Live At Colston Hall – the brand new album and DVD from the now classic performance that reopened the world famous Bristol venue back in 2009. The show reinterpreted the band’s hugely respected and influential back catalogue making them one of the first drum & bass artists to work with a live orchestra and choir, along the way bringing together the world of electronic and classical music years ahead of events like the BBC Classical Ibiza Proms. Roni and the gang – we salute you. Dan Prince checks in with the main man as he reflects on another marvelous year in another DMCWORLD exclusive…
Roni a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
Thank you for having me Dan. Today I’m at home in Bristol working on lots of new music and getting ready for the Christmas holidays and a break after a busy summer touring.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
Well it’s a well known fact I listen to Talk Sport pretty much every day, and they’re not really known for music but Colin Murray always throws in a little sing song around 11…does this count ?
Sure does! So a very exciting week for you thanks to the release of ‘Roni Size Reprazent ‘Live At The Colston Hall’ live album and accompanying DVD recorded from your legendary show in 2009. So the obvious question first, why has it taken so long to bring us this remarkable piece of work?
It’s easy to get over excited sometimes when you know you have great music and you want your loyal followers to hear it, but it has to be set up the right way and after an such incredible summer, it feels like the right time to finally put this out there. Music is my life, I’m married to the job but you also have to have a good business head on your shoulders and make decisions that don’t rule your heart. This album and DVD may seem long to some, but for me, it’s perfect timing as we’ve connected with a whole new audience through the summer with Reprazent.
The now classic performance reopened the world famous venue and saw you accompany the composer William Goodchild and The Emerald Ensemble bringing together the worlds of electronic and classic music years before other artists ever did. How did the whole project first burst into life, whose idea was it?
This project was a bold statement. Taking risks is what I’m all about. All those involved like Sarah from Colston Hall, Gerrad Cantwell from Redlight, Peter Conway and Bristol Arts Council made it all possible. This was at a time when Goldie was a part of the BBC program where he was performing as a conductor, his enthusiasm was infectious and I would suggest the show helped to convince those at Colston Hall that the two genres would and could marry perfectly if done right. The other obvious reasons are simply because we rep Bristol, we have a pretty good live show and I’ve always wanted to work with an orchestra. It’s now one of those many things I can tick off my wish list.
The night really enabled you to push boundaries – what were some of the biggest challenges musically the project threw up for you?
I guess the biggest challenge, as always, for me is hoping and wishing that we are going to have a full house…I’m all about bums on seats, buy your tickets, get your baby sitters in and put those boots on…and lets get on down to The Sound. This era of music is now at its peak with so much chart success and drum and bass being played on TV every 5 minutes, but it’s important that the music doesn’t get judged on what you hear just on TV and people know the history. The experience with the orchestra is another example of the progression of this music… who knows, next time would be great to work with a brass band, big horns, loads of brass…that would be big…
When Pete Tong recently performed at The Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Classical Ibiza Proms event, afterwards he admitted that some of the orchestra had been to see him DJ in clubs over the years. Did you discover if any of the orchestra or choir at The Colston Hall on that night had seen you live or were Drum & Bass fanatics?
I can honestly say that I think there were about two of the players who had any awareness of what the genre was, but they were becoming part of it, they loved the energy and were so professional in every way. I learned so much about the professionalism when I was lucky enough to do this… you can’t fuck up! If you mess up the whole thing falls apart and it would be a train wreck. I can tell you, we learned something about ourselves that night.
What are some of your happy memories from the evening?
My happiest memory was having my mum who is 78 come and see us perform. She’s a living legend and her favourite tune is Heroes. I do all of this for her, to make her proud. Also having Kwame write and perform an original piece just with the orchestra for the show was an intentional act of reclamation and proclamation…you have to listen to the track to know what I mean.
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
OOOOHHHHHHH!!! Well I have a very large box, so to pick 5 is tough. Hmmm. I’ll give you 10 Instead!
1. Back To You – Culture Shock
2. Call The Cops – Fire Fox
3. Get Closer – DJ Die And Ben Westbeach
4. Wheres my money (remix) – TC
5. Roadboclk – Critical Dub (Special)
6 .Changes –TI
7. Clap Track – Lynxs
8.Tribes – Murdock
9.A Few Good Men – Roni Size (unreleased…)
10. Swinshot – Roni Size Vs Swindle (forthcoming)
Nice! This summer saw a triumphant and in demand return for Roni Size Reprazent culminating in a homecoming show in Bristol where you became the first band to perform live on Arcadia’s gigantic mechanical Spider made famous at Glastonbury. What was that experience like?
I’ll be able look back and say that I’ve played some amazing venues such as the Roman amphitheater in Pula Croatia this summer, I’ve played at the Bataclan in Paris, Glastonbury and so many incredible gigs, but playing on that beast they call the metal spider for Arcadia, in your home town, has to be in my top 3, easy.
And what about a festival highlight of the summer?
Well the highlight was playing my final show at The Roundhouse with Goldie and LTJ Bukum, two of my inspirations. It was the perfect way to end the year and to go into the next feeling even more ready and excited about the next part of my journey. DJ Krust and I are now starting to tour as FULL CYCLE DJs again along side the original Full Cycle MC, Dynamite, and we have some great shows lined up for next. We’re looking forward to bringing back the melody in the baselines…the bass is the song as far as I’m concerned…let the bass sing, that’s the sound of Full Cycle.
The biggest record of 2015 for you?
Well I haven’t really got a single biggest tune, but i think Grime as a whole has made a real impact this year, so big up all grime youth dem.
Who are some of the up and coming DJs/producers/artists that have impressed you this year?
I really like Camo and Crooked, they have a great vibe. It’s like 8 arms all going at once…it’s like they are connected at the hip…great DJs.
Looking back at 2015…what has been your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement is seeing all my children and family connected and communicating as ONE BIG FAMILY. As they would say there is no love like the love of your family, I lost my closet cousin this year and every bassline I play is dedicated to him.
And finally, what is coming out next form you studio wise?
So at the moment we are just getting ready to release the first Full Cycle single for over 10 years by myself and DJ Krust we’re digitizing some of the back catalogue and digging up some unreleased material, looking through floppy disks, so pretty exciting times. I’ve also got an EP on Mansion Sounds in 2016 which is my mother label, and then getting ready to finally put out the Represent album in conjunction of 20 Years of New Forms…….then sleep.
RONI SIZE REPRAZENT ‘LIVE AT COLSTON HALL’ with William Goodchild & The Emerald Ensemble
OUT NOW ON MANSION SOUNDS
