If you're wondering where it's at when it comes to UK hip-hop these days, you don't have to look far from home - The Mouse Outfit are currently getting the recognition they deserve for their second album, the most excellent 'Step Steadier', with mad love from hip hop connoisseurs as well as play on the likes of Radio 6 Music. As part of a new series on Time Out Manchester, we asked the guys to show us around their favourite haunts in town. Check 'em out below...
What’s your favourite Mancunian phrase or word?
'Dead' (as in 'dead good') – it’s one of those ones that non-Mancs pick up really quickly without realising it too.
Our favourite memory of Manchester is…
Playing to 1,100 people at The Ritz last year. We’ve been lucky to play at some of the city's most iconic venues including the Cathedral and Academy 1. Still a few to tick off the list!
When we're hungover and need to recover, we head to…
Eastern Bloc for the best coffee in town and a nice selection of vinyl
When we have a gig and need something new to wear, our first stop is...
Black Sheep in the Northern Quarter - there are loads of independent clothing/skate shops in the area, but we’re also lucky enough to be mates with a few people from Manchester who make really dope clothes. Go check out Bait Manchester, Obsolete Clothing (Menik Mati in Afflecks Palace), and S V T H V N L - Save the Vinyl.
When we need to have a good time, we go to...
Sound Control. We seem to have been there loads recently and it’s also hosting our album launch party on April 13. Most of the band live in south Manchester and we seem to bump into each other quite a bit in places like the Hilary Step in Whalley Range, and Dulcimer and Spoon in Chorlton.
If we're trying to impress a visitor from out of town, we take them to...
Band on the Wall. Still the best small music venue in Manchester with internationally touring jazz/funk/reggae bands that you can usually only see in much less intimate venues.
And if we need some culture, we head to…
Whitworth Art Gallery. We played at the opening event a few weeks ago and the newly refurbished building looks amazing.
The place we go to feed the ducks and think is...
Platt Fields Park. This is the place to be in the summer and the favourite hangout spot for a lot of Manchester musicians and MCs.
Our favourite place to stuff our faces is...
Rustica in the Northern Quarter is great if you need a sandwich. For a curry there’s Sajaan and Al Quds in Rusholme, or Coriander on Barlow Moor Road. Kool Runnings is great for Jamaican food, which has become a bit of a tradition for us post video shoot!
And finally, the best thing about living in Manchester is...
The current music scene is taking off in a way reminiscent of the late '80s/early '90s Madchester days. There is so much emerging new talent and there seems to be a continuous stream of quality material being released that is getting better and better. It's an exciting place to be a musician right about now. Some of the musicians from The Mouse Outfit are also involved in other projects that are all peaking at the same time. Shouts to Levelz, Jenna & The Gs, Voodoo Black, Ape Cult, DRS and Emu.
Catch The Mouse Outfit at the 'Steap Steadier' album launch on April 13 at Sound Control. For tickets click here. Follow The Mouse Outfit on Facebook here.
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