Boys Noize & Erol's Double A Single

Robots, cogs, preserved snakes, and skulls...  an eruption of lemonade, and fish rising from the dead. Random, bizarre but somewhat genius. Lemonade, the new video from Berlin’s Boys Noize and London’s Erol Alkan, is a shining example of explosive electronica. Following last summer’s success with double header Waves and Death Suite, the boys have reunited to bring club salvation with double A side offering, Avalanche and Lemonade. Deep and seductive with a heavy dose of fizz, an energetic sensory overload is the result. Innovators of Nu Disco, Erol and Alex Ridha from Boys Noize talk to Dazed Digital about teapots, trousers and making videos. 


Dazed Digital: First, tell us about the collaboration of Erol and Boys Noize. Who wears the trousers?

Erol Alkan: It began through friendship and respect. We each wear one leg of the same trouser.
Alex Ridha: I remember in 2005, I was sending Erol vinyl promos of my first releases on Boysnoize Rec (BNR) and I heard he was playing that stuff in the club. In 2006 he invited me to play with him in London and it went on from there.


DD: Describe your creative process.

Erol Alkan: As well as working separately in our respective studios, Alex and I have had a really natural and remarkably fast series of studio sessions together. Both Avalanche, Lemonade and one other track all came from a demo which we made in an hour after finishing Waves. We just chuck as many exciting elements in as possible and then take turns to mix a track down, whilst the other one of us barks instructions down iChat.
Alex Ridha: For us it was important to be in a room together to get those initial ideas. I went to Erol’s London studio and he came to mine in Berlin. We had a lot of fun.


DD: Why release double A singles each time you collaborate?

Erol Alkan: I personally don't believe in relegating something to the back. Some of my favourite records began as B sides. But for club music, I feel that both tracks are as valid as each other, but in different ways.

DD: Lemonade and Avalanche are sure to be summer anthems. How do you think people will interpret them on the dancefloor?

Erol Alkan: By doing anything which avoids flailing objects about is fine by me.
Alex Ridha: Oh, there’ll be plenty of moves, The Pepperman, The Housebuilder, The Swordfighter, The Teapot and all that kind of stuff.

DD: You turned to eccentric duo Ollie Murray and Rohan Wadham from Decoy for your video, Lemonade, why’s that?

Erol Alkan: A friend put me onto them and showed me their most recent projects which I thought felt really fresh. We gave them the choice of making a video for either side of the single and they chose Lemonade. It was their first music video so there was an exciting naive approach.



DD: What were the hardest parts of putting the video together?

Erol Alkan: I imagine they had a pretty hectic time editing the footage to the music, and the truth is that once you get a series of edits in perfect sync, then you need to go back and make sure the rest is perfect as well.
 

DD: How does your music reflect your personalities?

Erol Alkan: I don't know if mine does. I treat music as a form of escapism.
Alex Ridha: Some people think I’m the craziest guy doing those ‘noises’, in fact I’m quite boring.



DD: Erol you’re a bit of an innovator, how do you manage to stay one step ahead of the game?

Erol Alkan: I haven't tried to. I just try to stick to what I believe in.

DD: What advice do you have for anyone getting into the industry?

Erol Alkan: Don't get into the 'industry'.
Alex Ridha: It sounds cheesy, but we started with DJing and producing because we love it and that’s what we can do best. The moment you start to think of music as a business you should have a break.



DD: Describe your most rock star moments
Alex Ridha: Making fresh juice every morning.


DD: What are your career highs and lows?

Erol Alkan: I can't view this as a career, it’s too dangerous.
Alex Ridha: I like to get high. 


DD: What is your ideal dance soundtrack?

Erol Alkan: Saturday Night Fever, OST.
Alex Ridha: Young MC, Bust a Move.


DD: So, what next?

Erol Alkan: Sleep!
Alex Ridha: Going out with the dog for a shit!

Lemonade and Avalanche are out on Beatport now. Phantasy's next release, 'NEVER STOP', the first single from Chilly Gonzales' IVORY TOWER, the album and the Movie, produced by Boys Noize, is also out now on Beatport.