent of the "underground" ? Do you think electronic dance music is being furthered in a good way by the Guettas and Deadmau5s of the world?
The music has not been furthered by these douches! OK, maybe they've introduced dance to people that would otherwise listen to pop but in fact it's these kind of people that hinder cutting edge "underground" dance music, just like the Trance douches before them. The people that have helped out in this scene are the people that have stuck to their guns & helped to make the cutting edge as accessible to the mainstream as it is today.
What else do you have in store for 2010?
To settle in to L.A, make another Mr.C EP, make a Sycophant Slags long player & shoot a movie!
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Time to Get Ill presents
Poker Flat Showcase
Mr. C & Adultnapper
AKA Sycophant Slags
[Keep Off EP & Video Release Party]
Martin Landsky
Taimur + Fahad
Crazy Larry
Secret Location
Must RSVP to timetogetillNYC@gmail.com for location & details
10pm-???, 21+
$15 advance tickets at residentadvisor.net
A very special NYC exclusive!
First official exclusive screening of “Keep Off” video filmed in NYC, by NYC, with NYC
Custom Dynacord soundsystem
Old school rave style goodies booth by Halcyon Records
www.myspace.com/mrcsuperfreq
www.myspace.com/adultnapper
www.landsky.de
www.blkmarketmembership.com
www.myspace.com/crazylaree
www.pokerflat-recordings.com
www.halcyonline.com
www.wagonrepair.ca
His latest collaborative effort is with New York’s own Adultnapper under the Sycophant Slags moniker. Their newly released EP on Poker Flat, “Keep Off” is a trippy slice of underground house. A tight, clean, and superbly produced track, “Keep Off” also marks Mr. C’s return to vocal duties. With the catchy “sky’s the limit” refrain, the track has immediately lifted itself to late night anthem status. The EP also features unique interpretations from renowned acts Reboot and The Wighnomy Brothers. Mr. C has also released his first solo EP in nearly 5 years with ‘Lunar EP’ on Wagon Repair. Lunar EP showcases his diversity with three distinct variations on one common theme. The sunrise perfect “Full Moon”, deep after hours style “Waxing, and peak time “Dark Moon” come together to form a complete representation of the sounds that make up a Mr.C set. The Sycophant Slags will be making a special appearance in New York City as Crazy Larry & Time to Get Ill bring Mr.C and Adultnapper to the Poker Flat Recordings Showcase on Saturday, February 20th, 2010. Also playing at the exclusive secret location event will be Poker Flat's Martin Landsky, Blk|Market Membership's Taimur + Fahad, and Crazy Larry himself. This will be a special EP & Video release party for "Keep Off" and the video will be screened during the event.
You have recently released your new single "Keep Off" under your Sycophant Slags collaboration with Adultnapper. How did this collaboration form?
I was snowed in, in NYC & Adultnapper (Francis Harris) kindly put me up while I was there. We had some time on our hands so decided to go into the studio together during which time, with our twisted sense of humor, we ripped on everyone we could think off, especially those that brown nose DJ's. The Sycophant Slags was then born.
How did you two come up with the name 'Sycophant Slags'?
During that time, we were both laughing about how so many people have their tongues firmly routed up the trendy DJ's bottoms as a way to better themselves in the dance music community & it was the influence of these very slags that give us the inspiration for the name. As Adultnapper says "I knew him 1st & I knew him well".
Your single "Keep Off" marks your first return to vocal duties since your Shamen days. Why did you choose this particular time and track to return to vocals?
I've always used live vocals in some of my sets which always go down a treat, in fact some places insist that I use the mic. As for this track, we really wanted to express what the Sycophant Slags are about a taking the piss with vocals is so much fun which is basically ripping the shit out of all the brown nosing idiots that have their tongues firmly routed up the trendy DJ's bottoms. We will be continuing the theme but we warn you, we are going to be less subtle with the piss taking at later stages.
The video for "Keep Off" is distinctly New York as it was filmed in the city and features a cast of New Yorkers. What was the concept behind the video? How did everyone involved with the video come to be involved?
Everyone in the video are our friends basically & even though the video looks like a million bucks, it was shot on a shoe string so we invited all out friends to join in as they're our friends & would do it for fun & for free & who needs actors & models when you have gorgeous mates who have so much personality.
The idea for the video was that 1 of my pals has a set of keys to my apartment & all the sycophants come round my place after a party & all hide like hide & seek waiting for me to get home. I then find them all & of course I'm none to impressed with their sycophantic behavior which is why I look pissed throughout.
Do you miss the days of being a frontman for a group? Opposed to all those years behind the decks?
