ARTIST OF THE MONTH

 

 

 

 

Defunct! is already known for producing some of the biggest sounding Electro/Fidgetty mayhem from both sides of the globe! Having top 100 chart success on all digital stores with virtually every release, one by one and they have slowly molded a new path with what the dance industry thrives on, bulky, funky, sh*t hot beats.

Slade Templeton of Defunct! is part owner of the Record Labels Dandy Kid Records and Electric Hype Records featuring all the heaviest hitters in the Electronic Music world.

Defunct! are best known for their works with such top name MCs and Vocalists as Whiskey Pete, Mr Eyez, Mic Perri (MC Flipside), Messinian, Jae Stylus, Sandra D’ Angelo and Loc E, Sporty-O, Ze!, MC Freeflow, just to name a few. They have a hybrid of cutting edge eargasms that are a sure fire way to rock the dance floors! Having those House pulses and funky grooves working in and out of those wobbles or jacks with tweaks, clicks, snaps and ravey breaks, Defunct! have been able to push the whole movement even further into a new future. Put your feet to the ground and your hands to the sky, because Defunct! is here to put that boom back in your life!!

Interview: DEFUNCT!

Can you tell us a little about your background? Where did you grow up, and where are you based now?

Rory - I was born in the UK but actually spent the first 3 years of my life in Miami. Then after a few more moves to various different countries I finally settled in the UK and have spent the last 15 years on the south coast Between Southampton and Bournemouth. 

Slade - I was born in Hutchinson Kansas, USA, then lived in Seattle, Washington and London, England (Thought Rory and I hadn't met at that point) before moving to a town called Lawrence, Kansas due to my visa running out in England.  I now reside back in Kansas and planning on moving to San Francisco in November 2012.

How did you get started DJing and/or making music? 

Rory - When I arrived in Bournemouth "Slinky" (A huge trance/hard dance night) had its main residence at the Opera house; a night club there. I became a clubbing addict. I was 3 times a week most weekends, bought decks, a extensive vinyl collection and generally living for the weekend. Through the friends I made there I got into listening every type of dance music from techno to hardcore to drum 'n' bass. It was no surprise that as soon as I found out there were production programs you could get where you could make your own tracks, I thought "I gotta get me some that"!!! Since then I've been refining my production techniques and just enjoy the never ending learning process that goes with music production. As good as you ever are there's always something new. That what makes it so exciting to be a part of. 

Slade - You should hear some of Rory's hardhouse stuff actually.. its pretty amazing!  I started out as live rock type avenue and still do darkwave/electronic type music under my alias Crying Vessel and own an Alternative Electronic/Rock label called Xd Records (www.xdrecords.net / www.facebook.com/xdrecords) - as far as DJing though, I started once i was living in England for a project I did with Dean Garcia called The Chronologic which was sort of Underworld type sounding.. live vocals, but dance.. the whole alternative type approach I guess mixed with Acid House and Proggie… I got really into Electro House and DnB whilst living there experiencing some dance parties and everything.  I then started DJing only a short time before our first international tour in Canada in 2008 as I knew this type of music we did we would have to be out there DJing in order to play.  I love doing it and have been DJing for 4 years now.

How would you describe the music that you make? 

Slade and Rory - As Defunct! we're always trying to find something new with our sound, so it varies from track to track. We have moved between more bassline driven tracks, to more traditional "fidget" and jacking vibes. But there's something distinctively quirky and unique about our sound that I think sets us apart from other artists. Heavy beats, glitchy cuts, chunky basses and above all that groove are what makes a Defunct! track. 

Rory - I gotta be wanting to break and dance right there in the studio or else the tracks not got it.

Slade - yea I agree, if my head isn't banging against my computer monitor in an elegant "HOLY F*CKING SH*T, THIS BEAT GIVES ME HEART PALPITATIONS"… then it just isn't cutting it for me.

Do you DJ or play live (or both)? How would you describe your sets?

