What don’t you know about the Plump DJs? With their Fabric Live mix CD and debut artist album Eargasm both doing huge things this year they have certainly managed to attract their fair share of attention. And rightfully so as well – Fabric Live 08 has been the largest selling in the series thus far and Eargasm successfully demonstrated that these two disc jockeys were about more than just inflicting madness on a dancefloor.
You’d think the endless touring and promoting (which already included a sold out tour to OZ at the beginning of the year) would mean it’s finally time for some rest. But for one of the duo, Lee Rous, a few weeks break means another chance to get back down under and spin some records. It’s not the first time Rous has toured solo (he played a string of well received shows in April 2001) and judging from the response in ticket sales with shows sold out on both sides of the country weeks before his arrival we can’t seem to get enough of anything Plump. Lee took a few moments of his time to answer a few quick questions from ITM.
Hi Lee, you’re soon to play across Australia from small club gigs right up to a large outdoor event which has already sold out – are you excited?
Blown away already
Where are you at the moment and what have you been up to?
In Laboratoire Plump with Andy making records. We’ve also been touring Asia and Europe.
I imagine there’s been a lot of promotion for ‘Eargasm’, are you over it or still getting over the success of it? Has it been everything you hoped for the album?
There is still much work to do and many countries we’ve never played in such as USA and Canada. Also more tracks to write and remixes to do.
You’re touring Australia without your partner in crime Andy, does this mean Time Out Magazine’s best looking DJ can get up to more trouble or will just have more time to go fishing?
TROUBLE!
Does it get lonely touring solo having been so used to touring with Andy?
Yes but you can’t miss an opportunity like this!
You demonstrated with ‘Eargasm’ that there is a much greater depth and variety in the Plumps sound, is there anything different to expect in having one Plump play instead of two?
I am inspired by the tracks Andy plays and enjoys and will be playing many of them whilst in Australia.
Whilst “The Plump DJs” have had a huge profile in dance music circles for sometime ‘Eargasm’ certainly seems to have opened you up to a wider audience. Has there been any change in the audiences you’ve played to?
They have become more intense and larger on occasions.
In the lead up to your Perth show at Ambar (and I imagine the same situation applies elsewhere) the general feeling has been that this may be the last time to catch you in such intimate surrounds of a small club. Is this a trend that’s happening everywhere?
We love all sizes of venues for different reasons and will continue to enjoy small clubs always, especially ones kitted out like Ambar!
You and Andy seem to be best of mates but is there ever the urge to do solo projects to fuel individual interests whether producing, remixing or collaborations? If so, are there any such projects in the pipeline?
No solo projects long term… we try to keep things as tight as possible.
You’ve been to Oz enough times, what are you looking forward to most about the trip?
Realising a dream.
Can you give us any hints as to what to expect from your sets? Any new exciting tracks or remixes?
4 new Plump tracks!
If you had to choose an Oz DJ to tag team with for the tour as an “Andy Fill In” who would you consider choosing and why?
Kid Kenobi cause he kicks ass!
It’s been a busy year with your Fabric Live doing big things on the mix CD market, your Essential Mix melting many a modem and ‘Eargasm’ blasting your name into the wider music market – what next? A long holiday? Retiring to the country? A classical or disco remix compilation?
Techno records? An ambient album? We’re just trying to enjoy the here and now!
Be sure to catch Lee as he travels from coast to coast to take in the following cities and venues in the next fortnight:
Fri 03/10/03 – Prince of Wales – Melb (ITM TIX SOLD OUT)
Sat 04/10/03 – University of Canberra – Canberra
Sun 05/10/03 – Harbourlife – Sydney (SOLD OUT)
Thu 09/10/03 – The Family – Brisbane
Fri 10/10/03 – The Metro – Sydney (Extra Show Added)
Sat 11/10/03 – Ambar – Perth (SOLD OUT)
