DMC speak to fourteenbillion., two brothers who are a Leeds-based writing, production and DJ duo, and a name to remember in the coming months. The pair chat to us around their new single ‘All Falls Down’, how they’re managing through lockdown and their inspirations…
Welcome to DMC World, fourteenbillion., how are you both?
Very well thanks! Thankyou for giving us an opportunity to speak about our single!
Tell us more about your new single ‘All Falls Down’, how did the collaboration with Anna Straker come about?
Yeah so, we have a track coming out on the 2nd October with our friend Anna Straker! It’s a track about finding your feet in a relationship or friendship that’s gone wrong, because sometimes the end of something can be euphoric.
How did you meet and start writing music together?
We’ve both been a fan of Anna for a while. We started writing with her last year and we really loved what came out of those sessions! When we heard Anna’s vocal on this track we just knew it was perfect. Her writing and playing is undeniable, so we’re really excited she’s featuring on our debut track!
How have you found being in lockdown creatively? Has it been beneficial for the pair of you?
To be honest, lockdown has been super kind to us. Obviously the cancelling of plans etc has been the worst, however creatively we really flourished at the start of lockdown. We both live together, and with our own studio we managed to write a tonne and stockpile music and explore different sounds for our upcoming releases. I guess overall it was really productive for us.
There’s a strong music scene in Leeds, being that it’s your hometown would you say it’s helped you as artists being from there?
Leeds has been very kind to us. The music culture has changed so much over the years but I think the city has a real sense of community when it comes to new artists coming through. For years we cut our teeth in bands playing venues and honing our craft so its really paramount we tip our hat (or beanie) to the place that taught us so much!
As producers who would you say inspires you?
For both of us, we’re huge fans of Dr Dre & Jimmy Iovine, the career they have had breaking boundaries, crafting sounds from Lennon & Stevie Nicks to Eminem & Snoop Dogg. It really gives us the belief when you watch footage from their early sessions, that no matter how big or small an artist is, if there is magic in the room on the day, something special can happen.
Whilst we make dance music, we love to take inspiration from the greats, and really feed their ethos into our writing and production.
Around advice for a new artist starting out, what most important tips would you let them know?
I think for any artist starting out, it’s important to take advice and listen to your peers. On a creative level and decision making. We’ve learnt so much, working with amazing creatives and pulling in different ideas from like-minded people. We want to make the best music possible and make people feel something. Whether this happiness or sadness.
What else can we expect later this year?
We’re working really hard on more music! It’s fun, challenging and super cool to be able to create and channel this weird energy we all have into something whilst the world seems to be falling apart. We have no idea what the future holds, but we have a focus and that’s to better every track we release!
Lastly what are the big 5 tunes you can share with our readers for this weekend…
J LLoyd – Feelin’ Good
Disclosure – Douha (Mali Mali)
Love Generator – Live Without Your Love
Honey Dijon – Not About You (feat. Hadiya George)
Patrick Topping – Turbo Time
