Electrico plugs in
Two local DJs have connected the homegrown band's music to the world's dance floor — and all it took was a little Love mixing
Tuesday • November 21, 2006
SINGAPORE music just got another boost: A remix of Electrico's Love In New Wave by homegrown DJs Aldrin Quek and Akien has become the latest dance anthem championed by British DJ Pete Tong on his high-profile Essential Mix series on BBC Radio 1 in England.
An institution among electronic music fans, the Essential Mix series — available to millions of listeners worldwide through Internet streams — is the launch pad for some of the world's most enduring dance music.
It was also the show where some of the biggest names in the genre — think the Chemical Brothers and Paul Van Dyk — first made their names with the masses.
Singapore music on the British airwaves is nothing new: Over the years, bands like Astreal, The Padres and Force Vomit have had their work featured on segments by revered British DJ John Peel, a champion of indie music from around the world.
But Electrico's achievement goes beyond mere critical acclaim: The Aldrin and Akien remix is slated for release on Italian dance label Cosmonote Blue on Dec 10 with additional remixes by up-and-coming British producers Matteo ESSE & Sant and Tim Hudson.
Given Tong's seal of approval, the release looks to have a shot at pop chart gold, a prospect that Electrico guitarist Daniel Sassoon welcomed with elation and a touch of surprise.
"It is a fantastic experience to know that our song is creating a buzz in England," the 31-year-old guitarist told Today.
Love In New Wave is the lead single from Electrico's sophomore album Hip City, a self-financed effort was released by major label Universal Music last June.
Having sold more than 2,000 copies of their album, topped the MediaCorp Radio 987FM charts, played shows in Thailand and Australia and been nominated for Favourite Artiste at last year's MTV Asia Awards, Electrico wouldn't appear to need much of a boost.
However, Aldrin and Akien's remix looks set to even further broaden their appeal.
With a synthesised bass line and a catchy electro lead stab, Love In New Wave has been transformed into an epic that is perfect peak-time dance floor fodder.
Sassoon gives much of the credit for the remixed song's success to the men in charge of the re-jig.
In one corner there's Akien (real name Yap Kian San) who in the past two years has quietly had releases on celebrated English labels like Renaissance and Distraekt.
In the other, there's Aldrin, arguably Singapore's most famous DJ thanks to a 10-year residency at Zouk.
"It all started as something completely fun," said Akien of the track. "Electrico's David Tan (also a DJ) wanted a remix of one of their songs to play and approached Aldrin and myself to do something with one of their tracks.
"It's a good feeling to know that one of Singapore's own is making waves around the world. I believe it's a positive sign and will certainly encourage new producers to come forward and make new music."
It also helps that Quek's connections in the world of dance music secured the interest of someone as influential as Tong.
"I first sent the song to Pete Tong after we completed it in June and then thought nothing of it" confessed the 36-year-old DJ, who made contact with Tong two years ago when he was asked to do a mix for Tong's show.
"But I knew we had something when I had other people asking me about the track and Tong started playing it heavily on his radio show, even saying it has the potential to crossover to the pop charts," he said.
The duo admitted to being floored by the response to the remix, adding that it has given them the zeal to pursue further collaborations.
It seems the Pete Tong association will also benefit Electrico in the long run. Already there is talk of a deal with Tong's new production company, which means Love In New Wave could be used as the soundtrack for advertisements or possibly even feature in upcoming movies.
"Honestly, me and electronic music don't go hand in hand," said Sassoon with a laugh when asked about such prospects. "So I wouldn't know what to say about the dance music end of things."
Still, he admitted that the single would likely raise Electrico's already high profile another couple of notches.
"The guys have done an excellent job in giving our song an edge," he said. "What can I say but simply fantastic!"