Drum and bass producers are one of New Zealand’s biggest and best exports and The Upbeats are no exception. Ahead of their Australian tour James Broadhurst caught up with Jeremy Glenn and Dylan Jones to talk about their new album, their recent world tour and plenty more.

Ed: You two have been around the world and back again on the back of your latest album Nobody’s Out There. How do you think people have reacted to this album?

We’ve been really happy with the response. We weren’t sure how people would take the concept, it’s great to hear from people who have taken the time to actually go in and read through the story. We have also had overwhelming support from the people within the scene we look up to, which has been a huge reward for all the time we put into it. 

Ed: I’m interested to know what the theme of Nobody’s Out There is all about?

We knew from the outset that we wanted the album to follow a story and we were hooked pretty early on with the fairy tale concept, it kinda fitted the vibe of our music. We set to work coming up with a rough storyline for our little tale and then used that as direction for the music. So the music does all follow a theme as it was created as the soundtrack to the story. 

Ed: Nobody’s Out There is an awesome example of the different stuff you guys are capable of making in the studio. Were all the bits’n’pieces made specifically for the album or did you have some of the tracks tucked away from earlier projects that wouldn’t have made it as a single?

Seeing as we worked on the album for so long everything on there is created for the album, except the vinyl exclusive tunes. It gave us a new challenge trying to write music with a specific scene from the story in mind, which made it quite difficult at times, but really fun to work on something different like that. 

Ed: You two have been together in the studio for a long time now, how does the creative process work with you two?

The main thing is having fun together. We both still write music on our own as well, so it’s cool bringing those separate ideas into the studio and getting the other persons take on it. As far as having to pay attention to the process, we’ve been really lucky that it has been a really natural progression from 9 years ago til now. 

Ed: I’d like to pick your brains on the videos you guys have had done to accompany ‘Thinking Cap.’ Where did the idea of doing movies to accompany your tracks come from and why did you decide to go down this path?

With the story and ill ustrations it seemed like the perfect setup to do some animated video clips. So we gave the guys at Mo Fresh their choice of scenes and songs from the album and they chose Thinking Cap. We were over the moon with the result and it’s a great way for people to get a feel for the concept of the album to start with. Hopefully the video will encourage some people to read through the whole story. 

Ed: What were some of the most memorable moments from your recent world tour to promote the album?

One highlight is going in to the greasy spoon cafes in London. Nothing like beans, bacon, sausage n eggs all with pale milky tea. Apart from that we played some ridiculous shows, like 2000 people in both Portugal and Hungary.

Ed: I know you guys have only been back home for a few months, but have you got any thoughts about what you would like to work on next?

Yeah we’ve just launched our new record label ‘Non Vogue’. The first release on that comes out August 4th and features collaborations with State of Mind, Evol Intent & Ewun. Following up from that we have another collaboration 12” with us and Noisia on one side, and us with Maldini on the flip. Following on from that, we’re already brainstorming on the concept for the next album.

Ed: I don’t know what it is about you New Zealanders, but you really know how to make drum and bass well over there. Is there something in the water we should know about?

Good beer and pies make all the difference. That and a really healthy community of producers all willing to help each other out.

Ed: What is it like having so many talented producers and artists like Bulletproof, SOM, Trei, Dose, Agent Alvin, Antiform living and working in NZ? What does it mean for you two having people like that around you? Does it motivate you for the right reasons, the wrong reasons or both?

Yeah it’s great, mainly because they’re all friends of ours and also because it keeps us on our toes, we can’t be left behind. 

Ed: I know Agent Alvin and Antiform are big on their broken beat and Bulletproof’s latest album has a little bit of dub step flavour on there, are you looking at diversifying your sound even more in the future?

Yes always. But not really towards any set genre, we have always just written music we like, regardless of tempo or style. 

Ed: What do you guys look forward to when you find out you have been booked to play in Australia and Perth in particular?

Go karts. Enough said. Deon I’m coming to get ya! Oh, and the accent. We love it.

Five things you do not already know about The Upbeats.

I wait until no one is watching and then I’ll…

Get the bat out of the cave

Dr.Phil needs to…

Donate his fortune to us

All the world needs is…

Chocolate milk 

If I could be anyone for a day I would be…

President Bush. For self ownage.

If I could have a super power I would want…

Invisibility on demand, there has never been a more deviant super power.

You can catch The Upbeats doing their thing live at All Black featureing The Upbeats at The Rosemount Hotel on August 16.