Since its inception in 2004, the Crosstown Rebels Label has distinguished itself as a purveyor of quality electronic music. Their releases have consistently gone against the record grooves of other Techno, House, and Electronica record labels. The Crosstown Rebels sound is a twisted and dark journey to the senses – the only way underground electronic music should be. But, the interesting fact about the Crosstown Rebels record label has been that head honcho, Damian Lazarus, had never produced a release until this year. Lazarus has always been a phenomenal DJ and had huge global successes with his Get Lost parties, but never considered himself a producer until now. His debut album, Smoke The Monster Out, has gained quite a buzz in a relatively short amount of time. Fortunately, Gradient Magazine had a chance to speak with Damian Lazarus about the album while he was in New York City on his Get Physical tour.
Interview With Damian Lazarus By Jeff Roll & Photography by Matt Fried
Damian, I have been a fan of yours, Crosstown Rebels, and Mathew Styles since the inception of the label back in 2004. But, you’ve said in the past that you aren’t a producer. What made you change your mind?
I think anyone seriously involved in music at any level has a tune inside them trying to break out. It took me longer than most I guess because I have been enjoying a pretty amazing career as a DJ and I never saw myself as the kind of person who wanted to trade traveling the world playing incredible parties and meeting super people for a life spent inside small, dark, smelly studios, sitting in front of computers. But then I started quite by accident to write some songs and get together some real solid ideas for the kind of music I wanted to make, and when the time was right I took the plunge.
The interesting thing to me is that you know your sound so well. What I mean by that is that a lot of producer/DJs play one type of music to a crowd, but when they sit down in the studio – the outcome is completely different from what they play out. But, that is not the case with Smoke The Monster Out. What was your goal for this album? Why did it take so long for you to put this out? Was the production process a positive experience for you? Can we expect more Damian Lazarus productions?
I wanted to capture the true essence of who I am, what I’m all about, in the music I make. The goal was to produce music that had a timeless quality, that spoke about the life I lead and experiences I encounter; I wanted to capture in sound and lyrics some of the crazy days and nights I have spent partying and to shed some light on this lifestyle in a deep, profound but also ironic, funny way. I really feel this album is the best work I have ever produced to date, I’m very proud of it. It took two years to make and I really feel it sounds like me, and yes I can’t wait to get started on the next album.
Were there any producer/DJs that you have worked with over the years that you turned to for help to construct this album? If so, Why?
To be honest I tried to stay away from playing the music I was making to too many people. I didn’t want to have my head thrown into confusion by too many outside suggestions or comments. Many of my friends would ask to hear tracks but I tried to keep it close to my chest for as long as possible. Luke Solomon of The Freaks was the main person who I turned to for advice and suggestions in the studio simply because he has such a diverse musical knowledge and appreciation and the music that he produces never seems to try too hard to be “cool” or “of the moment”. He was an inspiration in the studio, along with Arthur Jeffes who co-produced the album with me.
Why was this album released on Get Physical not Crosstown Rebels?
I feel very attached to the artists on my label Crosstown Rebels and I didn’t want to risk them feeling alienated and sidelined by the boss if I were to release the record myself. I also thought that after so many years of looking after other people’s careers and helping others develop musically, it would be amazing to have someone else look after me for a while – and my friends at Get Physical seemed like a perfect choice.
Everyone knows that you have worked with Jamie Jones, Dinky, Peace Division, and Three. But you’ve said that this is a rebirth of Crosstown Rebels. Within the label’s first year you put out jaw-dropping tracks like, Andre Kraml’s – Safari (Holden Rmx). Do you have some jewels like this in the Crosstown stables – just waiting to drop on the masses? What can we expect?
Of course we do yes!!! Things to look forward to in the very near future include Jamie Jones’ debut album “Don’t You Remember The Future”, Butane’s album “Endless Forms” album and some new projects from Deniz Kurtel, Different Gear and much much more. Our digital label CDR (Crosstown Digital Rebels) is releasing some wicked music right now too. The music we have lined up is firing on all cylinders and we are all very excited about the future.
Unfortunately, Crosstown Rebels has had some set backs with your distributors going out of business. Were you ever faced with the realization that the label could follow suit – especially with the economy today and digital downloads?
Sure, we had some difficult days but we bounced back and bounced back hard. I can’t predict the future of the business, especially with the entire industry falling apart, but I can only hope that where there is future-looking, twisted and challenging underground electronic music in the future, we won’t be far away.
You have been on major U.S. tour for the promotion of this album. What are your feelings on the U.S. electronic music scene? Who responds the best to your music in America? Why are we so far behind to accept electronic music as compared to the U.K., Europe, and South America?
I am loving playing in America, every party seems really fresh with so many new cool people joining the frame. The atmospheres at the parties on this tour have been incredible; there is a huge thirst for twisted dance music right now its very exciting. It will still take a while to grow bigger as America has a different dance-music heritage and upbringing than Europe has but all the signs are very positive.
Your DJ sets have always been inspirational – especially your afterhours sets. I have always wondered where you find these tracks that you incorporate into your sets? Or do people know that you adore these twisted, dark, sounds and seek you out to give you tracks?
Thank you but unfortunately I can’t give away this kind of information, is it ok if I just tell you I get my music transported from Space?
For More Info: Damian Lazarus Crosstown Rebels
