Hard lounge heroes: Nuria Haering chats with Crazy P ahead of their Halo show.
Crazy P are a disco outfit formed in Nottingham in the mid-90s by then-students Jim and Chris. Initially a production and DJ duo, they soon branched out to include a live dimension - first instrumental and then vocal - following the recruitment of singer Danni in 2000. They combine the retro grooves of yesteryear (think Donna Summer or Chaka Khan) with the slick production of electronic acts like Metro Area. As DJs, they stay faithful to a disco base while still veering into eclectic territory.
At disco-house night Halo, hosted at Lightbox this Saturday, Crazy P will showcase their skills both live and behind the decks - expect some serious mayhem to ensue. Jim, one half of the group's creative nucleus, was nice enough to answer some questions for Spoonfed:
Who are the members of Crazy P and what's each person's role within the group?
Danni is our chanteuse and spiritual guru, then there's me and Chris writing, producing, twiddling knobs, nudging faders, that type of gubbins. Then we have the tightest and sexiest rhythm section in the country, Tim on bass and Mat on drums, completing the motley crew.
Future disco, disco house, sleazy disco, electro-funk... Which terms best define your sound?
Can I create a new one? What about hard-lounge? No, we've got so many varied influences I think it's hard to categorise specifically. There's elements of disco, house, acid, techno, soul, rock, jazz... We have a pretty expansive palate to draw from so that keeps things interesting.
You've been around for nearly 15 years. In what main ways have you evolved (besides shortening the name Crazy Penis to Crazy P)?
Well, it went from being two guys with a load of ideas and an Akai sampler having fun through to a full five-piece band and production crew having fun. It was very much a hobby when we started out and evolved without too much conscious thought or planning. We went from release to release, from gig to gig, met Danni along the way, got the band together and here we are, has it been that long?
You both perform live and DJ. Do you have different approaches to each?
Absolutely. The band show takes a lot of planning and the logistics involved are completely different. We've put a lot of work in to making it as dynamic as possible both visually and aurally; we're very proud of it. Inevitably, you get a different style of performance. I've been deejaying for years since my introduction to dance music and I love it. For me, it's all about playing quality music of varying styles but always with the dance floor in mind.
What can we expect from you at Halo this upcoming weekend?
Danni will be performing a few of our own tunes in a PA stylee, in amongst that you'll get to hear a lot of our favourite tunes, new and old along with our own re-edits and I dare say a few exclusive bits we've been working on...
Your remix of DJ Mujava's hit 'Township Funk' is cooler than the original. Are you working on any remixes at the moment?
That's very kind! It's been our busiest year yet for remixes having done Empire of the Sun and VV Brown on the major label tip. Currently, we've just finished a mix of Max Sedgeley's new single and are working on a mix of the Reboot's 'Enjoy Music' for Defected.
You released a studio album in 2008 called 'Stop Space Return'. Is there a new album in the works?
Yes indeed, we've been writing for a couple of months now so it's taking shape. There'll be a single next summer followed by the album in the autumn and world domination will undoubtedly follow [laughs].
Finally, you guys are not from London, but you're here often enough. What do you love most about the city?
Leaving. Joke! My relationship with London has grown a lot over the past few years, I always look forward to coming down. As a hub for music there's nowhere as exciting! Oh, and then there's the tube at rush hour...
Indeed! Thanks very much Jim, and hope you enjoy performing at Halo this Saturday.
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