Well. What the fuck else is there to say about this splendiferous side-project from Mr. Craig Durrant of Tutus' fame?
The smashing thing here is that there is no riding on coat-tails or bandwagonism on his part; he hasn't hitched his trailer to his former companions' cars, getting dragged along in their dust. This very much is his own project, isn't it?
Ok, you moan, and you'll see: The new track, I Need A Lift has some ridonkulous cowbells during it's intro. I guess you can't escape your past, can you? But, upon further perusal, there's a delight and splendour as I awaken to the realisation that it's merely a recapitulation of dance-punk as a whole, quite-removed from the self-proclaimed 'kwela-punk' of his compatriates' offerings.
More Tom Vek than Indie, more plonks and squelches and synth-splurges than angular guitar riffing, more genteel Kings of Convenience influence: Think Whitest Boy Alive - their side-project than, well, something other than that, more joy and delight in the small things than overworking of structures. It's simple, joyful, fun music done for that sake. It's delightful to see this man grow and grow and grow from the compost-heap that is the Joburg rockenroll scene into well, something cheesy, like a sunflower or something.
Here is the track to listen to whilst reading my unprofessional interview:
Yo Grapes - I Need A Lift on Soundcloud
SB: Hi Craig, How are you?
Yo Grapes: Very fine thanks and you.
Since it's inception [which was when?]...
Ok, so since it's inception, what has been the most revelatory thing about working with yourself?
I made one or two songs in 2010, but made most of my songs in 2011 and 2012. I don't rate myself as a technically good musician, so every time I make a song - it's me trying something new. I mix and master all the stuff on my own then just chuck it out there and if people dig it then awesome.
Fuck, we hate to do this, but, well, we as listeners see our own shit in your musical palette; what kinda stuff you been listening to of late? I mean, what drove your last piece, I Need A Lift? What was gaining major rotation whilst you were crafting that guy?
I've been listening to a lot of nu-disco and indie-dance in the last few weeks. Mostly stuff like Peter & the Magician, Cassian, Pnau, Classixx and Gigamesh. With 'I Need A Lift' I tried to make something that would be cool to hear on a dance floor - something remixable too. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.
I like the simplicity and, well, haha, good-naturedness, of your lyricism, do you see the world as a giant fucken cupcake? We've heard you only see in pastel colours? Is this a gift?
Haha, I have tried to write serious songs but I just can't take it seriously - I end up reading the lyrics back to myself and cringing. So I try to keep it sweet and true.
Jocularity aside, it's great to see a new musician working solo in the electronic field. Have you gotten any inspiration from artists working 'along-side' yourself?
I am loving stuff like Vampire9000, Matthew Mole and Christian Tiger School at the moment.
Electronic-vibez of this nature are continuing to become more and more of a vogue in JHB and SA in general, and less of a underground, background thing, in terms of a more, shit, better word, fuckit, 'indie' kinda thang: do you see a scene building itself up around this? Will it fizzle out?
I think it's pretty exciting, there's a new wave a bands and electronic artists - maybe not as many bands as there were when D&TT first started but still there's new stuff happening all the time which is great. I think it will always exist - bands will always form and then break up. But I just hope that the guys doing awesome things will not give up soon. We saw cool bands like Eat This, Horse and New Loud Rockets disappear and it's a damn shame that for many bands, the emotional rollercoaster that is the SA music industry is just not worth it.
When I saw you last I was struck by the intensity of joy on your face. Is it a terror being onstage? Did you have doubts as to whether you could perform this stuff live?
I like to think that when I play live it's more about the songs and less about me being an outrageous performer. That's my aim anyways, I want people to dance and sing along, thats cool too.
I wish I was doing this with a tape recorder and not via fucken e-mail.
Ok, for tech geeks: What gear do you use? What do you craft your electronic-vibez on?
I use a Telecaster, Fender deluxe reverb, a Novation Launchpad that triggers samples from Ableton Live. I used to use a Roland spd-s live too but it was unnecessary - the launchpad is a really sick little gadget that can do pretty much anything.
Ok, tough question, for all the gurls out there: What are your all-time Top 5 debut albums?
in no particular order:
1. Silent Alarm - Bloc Party
2. Guns Babes and Lemonade - Muscles
3. Manners - Passion Pit
4. Dreams - Whitest Boy Alive
5. Bright Like Neon Love - Cut Copy
Also: More cowbell?
there can never be enough cowbell. ever.
Thanks, Craig. Have a lovely day. Hugs 'n shit.
