Leftfield, bass-heavy electronic music never sounded so good. Rocking the world
Interview by Dan Prince
A huge November for the British don with a series of superb dates on the Live Nation ‘Set It Off’ UK and European Tour – the only British act chosen by UK collections agency PRS for tour funding as an emerging artist deserving of their support. With previous support slots for Danny Brown, Machinedrum, and Gold Panda, under his belt, Ambassadeurs has also just completed his debut US live tour with a 30 date support stint for Odesza, followed by festival performances alongside some of electronic music’s biggest names at LA’s Hard Day Of The Dead and the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival. Having released two EP’s on Pilot Records (a label started by UKF’s Luke Hood) Ambassadeurs is planning his next EP for a January release on his own Lost Tribe label which has already signed Pamina, Hominidae and Cybass, and been supported by Vice / Thump. Splitting his time between studio sessions and field trips to London and the British south coast to collect found sounds for his productions, Ambassadeurs is fast emerging as a British counterpoint to artists such as Salva and XXYYXX. Ambassadeurs’ leftfield, bass-heavy electronic music is fast making a name for the young Brighton-based producer, with wider support from XLR8R, Noisey, Mixmag, This Is Fake DIY and beyond, plus remixes for labels such as Tru Thoughts, Ninja Tune, Moshi Moshi, Fat Cat, Wah Wah 45s and others. Get ready 2015!!!!
Mark welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
“Hello! I am back in London today, enjoying being home for the first time since September.”
A big week for you then as the new UK/Europe tour coincides with a free download, ‘From You’ – a track I believe you wrote whilst on the tour bus in the States recently? Please talk us through the track…
“Yes I wrote the track mostly on the bus, I actually quite enjoyed working in that way as the constant changing of scenery and everything going on around was very inspiring. Putting headphones on and working on the track was also a way to shut everything out and find a space alone to work on things so it was interesting.”
You have just been supporting Odesza on the 30 date US tour taking in the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival along the way. What was that experience like?
“The tour was amazing and unlike anything I have ever done previously. It was a very very exciting time visiting all the states and cities along the way. The people I toured with were all amazing and some of the funniest people I have ever met and we had a great time all the way. It was a very intense schedule playing every night for 6 weeks with 2 days off and everything but it is very motivating and great to play your set every night and be able to tweak and change it and throw new tracks in to test them out. After the first 2 weeks are over touring becomes all you know and you forget what life was like before touring. I’m still adjusting now I’m back to not having a van call or sleeping in a hotel room haha.”
Did you find the audience changed in their musical tastes in any way as you moved across America – the kids over there are really diversifying with their musical tastes as they learn about the scene…
“I did actually find that yes. Some of the more chilled tracks worked in the West side states and the south but didn’t work so well as I got to the East, the East side wanted all the more hyped tracks it seemed.”
Don’t be shy. Most rock n’roll moment of the tour?
“Probably playing HARD Day of The Dead and having my own trailer backstage next to Diplos. That felt very rock and roll.”
What has been the most satisfying accomplishment of 2014 for you?
“I would say completing this tour feels like a pretty satisfying accomplishment.”
A big quote from you…”Music is important because…it has this magical power to change how you feel in an instant and can put across complex emotions that cannot be expressed through any other medium.” When was the last time a piece of music changed you in an instant?
“I would say that happens all the time when I listen to music. It is very influential on my mood.”
Money no object – what studio toy do you want for Christmas?
“I would love a Juno 106 or a Prophet 5. Ive always wanted one of those and I will get one eventually Im sure, I have plugin versions that I use all the time and It would be nice to have the real ones. I saw a few in America for crazy cheap money and had to try very hard to not buy one and carry It around on the tour.”
What is the record that…
Reminds you of your childhood?
“Seal’s self titled album for some reason always reminds me of my childhood. I think it was played a lot when I was young and always snaps me back to being very young.”
Always gets you jumping around?
“DJ Paypals EP ‘Why’ never fails. It’s impossible not too it has so much energy.”
Reminds you of having your heart broken?
“Probably The Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness. I was obsessed with it when It came out and the whole album feels like heart break.”
You wish you would have made?
“The Go Team – Thunder Lightning Strike is such a fun and interesting album I could never imagine making.”
What is coming out next from you studio wise, we are hearing whispers on a release on your own Lost Tribe label?
“Yes I am going to be releasing my music on my label, which will be a lot of fun controlling all the aspects of the release and really getting into it. The year will begin with an EP in January and then go from there with regular releases throughout the year.”
What are the plans for the label in 2015?
“The plan is to keep releasing good music and build the label into something bigger. We have a few releases planned already and are on the search for more great music to release constantly.”
The last great live gig you went to?
“I’d have to say it was Machinedrums show, this was a while ago, early in the year but it still stands out for me as one of the best shows I’ve been to. It live show with the acoustic drummer. I’m not usually a fan of electronic music with live acoustic drums but this worked so well and it blew me away.”
Your favourite producer of 2014?
“So far I’ve been really enjoying what ive been hearing from Paul White so he has to be up there. He makes really interesting music that’s different from everyone else. He has an album out on R&S and its amazing.”
Your favourite track of 2014?
“I think I’ve listened to Yung Gud’s remix of Jaques Green’s ‘No Excuse’ a hundred times so that has to be up there.”
And finally, an interview with Ambassadeurs wouldn’t be complete without a question about the kitchen, especially with your chef background! So Mark, your perfect, hearty, winter warmer dish please…
“Ok today I will be cooking a Chorizo, Chicken, Chick Pea and Spinach stew which is simple to make and delicious and perfect for these cold evenings…
1: Cut up, season and cook a couple of chicken thigh fillets in olive oil and remove from the pan.
2: Roughly chop and fry one medium onion, one carrot and one stick of celery for a few minutes.
3: Peel and slice one chorizo sausage. Put that in with the onion and cook until the fat starts to come out and turn everything red.
4: Add a couple of cloves of crushed/chopped/grated garlic a sprig or two of thyme, a few fennel seeds and a pinch of cumin and cook for 2 minutes.
5: Add a tablespoon of tomato puree and cook for a minute.
6: Add a can of chopped tomatoes and a big glass of red wine and half a cup of water and let that simmer gently for 30 mins or so.
7: Add a can of chick peas and simmer for another 10 mins.
8: Very roughly chop a handful of spinach and add that. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes and its ready. Serve with some home made flatbreads or some crusty French bread.
…enjoy DMCWORLD!”
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