Name any career within the House Music scene and you’ll most likely discover that the Inland Knights have already got it covered. DJs, producers, promoters and record label owners, Laurence Ritchie and Andy Riley take the concept of “multi-skilled” to an entirely new level.
Ritchie and Riley first met whilst engaging in an activity which lies at the very origins of the dance music industry – the organization, promotion and hosting of free, large-scale, dance events of questionable legality. As members of the now infamous Smokescreen Soundsystem rave collective, they were at least partially responsible for some of the United Kingdom’s most memorable free parties held during the 1990’s, a practice which was severely curtailed following the introduction of legislation specifically targeted at the underground dance music scene.
Finding their creative juices effectively stymied by the new laws, Ritchie and Riley decided a change tack was in order and, with the formation of Inland Knights, both members soon fashioned a new outlet for their love of all things House Music orientated.
To compliment their newly invented role as producers (and to facilitate the release of their own productions) the Knights then founded Drop Music, an independent record label which, like both of its founders, is devoted to the promotion and release of high-quality dance music tracks. Since its initial release of “Inland Knights Volume 1”, Drop Music has released in excess of 30 tracks, most of which are the work of Laurence Ritchie and Andy Riley under a variety of alternate guises.
2001 saw the release of “Creative Spaces”, the first, well received, full-length album from the Inland Knights. Since then the duo have toured relentlessly, continued to release a bevy of critically acclaimed tracks and have seen their previous releases licensed to the likes of Global Underground and Nite Life.
The Island Knights’ tour bus has currently parked itself on Australia’s sunny shores courtesy of Loaded Entertainment. Luckily for us, Andy Riley was able to take a few moments to answer a range of questions posed to him by ITM’s Graham Henstock.
ITM: The two of you first met due to your mutual involvement with Smokescreen Soundsystem. What was Smokescreen Soundsystem, and what effect did your involvement with it have on you?
AR: Smokescreen was a crew of people with a truck full of equipment whose aim it was to do as many outdoor/warehouse/clubs/festivals as possible. Smokescreen consisted of DJ’s/sound people/lighting people, people who would go out finding party sites and general helpers. This went on for many years and attracted hundreds of people who would come out to party for up to a couple of days at a time sometimes. Smokescreen still does the occasional party and if we’re around we’ll play. It inspired us to start writing tracks of our own and start a label… Basically everything that came after smokescreen was inspired by it!
ITM: Given your remarkably hectic tour schedule, how do you make time for producing?
AR: Well last year we took some time out from touring so much so that we could get in the studio more. When we’re playing at home we can devote our weeks to writing tracks. ITM: Do you ever take time off? If so, what do you do to relax? AR: Sit down, drink beer, watch TV and play with the kids (we’re both dads).
ITM: You DJ together, tour together and produce together, so you must pretty much live in each others pockets. Do you ever get on each other’s nerves?
AR: Yes.
ITM: What makes an Inland Knight set unique?
AR: We play back to back and also include a few exclusive tracks that maybe we’ve been working on or people have sent us.
ITM: What inspired you to set up Drop Music?
AR: No one else would release our tracks, so I had to.
ITM: I’d like to know a little bit more about Drop Music. Does the label have a particular philosophy or aim?
AR: Just to release tracks we like really.
ITM: Do you have a particular approach to producing? Is there a particular order (ritual?) you follow when composing a track?
AR: Usually things tend to start by writing some nice beats then we will look for a few inspiring samples and things just go from there. Everything starts with a kick drum for us though.
ITM: What elements do you look for in a great house track?
AR: Good production and soul
ITM: The popularity of House Music seems to fluctuate a lot from year to year. What, in your opinion, is the current state of the House Music scene?
AR: Well the “superclub” thing has definitely gone in the UK. House has returned to its underground roots, where the music takes priority over the hype.
ITM: What would you most like to be remembered for?
AR: Writing a few tracks that stood the test of time.
ITM: What can we expect from Inland Knights over the next twelve months (releases, tours, scandals, etc)?
AR: We have just done remixes for NRK and Mobile Tracks and we’ve completed a compilation album for NRK which features some older tracks of ours plus a mixed CD of tracks we have licensed from other producers. Other than that we’re still just plugging away at Drop Music. As for tours, maybe a couple later in the year (possibly the US and NZ). The only scandals I know of are the ones Laurence is wearing on his feet.
The Inland Knights will be demonstrating their multiple skills at:
Fri Mar 4 – Sydney @ Slip Inn
Sat Mar 5 – Brisbane @ Family
Fri Mar 11 – Adelaide @ Electric Circus
Sun Mar 13 – Sydney @ Sounds
Sun Mar 13 – Melbourne @ 161