Not at all. Fronting the Shamen was a lot of fun but then so is partying all night, every weekend with proper loonies. Also, being a pop star is a young mans game which was great when I was in my 20's, but in my 40's it really isn't so attractive. However, should the Sycophant Slags blow up with us not compromising our music, then for sure we'll have a whole lot of fun with this project.
You have recently moved to L.A. Why did you choose the West Coast as the place to relocate?
There's a few reason for moving to the West Coast, mainly to pursue my acting dreams as there's no way I can do as well in London on the big screen as I can do in LA, but also for the weather, quality of life, being closer to Mexico & my in-laws & also the city is damn cool right now!
What kind of culture shock have you experienced in LA?
That people are actually very very friendly & will do anything for you. In London, we're very much like New Yorker's in that we can be a little cold & stoney & we're always on the go at a million mile an hour, but in LA, it's so much more laid back & people do actually have time for each other which I think, along with the weather, is my biggest shock to the system.
We hear you're pursuing a career in acting. Have you always had an interest in acting? Are there any roles in the works which you can tell us about?
Anything I tell you about now would only be pie in the sky as nothing in the movie industry is actually real until the shoot is done! I do have 2 movies in the pipe line, both British, but lets just wait & see what happens. The great thing is, as I have such a great career in DJing & making music, I'm not desperate to get work which means I can be very relaxed about how this whole acting thing progresses. I do think that I'll have an impact on the social scene in LA which is half the battle.
I didn't think about acting until I got into my 30's even though I know a few actors & people in the industry & have had so many people tell me that I should do it. I got more serious about acting over 6 years ago when I started to study the Spiritual Psychology of Acting with Miracle Tree Productions which is very serious for of Method Acting which is loosely based on the teachings of Constantin Stanislavski.
What is the most difficult part of relocating so far from where you are from? Did all your studio equipment and records make it across the pond?
The most difficult thing is getting finance for the house being a foreigner with no USA credit rating. I've been working with amazing people though & we managed to pull it off & move into our place 1 month ago. Also moving out of 1 place, placing all my stuff etc was a nightmare. I'm selling pretty much my entire record collection on Discogs & have about 1800 up for sale already. I will of course keep my absolute faves like the disco stuff etc & the off classic. My studio equipment will be here by late spring. It's coming on the slow boat next month so that'll be my project for the summer.
You have been involved in the dance music scene for 20+ years now and have made frequent stops throughout the U.S. Some say that dance music is really coming into its own in this country. With your knowledge of the U.S dance scene, would you agree with that statement? Outside of New York and L.A, which other areas do you feel have striving dance music scenes in this country?
The USA is coming into it's own & has been for a few years now. In fact for the most part I prefer spinning in the US to Europe, mainly because the people here are more serious about the music as opposed to felching DJ's which is the case in Europe. Also, America has always had an underground scene which was the root of what's happening in Europe right now. Just ask any of the old school dudes from Detroit & Chicago & NYC, they'll tell you what time it is. Of course San Francisco & Chicago are having it as well as NYC & L.A but also Denver, Tampa, Miami, Detroit, San Diego, DC ect all have healthy underground scenes happening as does Canada. It can now only get bigger!
You've always been a proponent of the "underground" ? Do you think electronic dance music is being furthered in a good way by the Guettas and Deadmau5s of the world?
The music has not been furthered by these douches! OK, maybe they've introduced dance to people that would otherwise listen to pop but in fact it's these kind of people that hinder cutting edge "underground" dance music, just like the Trance douches before them. The people that have helped out in this scene are the people that have stuck to their guns & helped to make the cutting edge as accessible to the mainstream as it is today.
What else do you have in store for 2010?
To settle in to L.A, make another Mr.C EP, make a Sycophant Slags long player & shoot a movie!
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Time to Get Ill presents
Poker Flat Showcase
Mr. C & Adultnapper
AKA Sycophant Slags
[Keep Off EP & Video Release Party]
Martin Landsky
Taimur + Fahad
Crazy Larry
Secret Location
Must RSVP to timetogetillNYC@gmail.com for location & details
10pm-???, 21+
$15 advance tickets at residentadvisor.net
A very special NYC exclusive!
First official exclusive screening of “Keep Off” video filmed in NYC, by NYC, with NYC
Custom Dynacord soundsystem
Old school rave style goodies booth by Halcyon Records
www.myspace.com/mrcsuperfreq
www.myspace.com/adultnapper
www.landsky.de
www.blkmarketmembership.com
www.myspace.com/crazylaree
www.pokerflat-recordings.com
www.halcyonline.com
www.wagonrepair.ca
