Rhythmism.comQ&A with Damian Lazarus | Firecracker @ Hammerstein - July 3rd
by rhythmism
Friday, Jun 19th 2009, 11:56 AM
Damian Lazarus delivers a sound that can be described as dirty & deep, electro house; a rebel sound designed for lovers of late night madness, future dance floor classics and cutting edge new ideas. His DJ style combines upfront, twisted music, with a touch of attitude, designed for good time party heads. Damian is also an accomplished producer, as well as the head of the influential label Crosstown Rebels. Add to that list "innovator", as Damian has recently unveiled a new live show to coincide with the release of his latest artist album, Smoke The Monster Out. On Friday, July 3 Damian brings his decks, effects and visuals to the New York City massive at the Hammerstein Ballroom as part of the FIRECRACKER line up to create a kaleidoscope of sounds, images, and a few surprises.
The Child CatcherWhere does the title of your new artist album "Smoke The Monster Out" come from?
Specifically, the title comes from Through the Looking Glass. After Alice has consumed the “Eat Me” cookie and has uncontrollably grown to fill the cottage, the Dodo wants this 'monster' to be ‘smoked out’. I have always enjoyed the sinister underside of to children’s books, like Willy Wonka really being a dark twisted character or the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
What was your goal when you decided to put out an artist album? How did you find the inspiration to make it a reality?
With this album, I wanted to show what’s been creeping out from within me. I started quite by accident to write some songs and get together some real solid ideas for the kind of music I wanted to make, and when the time was right I took the plunge. The goal was to produce music that had a timeless quality, that spoke about the life I lead and experiences I encounter in a deep, profound but also ironic, funny way.
There are some interesting collaborations on the album. How did these sort of collaborations come about? Did you work together in the same studio or are the tracks sent to each other digitally?
Taxi Taxi were recommended to me by Bjork, of whom I am a big fan. We brought them over from Sweden to record in London, at the time they were 17, so it was an interesting experience having to persuade their parents to allow them to come record with a weird stranger. They have now joined me on tour, which is great. I also worked with Arthur Jeffes, son of the Penguin Café’s Simon Jeffes. He, and Luke Solomon, from the Freaks, were my main collaborators. We spent our time in studios in London and a house in Somerset. We had a great time together, and they were a huge help in making this album a reality.
You have recently unveiled a brand new live show. What can audiences expect to see?
We debuted the live show at SxSW, then took it to Fabric, then Womb in Tokyo and last month Avalon in LA, which was amazing. This will be the NYC debut, which I am very excited about. Basically I remixed the whole album to perform it live from the stage, so the live show gives people the exclusive chance to listen to this completely fresh version of the album. I also have the twins sing live on stage, it’s a full production, a true live experience, with an amazing customized film from the very talented David Terranova.
You have recently moved to Los Angeles. How is it influencing your music?
I am loving LA, loads of creative people, very inspiring. I have been getting up early and working lots. I love London, of course, but have enjoyed the change of scene.
What is the best thing about LA? The worst?
The best thing is Echo Park, where I live. Lots of greenery, nice people and trees, I live right next to a big park. The worst thing has to be trying to negotiate traffic.
What’s the temperature of the dance music scene in LA? How does it compare to NYC and the rest of the world?
The scene in LA is great. Some really cool people who are really dedicated to the music and helping the scene grow. Obviously it’s smaller than in other parts of the world, but the parties are no less exciting. We had 3000 people for Get Lost at Avalon just last week, which is wild and I’ll be playing the Standard with the Droog crew on July 5 – it’s an amazing rooftop pool venue. My last outing in NYC was amazing, so I am really excited to come back and play.
You recently played at the semi-exclusive Wolf & Lamb party at the Marcy Hotel here in NYC – what were your expectations of this gig?
I had heard a lot of good things about the Wolf & Lamb guys, and have got to know them at various parties. We have a lot of mutual friends like Seth Troxler, who we work with at Crosstown. The party itself was awesome, my best time in NYC to date. The place was heaving with about 700 people crammed in for the rave, I think we played the last record at 3pm the following day.
Now that you are an accomplished DJ, Producer, and Label Head - which aspect of the business would you say you enjoy the best? Which gives you the most satisfaction?
All of the above, I get as much satisfaction out of people loving what I do as I get from helping the success of the guys on the label.
What’s next for your label Crosstown Rebels?
