Outmode came out of nowhere last year with their debut release True. Receiving massive support on Radio 1, the Outmode boys not only heard being it played on the station (and elsewhere) by heavyweights such as Groove Armada, Pete Tong, John Digweed, Sasha and Carl Cox, to name just a few, they were also invited into the studios for a guest mix.

Rebirth Records pretty quickly snapped the track up, overseeing the operation as it moved from strength to strength, charged up the coolcuts chart, appeared on compilation after compilation, took the number 1 spot in M8’s hype chart, and became an all-round underground anthem. Not bad work for a debut.

While John Donaghy and Jeremy Duffy (aka Born Tricky) put the finishing touches to their brand spanking new studio, and formulate grand plans for their new live show, Gavin Leversuch catches up with them to find out when they intend to launch a new assault on the world of dance music…

True was a bit of an underground smash for you guys, when can we next expect to see you dominating the coolcuts charts?

 

Duff: “True was literally the first thing we ever did together, and it was really good to see just how far it went. We couldn’t really have asked for a better start. Our second single is due out on Rebirth in May, which we are pretty excited about.”

John: “Yeah, the remixers for it are still being confirmed, so we are playing our cards close to our chests, but it is potentially very exciting. We would like to think that the Outmode sound and style has really evolved over the past year of working together, and we are just on the cusp of getting our best work (or so we’d like to think) released. Would be great if people feel the new stuff, and if it makes the coolcuts charts then great, but the main thing is that people on the dance floor and after-parties like the new ideas.”

Can you give us a rundown on the creative dynamic within Outmode? Is one of you a writer and the other an engineer, one a DJ and the other a dancer, or do you share the load?

John: “Well, as artists we have both started from different sides really, one a DJ and the other a producer, but obviously the point about Outmode is that we have the rare ability to meet our ideas and skills in the middle. We both have roles that have evolved with our knowledge and skill-sets, and we both understand what we do really well within that dynamic, whilst at the same time being open to continually learning from the other to develop the outfit.”

What is your major source of inspiration?

John: “For me, it’s a combination of upfront underground dance music and nights (they’re a good way of gauging the pulse of what is current). Probably one of the best ways to get inspiration is from listening to music outside the immediate sphere of dance; so much influence and variety can be derived from remaining open minded to music. We also try and refer back to classic dance records of old to try and remember why a truly great dance record stands out from the rest some 10/15 years on, for it is these belters that really stand the test of time!. It would be nice to think that some of our tunes will still sound good in years to come!”

Duff: “I’m gonna have to be honest here and say that most of my inspiration comes from John’s dance moves, but also I find I have to get out of the studio, my house and see all my pals and relax and inspiration seems to find me!”

Do you find yourselves constantly full of ideas, or does the inspiration come in waves?

John: “I like the idea of a wave of creativity, and I think that is a pretty good analogy. Definitely have to ride the wave of being inspired whilst it lasts, but also know when to have a rest from it. This is the key to getting the balance.

Sometimes, when we are both feeling equally inspired at the same point, we can develop a track on the same vibe really quickly. Others, however, will take a bit more time and individual bursts of inspiration to get going. I guess this last year has helped us understand how best the whole production process works within what we do, and how we can try to get the best results.”

You’re playing at Ministry of Sound for your good friends Spin Out Records soon… Looking forward to it?

John: “It’s a legendary club, so it’s going to be a great achievement for us. Anywhere where there is a crowd who are open minded to a rave-up we are in our element. The setting will certainly be grand on this particular occasion.”

Duff: “Yep, we are really looking forward to this one, March 15th Hopefully see you there!”

Outmode’s Current Top 5

1. Adam K & Soha – Twilight (Robytek Remix) – Data
2. LCD Soundsystem - Time To Get Away (Album Version) - DFA
3. Andy Cato - Cosmic Force (Francois Dubois Remix) - Pack Up & Dance
4. Shlomi Aber & Itamar Sagi – Blonda (Funk D Void Remix) - Toolroom Trax

5. Mark O’Sullivan – Trans (Jamie Anderson Remix) – Brique Rouge

(Interview: Gavin Leversuch)