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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! |
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Interview with Lab4
Reported by Sam Townend
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Submitted 03-02-09 09:14
As preparations go into overload for tidy’s hugely anticipated return to Magna on March 7th 2009, we catch a few words with one of the events headliners, the legendary Lab4. After going their separate ways for more than 2 years, Adam and Les return to the scene of one of their most famous performances and look set to once again bring the roof down.
Is your reunion at Magna on March 7th a one off or are you planning a “come back”
Adam: Ha Ha! Well as yet it’s a one off though we have chatted about the possibility of a few more if all goes well and we really enjoy it. Neither of us want to have things get back to the way they were of gigging every Friday and Saturday and having no time for anything else. We would also only consider larger, very well planned and produced events only.
Les: We’ve both got other projects we’re working on as well as Lab4. We’re maybe thinking of some new material and some rewrites of some Lab4 classics, bring them up to date with all the 2009 production values.
Why did you guys go your separate ways?
Adam: We had been working together for 15 years on everything and while it was all good, we both needed to step off the treadmill for a while and regain the complete artistic freedom we had back at the start of our partnership, as well as actually just taking a breather! While we have very similar tastes we also had lots of project ideas that we wanted to explore that were in very different directions. Personally for me, I really needed to have Lab4 not exist for a while to truly feel that there was no time limit on me while I worked on my other projects . . . if you decide to take a year off, it’s amazing how fast that year starts ticking away and also there’s always going to be the offer of one big gig somewhere that you just can’t turn down and before you know it half your calendar is full and the year is gone!
Les: A number of reasons that I’m not prepared to repeat. I get sick of the same question (no offence intended). It was a good move though. I wouldn’t change the last 2 years for anything. I’ve learned so many ins and outs about other styles of production. Plus gone down musical avenues I wouldn’t have touched if I’d just been producing within the Lab4 framework.
As venues go Magna is unusual, what is it like to play there?
Adam: I love it! It looks like the set of an Aliens movie or something! It was pretty strange the first time when we played inside the cage in the Face Of Steel room (I think that’s what it was called) because it felt like we were in a different room to the dance floor! The last time we played there was a great gig but sooo cold! It was New Years Eve and there was snow everywhere! One of my favorite gigs EVER was there for Tidys 10th birthday and we did a Lab4 LIVE Extreme set with Hydraulic stage platforms and masses of fire.
Les: Its awesome . . . The Stage production team that work with Tidy are really on the case. Simon Barrington, he works with Slipknot and loads of other huge acts and loves to make fire and explosions. You can have the best venue in the world but if the production is weak then there’s no point of having a great venue.
What can we expect from your set on 7th March
Adam: As we haven’t played for over two years, most of the set will be programmed around all the classic and favorite Lab4 tunes . . we have some re-works or maybe remixes for 2009. We have production meetings over the next month for stage designs etc and the set will be recorded for a Tidy Magna CD.
Les: I’ve already finished a Requiem 2009 Rework for the set!.
The “Lab 4 Live” show is not a traditional DJ set with records/CDs, please explain how the Lab 4 sound system works, is it all synths and computers?
Adam: We started out as an industrial band before Lab4 which involved live drums, guitars, bass and vocals as well as racks of synths and samplers all synced up with what we were playing. It was a nightmare on stage trying to change disks and load samplers during one song to be ready for the next! Lab4 was really the same set up (in the early days) but minus the drums and guitars etc. and the set up we had just grew over the years. We originally used hardware sequencers because they were much more stable in the hot smoky gig environment. Later on we used a Custom built Carilon PC which was built like a tank with extra fans and all shock mounted. We used Logic as the main sequencer which was running various Akai Samplers (even an old Casio sampler for a number of years!) and synths (Juno 2, SH101, D50, W10, K1 mk2 . . .) and then we also had at least two full back ups running along on external hard disks. In the last few years, laptops have become so powerful and software advanced and stable that it’s now the easiest way to program up a live set. Similar but more computer less hardware than before.
Les: We’re working on it now. A hell of a lot slimmed down and more stealthy gearwise. Not that bloody great pc monstrosity we used to lump around, god I hated it - lol.
I’m getting a new MacBookPro running Logic 8 and Ableton. Adam will have his Laptop running with Ableton. Then plumb them into a Pioneer 800 Mixer. 2 USB Controller keyboards. Then 2 Pioneer CDJ 1000’s just incase the lappy’s go tits up. They shouldn’t though, Adam’s got a Kaos pad doofer as well that makes some cool filter fx. We’ve got a meeting in a couple of weeks with the Stage Manager to discuss the look of the stage set. Basically the Death Star looked great. It would be good to turboize it and make the set look like the apocalypse has arrived early.
Where do you get your production ideas from?
Adam: Everywhere and anywhere. One of the most important things to remember though is that it’s no good having ONLY production, you must have a tune in there, some kind of hook, something that makes the tune stand out. I find that if I’m in the right mood, the ideas just flow and a tune will almost write it’s self. The whole feel for a track can come from a sample from a film, a new synth sound you’ve just programmed, a new beat or even something I’ve just seen happen in the street etc. I try to always make sure that a tune will have a reason for people to listen rather than just the same old riffs and collections of sounds that so many tracks are just thrown together from.
