Friday, March 16, 2007

Simian Mobile Disco Interview



Steve Aoki's favorite producer right now, Simian Mobile Disco, had all the blokes at Making Time subject to "La Breeze". After chatting with them on the balcony, I soon realized they had more amazing information than my drunken brain could retain. The following interview proves SMD really is "guiding the machines."

New Machine Addict - Could you brief us on the transition from Simian to SMD?

Simian Mobile Disco - Me and Jas were DJing while we were in Simian, we used to run off after Simian had finished playing, to play little after parties. After the band split, we kept being asked to play and do remixes, and three years down the line here we are about to release our own album.

NMA - While in Simian, Brian Eno did a remix of La Breeze. That's quite an honor, how did "uncle Eno's" remix come about? Have you ever experienced "La Breeze"?

SMD - Eno was kind of interested in Simian. In fact, he came to the studio to hang out several times while we were making the second record. The mix came via that. La Breeze was our version of the French wind that sends you mad.

NMA - While we are on the subject of remixes; French electro duo Justice did a remix of "We Are Your Friends (Never be alone)", which contains vocals and music originally from a Simian track. How did this come about?

SMD - We ran a remix competition in France around the time we released that song. We just gave the parts out. We had 10 remixes come back from unknown Frenchies, and Justice was one of them. I believe it's only the first or second thing they ever did!

NMA - Mr. James Ford, recently you produced several successful indie rock bands, for instance, The Klaxons and The Test Icicles, just to name a few. You also are credited as drummer on several Klaxons tracks from their album "Myths of the Near Future". How did you end up in the producer's chair and what role did you play as producer (artistic direction or recording/mixing engineer)?

SMD - I've always wanted to be a producer, so it was natural for me to get into that after Simian split. Every time I produce, different things are asked of me, from playing, to the more technical side, to the more conceptual and interpersonal aspects. Thats why I love it, it's thinking on your feet.

NMA - Are there any particular bands you're working with now that we should watch out for?

SMD - I just produced the new Arctic Monkeys record, it's a great record I think.

NMA - After chatting with you for a minute Friday night, I found out you use Protools and Ableton Live. Do you use ALL analog synths and if so what are your favorites?

SMD - Yeah, its all analogues. Favorites are MS-20, Arp 2600, Juno-60. Jas has a modular system.

NMA - Mr. Ford is a Drummer/Producer and Mr. Shaw is a keyboard player. Are there any specific roles either of you tend to play more often in the studio.

SMD - We don't have specific roles, we just plug in all the machines and guide them 'til something good happens. We know each other well enough that we can collaborate instinctively.

NMA - Who does the vocals for the SMD tracks? Char Johnson or Ninja, from "The Go! Team"? Was there any specific reason why you choose them? Do you have plans to collaborate with anyone else in the future?

SMD - They were just some of many vocalists we tried out. The things they contributed just seemed to fit best. We also wanted to use vocalists that were no that well known, otherwise it starts to become about collaborations as opposed to our music.

NMA - What microphone and pre-amp did you use?

SMD - Various, but probably a Nuemann U87 and a Universal Audio 610 pre.

NMA - Do you mix in the box or do you have a console of choice?

SMD - We wrote the whole album in the box, but we ended up mixing it on a lovely old trident board.

NMA - Right now you are touring the world and I noticed that you are doing a few "live" shows? I saw you DJ, and have to admit, you fuckin' killed it. Great selection and tight mixes. What does your live show consist of and does it rave as hard as your DJ set?

SMD - The live show is just gonna be us and some machines. We won't use any backing, It'll all be sequenced live and it'll rock much harder thank the DJ set.

Listen to more tunes at SMD's Myspace Page

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will not agree on it. I think polite post. Particularly the title-deed attracted me to review the unscathed story.

Anonymous said...

Good brief and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you for your information.

Anonymous said...

