If you think you’re sick of hearing the Freestylers’ ‘Push Up’, spare a thought for the guys that wrote it. “You kind of become numb to it,” laughs one half of the London duo, Aston Harvey. “I’ve been performing it with a band, playing it as a DJ. Hopefully when we finish the new album, they’ll be another tune to get sick of.”
‘Push Up’ was a defining moment for the Freestylers. A Prince-ly slice of poptastic breaks from their ‘Raw as Fuck’ album, it shook its hips all the way to number two on the ARIA charts last year (denied the top spot only by Idol finalist, Paulini), saturating radio and Video Hits along the way. Suddenly, Harvey and music partner Matt Cantor reached critical mass, busting out of the underground clubs and onto the dance floors of Top 40 clubs and suburban hot spots around the country. Australian Idol reject, Flynn Liu, not only performed it live, but recorded it for the ‘Idol Forgettables’ album. The song – and the group – would never be the same. “It definitely took us to a bigger audience, although I can’t say it’s changed my lifestyle,” says Harvey about the chart explosion. “It’s increased the work we’re getting and now I can tour with a band without any support from the record label. I’m not driving round in a Ferrari yet though.”
Inspired by their taste of success around the world and somewhat incensed by the lack of it back home (it did hardly as well in the UK), the pair now have set their sights on a new challenge for album number four – conquering the charts. In a move that might surprise older fans, the boys are keen to emulate ‘Push Up’s hot-stepping success and then some. “We feel we can do underground music until the cows come home and with our eyes closed. So we’re interested in using our knowledge of a club sound and delivering songs with more crossover appeal,” explains Harvey. “It’s exciting because we’re doing something different.”
The push into more charted territory also reflects the changing dynamics of the group. These days, they’re just as likely to perform as a live seven-piece band (as they did for this year’s Big Day Out tour) as a DJ duo. “We have a really great band who can tour live and I want to utilise that to the maximum,” explains Harvey. Hardcore breaksheads needn’t despair too much though. “It’s not like we’re doing out-and-out pop like Kylie Minogue sort of stuff,” he says reassuringly. “We always make our tunes sound raw. It’s just something that will appeal to a wider audience.” Harvey’s quick to point out the album – due around the end of the year – will still boast some major dance floor artillery. Those seismic basslines aren’t going anywhere, it seems. “There’s a lot of rocky elements on the album with loads of guitar,” he says.
The duo have recently collaborated with Perth-cum-London outfit Pendulum on a “rocky drum and bass adventure” featuring Freestyler live MC, Sir Real, on the mic. If early field tests are anything to go by, it’s bound to punch holes in the speakers just like their previous team effort, the stupidly catchy ‘Fasten Your Seatbelts’. “We’ve got to add a few more bits to it, but I played it last night in Newcastle and it went down wickedly,” says Harvey excitedly.
No doubt the prototype will get a right flogging as the Freestylers roam the country on their current Australian DJ tour. Taking in regional areas including Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Hobart and Cairns plus the capitals, the ten-date jaunt is their most extensive to date in Australia – testament again to the doors opened up by their signature tune. “The more successful you get, the more people want to see you,” says Harvey. “We haven’t actually toured over here properly since about 2003. Last year we only did a few dates on the East Coast.”
This time around, they’ll be joined by MC Sir Real, who fronted for them on the Big Day Out tour earlier this year. As Harvey tells it, previously it’s been Cantor who ends up rockin’ the mic after too many bevvies, but this time they’ve brought a “professional”. “Matt’s still getting drunk but he’s just on the decks now,” laughs Harvey. “It’s definitely a good move. We’ve always wanted to bring an MC over but it’s always a bit more costly.”
And what about that song? Will the lads be whipping it out for old time’s sake? Well maybe. These days, they have a variety of bootlegs they can throw in the mix. No doubt Flynn can’t wait.
Don’t miss the Freestylers remaining shows across the country this September and October:
Fri Sep 30th – Melbourne, Prince of Wales (BUY TICKETS)
Sat Oct 1st – Brisbane, Parklife (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Oct 2nd – Sydney, Parklife (BUY TICKETS)
Wed Oct 5th – Armidale, UNE Union
Thu Oct 6th – Hobart, Halo
Fri Oct 7th – Canberra, Academy (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Oct 9th – Cairns, Gilligans
