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With a mix of mambo horns, Latin percussion, flamenco guitars, dub beats and a few like-minded MCs, Latin Dub Sound System create just the sort upbeat and uplifting music that will get any party going. Even if there isn't a party happening before the music starts.
With an excellent EP out this month and various festival dates over the summer, this is a group you're going to hear more and more about, particularly on the live scene, where they really come to life. |
Q1 How did you start out making music?
I was lucky to have a musical upbringing, playing instruments from the age of six. I’ve progressed from musician to engineer to producer and back to musician over the years. The magic of music, and making or playing it, is something I can’t live without. I think everyone benefits from music, and I love being part of that process. I feel lucky and blessed to be doing something I really love and just try to give it my best, as there’s nothing I’d rather do.
Q2 What inspired your latest EP?
We’ve been writing as Latin Dub Sound System for a few years now, and thought it was about time we let some of our efforts see the light of day. We’ve tried to give a flavour of some of the different elements that make up Latin Dub, and to introduce you to a few of our vocalists.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
That’d be telling! No seriously, it all depends on the day, sometimes with a chord progression on guitar or piano, sometimes with a vocal idea or just a fat beat and a big B-line. From there, I just try to let the gods weave their magic.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
These are just a few of the people who can speak the universal language: Debussy, Bartok, King Tubby, Lee Perry, Scientist, Sly and Robbie, Geoffrey Chung, Alex Sadkin, Burt Baccarach, Celia Cruz, Salaam Remi, Louie Vega, Trentemoller. I could fill a whole page, but let's leave it at that!
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Close your eyes, take your clothes off, turn it up and ENJOY! Make sure you’ve got a cold caipirihna, a fatty and some good company. Doesn’t hurt to be on a beach at sunset either, but that’s not essential. Actually, it is.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest EP, and for the future?
I’d love our tracks to be used on the new Andrex advert. We’ve also got plans for the first global underwater transmission of our EP. I really think the fish, dolphins and whales deserve to hear something better than all that noise. Oh, and finishing the album and lots of live dates.
published july 2008