Slade - We DJ together when it is an extensive tour, but for the most part I do a lot of the dates just for the main reason we are so well accepted in the USA and Canada where I live.   We do full DJ sets as Defunct! of course, but make our own transitions and intros and such to mix in as little add-ins for live shows.  It takes a bit of what we do in the studio, especially for each event, straight to the stage.  When we are together playing it is a bit different show too, it is a little more progressive and really has some unique twists having both of us at one venue.  Something highly unexpected can happen at any turn as far as sound and mixdowns to create a great attitude of sound!!  I tend to play a little more heavy when it is just me overall.

Did you have any mentors when you were starting out? Who helped you get established?

Rory - I had a few friends who helped me get started: Daniel Carro (A resident at SHAKE in Bournemouth) introduced me to a lot of the music that I fell in love with, an IDM producer called Chris Hare (releasing under the name of Shamanic Technology) helped me a lot in the early days with production technique and actually getting the elements of the tracks to sound clear and crisp on the mixdown, and of course there's my man Slade who inspires me on a daily basis with his positive attitude, creative flare and bad ass production styles! Also much thanks has to go to dangerbox recordings for signing us up for that all important first EP. 

Slade - Dean Garcia helped me as an artists become established having my first official remixes coming out on Metropolis Records for KMFDM with two singles on their CD released worldwide… He also had me experience work at Abbey Road Studio in London and many many other things.  This was a huge step for me at that time 5 or 6 years ago.  As Defunct!, Dangerbox released our first stuff and our most known tune "Flashy Fidget Fame" that somehow is still sorta making its run arounds after 3 years.  Overall Rory was actually one of my first inspirations hah.. might sound funny but really he was with his stuff called Jaksaw.. he got me into this whole bouncy thing about House music!!  Ya know, after reading this and hearing Rory say I help him along too.. this is just further proof of the chemistry we have here at with our duo!  I think it shows through in our music too.

When did you first feel that you had finally discovered your own individual sound?

Rory - I think 2 tracks that stand out to me from the early days are Flashy Fidget Fame and our Jakkd and Skrewd remix. They were the perfect combination of jackin groove, glitch and phat bass! 

Slade - Flashy Fidget Fame and Jakkd N Skrewd definitely I think is about the time we realized what we had going in terms of sound!

Our John Travolta remix was another one that I remember preceding the other two that started touching it all…. We still have that vibe really.. but just a lot more up-to-date.. not sure this sound can really ever OUTdate… pretty exciting to think about!

How do you explain your music to your family members?

Rory - Ha ha I don't really. I just play it too them! 

Slade - lol I sort of do the same… my dad is a music nut… so even if I don't show him.. he will get on his little Facebook and find what we are up to anyhow! hah

Are you the type of musician who knows what kind of track you want to write before you sit down to make it, or do you create music more from a process of experimentation, trial and error?

Rory - A bit of both, I definitely have an idea of what I plan to make, may be not a melody but definitely the style and feel of the track. Its definitely an organic process and trial and error is a part of that. I think you always have to be prepared to scrap an idea and start again if its just not happening.

Slade - Never.. never ever ever ever. it is sort of like the music speaks to me once i start.. it tells me where to go.. what to do.. what to write… with dance.. I somewhat have a bit of programming in mind.. but writing music overall.. if the tune isn't speaking back to me, then I trash it.  It all starts with the kick drum for Defunct! … ;)

When you sit down to make a track, what's the first thing you typically do? How long does a track typically take you to make?

Rory - I get a beat and percussion loop going (about 16 beats) then typically a bassline and some synth elements. I need to be happy that the idea has legs and is worth pursuing before I start fleshing it into a full on track. Tracks can take anything from 1 full day to 1 month. It just depends! Everytime is different. Some are hard work, others seem to write themselves! 

Slade - Rory and I are about exactly the same with our turn around and approach I think.. I start with the main loop and when you look at it from a broad view, you realize you are writing the BIGGEST part of the tune, then working backwards into the simplest (i.e. intro or outré,etc) - breakdown usually comes last before piecing it all together… make sure you get that severe whomp going on.

