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Sneaky Sound System
So, where did you all meet and how did Sneaky Sound System first come together?
It
all happened by pure chance. I [Black Angus] was about to start a small
Sunday night called Sneaky Sundays in Bondi Beach, in Sydney. The night
before the first gig I met MC Double D at a cowboys and indians fancy
dress party; we clicked and I asked him to come down and host the night
and maybe jump on the mic, albeit occasionally (he had never emceed
before!). He ended up busting out a few rhymes while I spun records and
everyone went nuts – it worked big time. After a few years of playing
the club and festival circuit we stumbled across Miss Connie in a park,
where she was playing guitar and singing to a friend (and no, she
wasn’t busking). We got chatting and I played a new song I'd written
called ‘I Love It’. Connie loved it and a couple of weeks later we was
recorded it. It went on to become our breakthrough hit and the rest, as
they say, is history.
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How do you all find working together?
We’re
very different people but over the years you work out which buttons to
press and which ones not to. Being in a band can feel like school camp
for adults at times, and occasionally you want to buck the system, but
for the most part it’s pretty harmonious.
Your album for the
UK is a mixture of the two albums you released in Australia, how did
you decide which tunes would feature on the album?
It wasn’t rocket science; we just chose the strongest songs and made sure they worked together. It was pretty easy.
How have the reactions been in the UK compared to back home in Australia?
The
crowds have been going bonkers and radio has been very generous, so I
guess things are heading in the right direction. We were cautious at
first but the more time we’ve spent here the more relaxed we have
become. You never know if your music will translate, but so far it
appears we’re on the right track.
A lot of people have
remixed your work over the years, is there anyone in particular you
would like to see remix one of your songs?
Stuart Price has just
done an amazing remix for us, he was top of the list. Would love a
Soulwax rework, they haven’t really put a foot wrong and would also
like to see what Erol Alkan or Aeroplane could do… they are my
favourites.
How did you find touring with Robbie Williams? Performing to a crowd or 50,000 people must have been amazing...
It
was one of those defining moments. We had done very few live shows with
our band and hadn’t really tested our music out on that many people, so
the first show was a bit nerve racking – but it went down really well
and gave us a lot of confidence. The sheer scale that tour was
incredible… we did nine shows and didn’t want it to end.
Do you get the same buzz from performing to a smaller crowd?
For
sure, but it’s an entirely different trip – you can actually see people
when you play smaller gigs. There’s an intimacy that always lets you
know exactly how it’s all going, its very immediate.
You have
a very hectic schedule coming up over the summer playing gigs, clubs
and festivals. Which do you prefer? A big open air festival stage or a
dark sweaty club?
It is like breakfast, lunch and dinner. We
like every meal but sometimes you really look forward to some more than
others. A big festival is like a long boozy summer lunch, and… well,
you get the idea.
Who are Sneaky Sound Systems main influences?
We
grew up on The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Human League, New Order, ELO,
The Cars etc and have moved through Italo disco, French house, German
techno, Britpop, American soul, you name it! Somehow all of that runs
through our musical veins and we come up with something else.
If you were not part of Sneaky Sound System what would you be?
Depressed.
You’ve been nominated for and won a number of awards over the years. What are you most proud of to date?
Probably
winning two Aria Awards here in Australia. It was a very proud moment.
We had invited our families and all the friends who had helped out
along the way (40 people in fact), so it was nice to share it with
everyone. We’re an independent label and had put so much time, energy
and money into the project that it really made it all feel worthwhile.
Needless to say, it was a pretty big party that night.
Who would you most like to do a collaboration with?
So
many people! Prince or David Bowie would be cool. I know Connie would
choose Phil Collins in a heartbeat. I think I could come up with a list
of 1,000 people actually, from obscure to obvious. Should we do that
some time?
Where would you stage your dream festival and who would play at it?
Anywhere
near a beach. One stage with: David Bowie, Queen (we’d have to bring
Freddie back from the dead), Daft Punk, The Cure, ELO and Prince. There
would be DJ sets in between by Sven Vath, Boys Noize and Erol Alkan.
Are you looking forward playing Get Loaded in the Park this summer?
Well that is a silly question. Of course we are, can’t wait!
Which other act(s) are you most looking forward to catching on the day?
I
just like cruising around checking out whoever, it depends what mood
we’re in. It’s a solid line-up so we’re spoilt for choice but the dance
tent will probably suck me in.
What’s next for Sneaky Sound System?
Lots
and lots and lots of touring. We’re in the midst of a national club
tour that will keep us very busy in Australia for the next two months
and then we’ll be back to Europe for the summer festivals, then off
touring through the US, and we’ve also got a residency at Pacha in
Ibiza. We’re also recording a handful of collaborations and will be
releasing our record (a combination of our first two records) in the
UK, Europe and US in the next month. So this year is a big one...
ridiculously busy in fact.
