Source : Fabric
Description
Next Saturday will be Freak n’Chic’s swan song at fabric. Following the news that the popularly adored label from Paris has come to an end, respected residents Shonky, Anthony Collins and Dyed Soundorom will be sending groove junkies over the edge and closing the curtains on the collective with grace, style and of course, avant-garde deep house music drenched in melody.
The frank success of Dan Ghenacia’s freak show has a discography that exploded into action, from the early raves at La Batofar, to peak-time tracks ‘The Playmaker’ or ‘Amazon’ and the hugely memorable parties at DC10 last summer – it has been a magnificent effort that we take comfort in knowing is only the beginning for the core players. Speaking out with spirit and enthusiasm, read on to hear about what colourful dimensions the future holds for the three deep house jocks playing in Room Two this Saturday. Including word on collaborations with Ricardo Villalobos, remixes on Culprit & Cityfox and their brand new imprint, the trio are in pensive mood, looking back on some of their all time favourite Freak N’ Chic memories and releases.
The end of Freak N’ Chic has recently been announced. How do you feel about that?
Anthony Collins: Of course it was a shock and a great disappointment as over the last couple of years the label was getting amazing feedback from around the world and was really pushing a particular style ahead…. but like I’ve always said – Isn’t it better to end Freak n’Chic whilst it is at the top of its game? That way it will be remembered for the best it ever was.
Shonky: It’s a weird feeling because there are mixed emotions with the happiness of moving forward and starting something new but then a sadness linked to your memories of what went on for the last 8 years. Freak n’Chic has been my main platform since the beginning, I released my first ever album on it, it’s also the label of Dan Ghenacia who’s one my best friends, and there has always been a family spirit that prevailed above all. This is how Dan wanted to build it and it worked really well. All the members of the label have been close friends for a long time. Mostly, we met at Batofar’s after parties between 1998 and 2000, Dan was the resident there and he was playing this deep, psychedelic stuff from San Francisco. To sum things up – we’re facing the end of a huge adventure but it’s 100% for sure we’re at the beginning of another one.
Dyed Soundorom: I feel really sad about that announcement, especially as the story’s ending because of an unexpected dispute between the partners who run the label. But let’s concentrate on the music! This is what we’re talking about here, this is what we do and this is what we live for, so we’re going to start something new in the same spirit of the label!
What would you say to the Freak N’ Chic fans- whether they’ve been with you since 2003 or joined you in the last few years?
Anthony Collins: As far as I’m concerned they joined me a bit later as I was one of the latest additions to the crew in back in 2007. I would say them that we need to find a new home as cool as Freak n’Chic was as for the time being we are more or less homeless!
Shonky: Well, we’ve always been true to the music. As we’ve got solid roots in US west coast scene, even if we all got our personal style, moreover styles that have evolved over the past years, we always have and always will hold this common musical vision! Then I’d like to give a big shout to all the people that understood and appreciated that.
Dyed Soundorom: Whenever it was that people joined, Freak n’Chic has always been close to its first goals and has never really changed. We always tried to avoid following the hype – people will either like what we do or not! Over all of the years of Freak n’Chic it was all about releasing the music that we felt like releasing.
What has been the happiest Freak N’ Chic moment for you?
Anthony Collins: Well, they are a few of course. First of all the release of my first single ‘Rabouine House’ and later on the release of my first ever artist album ‘Doubt & Shouts;’ and of course some great crazy parties, memories all over the world such as the ones we did at Panorama Bar, Circoloco at DC 10 and at Batofar for the summer residency. The list goes on and on and on…
Shonky: Back in 2009 we did a Freak n’Chic Vs Highgrade night at Panoramabar in Berlin. Lots of people came and all our artists played that night – making it the longest party we have ever done together, at 27 hours in total! It was amazing having everyone there. That night I played both Berghain and Panorama Bar – from the perspective of both DJ and clubber it was the best experience ever!
Dyed Soundorom: For me it’s the day we all played Circoloco at DC 10 last year! It was one of the best parties I’ve ever had full of fun memories! We’re back there on June 6th this year – cannot wait!
Has the Freak N’ Chic life been different from what you imagined?
Anthony Collins: It’s been amazing – no stress, a perfect work flow and a true family.
Dyed Soundorom: We’ve been a group of friends for almost 12 years now, looking back I was expecting a story of strong friendships and that is what I got – I’m really happy with that.
What is your favourite Freak N’ Chic release and why?
Shonky: It’s hard to choose but if I have to pick only one it would be Losoul feat. Fadila ‘Time.. passes.’ This is for a few reasons – firstly it’s one of the first records I bought was Losoul’s ‘Open Door’ release on Playhouse – for me he is one of the best producers ever. Also I remember Dan playing that track at Club Der Visionaer and I have to admit I literally went crazy over it! And lastly, I’ve chosen it because of the killer Dyed Soundorom remix on the B Side.
Dyed Soundorom: ‘Amazon’ from Jamie Jones is the best release for me so far… It’s been a massive influence for me – it was such a big crossover track when it was released.
What’s been your best life lesson becoming a member of the Freak N’ Chic family?
Anthony Collins: Be true and stick to the people that really care about you (that can be tricky ….).
Shonky: Being part of Freak n’ Chic was a human experience above all else – everyone involved in the label was passionate and that inspired loads of good work as well as fond memories. I’ve taken from that the understanding that it is easier to move forward as part of a united front whatever happens – sharing is the answer.
Dyed Soundorom: Stay true to your friends, that’s all that really counts…
What are your big and breaking plans for 2011?
Anthony Collins: I’ve got lots of collaborations on their way. Coming out in the next weeks with some really cool cats! Especially a track I made with Ricardo Villalobos and Jorge from Los Updates. Stay tuned!
Shonky: Our new big project is to launch a label with Dan and Dyed. Dyed and I have always wanted to start our own label and the end of Freak n’Chic allows us to do it with Dan involved as well. We share the same roots, the same tastes and the same musical vision. We’ll mainly focus on releasing our own music and of course from producers all three of us enjoy.
Also, I’ve been working a lot on production lately. I’ve got an EP coming on Culprit very soon as well as a few remixes. Some I did in collaboration with Dyed including a remix of Lee Foss on Culprit, one of Robert Owens ‘I’ll Be Ur Friend’ and we will be reworking a remix of Agaric for Ovum soon! On my own, I did a remix of Maya Jane Coles’ track ‘What They Say’ which is coming out late March and one other for Soma’s 20th anniversary. And of course I’m also working on music for our new label!
Dyed Soundorom: Our big plan for 2011 is to launch a new label altogether. It will be run by Dan, Shonky and myself – there will be more info on this soon. Moreover I’m also working on my own projects, collaborations and remixes… Confirmed so far, I have a remix for Maya Jane Coles – ‘What They Say’ coming out in March on Real Tone, as well as another remix on Cityfox out soon and another of Tim Paris for Marketing..
I’ll also be busy with my two residencies this year – Winter Seaon at Rex Club and the summer season at Circoloco, DC10 in Ibiza. As well as touring the world to keep all of you with a smile on your face and your feet firmly on the floor – from the groove junkies to the minimal heads alike!
See you all in Room Two this weekend!
Anthony Collins, Dyed Soundorom and Shonky will be getting together for their last ever Freak N’ Chic fabric party this Saturday – for more info and tickets go here.
Elsewhere on the web
- http://www.myspace.com/collinsvibe
- http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/anthonycollins
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/anthony+collins
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anthony-Collins/163876360308526