Where do you record?

Rory - I have a home studio! So I can fall out of bed and be at my desk in my slippers and producing before my eyes have properly opened! 

Slade - LOL at rory.. same here… in fact.. usually in my robe when I wake up doing emails and doing the studio thing.. I have worked and engineered at many many different studios and still do, but I decided to try and take all of my toys from the big studios to my home studio and then I can just work from there even more!  This can be both A) awesome and B) depressing… imagine trying to take a day off to relax… watching tv.. with your studio just peering down your soul until you cant take it anymore and once again, a day off becomes a day at work.. this goes beyond writing Defunct! though since i run record labels and engineer for loads, etc..

Do you currently have a favorite piece of gear/software?

Rory - Currently Sylenth is my number one synth but there's a lot of quality products on the market at the moment! 

Slade - Got too many to name really… Jupiter 8v was the main bass sound for Flashy Fidget Fame and such… I actually am going to start bringing that back around, but Rory has been working lots of the bass work as of lately while I do a lot of the drums and progression and even VOCALS lately… yep… I found this kick ass vocoder… I we have been putting our own drops on the tunes when possible.. tres cool.

Are you a morning person or night owl?

Rory - Night Owl! I hate mornings! 

Slade - Rory is an overtime owl it seems haha, he doesn't sleep!  As much as I thought I was a nighttime person.. lately when I go to bed at a decent hour, I get a LOT more done during the day and production done in the evening… so not sure really!

Which record do you wish you had made?

Rory - There's a few but to name one I'll take this right back to my early days: Yoji Biomehanika - Ding a ling (Scot Project Remix) - Scot Project was a full on hero of mine back in the day! 

Slade - anything that inspires me, hence finding it as inspiration to write something as cool! hah

If a wrecking ball was headed for your house, which *one* record would you rescue before it hit?

Rory - Well its all digital now so I'd be running out with my desk top!!! ha ha Although I do have an original beatles white album which I might run back for!!! 

Slade - Depeche Mode - Violator

When you're not listening to electronic music, what do you listen to?

Rory - I got so much music of all different types that its hard to name some with out feeling like I've left some out but I'll try to name a few: Rage against the machine, De la soul, Ozomatli, Lemon Jelly, Everlast, Flight of the Conchords, Gangstarr......the list goes on. 

Slade - Er… well.. its still electronic but not AS electronic.. but mostly darkwave, nugaze, industrial, EBM, or Rock.

When you're not making or playing music, what's your preferred pastime?

Rory - Just grabbing a drink with some mates or watching movies! I do love my movies! 

Slade - Watching Horror Movies.

If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing with your life?

Rory - Suffering!! 

Slade - I don't even want to think about it….. probably playing Baseball still.

Tell us about your upcoming gigs and releases.

Slade I am doing lots of shows coming up as Defunct! - Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas and some other USA dates.  Back to Australia in March next year and will most likely be the full Duo for that tour but we will see… and releases… as always.. just so many!! A massive collabo with Revolvr (amazing producer) and some others for various labels… lots of remixes too including on of DJ Assault again.. sorta a 2012 mash of our original Ass N Titties remix way back… good to be remixing him again.

Discography

DISCOGRAPHY (as of 2009):

 Defunct! - Wobble and Twitch EP - Dangerbox Recordings [USA]

 1. Pop Ya (Original Mix)

2. Runnin' (Original Mix)

3. I Don't (Original Mix)

4. Switcht! (Original Mix)

 Defunct! - Flashy Fame EP Featuring Sandra D' Angelo and remixes

- Dangerbox Recordings [USA]

