Press Release:
The End is Nigh (JHB) and The Assembly (CPT) are proud to present Italian electro giants, The Bloody Beetroots. The duo have been ripping it up since 2007 and have become a rawkus name to be reckoned with on the international electro scene. They have produced incredible remixes for the likes of MSTRKRFT, The Kills, Robyn, The Crookers, Alex Gopher, Etienne de Crecy, Goose, Peaches, The Whip, Timbaland and others. The also have two EP's, Cornelius and Rombo, on Dim Mak Records, who have previously released artists like Bloc Party, The Klaxons, The Gossip, the Mystery Jets, MSTRKRFT and Whitey. The Bloody Beetroots have also managed to grip the scene with their monstrous DJ sets and have toured with other dance giants like Justice, the Crookers, Busy P and Steve Aoki. Be prepared.
The Cape Town gig will be supported by Belushi, Battle Beyond The Stars, Kitsch Witsch, Alex, Grave Danger and Lapse. The Johannesburg gig will be supported by End is Nigh regulars - King Of Town, ManKaZam, Richard the Third, Data Takashi, easytiger and DJ Badly.
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The Bloody Beetroots combine punk and rave with Italo disco, techno, electro and hip hop. They wear masks because they come from Marvel comics and they throw superheroes’ parties on another level of seriousness. On the night of their performances they possess the sound system like the bastard offspring of the Misfits and Daft Punk on steroids. JFK of MSTRKRFT got them onto Steve Aoki’s renowned Dim Mak label, run by people who (just like our very own The End Is Nigh crew) promote music that usually is not catered for, but there definitely is a demand for. Now they are bringing the noize to South Africa - twice! Heads up Jo’burg and Cape Town, we are in for a heavy treat!
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The Bloody Beetroots is the brainchild of prolific producer, Bob Rifo. We caught up with an extremely busy Bob, while on a break in the studio, from recording their much anticipated debut full length. Here's an interview with a very excited Sir Cornelius in anticipation of their gigs here in South Africa.
Bob, you are a producer, performer and multi-instrumentalist. What inspired you to go from classical guitar training to electronic music?
Bob: "I love the music, that's my passion. I'm in love with new genres and compositions everyday. My inspiration are people and feelings... And it doesn't matter if I play classical or electronic music, that's music."
And for ten years you were exercising your skills as a producer, covering a lot of new genres by working on various projects. Do you think its essential for a producer to build up a repertoire to set themselves apart from others?
Bob: "Yes, totally! You have to know what's the music as much as possible, open your mind and try different things. I used to play punk, jazz, classical music and trip hop. Also if you produce different genres, you can learn lots of new tricks!"
I think we can relate to that here in South Africa, since if you are more of an underground DJ, there aren't as many people here to support a sound that is a full blown scene overseas. Diversity helps to get more bookings. What advice would you give aspiring DJs and producers?
It doesn't matter where you live, I'm a 2.0 Artist... You have Myspace, Twitter, Facebook... Lots of social networks just for your productions. Be yourself and follow a dream, now that it's possible. There are no walls anymore... The major music industry is going down, but the 2.0 artists are growing up. It's a kind of anarchy after years and years of majors dominium. People know what's a good song, they choose for you. You do good music you like."
Hence independent record labels are also thriving since they have adopted and adapted to exactly those conditions. How is to work with Dim Mak, a label that spawned artists like Bloc Party and The Klaxons, and launched them to international fame? I mean, Steve Aoki mentioned that you are not only his favourite project on his label, but that your stuff is the "biggest bangers" in his DJ sets!
Bob: "Steve is more than a label manager, he's my family and we work together by email/chat 5 hours per day. Everyday we need to confront each other, so we can discuss this crazy new market of music. Dim Mak is the most versatile label of the world - they do indie, hardcore, electro and instrumental projects. It was an honour sharing the roster with Bloc Party and The Klaxons."
Its apparent many labels are diversifying and expanding their catalogues, like Ninja Tunes for example. They have been signing artists like Fink, who is essentially a folkie and singer song writer. If Dim Mak didn’t pick you up, who would be your next choice? Ed Banger, Kitsune, or someone else?
Bob: "I received many many offers, but Dim Mak/Downtown was the best."
You have a new old school Hardcore punk project - RIFOKI. Will it perhaps be a band with live instruments? Tell us more about it.
