Canberra duo Jeff Drake and Mikah Freeman might not yet be household names, but with the unique and diverse combination that is ‘Two-Square’ as well as praise from the likes of Hernan Cattaneo and James Zabiela, they may soon be in everyone’s record box.
A new comer to dance music, Drake quickly established himself in his hometown of Brisbane. Arriving in Canberra in 2002, Drake’s DJing reputation was already known and within weeks he secured residency at the premier Lot 33. Nowadays Drake holds four residencies, has supported many internationals, and was voted at number 44 in the 2003 Australian Top 50 DJ Poll. As well as DJing, Drake has experimented with production, and is one half of Canberra’s leading club night, ‘Friction’.
Also part of the ‘Friction’ family, the versatile Freeman has supported a diverse and vast array of international and local talent including Chris Lum, James Zabiela, Kid Kenobi and Phil K. Also involved in the realm of promotions, Freeman is partly responsible for Canberra’s popular event ‘Fuse’, which sadly is no longer running because of venue closure.
One late night at ‘Friction’ a chance back to back set saw Drake and Freeman create ‘Two-Square’. As ‘Two-Square’ Drake and Freeman play across two mixers and as many decks and CDJs, using numerous tools including live re-editing, acapella’s, on the spot mash-ups, loops, fx as well as their own specially created DJ tools.
“We just communicated really well” says Drake of the experience, “our styles fell together nicely, creating a real energy and excitement for both us and the audience… While our styles are slightly different, we both have the same attitude and philosophical approach to playing records”.
Both Drake and Freeman’s versatile styles allows for the spontaneity needed to create the unique and original experience that is ‘Two-Square’. Drake’s sound has been described as a diverse mix of musical sounds that touches on house, breaks, progressive, and techno. While Freeman’s sound also transcends genres, touching on deep and sexy house, progressive, electro and breaks. All this combines for originally spontaneous sounds that sometimes surprise each other. “Those moments when we look across at each other with that ‘what the f*ck is that’ look on our faces are pretty special” tells Drake. “Well we’re yet to be booed off stage so I guess what we’re doing is somewhat tolerable. Seriously, the response has been wicked so far, both in Canberra and interstate. We think people are enjoying the fact that it is something different and unique”.
Playing at Space on February 7th as part of ‘Junction’, both Drake and Freeman are looking forward to bringing ‘Two-Square’ to Sydney for the second time, after previously playing at Gas. “Our expectations are quite high” says Drake. “Simon has put together a great party with excellent attention to detail and the line-up of DJs we are playing alongside is quality. Add to this the fact that we have been really busy making heaps of special new DJ tools and tricks for this gig and it all combines for us to have a really good feeling about what is going to happen at Junction. Hopefully we can show Sydney what we are capable of”.
Jeff Drake and Mikah Freeman are performing as Two Square at Junction at Space on February 7th along side Mark Dynamix, Craig Obey plus others. Check out ITM Whatson HERE.