1. Pingo Pongo Featuring Sandra D' Angelo (Original Mix)

2. Pingo Pongo (Rudder Remix)

3. Pingo Pongo (Geoff K Remix)

4. Pingo Pongo (Deviant Sound System Remix)

5. Pingo Pongo (Noosh and Kontes Remix)

6. Flashy Fidget Fame (Featuring Sandra D' Angelo) (Original)

7. Gotz Ta (Original Mix)

 Defunct! - Welcome Back - REMIX EP - Destination? Label

[AUSTRALIA]

1. Welcome Back (original mix)

2. Welcome Back (Will Bailey and Mikey Hook Remix)

3. Welcome Back (Daniel Carro Remix)

4. Welcome Back (Signal Drivers Remix)

5. Welcome Back (Raymond Mather Remix)

6. Welcome Back (Superstrobe Remix)

 Defunct! - Blame the Jabber EP featuring MCs - Whiskey Pete, Loc E,

Messinian - PBR Recordings

Defunct! - Fokkin Lekker EP - Dandy Kid Records (UK/USA)

Fokkin Lekker (Original Mix)

Fokkin Lekker (Koochie Remix)

Fokkin Lekker (Tom EQ Mix)

Fokkin Lekker (Dylan H Mix)

Fokkin Lekker (Kyle Watson Mix)

 REMIXES (as of 2009):

Jaksaw - Get Some (Defunct! Remix) - Nitrous Records [UK]

Council Estate Super Models - Travolta Fever (Defunct! Remix)

- Groove Baby Records [UK]

Jaimie Fanatic & Jesse Voorn - Radio Speaker (Defunct!

Remix) - PBR Recordings [CANADA]

The Incredible Melting Man - Bionic Bigfoot (Defunct! Remix)

- Champion Beats [CANADA]

Mr. Pher - Ghetto Blaster (Defunct! Remix) - RuNT Records

[AUSTRALIA]

MIC PERRI & Disco D - You Got Me Freaking Out

(Defunct! Remix) - PBR Recordings [CANADA] (2008)

Calvertron - Crasher (Defunct!'s Bump n Grind Remix)

- Destination? Label [AUSTRALIA] (OCTOBER 2008)

Double Depths - Say It (Defunct!s Just Say No Mix)

- PBR Recordings [CANADA]

Aquilaganja - Rok Da Dance (Defunct!s Jackin Mix)

- Monkey Beats Records [UK]

Calerway - Your Echo (Defunct!s Grinder Mix)

- Destination? Label [AUSTRALIA]

Jon Kennedy and Mr. Eyez - Jakkkd and Skrewd

(Defunct!s Do and Screw Mix) - Pivital Recordings [USA]

Trevor Loveys and Shab Ruffcut - Love and Change

(Defunct!s Wham! Mix) - Satans Circus [UK]

Kyle Watson - Jack My Wobble (Defuncts! Jack My Twitch Mix)

- Electric Sushi [SOUTH AFRICA]

Matt Cox & Nick Ostertag - Mother Fucking House Music

(Defunct!s Skirt Lifter Mix) - Destination? Label [AUSTRALIA]

Snow - Informer (Defunct!s Crispy Bootleg) -

Missingtoof/Missingboot WMC Compilation

Bombermen - Alcatrax 4 (Defunct!s Big Room Mix)

- Satans Circus [UK]

Cold Blank - Theres No T In Pari (Defunct! Mix)

- Nu Industry [CANADA]

Trevor Loveys and Shab Ruffcut - I'm Walking

(Defunct!s Movin' Mix) - Wearhouse Music [UK]

DJ Assault - Ass N' Titties (Defunct! Arse Mix)

- Destination? Label [Australia]

Toby Emerson - Never Coming Down (Defunct! Mix)

- System Recordings [USA]

Screwface Johnson - Ride and Whistle (Defunct!s Muted Mix)

- OMG! Recordings [USA]

D:ream - Gods In The Making (Defunct! Mix) - Monkey Beats

[UK]

Flash Jordan - The Hype (Defunct!s Hyped Up Mix) - Freek

Records [UK]

Want More ....visit www.facebook.com/defunctmusic