The Squatters

The Rudeboys who love a bit of Poundland are back on top form


Interview by Charlotte Macartney


Welcome back to DMCWORLD guys! Where in the world are you today?

Hey thanks for having us back. Right now Alex is in Hull managing and distributing music at Label Worx and Oli is in Leeds producing radio shows at Distorted Productions. 

Rude Boy is sounding huge but before we get on to the subject of the release, what have you guys been up to this year?

We have been doing various things from performing at festivals, spending lots of time in music shops and food outlets, moving house and studio and even a week in Disneyland (Alex) while Oli is in (Poundland).

The track has been in the making for a while, tell us about its history and how you came to work with DJ S.K.T and DJ Fresh collaborator Little Nikki… 

We met Little Nikki two years ago and started the track then, but for licensing reasons we couldn’t continue with the track until the contract was over. So finally this year we managed to get the track finished and out.

It’s backed up by a solid remix package too – do you think these days it’s essential that a track gets a full release with remixers on board?

Not essential but it always helps especially if you get an artist who delivers a belter of a remix. It’s also better for promotion especially if they have different marketing and social media teams and networks. 


Tell us about your relationship in the studio… do you always agree on everything? Who excels in what department?  

We are both equally talented in various areas from making the tea to playing chord scales, but together we wouldn’t be or sound like we do as we both disagree until its right then we agree! 

Which three producers get your support at the moment?

Chris Lake, Skapes, Gawp…

Can you tell us what’s coming up studio wise?

We are busy with two collabs with AM2PM, a lovely talented couple from somewhere near London. We’re also working on a remake of a classic and a follow up to Rude Boy with Little Nikki so keep your eyes peeled. Not forgetting all those crazy underground belter tracks that we only play in our sets and don’t release so it keeps it extra special when we play out. 

Where can we catch you play over the next few months? Any gigs you’re particularly looking forward to?

Yes we only play exciting gigs no point in boring ones eh?! From an inflatable igloo, Morocco Beach, Filth reunion, O2 Academy Leeds on 12th September and many more… they are all on our social sites for anyone who would like to find out where to hear us or view us! But trust me… we sound better than we look.

What does a typical day off consist of?

Smoothie, drive/ride bike to the studio, find a kick drum, find another kick drum, bang head against wall, celebrate kick drum was wrong key, dinner, interviews and charts, sort kick drum and rest of the track, high five, home, curry, sleep, repeat…

What’s been your biggest achievement as The Squatters and what do you hope to achieve in the next 12 months?

We just aim to continue doing what we love and this involves making sure we still love every gig and production like it’s our first and last. We’d ideally like a private jet for our bag carriers but that’s a long way off and ideally we aim to retire from the sales from all the hotel teas and coffee Oli takes from each gig.

Thanks for putting up with us, big love to our crazier than us fans! TS x

The Squatters Feat. Little Nikki – Rude Boy is out now

Preview: http://bit.ly/TS_RudeBoySC
Beatport: http://viciousre.co/RudeBoy-BP
Spotify: http://viciousre.co/RudeBoySP 
iTunes: http://viciousre.co/RudeBoy-IT 

For more
https://soundcloud.com/thesquatters
https://www.facebook.com/thesquatters
https://twitter.com/THE_SQUATTERS