Our very own Lauren Young got to catch up with Rob Birch from English electronic dance group Stereo MC's
The Stereo MC’s had the peak of their success in the 90s; have you found it challenging to continue to make music that is relevant?
Music is all about new challenges to stimulate creativity-when public enemy came with rebel without a pause it was like a new new sound hit the planet-u had to throw off all previous education and relearn a new foundation-still looking for that perfect beat man!!
Is reinventing the sound of the band something you actively strive for? Or something that comes about with each album?
Its something that come with being excited by new artists and sounds and submerging them with the tapestry of inspiration that is music history seen thru the lense of lifes past and present changing experience.
Having an album as famed as ‘Connected’ seems almost to be a burden on future musical endeavours as comparisons will always be made to new material. Was there a time when you thought there was nothing more to produce under the Stereo MC’s?
No but there was a time when we felt the pressure of that expectation like a boulder holding u down on the railway track but we shrugged it before the train came .At that time between connected and deep down and dirty we struggled to find a goal but really we had to replace the goal posts.
personally i still love connected, but i love all of our records and i've very proud of them all. the new record is a record made from the heart and free of expectations.
You have been a group for over two decades, how do you keep the fresh ideas flowing?
Keep working/listening/reflecting/trying new ideas/stepping out of comfort zones/seeing challenges as motivation rather than anxiety/being good mates
You’ve collaborated with some impressive artists for ‘The Emperor’s Nightingale’, what did they bring to the table?
ELECTRICITY!!!!!!! bouncing boards/new lunch menu/objectivity/alternative perception viewpoint technique and skill and vibrations.....
What is the standout on the new album for you both personally?
I cant answere that....it would be like favouring one family member over another
What is your opinion on the rap game today? What has changed since the 90s and what hasn’t?
DIVERSITY AND MESSAGE IS HARD TO FIND IN THE PRESENT RAP GAME
You have performed live with an impressive catalogue of artists. Who are you yet to play with that has always been an ambition?
brian eno / skream / ennio morriconne / black thought from the roots / sade / joe cocker / switch
Finally, if the band were an animal, what animal would you be?!
a chameleon
peace Rob
Lauren Young - AAA Backstage
