Elektrik Interview: OthaSoul

OthaSoul

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Hello and welkome to The Elektrik Cave. How are you? OthaSoul: Opal Fruits

Elektrik Cave – As I always ask in my radio interviews, ‘What is the purpose of music?’ A very deep and philosophical question to start. However, on The Elektrik Cave blog you have no more than 10 words to answer that question in? OthaSoul: To be a constant in an otherwise inconsistent world.

EC – OthaSoul. How did you come to that name?

Jungle VIP: I released my solo tune ‘One’ which Dozer produced and had to come up with a name to release it under. Me being mix raced I had to tick the ‘other’ box my whole life and I’ve always felt like the category of music I was into fell into the ‘other’ category. When me and Dozer formed the group I realised that it applied to what we were doing so much that it just had to be the name. We’ve got that Otha-Soul in our system.

EC – How did you all meet?

Dozer Carter: Me and Jungle had a mutual bredrin, Nagre who told Jungle to holla me for beats a couple years ago. Turned out we lived in the same ends randomly. Jungle and DMobbs have known each other since back in the day and as soon as we heard his debut beat tape we knew he had to be involved.

Left to right, D Mobbs, Jungle VIP and Dozer Carter

EC – Do any of you (out of D Mobbs, Jungle VIP and Dozer Carter) have any hidden musical talents? I believe one of you may be a drummer?

Jungle VIP: Yeah, I used to play Jazz Drums but I ain’t picked up the sticks in a while. Now I’m trying to single handedly bring back the talkbox!

DMobbs: I played the violin at school, played bass in a few bands and taught myself piano.

Dozer Carter: I don’t play shit ha!

Jungle VIP: But he’s just black like liquorice inside!

EC – Haha. The video for Crip Walking on the Nightingale Floor came out not too long ago? You guys filmed that in June – what was that like? It looked like a lot of fun.

Set of Crip Walking on the Nightingale Floor

Dozer Carter: We had a good team around us for that video. Shout out to Angie Abramovich and Kat Astner! There was quite a large cast and we had limited time at the location so their planning made it easy for us. Was a sick day.

EC – The OthaSoul show on Itch Fm? What sort of music do you play on it? How long have you guys been doing that for? The best guest you’ve had on the show? 

Jungle VIP: Soul Hip-hop, neosoul, boom-bap and dreamy trap! Me and DJ Chux been doing it now for about a year. Best guest so far has probably been JD Reid. Cool guy, turned out he’s from just down the road as well. Camden’s hot right now! Lock in every Friday 8-10pm.

EC – Best gig? Why?

Dozer Carter: Bestival this year was CRAAAAZY… Check the tour diary on youtube!

EC – Worst gig? Why?

Dozer Carter: Jesus, we had a gig last NYE in Shoreditch and erm… Starting celebrating a bit too early. Lucky for us pretty much everyone else in the venue was smashed as well.

EC – Who would you absolutely love to support?

DMobbs: Eric Lau could be quite sick. Too many to name, any neo-soul producers that use live bands really.

Jungle VIP: A Tribe Called Quest would be crazy. So would Kendrick Lamar. But I’d have to go for D’Angelo. Dozer Carter: Roc Marciano… Say no more.

EC – Ideal venue to do a gig?

Dozer Carter: Headlining ‘The Forum’ Kentish Town would mean a lot to us. Prestigious venue in our own manor.

EC – Next gig? Jungle VIP: Old Blue Last, Old Street, Friday 14th Nov. BE THERE!

EC – What can we expect from you guys in the next 3-6 months? Dozer Carter: Dropping our new video in the next couple weeks. Got a new album coming. Expect some crazy features!

The OthaSoul Spekial on Roundhouse Radio will be coming very soon.

 Like The Elektrik Cave on Facebook or follow @Erica_McKoy on Twitter to keep posted.

Five Elektrik Gems

The top five trakks I’ve had on repeat this week.

1. OthaSoul – Crip Walkin on the Nightingale Floor

Last week I spoke to, and saw these guys live after spending months talking to them online about doing an interview and session for The Elektrik Cave. They’re a lovely group of producers, so keep you’re eyes peeled for more.

2. Dionne Warwick – Anyone Who Had A Heart

I’ve got a Sound Ekho track, thats been a favourite of mine over the last week.

Dionne Warwick’s “Anyone Who Had A Heart” hit the Billboard Top Ten in January 1964 and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cilla Black’s version got to number 1 on the charts.

3. Bugz in the Attic – Worla Hurt

From the album, Back in the Dog House, released on V2 Music in 2006

Indeed it does feel like “theres a lot of love missing”, and “we should be united”. So, if you want a track to put you in a better mood for sharing the love then this is the one.

4. Wodoo Wolcan – I Live For The Funk, I’ll Die For The Funk

Has been on repeat for the last week. Once you hear it, you’ll understand why I have no more to say.

5. abhi//dijon – Honest

Very soulful vibe. These two are from the States. Check out more of their stuff on SoundCloud.

Mos Def – ‘Black On Both Sides’

It’s been 15 years (to the day), that Yasiin Bey formely known as Mos Def released ‘Black on Both Sides’ on Rawkus Records.

He sampled the likes of Fela Kuti, Dionne Warwick, Erykah Badu and others.

Lets just take a moment to remember how classy this album is.  I think it’s a seriously beautiful, and well crafted album. www.hiphopisread.com has put together and recently posted a blog post on all the samples used in that album.

The Elektrik Cave – 4th October 2014

European Electronic and Jazz gems.

If anyone fancies a light, evening listen then check out the last The Elektrik Cave show, recorded live at the Roundhouse.

The Elektrik Cave on @RoundhouseRadio from 6-7pm. Saturday. Every fortnight.

Elektrik Gem – Erica’s favourite trakk of the week (Roselien – Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing) | Sound Ekho – An old elektronik trakk (Extended Spirit – Pressure)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Erica_Mckoy
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/the-elektrik-cave
Blog: https://elektrikcave.wordpress.com/

Music from Jazzanova (Germany), Sumochief (UK) and Roselien (Belgium).

Five Elektrik Gems

The top five trakks I’ve had on repeat this week.

1. Portico – Living Fields ft Jono McCleery

Portico announced last week that they were signed to Ninja Tune, which came as no surprise to The Elektrik Cave, it’s obvious that they would fit right in to the Ninja Tune family. This is a new track they have released with Jono McCleery on Ninja Tune.

2. DubRocca – Making Me Feel

Well this made me think of The Elektrik Caves early days, and I’ve been dancing around to this track all week. DJ Cameo, played it on 1Xtra about 10 days ago. So, it’s brand spanking new!

3. Tom Misch – In the Middle of The Night

A slightly darker track than usual for Mr Misch, but it still sounds effortless and beautiful.

Also, Tom has just posted a free download.

4. Flying Lotus – Never Catch Me ft Kendrick Lamar

I’ve said it already this week, but I’ll say it again. Thank you Flying Lotus!

5. SumoChief – 1of1 (Handbook Remix)

To celebrate their remix EP, they’ve posted the first track off the EP. Released on Lunatick Records.

Tune in to The Elektrik Cave tomorrow on Roundhouse Radio, from 6-7pm, I’ll be playing the remix.

Mark de Clive Lowe – Sketch For Miguel

One of the nicest producers, I’ve had a chance to meet and interview for Elektrik TV.

MdCL – Sketch For Miguel, from the album CHURCH

Thank you Mark for giving us this great video. It’s fantastic.