Nottingham’s finest get set for SSW4
Interview by Nicky Trax
Guys a massive welcome to DMCWORLD, let’s kick off with you telling our readers about how the Crazy P set up works, in other words who does what?
Hey Nicky! Well, Chris Todd and I are the studio gnomes/writers, Dani Moore – our infamous chanteuse joins us for fun and we have our solid rhythm section Tim Davies (bass) and Matt Klose (drums) on live duty.”
How would you describe the Crazy P sound to someone who has no idea who or what you are?
“Tech-jizzsco wendy house with a dash of urban mythology. That do?”
Have to ask this question, at what point did you decide to change the name from Crazy Penis to Crazy P?
“Ha! The goalposts had moved. Toddy and I started the project with a bag of weed and an Akai sampler and had no idea (or foresight!) where we’d end up. It was purely for fun and the name reflected that. Down the line when we got the band together and started writing with Dani, the name became less and less relevant and there were instances where it was holding us back (namely US customs). We decided as we weren’t that precious about it we could lob off the ‘enis’ without it feeling too painful.”
Many people claim that your sixth album ‘When We On’ is your finest to date. Did this album feel like a milestone in anyway…do any of the tracks really hold a special place in your hearts?
“Every album feels like a bit of a milestone, with ‘When We On’ It was very much a transitional period for us musically and personally and I think you can hear that vulnerability. Production wise we tried new things and, unlike previous albums, we didn’t feel the need to push too hard to make it a ‘hit’ and that was liberating. we just wanted to make some tunes that we were all proud of. ‘Beatbox’ is a good example of that – it doesn’t fit the traditional song format at all and incorporates plenty of experimentation in the production.”
What is your approach to making music and also your DJing?
“There’s no set approach in the studio – a track can start in any number of ways; a personal idea, a jam, a sample, a loop, a melody, whatever it takes to get the vibe going….DJ-wise we like to keep it interesting and mix it up depending on the party. Disco, house, techy stuff…”
What tracks do you think have cemented your reputation and why?
“’Stop Space Return’’was definitely one of them. ‘There’s A Better Place’ was one that got people’s attention right at the beginning due to the Willy Wonka sample. ‘Open For Service’ took off when we we saw it getting plays from the next generation of producers – Jamie Jones, Andy & Jaymo, Lee Foss amongst others, which has brought us plenty of new fans. ‘Love On The Line’ was the final tune in the live set for quite a while and is a fans’ favourite. why? It’s a banger!”
Do you still enjoy the endless touring around the world to DJ?
“Touring is always a giggle, particularly when you’re mob handed, not so much fun when you’re on your own but it certainly isn’t a burden. We’ve been lucky enough to travel a lot and do our thing. I always get as much info as I can on the party and prepare a box based on that and hopefully have all bases covered.”
You hail from Nottingham, has the city’s amazing musical heritage or personalities/DJs/clubs etc. shaped and helped you on your path?
“It certainly did when we first came here. It was a rich town with 5 great record shops with different distributors; DIY; The Bomb (one of many clubs run by supremo James Ballie) and loads of great producers too. These days, nothing much remains of that scene, although there are a lot of bands and producers blooming here, and it’s a great shame but you have to accept things change I guess.”
Were you ever involved in the northern scene or jazz funk scene of Nottingham?
“Not directly though I’m well aware of it. The monthly Jazz Dance is still going from strength to strength and that’s a good sign.”
This is your first time at SSW, what have your heard about the Weekender? Is there anyone special on the line up that you are keen to check out?
“Yes, I’ve heard of SSW so I’m glad to be checking it out this year – fellow Nottingham stalwarts Inland Knights and Luke Howard from Horse Meat Disco are also on the line up but I’m interested to hear some of the old stalwarts like Michael Watford and Ce Ce Rogers do their thing.”
Crazy P is one of the DJ headliners at SSW4 on Friday September 26th through to Sunday September 28th alongside the enigmatic man in the golden mask, Claptone, NYC disco legend, Danny Krivit, Claptone, Graeme Park, Jimpster, Horse Meat Disco’s Luke Howard, Inland Knights, Fish Go Deep & Groove Assassin & many more + Live artists Ce Ce Rogers, Michael Watford, Big Brooklyn Red, Ann Sexton, Garfield Fleming and Carvalho at The Park Hall Hotel, Preston.