Bob: "Yes, you are right, that's the way now, to conquest the new market... Rifoki = Rifo + Aoki. Steve sings, I play all the instruments, but I also have some guests, like Congorock and the producer of ZU (Ipecac Records - Mike Patton's label)"
Are you hoping to take both Bloody Beetroots and Rifoki on tour like Soulwax do with 2 Many DJs and Nite Versions? And will the new project reside on Dim Mak or would Ipecac be an option, with artists like Otto Van Schirach (amongst others like Kaada, Isis and The Melvins) whose been getting quite a lot of press and mentions. Like from top Berlin producers Modeselektor. Its quite the unusual but exciting label!
Bob: "Yes, we already did something like that, but not separately. Everytime I DJ with Steve, I play Rifoki, he sings live. Rifoki will be a Dim Mak release in September 2009. The 1st single will be "Sperm Donor". I love Otto!"
What's the next single and when can we expect it?
Bob: "The next single is "Warp 1.9" and its coming out on March 24th. We're gonna launch it with a slow motion video and on a limited edition vinyl. No CDs, just digital and vinyl. Steve sings on it, that's why after "Warp" we decided to do a harcore project."
Any special designing going on with the vinyl?
Bob: "No, its just black... cos it's very dark and rave with a huge hoover sound."
We are very curious what comments Michael Sembello had about your reworking of "Maniac" from Flashdance. What did he have to say?
Bob: "Aw, Michael loved it! It was funny to read his email, cos i didn't expect it."
And its funny to find emo and punk kids going to raves now and dancing to it!
Bob: "Haha, yes! You know I just remixed a pop punk band from Japan called FACT.... 180 bpm! I didn't touch it... I tried to remix them on 180 bpm - was a great challenge. Maybe my fastest remix."
That's the fastest remix I think we've ever heard about! But Japanese crowds are up for anything, the crazier the better! You going there any time soon?
Bob: "Yes, i noticed it! And yes, I'm gonna play at Fuji Festival very soon."
Fuji is huge! And how was it to tour with Justice? We actually have the opportunity to vote for him to play here (go vote to bring Justice over at Urban Wave's site HERE and "tune" them!).
Bob: "Was great, I played 5 times with Justice. Nice guys! Especially Gaspard, he came for my last gig in Paris. I was really surprised! Big respect."
What is your opinion of just using software that automates mixing? Do you think there is a threat for the existence of the DJ like Deadmau5 stated in an interview?
Bob: "Each person chooses how to play. You know, I'm a musician and I love playing instruments... So I play the CDJs like instruments. I don't want automations, just my hands. I play the CDJs like a guitar, for me every gig is a kind of live concert, I'm not a robot. Have to play and play and play."
What is your favourite hardware in your live rig’s set up? Any toys and gadgets you couldn’t live or perform without?
Two CDJs and a mixer are enough, Tommy plays one sampler and one Kaoss pad under my DJ set - that's all! Its not important how many toys you play in your DJ set. The most important thing is you have to arrive to the people. I play with and for my crowd, everytime."
Its become a definite trend to incorporate visuals with live performances. Do you emphasize a lot on visuals to add to or compliment your overall performance? And do you think that in the near future, music and visuals will have a 50/50 contribution to the success of it?
Bob: "Mmm... I play in a rock and roll way... My roots are from punk, so no visuals, just rock 'n' roll... Good lights and that's all for now. I'm projecting a live show with instruments for this winter, but the focus is always the music. I love playing with visuals, but I don't wanna have distractions. So I think i'll choose something like a LED console."
Aside from a myriad of influences, you combine your sound from the 'French Touch' scene and Italo Disco. Could you explain the difference between the two for our South African readers?
Bob: "Mmm... good question. You can discover the french touch with two main labels - Crydamoure and Roulè. About italo disco, some good references are Rondò Veneziano, Gazebo, La Bionda, Klein and Mbo. Different things, but good harmonies. The best thing of italo disco are the influences: disco, punk and new romantic. The rhythm for both are binary, there's a classic clap, 4/4 and the main drum machine was a roland TR 909. The main difference between italo disco and french touch are the samples."
Do you have any residencies? We read somewhere you are busy putting a club together in Italy. Do you prefer a residency or touring?
Bob: "I don't like having residencies, I prefer touring, that's the best option. I'm supporting my buddies to do the same around the world."
Any new productions in the works aside from the album?
Bob: "Yes, I have a new production coming out - Congorock's "Runark" on Fool's Gold (Brooklyn) and I'm one of the producers on Rinocerose's "Futurino" album. There's also my new Tiga remix of his track "Mind Dimension"."
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You can catch The Bloody Beetroots, live in South Africa on March 6 at The Assembly in Cape Town (more info HERE), and Saturday, March 7 at The Alexander Theater in Johannesburg (more info HERE).
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The Bloody Beetroots Discography:
See a full listing HERE
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