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 The duo who has been putting in remixes and productions across the trance genre speaks to i:Vibes about remixing Insigma, reality TV, the past, and what they are generally about.
Chiller Twist Interview:
We speak to the UK based duo Slim and Ra of Chiller Twist, the elusive duo who has been remixing the likes of Jan Johnston, Insigma and others as well as putting forward their chunky progressive, trancey productions.
i:Vibes: You guys describe your music as "Nu Psychedelic Soul", others call it "Progressive Trance". But either way, your remixes and productions have been in high-demand over the past few years. How was it like getting to today?
Sl!m: I've always done exactly what I wanted to do artistically and Chiller Twist makes dance music that has a whole load of elements you don't normally associate with it. Rock, classical, world music, dancehall, pop, drum and bass, R&B, anything I like the sound of I'll put in. That makes us a bit scary for most A&R types ! We invented the moniker “melodic techno” to describe what we did early on – others have since taken that one up too, so when Ra joined we thought we'd stay ahead of the pack and call it something new again. Hence, “nu psychedelic soul”.
Historically, I started doing mp3 bootlegs and there was a good reaction to those so I thought I'd start doing my own “musical adventures”. My ear, dance wise, was caught by the early Eye-Q stuff so I guess that's where the trance element comes in, but much more Stevie Be Zet than say DJ Sammy!
I started my own label just to put out stuff without any artistic compromises. The music was easy, although a bit like growing up in public, but the biz is not. One person, i.e me, doing the artwork, sorting the pressings, promotion, press, website, accounts, licenses, paperwork – it's a whole lotta work – time I'd rather spend doing music. So where we are now is recording a new album, then we'll look for a good home for it. A few tunes you can hear at our website, http://www.chillertwist.com and it's dance music like you've never heard before!
i:Vibes: How about a bit about both your backgrounds? What you're all about.. your influences, likes, dislikes..
Ra: My major influences would still be the artists I listened to when I was growing up – Prince, Steve Wonder, Vince Jones and then Jeff Buckley. Right now Daft Punk and BT take up the most space on my MP3 player.
Sl!m: Influences are everywhere but some of the main ones are The Beatles, Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Damned, Souxsie and The Banshees, U2 – I could go on ! At the moment I really like the Frou Frou album, Doves, Layo and Bushwacka, Sasha album, Har Mar Superstar, Missy Elliot.
i:Vibes: With a line of remixes already under your belt, including a couple of unreleased gems, any tracks you enjoyed remixing in particular?
Sl!m: I enjoy remixing – but the best fun is when you don't get a brief. Solid Sessions – Janeiro was great because I particularly like the idea of doing a chilled mix that still has a dynamic – i.e it gets somewhere. There are too many chilled remixes that just float about without developing.
i:Vibes: What can we expect on the remix front in the near future?
Sl!m: No remixes in the near future as we're busy doing our own album, unless the powers that be decide to release St. Etienne, McAlmont and Butler or Grandmaster Flash!
i:Vibes: And in terms of productions; you've had an album come out (theWay), being the latest material since '98. What more is to come in 2003?
Sl!m: “theWay” was the last Chiller Twist thing to come out under our own name, in 2001. Since then Ra has joined and we've been experimenting finding our way and a new sound. The new album will be ready in the next couple of months. Then we need to find the right home for it. It'd be good to get it out this year if possible!
i:Vibes: Recommendations for the up-and-coming producers? equipment, software, etc?
Ra: I love the new Atmosphere VSTi from Spectrasonics. With 3.7Gb of samples it’s easy to find a preset that sounds pretty close to what you want.
Sl!m: I'm trying not to allow myself back in to that “downloading VSTi's all the time disease” and concentrate on getting better with the stuff I do have but I should mention Synth 1 which is freeware and very good. Guy Sigsworth is the man for me at the moment production wise.
i:Vibes: The big tracks in the box at the moment?
Sl!m: Chiller Twist don't DJ! Our own live stuff coming soon though!
i:Vibes: We’ll keep that in mind. =) How about your picks for upcoming producers we should be watching out for?
Sl!m: Not come across any – been trapped in the studio !
i:Vibes: If you had a choice to work with a producer or vocalist, who would it be?
Ra: I’d like to meet Morris Day
Sl!m: I have a great vocalist thanx ! Producer wise – hmm George Martin, Quincy Jones, BT, Eno – there's loads!
i:Vibes: The Chiller Twist perspective on digital media and spread of mp3s? Good or bad?
Ra: I’m happy to see some sites doing well from selling MP3’s. I personally still like to have something physical in my hand – read the CD liner notes and get a vibe from the design work.
Sl!m: I think music should be enjoyed by everyone, I think artists should get paid, I think art should be valued more highly than it is and I think art is not just zeros and ones.
i:Vibes: Last words of wisdom to the readers?
Ra: Reality TV shows aren’t fascinating. Don’t walk down mountains with your hands in your pockets.
Sl!m: The answer to everything is when you divide 22 by 7.
i:Vibes: Great stuff, thanks guys!
Chiller Twist's Website for full discography info.
Insigma's Open Your Eyes with the Chiller Twist mix can be found on Trance Communications.
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