Klondike Kids Interview

This is one dope collaboration. Brighton producers Tom Caruana and Dutch Courage, come together to form the Klondike Kids. This project has been on the boil for a while, and I have been fortunate enough to hear snippets along the way. Now the project is finished, I took some time out with the duo to ask them a few questions. It gives a real insight into how the two worked together creating different elements of the tracks, constructing and delivering them together, genius. Be sure to hit play on “Live In The Palace” whilst you read through the interview.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Right first off, I gotta ask, where did the name come from?

D - We chose the name right at the end of making the album, it’s kind of a throw-away name but it’s linked with the 19th century gold rush (the Klondike was an area famous for gold mining). When we met we were into digging for samples for beats and I guess it’s got that digging for gold connotation to it.

T - Yeah, Spaghetti Saloon had this style to it that reminded us of a Honky Tonk piano being played in spaghetti western film, our name relates to the image that’s conjured up from that period of history.

What’s the concept behind the album?

D - There isn’t one really apart from the name and it’s imagery but we wanted to make evocative instrumental music, something that was going to be interesting and cinematic.

T - We wanted to make music that didn’t fit in one genre alone, to bring both of our influences into one project.

What is the intention of the album?

T -Since we met in 1998 we shared an interest in making beats, but it was always very much a solo thing to use samples and make beats. When we decided to create some music together we knew it had to be more based around using instruments and playing live.

D - I think we both wanted to write something different from the beats we were making and playing to each other but that also involved some of the more eclectic beat ideas we had.

Who does what?

T - A real mix to be honest. Some tracks were created from an individual basis (Klondike mike was Dutch’s samples he’d put together but with my touches on top) and we wrote some tracks together.

As an overall breakdown: Dutch did; programming, Sax, Flute, Piano, Keyboards, Synth. Me; Drums, programming, samples, Synth, some bits of Keyboard, Percussion and Guitar.

D - We also had the Shofar Horns (3 piece horn section I play in) on a couple of tracks, Joe Sam (Son of Sam) on bass on Live at The Palace, Lou Maggs (Shofar Allstars) guitar on Spaghetti Saloon, plus a kids choir appears on the album as well!

Who would you like to collaborate with on your next project if money were no object?

D - Tom Caruana.

T - Dutch Courage.

I’m currently listening to Spaghetti Saloon – top stuff! Are there plans to make it into a video?

D - No real plans, we did have an idea of that but it didn’t last long. We thought it was the most cinematic track and I suppose it could be a soundtrack for a short film or something like that. Not with us in it though.

What influenced you throughout this project?

T - Various things, all the good music that we had listened to over the years.

D - Definitely David Axelrod.

T - Yeah we were both really into Axelrod.

D - Overlanders is a nod to Fela Kuti. Other influences would be J Dilla, RJD2 & Madlib.

T - MF DOOM and Son of Sam musically; and I acquired a Juno synth that gave the tracks we used it on an electronic influence.

D - Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul, Funk, Breaks, Reggae….all good music really. We are influenced by so much different music aren’t we Tom?

T - We are Dutch.

What else can we expect from the Klondike Kids?

T - Another album in the near future.

D - An album mostly of instruments and live playing with a lot less programming.

T - We’d like to get some vocalists involved. A more song based album. We will be DJ’ing together whilst making the next album and be able to test ideas out in public.

Where can the good people actually download/buy some of this lovely stuff?

T - For the time being we’ve got some tunes to listen on the Klondike Kids Myspace page. and we’ll have CDs available in the near future.

Any plans to do any live shows with it?

T - This album would be quite difficult to recreate live but with our next material we will be conscious of making it work live so that we could perform it that way.

D - We know musicians we would like to get involved with that. I’d definitely enjoy that.

And before I say adios – can you leave us with a profound statement and any shout outs?

D - Keep it simple.

T - John Sam, Joe Sam, Dutch’s dad for the name, Budabeats,

D - Simpson, Daps, Balls Deep, Shofars, Eye United, Legwork, Adam Turner,The Gills.

The project has had a limited release so far far but make sure you keep checking the website as we are soon to do a digital release of the Klondike Kids. I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.

Words: Gabs