Return to the Future with Art Department
Posted by
Joe Gamp at
14/12/2011 14:19 PM
Art Department is a name you can’t avoid. Formed of
Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White, the duo – who crossed-over with their funky,
deep brand of experimental house that bordered on the organic and live
sensibilities of indie music, doused in
eerie melodies and strained, sinister and whispery vocals – made waves at the
end of 2010 with their solid-gold-smash ‘Without
You’.
The Toronto-hailing duo have had an unstoppable year which
has seen them rise to the top of the tree, staking the claim of 2011’s
greatest force in house music. From releasing their album ‘The Drawing Board’
to various singles on the Crosstown Rebels stable, turning in worldwide smash
remixes such as Azari & III’s ‘Hungry for The Power’ and more, the duo’s fresh,
mainstream appealing, modernistic sound has caressed the far reaches of the
globe. – which this weekend culminates in London on Friday for
their headline appearance at Return to the Future.
Ahead of their appearance on Saturday, Jonny granted DT
some catch up time on the phone, to look at a phenomenal 2011, his No.19 music imprint, playing in
London, releasing on the best labels in the world, and their forthcoming plans
for 2012...
You’ve had such a hectic and amazing year, but how has
2011 been for you in your own words?
“It’s been so hectic man, an amazing year all round. It
really took off for us this year and we’ve experienced so much. It’s been amazing
to have your music so well-received. We travelled a lot and have always had a
great reception wherever we play, so I guess we’ve been really received well.
It’s great that people love our music.
So how would you describe your sound? It‘s almost very
instrumental in its delivery – what would you say typifies your sound? For me
personally, it’s the basslines...
Our sound is quite varied and it isn’t meant to be focused
around one thing in particular, but I guess the most defining factor of our
sound has to be Kenny’s vocals. There’s also a focus on songs there too
and writing structured numbers. And of course, the basslines I guess – that low
slung, deep and funky element is there quite strongly too.
You’ve had a string of releases this year and were
already very popular beforehand – but what was the turning point that changed
you career?
I guess it would be when we released ‘Without You’ – I think
things went mad after this. Obviously, things went massive for us after that
with the release of 'The Drawing Board' and stuff, but I think that tune changed
a hell of a lot for us and opened more doors for us.
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