With banging new single ‘Hammerhouse’ currently garnering support from the best in the business, and an Australian tour beckoning, life is sweet for one of the UK’s most endearing electronic duos. One half of the act, Lee Rous, fills us in.
Sum up the Plumps DJs sound in five words for the uninitiated.
Slightly rounded dance music pioneers.
Congratulations on the release of ‘Hammerhouse’; can we expect a remix package in the future and, if so, who is on remix duties?
We would love someone like Surkin, Oliver or The Loops Of Fury to remix our ‘Hammerhouse’ record, those guys are inspiring us at the moment.
How was Miami, and what’s your take on the whole EDM phenomenon in the US?
It’s inspiring to see such a surge in support for dance music. We have been involved in this scene for 15 years and we are proud to still be making and playing music that is challenging and relevant.
Do you think electronica’s credibility is being compromised by its sudden commercial appeal? And are the wrong artists getting the limelight as a result?
The right artists will always get the limelight, that is the way of the world: 'the public get what the public want'. There is a danger now that the market will saturate, however, we don't mind ‘cos 'we’re going underground’!
What’s next on the cards for Grand Hotel Records?
We are focusing on releasing regular music on GHR this year, with a dancefloor focused slab of gold planned every month now, and as much touring as possible to test the music. It’s a great process, travelling home from a dancefloor in Budapest at 6am to complete a record you made last week.
How do you find running a label in the digital age?
Challenging and inspiring, to be honest. There’s so much music out there; good and bad. Tunes are made and forgotten in seconds, everyone is fighting to get their voices heard, and the whole process of making music is much easier, too, so everyone is doing it. 'Game on', as they say.
When can we expect a follow up album to ‘Headthrash’, and what might be its direction? Or will you do like many artists and only release EPs from now on, a la the Dirty Weekend EP?
We are releasing a special version of our ‘Dirty Weekend’ mix album in Australia this year — the work won Mixmag’s 'comp of the month' title in January... nice. Then it’s singles and remixes for the foreseeable, and lots of them. We have so many new ideas going on at the moment, gotta get that shit down!
Tell me about the Plump DJs live show; what’s your set up, and what can your up-for-it Australian fans expect this time ‘round?
We will be touring our 4x Pioneer CDJ deck live show in Australia. Andy [Gardner] and I mix while reading the environment. Creating a unique soundtrack for each event, and improvising with tricks and effects, trying to push the DJ envelope as far as we can, playing the freshest music we can find and presenting our Plump music the way we know how.
Aside from the obvious technological advances, what’s changed the most about your scene since your broke out?
Nothing has changed apart from the technical aspect, to be honest. People are still going out for the same reasons... they just want to be together and dance, that’s where we come in!
What’s one thing you never go on tour without?
We never go on tour without our Muppets 'Scram' mascot. It was presented to us by our close Australian friends a while back and has now become a good luck charm. It’s furry and green. Hard to be unhappy with that in your tour suitcase.
Most embarrassing tour story?
Get this, I woke up on a friend’s couch in Miami after a WMC after party... the thing was I was covered in urine. Turns out I had pissed myself during the night and had soaked the sofa. My pals woke up and I had to admit to the crime, there was no escape. Sitting wrapped in a towel in the front room, waiting for your clothes to be washed was sheer hell. Later that day after the most humiliating morning of my life, the owner of the house admitted to me that their dog Charlie had a urinary tract infection, and had pissed on a female guest the previous week. I still don't know whether he was telling me the truth or trying to save my soul, I don't think I ever will.
Plump Djs Play Oh Hello April 26.
