Juno Daily – In The Mix + interview – Kuwahara
Taking the biscuit in style
On paper, it’s an unlikely pairing – Melon Bomb member Scott Gray joining forces with a former third of legendary trance group Tilt, Mick Wilson. But hear Kuwahara’s wonderfully named ’Son Of A Biscuit’ EP – on the even more wonderfully named Paella Hair Sex label – and there’s no denying their trippy, hip-hop infused grooves make perfect sense. Making the pair a prime target for a Juno Daily – In The Mix session too, no less, and they were only too happy to oblige. Not only that, but also to grant us a full interview (scroll down past tracklisting to read).
“This 60 min mix takes a look into the world of Kuwahara and the wide range of influences that we court when it comes to our own musical discoveries,” they told us. “An exploration of the wide diverse sounds that both of us have grown up with that goes into the Kuwahara world. The Art of Mixing without Mixing – when approaching a set or a mix like this, it is good to work with the transitions that create a pathway from one genre to another, from uptempo beats bringing it down to a slower variant then taking it back up again crossing over the genres keeping with a flow that works. This is the feeling that we wanted to create with this mix, a condensed snapshot of our combined musical journeys throwing in some surprises along the way. This is in essence how we approach our music production as Kuwahara.
Tracklisting
Zapatilla – ZimZimmer – Paella Hair Sex
Afriquoi – Ndeko Solo (Voilaaa Remix) – Mawimbi
Acid Arab – Nassibi (Golden Bug Remix) – Crammed Discs
Steve Monite – Only You (Frankie Francis Disco Jam Edit) – Soundway Records
Larry Heard Presents Mr. White – You Rock me – Sun Can’t Compare – Alleviated Records
Alex Jones – Taid – Hypercolour
Minder – Boxes – Hypercolour
Tyrone Brunson – The Smurf – Original White Label
Afro Pupo – Tarot – Afrocracia Records
DJ Vadim Feat. Zion – I Got to Rock – BBE Music
Dino Soccio – Fred’s Groove (Dino Soccio Edit) – Razor N Tape
Vince Watson & Quart – Inspiration – BBE Music
Kuwahara – Jaffa Quake – Paella Hair Sex
How did Kuwahara come to be formed? You’ve both had experience in the business, what was the musical common ground?
Mick: We often spoke about just getting in the studio and seeing where it would take us. Scott has a big knowledge on Afrobeat and sent me over some amazing music from the 70s/80s from all sorts of artists some known some unknown, we both resonated with this era and sound. This was an awaking moment where we spoke about incorporating these sounds into a modern-day homage to these genres. Also, just referencing back to early 80s/90s hip-hop and what those trail blazers were doing, we wanted to revisit and feel this in a sound that was still raw but delivering that energy from the time. Did you know that Kuwahara was a brand of BMX from the 80s, just in keeping with that theme, this is the back thought that runs through what we are doing here that borrows heavily from the 80s.
Scott: Yeah, we got to know each other from living on the Island, actually Mick bought some art from me (My other job is an artist), and because we both have many years of experience and a shared love of the same era of music, getting together was the logical thing to do. Mick really knows his way around music production and we work really well together.
It’s quite different, certainly from Tilt, does it feel like being on holiday?
Mick: Ha yes, the Tilt stuff, Kuwahara is totally different, but even back then when I was part of Tilt I had an inclusive ear and would welcome, producing and exploring the more eclectic side of electronic music, so doing this Kuwahara project was like a busman’s holiday, a working adventure. Time off from the club focused productions and more time applying careful thought, exploring different genres to incorporate into a sound that we enjoyed working with.
What sort of time of day do you work? Late night, 9-5, or whenever
Mick: No overnight sessions for me anymore, I work throughout the day, but saying that sometimes will go on a late-night binge when inspiration strikes. Generally having the studio at my house means that I can do 5 mins here, few hours there, as and whenever I want, in between doing something else or just focusing on the full session.
Scott: Personally, I’m better in the morning, I’m far more productive and creative. So yeah 9-5 suits me! As long as there’s a steady supply of tea and biscuits.
This record is an ode to the Roxanne Wars of the 80s, a rich period of answer records…. Could more situations be solved with answer records – I’d love to see Putin make one, or Richi Sunak….
Mick: I’d hate the thought of Putin getting on a record, Jesus would be full of mistruths, not actual facts, a thinly disguised record of hatred and dictatorship, of which was never laid down in these Roxanne question and answer records. Which were the forerunners of battle tracks that challenged who was first and also the real deal. Imagine Boris, lying his way throughout the lyrics and Sunak not even knowing where it has all come from or what the heck it is all about but having to get his two pence in. It’s bad enough with Kanye/Ye! fuck what a mess.
Scott: I’d love to see an answer record battle between Rebecca Vardy and Colleen Rooney slagging each other’s football husbands off. Imaging all the granny references from Mrs Vardy!
I’m in favour of the biscuit theme among the track titles, but where did it come from? What’s your favourite biccie(s)? Is a Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit?
Mick: This is really deep as it isn’t just about a biscuit, it is about the moment, the moment you realise you need a biscuit and then the realisation of what biscuit, these thoughts of deep thinking can be applied to life, the choices that are made and the consequences can all be played out in what biscuit one would take with a cup of tea or a hot chocolate or a black coffee or a glass of hot milk. Not a decision to be trivialised… many great things have come from the sharing of tea and biscuit. It is on par with a spiritual awakening, when at that moment you’re in tune with the cosmos and each other’s energy fields, this is a deep connection. My daughter introduced me to white and golden Oreo’s recently now that’s a biscuit. The Jaffa Cake debate, again deep meaningful philosophising on a Plato level.
Scott: It’s like asking which is your favourite child… but if you insist: In Spain we have these wicked digestives more like Hob Nobs with orange bits in. The dunk quality is exceptional.
Sounds like you have a bit of a laugh in the studio – apart from biscuit puns, any other running jokes? Partridge/Python/Spinal Tap quotes etc? Derek & Clive? Or are you more like Mrs Brown’s Boys (don’t hit me?!!)
Mick: Hell no, this is all serious stuff, takes a lot of deep thinking and great listening sessions to find these jams that we can take as influence into what we portray with Kuwahara. We actually don’t have a laugh at all in the studio, I know we look like happy chappies in our press pics but we are serious artists, it hurts when we smile.
Scott: Biscuit punnery is a serious business. But I’m a massive Fast Show and Boosh fan.
And what’s next?
Mick: Well we’ve been working on more Kuwahara music and looking forward to release number two, Paella Hair Sex is a great label to be on, so forward thinking and the other artists involved are amazing, really loving the musical output, so it is a pleasure to be part of the family and grow with them.
Scott: Yeah, we’re thinking of continuing our obsession with snacks, by releasing a crisp based EP.