Les: Everywhere. I bought the new album by Korn and its got a freebie dvd with it about the making of their album. All the studio footage of them recording stuff and how they do it. I know its nerdy but I love it. I’m really into Tech Step at the moment, producers like Spor for example. To me that kind of stuff is pushing the envelope bigtime, but it's not to everyones taste.
Where does the Lab4 name come from?
Adam: When we were trying to think of a name we were looking trough an encyclopedia of Sci Fi films (I know… nerds!) and we found an old French Sci Fi film called ‘The mad man of Lab4’ or ‘Le Fou Du Labo 4’ It was about a scientist who tried to make a gas to make people love each other!
Les: Its really obscure. I think it was banned for years. It was released in 1967 I think? Its got a rather amusing theme.
Knowing you for your brutally hard reputation, what surprises might I find if I went rummaging through your CD collection?
Adam: Ha ha! My favorite album at the moment is Pink’s new album! But you would find some awfully embarrassing things like Michael Bolton, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Ronan Keating!!!! You would also find plenty of Slayer, Slipknot and Metallica as well as Damien Rice, Johnny Cash, 50 cent and Eminem . . .
Les: Last few albums I bought were: Duffy - Rockferry, Us Against The World by Evol Intent, Korn Untitled, Glam hits of the 70’s (bloody great), Step Inside - Cilla Black, Hybrid - I Choose Noise, Amon Tobin Live Mix.
Are Lab 4 producers that happen to perform or performers that happen to produce?
Adam: Well, I started off playing drums in Rock bands which I loved, then I worked as a programmer/engineer and producer in a studio before I met Les, which I also loved… ultimately I think for me I’m a performer firstly as when I’m producing, I’m always thinking of how my music will translate live. I love the excitement of large shows being put together as well the honesty of playing live and ‘presenting’ yourself and your music to an audience. I wouldn’t say I’m one or the other though, it all pretty much works hand in hand for me.
Les: I'm More a Producer that happens to perform!
Who would you give a “hard-dance life-time achievement” award for and why?
Both: Ha Ha! Lab4? Xxx
Photos taken from the HarderFaster archive. Not to be reproduced without permission.
**Tidy @ Magna... The Homecoming!!**
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On:
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Saturday 7th March 2009
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At:
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Magna Centre [map]
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From:
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20:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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Tickets:
Early Birds - £18
Savers - £22
Standard - £25
V.I.P - £35*
+ Book Fees will apply
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Website:
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www.tidy.com/magna
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Ticket Info:
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*V.I.P
•V.I.P Entrance
•V.I.P & Industry Bar Access
•Free Event Lanyard
•M8 / Tidy Goodie Bag
•Exclusive DJ Sets
Ticket Outlets:
http://www.tidy.com – 01709 710 022
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk (search Tidy) – 08700 600 100
Sheffield
G-Star – 0114 273 7546
Sheffield Records – 0114 276 7093
Midlands Coaches: Call Scott - 07956 905 902
South Wales Coaches: Call Gavin(Sat-Nav-Gav) - 07816 310525
gavin.davies@mac.com
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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TIDY @ Magna … The Homecoming!!
Love Music / Love Magna / Love Tidy
7th March 2009
Magna, Sheffield Road, Temleborough, Rotherham, S60 1DX
After nearly 3 years, the tidy revolution returns to Magna, a venue that holds so many great memories for the tidy faithful.
On Saturday 7th March 2009, tidy is set to blow the roof off Magna once again with a huge event of epic proportions. As their mission to create the ultimate clubbing experience develops, tidy returns to the venue with their dear old friends Storm, Vicious Circle, KissDaFunk & DSI all hosting arenas.
Turn the clocks back to New Years Eve 2006 and Lab4 pack their gear away for the final time after an emotional farewell at Storm, after 12 hugely successful years on the road, taking Adam and Les’ Lab4 project to all 4 corners of the globe, playing every major festival known to man. Demand for Lab4 has never wained, which is why the boys are back! Lab4 returns with an exclusive and no doubt explosive mix of classic and brand new material to prove they are the best live act we have ever known...
The tidy team are proud to welcome a debut appearance for Italian Hardstyle Maestro, Technoboy. Recognised as one of the original creators of the immensely popular Hardstyle sound, Technoboy has put in some blinding performances at some of the largest events across Europe, including Q Dance, Sensation Black and Mystery Land in 2008
If that wasn’t enough on its own, the headliners just keep on coming....
There’ll be a very rare UK appearance from Captain TinRib LIVE who has penned dozens of Hard House classics over his twenty years on the scene.
With tidy’s trademark production, paired with the lowest ticket prices ever for a Magna event, you already know that tidy events offer the best value for money in town.
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Other Features By Sam Townend:
It's an Ideal World for Andy Whitby
The Tidy DJ's are Bang Up For It!
Stevens and Style tidy up
Steve Hill goes International
Is Rob Tissera The Happiest Guy In Dance?
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Martin Begley on 3rd Feb 2009 16:22.01
Lab4 reunion! How predictable. Give it up boys
From: Dave Mac on 4th Feb 2009 11:02.08
be interesting to see what classics get remixed!
From: Matt-Endemic on 5th Feb 2009 15:40.34
Awesome performers/band/producers. Just wish i could afford to go to tidy now =(
From: ED_case on 15th Feb 2009 16:15.36
How naive of me to think think they'd be gone for good with along with their noise.
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