INTERVIEW: SPLITTR
- Posted on November 7, 2007 10:20 AM
- 0 comments
Interview by Katie Spain
What do you get when you throw two modern dance music heavyweights into a ring and wait to see what happens? The answer, dear music lovers... is Splittr.
Okay, so it didn't quite happen like that, but the much talked about collaboration between Martijn ten Velden and Mark Yardley is certainly a project made in beat-packed heaven.
When it comes to the world of modern dance music production, they don't get much bigger than Martijn ten Velden and Mark Yardley. Martijn is the type of House producer the rest of us wish we could be (but probably never will). With remixes for Ms Dynamite, Kylie, Mason and The Rocksteady Crew and a back pocket full of original productions, it's not hard to see why he's one of the best.
Mark Yardley is probably best known as one half of the mighty Stanton Warriors. If you've ever wondered who to 'blame' for ‘Stanton Sessions’ on XL Recordings (the biggest-selling compilation of its kind) you can point the finger at Yardley. His collaborations with Rosie Gaines, and remixes for Basement Jaxx, Freeform Five and Busta Rhymes go down in history. Somehow, we think Splittr will too.
We cornered Mark for a question and answer session about their brand new boiling pot of dance/rock and electronic music. Read on to find out what he had to say about Splittr's first release 'All Alone' and the journey from bashing muppet-emblazoned drums to the big wide world of professional music making.
Splittr is described in the press release as a ‘meeting of minds’. Where and when exactly did your two minds first run into each other?
We’ve been friends for nearly 5 years having met each other through a mutual friend that Martijn was producing with. But it took us nearly 4 years to actually get our asses in gear to hit the studio.
Was it a musical ‘match’ at first sight?
We’ve always respected each others work and we knew we would come out with something that we , at least, would find interesting, based on many (mainly hammered) conversations about new ideas and fresh angles.
What sound can people expect from this project?
Our overall outlook for Splittr is an intentionally broad one that will encompass all our influences to date, mixes up our backrounds and most importantly pushes ourselves as writers, musicians and producers. How that pans out as far as the project is concerned is anyone’s guess, that’s why we’re excited about it.
You are a big gun in the modern dance music production world. Before you followed the musical path, what did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?
A hacker. Well, what geeky kid didn’t after seeing Wargames in the 80’s.
What’s the highlight of your working day?
The walk to the studio plugged into my iPod. As that’s the time I listen to tracks old and new that inspire me for the day.
You both play a variety of instruments – when did you first pick up and instrument and what was it? Think back into the past long and hard…
After beating the crap out of my mum’s pots and pans in the kitchen my parents bought me a Muppet drum kit, like the one Animal used to pound on. It kicked ass, until my brother stuck his head though the snare about an hour after I was given it on xmas morning.
Mark, you’re taking on vocals this time around – are you nervous about potential live performance requests?
Not really. It’s something I used to do in many bands before getting into dance music, so I’m looking forward to getting back into it.
Your album has been described as a journey. Are we talking:
a) Alice In Wonderland
b) The Fellowship Of The Rings as they head to Mordor
c) Around The World In 80 Days
d) Other ……………
(d) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
‘All Alone’ is causing a buzz already – the big gubs (Pete Tong, Roger Sanchez, Deep Dish) like what they hear. Do you worry more about what the punters think?
It’s great to have other producers / dj’s you respect into what you do and even better to have punters digging it as well, but there’s always gonna be just as many people out there who aren’t gonna like it at all. So, I don’t tend to dwell on it too much. If you start to worry about stuff like that it stops you being truly creative.
Can you give us a sneak preview of what to expect from the rest of the album?
Any sneak previews will be aired first on our myspace page http://www.myspace.com/splittr
You’re set to take your sounds worldwide… can my family back in Asutralia expect to see you anytime soon? Beats go best on the Aussie sand…
Our current priority is to keep writing and complete the album with a view to touring it live in the future, so watch this space.
Any hot tips on who to watch out for in the industry?
I have to definitely tip Alex Metric for bigger things after the job he did remixing ‘All Alone’ for us, it’s a slamming slice of the future. SiriusMo from Germany is also floating our boat at the moment with a really fresh sound.
What is the best gig/concert you’ve ever been to (as an audience member)?
Prince, 21 Nights at O2. I was lucky enough to get an invitation to the final night and he just tore the roof off. Having been a massive fan all my life I was on such a high during that gig when he rolled out hit after hit… I felt like I was 12 again…seeing your heroes does that to you.
Is there ever a question you wish an interviewer would ask you?
“Can you think of anymore music related questions? cause I’ve run out” ;-)
‘ALL ALONE’ is out on 12th November via Eye Industries
http://www.myspace.com/splittr
http://www.myspace.com/eyeindustries
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