Things to look forward to in the very near future include Jamie Jones’ debut album Don’t You Remember The Future, Butane’s album Endless Forms and some new projects from Deniz Kurtel, Different Gear and much much more. Our digital label CDR (Crosstown Digital Rebels) is releasing some wicked music right now too.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Area Event presents
FIRECRACKER
@ Hammerstein Ballroom
Victor Calderone
Steve Lawler
Hercules & Love Affair (DJ Set)
Tiefshwarz
Damian Lazarus (Live)
Audiofly
Hammerstein Ballroom
311 West 34th St.
New York City
9PM-7AM, All Ages
$33 Advance Tickets at www.areaevent.com
www.damianlazarus.com
www.crosstownrebels.com
The Child Catcher
Specifically, the title comes from Through the Looking Glass. After Alice has consumed the “Eat Me” cookie and has uncontrollably grown to fill the cottage, the Dodo wants this 'monster' to be ‘smoked out’. I have always enjoyed the sinister underside of to children’s books, like Willy Wonka really being a dark twisted character or the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
What was your goal when you decided to put out an artist album? How did you find the inspiration to make it a reality?
With this album, I wanted to show what’s been creeping out from within me. I started quite by accident to write some songs and get together some real solid ideas for the kind of music I wanted to make, and when the time was right I took the plunge. The goal was to produce music that had a timeless quality, that spoke about the life I lead and experiences I encounter in a deep, profound but also ironic, funny way.
There are some interesting collaborations on the album. How did these sort of collaborations come about? Did you work together in the same studio or are the tracks sent to each other digitally?
Taxi Taxi were recommended to me by Bjork, of whom I am a big fan. We brought them over from Sweden to record in London, at the time they were 17, so it was an interesting experience having to persuade their parents to allow them to come record with a weird stranger. They have now joined me on tour, which is great. I also worked with Arthur Jeffes, son of the Penguin Café’s Simon Jeffes. He, and Luke Solomon, from the Freaks, were my main collaborators. We spent our time in studios in London and a house in Somerset. We had a great time together, and they were a huge help in making this album a reality.
You have recently unveiled a brand new live show. What can audiences expect to see?
We debuted the live show at SxSW, then took it to Fabric, then Womb in Tokyo and last month Avalon in LA, which was amazing. This will be the NYC debut, which I am very excited about. Basically I remixed the whole album to perform it live from the stage, so the live show gives people the exclusive chance to listen to this completely fresh version of the album. I also have the twins sing live on stage, it’s a full production, a true live experience, with an amazing customized film from the very talented David Terranova.
You have recently moved to Los Angeles. How is it influencing your music?
I am loving LA, loads of creative people, very inspiring. I have been getting up early and working lots. I love London, of course, but have enjoyed the change of scene.
What is the best thing about LA? The worst?
The best thing is Echo Park, where I live. Lots of greenery, nice people and trees, I live right next to a big park. The worst thing has to be trying to negotiate traffic.
What’s the temperature of the dance music scene in LA? How does it compare to NYC and the rest of the world?
The scene in LA is great. Some really cool people who are really dedicated to the music and helping the scene grow. Obviously it’s smaller than in other parts of the world, but the parties are no less exciting. We had 3000 people for Get Lost at Avalon just last week, which is wild and I’ll be playing the Standard with the Droog crew on July 5 – it’s an amazing rooftop pool venue. My last outing in NYC was amazing, so I am really excited to come back and play.
You recently played at the semi-exclusive Wolf & Lamb party at the Marcy Hotel here in NYC – what were your expectations of this gig?
I had heard a lot of good things about the Wolf & Lamb guys, and have got to know them at various parties. We have a lot of mutual friends like Seth Troxler, who we work with at Crosstown. The party itself was awesome, my best time in NYC to date. The place was heaving with about 700 people crammed in for the rave, I think we played the last record at 3pm the following day.
Now that you are an accomplished DJ, Producer, and Label Head - which aspect of the business would you say you enjoy the best? Which gives you the most satisfaction?
All of the above, I get as much satisfaction out of people loving what I do as I get from helping the success of the guys on the label.
What’s next for your label Crosstown Rebels?
Things to look forward to in the very near future include Jamie Jones’ debut album Don’t You Remember The Future, Butane’s album Endless Forms and some new projects from Deniz Kurtel, Different Gear and much much more. Our digital label CDR (Crosstown Digital Rebels) is releasing some wicked music right now too.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Area Event presents
FIRECRACKER
@ Hammerstein Ballroom
Victor Calderone
Steve Lawler
Hercules & Love Affair (DJ Set)
Tiefshwarz
Damian Lazarus (Live)
Audiofly
Hammerstein Ballroom
311 West 34th St.
New York City
9PM-7AM, All Ages
$33 Advance Tickets at www.areaevent.com
www.damianlazarus.com
www.crosstownrebels.com