Yes exactly, in some moments I can reveal that I acquiesce in with you, but you may be inasmuch as other options.
to the article there is still a without question as you did in the downgrade delivery of this demand www.google.com/ie?as_q=chessmaniac ?
I noticed the catch-phrase you have in the offing not used. Or you partake of the dark methods of inspiriting of the resource. I possess a week and do necheg

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.blogportalen.no/blog/?u=videoseabraham3]Xilisoft DivX to DVD Converter 3.0.34[/url] [url=http://blog.bakililar.az/videosearchibald8/]Youtube File Manager[/url]
DVD ReBuilder Professional 1.26.6 4Leaf Apple TV Video Converter 1.9
http://www.blogportalen.no/blog/?u=videosealyssia0 MediaShow Espresso
[url=http://lecturer.elektrounesa.org/?u=videoseanise3]Screenpresso[/url] [url=http://www.solonoilista.altervista.org/bloghoster/?u=videoseallyn5]KingConvert DVD To HTC MAX[/url]
DVDinfo Pro Hd 4.79 DicSoft AVI MPEG Converter
http://www.drawingboard.org/blogs/?u=videoseashlyn7 1Click DVD to iPod 1.1.2.7
Tinysoar dvd to 3gp converter
my icq:858499940385

Anonymous said...

Hi
Very nice and intrestingss story.

Anonymous said...

I can suggest to come on a site where there is a lot of information on a theme interesting you.

Anonymous said...

Pablo FAIL?!?

Thanks
Prince
california health insurance

bloguay.com/mueblesmadrid121 said...

Hey, there is so much worthwhile info above!

Anonymous said...

I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes it much
more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.
Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Outstanding work!

Feel free to surf to my web-site - optoisolator datasheet 521

Anonymous said...

I'm really enjoying the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A few of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

Also visit my blog post; cyber monday computer components deals

Anonymous said...

Hey there! I was curious to know if setting
up a blog site such your own: http://www.blogger.
com/comment.g?blogID=6276422898307245726&postID=272741476745490878 is hard to do for unskilled
people? I have been hoping to create my own blog for a while now but have been turned off mainly
because I've always believed it demanded tons of work. What do you think? Kudos

Feel free to surf to my weblog ... 8tracks.com

Anonymous said...

Howdy! This is the fourth time visiting now and I really just wanted
to say I truley enjoy reading through your blog website.
I decided to bookmark it at stumbleupon.com with your title: Blogger: New Machine Addict and your Web address: http:
//www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6276422898307245726&postID=272741476745490878.
I hope this is fine with you, I'm trying to give your excellent blog a bit more visibility. Be back shortly.

Review my web page :: firewire to usb cable best buy

Anonymous said...

Howdy! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

my webpage ... usb charging cable for iphone 4

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more
than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and
all. However imagine if you added some great photos or videos to give your posts more,
"pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this website could certainly be one of
the best in its field. Excellent blog!

Here is my web site; semiconductor industry news

Anonymous said...

Heya this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to
manually code with HTML. I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

my web-site residential investment property financing

Anonymous said...

I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get setup? I'm
assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I'm not very internet smart so I'm not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it

Feel free to visit my web blog :: wallinside.com

Anonymous said...

Your site appears to be having some compatibilty problems in my chrome browser.
The text seems to be running off the page pretty bad. If you would like you can
email me at: claricenunez@bigstring.com and I'll shoot you over a screenshot of the problem.

Feel free to surf to my webpage: wireless earbuds for ipod

Anonymous said...

Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you're using? I'm looking to start my own blog soon but
I'm having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking
for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to
ask!

Also visit my blog - duvall appliance repair indianapolis

Anonymous said...

I love what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure!
Keep up the awesome works guys I've incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

Feel free to visit my web-site ... http://orangecountybernardine80.skyrock.com

Anonymous said...

You need to use the amount for a number of Canadian businesses , specializing in capital, cash flow, asset based financing London Business Angels UK Even so, there are some additional advantages to simpler used in credit ratings it on top of all of those other necessary expenses

Funky Functions said...

A very nice informational blog.I have been reading and reviewing your article for a few minutes to ponder some of your sound points. I like the way you think and I agree on a large portion of this content. Thanks for the stuff.
Mobile Discos Surrey