list.co.uk/clubs ‘We’re pirates really just plundering then moving on’
was already performing in a funk band and putting out his own bedroom productions. ‘I was the guy with a studio set up in his house,’ he explains. ‘I started making jungle and drum & bass records, then did some house stuff. By the time I met Felix I had made enough money to buy some samplers. He was into clubs, he was a party promoter really, he came from that angle and I came from a more musical angle. He was putting on a club anyway and I started DJing with him. It was like a project, we’d just experiment.’
What started as a club night soon morphed into a production duo and now six studio albums later everyone from Yoko Ono and Siouxsie Sioux to Dizzee Rascal and JC Chasez (N*Sync) have provided guest vocals on their music. However 2009’s low key Zephyr found them in more reflective mood with its ambient house sound while 2011’s live album Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest saw their music reinterpreted for a full 60 piece orchestra. They further spread their wings working on the score to Brit urban sci-fi feature Attack the Block. And there is talk of a new album, or at least a series of 12”s, this year and you can get a taste of what to expect if you check out the tribal beats of new single ‘Back 2 the Wild’ featuring Korean singers Miss Emma Lee and Baby Chay. ‘The idea for the core of the music, the groove, is a two way thing,’ adds Ratcliffe. ‘We almost listen to music in a different way, I’ll turn round to Felix and say “the beat in that was great” and he won’t of been aware of it at all but he’ll turn round and say “I thought the strings were really amazing.” We hone in on different parts of the music.’
Basement Jaxx headline the mainstage at RockNess, Fri 7 Jun. For more on RockNess see feature, page 22-23.
Feature | CLUBS
ROCKNESS BLUFFER’S GUIDE Musical genres can be tricky things at the best of times so here’s our cut-out- and-keep guide in case you find yourself out of your depth while chatting to a musical trainspotter
TECHNO TECHNO Do Say: ‘While you have to respect the innovations coming out of the European scene they owe everything to their Detroit forefathers.’ Don’t Say: ‘2 Unlimited really summed up the entire genre on their smash hit ‘No Limit’.’ Check Out: Pan-Pot, Carl Craig, Josh Wink.
TRANCE Do Say: ‘It might not be fashionable but these breakdowns are incredibly euphoric and up lifting.’ Don’t Say: ‘I love Danny Boyle.’ Check Out: Above & Beyond.
HOUSE Do Say: ‘Did you know the term ‘house’ derives from the Warehouse nightclub in Chicago, that first opened its doors in 1977.’ Don’t Say: ‘With the market today it’s almost impossible for first time buyers to even get their first foot on the property ladder .’ Check Out: Julio Bashmore, Nic Fanciulli, Kerri Chandler.
INDIE Do Say: ‘Despite the commodification of the sound by the major labels you’ll always find the
most inventive and interesting music on the independent scene.’ Don’t Say: ‘I just like their whole style, their whole genre is great, they’re kinda, like, very innovative and they’re new’ [when talking about fake band The Obesity Epidemic as seen on Jimmy Kimmel’s Lie Witness tinyurl.com/ a4zqeof. Check Out: The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Futureheads.
HIP HOP Do Say: ‘Finally the home-grown urban scene actually sounds unique and British rather than just churning out cheap carbon copies of their American influences.’ Don’t Say: Never ever ever use the word ‘hood’ when referring to your home if you actually live in Kelvinside or Morningside. Check Out: Plan B.
DUBSTEP Do Say: ‘It’s amazing how a British underground dance movement has been taken up by everyone from Korn to Britney Spears.’ Don’t Say: ‘I like the base, base, base, the buttery biscuit base.’ Check Out: Skream & Benga.
BUS INFO Once again Citylink are offering a selection of direct buses to RockNess, it’s the easiest, greenest way to travel and here’s our handy guide to their services:
GLASGOW
OUTWARD: Friday 7 June
8.45am–1pm 9.15am–1.30pm 9.45am–2pm 10.15am–2.30pm 10.45am–3pm 11.15am–3.30pm 12.15pm–4.30pm Saturday 8 June 9am–1.15pm Sunday 9 June
9am–1.15pm
RETURN:
Friday 7 June
1am–5.15am Friday 7 June 1am–5.15am Saturday 9 June 1am–5.15am Monday 10 June
9am–1.15pm 10am–2.15pm 11pm–3.15pm
noon–4.15pm
EDINBURGH
OUTWARD:
Friday 7 June 8am–noon 9am–1pm 10am–2pm 11am–3pm Noon–4pm Saturday 8 June
9am–1.12pm Sunday 9 June 9am–1.12pm
RETURN:
Friday 7 June 1am–5.12am Saturday 8 June
1am–5.12am
Sunday 9 June
1am–5.12am Monday 10 June 7.30am–11.42am 8.30am–12.42pm 9.30am–1.42pm 10.30pm–2.42pm 11.30pm–3.42pm
STIRLING OUTWARD:
Friday 7 June
10.30am–2pm Saturday 8 June
9.45am–1.15pm Sunday 9 June 9.45am–1.15pm
RETURN: Friday 8 June
1am–4.30am Saturday 8 June 1am–4.30am Sunday 9 June
1am–4.30am Monday 10 June
9am–12.30pm 10am–1.30pm 11am–2.30pm noon–3.30am
DUNDEE OUTWARD
Friday 7 June 11am–2.30pm
RETURN
Monday 10 June 10.30am–2pm
There are also regular
shuttle buses from Inverness throughout
the weekend and
further services from Aberdeen, Aviemore,
Dunfermline, Perth, Nairn, Forres, Elgin,
Pitlochry, Preston,
Newcastle, Sheffield,
Birmingham and London. See www.
citylink.co.uk/e_
rockness.php for full details and ticket
bookings
16 May–13 Jun 2013 THE LIST 59