Sneaky Sound System

Australian powerhouse singer Miss Connie Mitchell and producer extraordinaire Black Angus McDonald are back. The Sneaky Sound System duo have spent the last two years in hotel rooms around the world penning the mighty ‘From Here To Anywhere’ wowing audiences along the way.

Angus welcome to the DMC world. A brand new album on its way to our shores ‘From Here To Anywhere’, quite apt with all of your travelling. Talk us through album No. 3…

“Well, it’s called ‘From Here To Anywhere’ and was written in hotel rooms, planes and studios in Sydney, London, Paris, Moscow and Ibiza. I tried to keep the production as simple and honest as possible so Connie’s vocals would shine. Connie spent a lot more time creating different characters for each vocal performance. We also spent a lot longer living with songs, road testing them and letting them take their natural course.  It’s a record for the dance floor but the lyrical content is quite emotional and sincere at time. We are very happy with it.

Your first self titled album which won ARIA awards was followed by ‘Kansas City’ with yet more dancefloor slayers. 2009 saw you collaborate with Tiesto on ‘I Will Be Here’ which smashed the US dance airplay charts. How would you say your style has changed over the years?
“We started many years back playing deep house and disco records at our club night and to some extent we’ve come full circle. Along the way we’ve flirted with our pop side and also performed as a 6-piece band, but I think playing mega clubs in Ibiza and the dance tents at festivals throughout Europe has had the biggest influence. We’ve gone back to playing deep house sets at our Sydney club night but also doing banging main room sets elsewhere. You could say we’re quite flexible these days.”

Tell us about your musical influences?
“There are so many. We grew up on a solid diet of 80s pop music – The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order et al and then from the mid 90s its been house music all night long. This record is more influenced by French house, Detroit techno, NY disco, George Orwell, Eddie Grant, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston’s imaginary lovechild, Ibiza and all of our musical friends.”

What did you both want to be when you grew up?
“I just didn’t want to live on a farm – that was my number one objective – move to the city. Connie wanted to be a racing car driver, and still does.”

Australia is renowned for its incredible festivals – what have been some of your favourites over the years you’ve rocked…?
“Big Day Out 2007, we played a tiny stage that went mental and was closed down due to overcrowding – they put us on the main stage a couple of years later. Good Vibrations was always amazing and probably one our favourite shows was Splendour In The Grass. Australia really does know how to throw a party!”

What is your best funniest festival story?
“One day I’ll come up with a worthy answer to this question. I have an endless stream of mildly funny moments that involve most of my idiot friends which I wouldn’t want to bore you with.”

Angus, what are the big 10 tunes you are into at the moment?
Vincenzo – Sedution (Jimpster remix)
So Phat – A Love Bizarre (Solomun remix)
Maceo Plex – Can’t Leave
Lee Curtis – I Can Hear You Arthur
Tim Green – Lemon
Pleasurekraft – Satyr Song
Butch – Aerobic
Deetron – Starblazer
Danny Daze – Fall Away From Love
Sneaky Sound System – Big (Nicholas Jaar remix)

How would you describe your music?
“Techno-Pop. It is one part melancholy to two parts party, equally at home in a stadium or a wee little club. We’d like to think we make great songs people can dance to…and remember! When we play live it’s way more banging, and when we DJ, its house music all night long – deep and techy!”

You travel the world together, what annoys you the most about each other?
“We get along really well and most of the time it’s happy families. Occasionally the boy/girl thing might come into play and we have a bit of drama for a day or so – nothing major. The one thing that drives me really crazy is when someone always runs late…Connie has a Connie clock. She has improved big time, but I’ve certainly wasted a few weeks, maybe months waiting around.”

What do you love about Ibiza and where are your favourite places on the white isle?
“I love so much about it – the music, the food, the beaches. In fact I have a website I do with some mates and I’ve got a done a section on Ibiza. Check it out www.youonlyliveonce.com.au”

Who are your all time heroes?
“My parents. Musically I would say The Cure, for their timeless melancholic yet joyous song writing, David Bowie for being such an innovative and enduring icon, and Daft Punk for having such a singular vision and being so fucking good.”

Good answer. What is the coolest thing in your house?
“My six year old son Archie.”

Another good answer. What is your favourite country you have appeared in?
“I’m happy just about anywhere that has an up for it crowd.”

What other live artists on the worldwide stage do you give props to at the moment?
“Loving the Hot Creations and Crosstown Rebels labels for making quality house music and bring through some great DJ/producers – Jamie Jones, Danny Daze, Art Department. Love it.”

You have some fanatical fans – what is the furthest you have known someone travel to see you?
“Oh man, we’ve had people fly from the US all the way to Sydney for one show. That is dedication!!”

We head on back to the Sneaky house after a club – what are the big Back To Mine tunes you spin us to carry on the party or chill to?
“Sorry to be a buzz kill but that is someone else’s job. If you leave it to me you’ll hear some really old jazz, nice and quiet.”

What has been the proudest moment in your career to date?
“Probably winning our first ARIA Awards here in Australia, it was a very proud moment. We had invited our families and all the friends who had helped out along the way (40 people in fact), so it was nice to share it with everyone. At the time we were on our own independent label and had put so much time, energy and money into the project that it really made it all feel worthwhile. Needless to say, it was a pretty big party that night.”

What is already planned for 2012 studio wise?
“I’m going to make some house music and we’re planning a bunch of collaborations with all sorts of people, so 2012 a bit like liquorice all sorts.”

‘From Here To Anywhere’ is out on October 17th through Modular Recordings

Check out the video for the new single ‘Big’ at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHlnXrZk-T8