For two years now, Destination? has been going strong, despite changing venues, varying crowds and the ever fickle musical market in Perth. This February is back again after a blindingly successful 2nd birthday party. Hosted now by Ambar Nightclub, Destination? melds electronica with live instrumentation to form a jazzy sound born of our finest musical talents and passion for the eclectic. Destination? drawcards and founders Signal Drivers agreed to tell all about what we can expect over summer from them and this very special local night.

Hi guys, happy belated Destination? birthday! It was an absolute stormer. Are you feeling the pressure to deliver on the next one after that?

Pete: Thanks Megs. I don’t think we feel any pressure at all. The last Destination? was a product of 3 years hard work by a number of people. We’ve been building it for some time yet. We won’t be happy unless each Destination? is bigger and better than before. You thought last year was big…just wait!

Mark: There’s always pressure to improve on the last show but we always try to develop plans that implement something new and hopefully “drop the pressure” for the next time.

Take me back to the beginning, how was Destination? conceived?

Pete: It was conceived around 3 years ago when we wanted to bring a new element to the Perth scene by challenging the boundaries between DJs and live musicians. Together with Prizzy and Drassman we approached a number of venues before starting at The Kitchen. We wanted to create a night where people would come because it was “that night” and not because of a particular DJ or act playing. We wanted a night which you could turn up to when the doors opened till they closed and there would always be something there for you. We’ve worked hard on creating that Destination? vibe where people forget who is playing and just have a damn good time.

Mark: We saw an opportunity to host our own night with people we knew were doing good things in Perth. More than just DJ’s, we sought to showcase the best aspects of all music and created an atmosphere in the venue that you couldn’t just hire or buy. Destination? is so successful because it means a lot to us. We put everything into it.

Where do you hope to take it over the next 12 months?

Mark: Focus on developing the Destination? brand with shows at different non club venues and cement what is a good club night. Think of everything that comes to mind when you here about Destination?. Multiply that by one hundred and that’s where we want to be in 12 months.

Pete: Destination? will be moving onto the streets with the Destination? Summer Series over the next few weeks. The idea is to take the music directly out to the people and have a little fun by having a series of parties in the city and on the beach.

How hard is it to keep a regular night going in Perth? Do you ever feel disillusioned and ready to chuck it all in?

Pete: Initially it was extremely hard and only a belief that we could eventually make it work kept us going. The key is to surround yourselves with a team of professional and motivated people who share your vision of where the night is going. With these things in place the night really runs itself now and we can concentrate on adding the little touches which make the night special.

Mark: Early on there were a lot of logistical issues that often would throw a spanner in the works but by slowly working on these issues we have been able to build on the positives and now feel that all the hard work has paid off

Talk to me a bit about the Signal Drivers themselves, you have a solid reputation in Perth, what does 2006 hold for you guys?

Mark: Signal Drivers is looking to do more of what we love doing: music, music and more music. One thing we have been looking at for a while is a new web site that will give people greater access to Destination? and the going’s on of the Signal Drivers. This will be launched soon! We love doing radio and our show “Light The Fuse” has some big plans too.

Pete: We are full steam ahead in the studio. We’re working hard writing our own tunes as well as remixing tunes under another name. We’ll be working on our national profile too with some shows interstate. I played live for the first time earlier this year which was a fantastic experience which has taught us a lot more about our own production strengths and weaknesses.

Gig highlight of 2005?

Pete: We always put so much preparation into each gig that it was actually the unprepared which was the highlight for me. Warming up for Freq Nasty for 3 hours when he showed up late forced us to be creative and spontaneous. When warming up we normally aim to build the tension to a peak just before the guest starts but when he was 2 hours late we had to keep the tension at a peak for 2 hours not knowing when he was going to arrive. I think the club was exploding for about 2 hours that night.

Mark: News Years Eve at Ambar, not sure if it’s classed as end of 2005 or beginning of 2006 but the show went off, the crowd were great and the vibe was awesome! Great way to round off 2005…..or start 2006.

And on the flipside, lowlights?

Pete: For me, no low lights. You have to play a hundred empty rooms before you can play to thousands. If you can work those 3 people on the dance floor than you’re a better DJ than someone who can work 3000.

Mark: No real lowlights but organising Destination? all day, doing the show all night (that’s all good) can be really tiring especially the next day after having been up for 24hrs straight!

Can you describe your sound to the uneducated?

Pete: We essentially play mainly nu skool breaks but you will find plenty of electro, electro house, drum and bass and hip hop in our sets. I like to describe breaks at the moment as the great divide. You have your real funky party breaks and your tearout breaks. The stuff we play and our writing fits in the middle. I’m particularly influenced by a lot of electro sounds.

Mark: Our sound is unique in that we work with break beats and try to find that edge which makes the audience go “wow”. Whether it’s remixing, sampling and so on we try to give every set that special something which puts the Signal Drivers mark on the night.

How’s production on SD originals traveling?

Pete: Production is traveling great. It’s so exciting. We were lucky enough to have a release on the S2N Compilation “Synthetic Beats” and since then our production skills have multiplied. We’re getting some good feedback from some key industry people so hopefully we’ll breakout soon. It’s such a humbling experience to see people dancing to something you’ve created.

Mark: Really enjoying any opportunity I get to get into the studio. Could always do with more time though! Production is such a whole world of possibilities that can be explored. It’s very rewarding too.

We’ve seen how you work as a team, any solo efforts in the works?

Pete: We might occasionally play or write something individually but it’s always under Signal Drivers. I might take something such as the live show and want to develop it more and Mark might do the same but we are still very much a partnership.

Mark: Nothing planned. Signal Drivers is the name that we use to for ideas we have with breaks whether they be individual or collaborations.

Who are your picks for major local talent?

Pete: I always find this question tough because I rate so many people too highly to mention, but I’ll have a go and stick to breaks. Prizzy – will be DJing when he’s 60. Can mix anything, anytime under any conditions. He’s unparalleled in this area. The Beetslappaz – great DJ’s, producers and love what they’re doing with Soundbreaks. Karlsav -He knows how to talk the talk but this man has the stuff to back it up. If he keeps achieving at his rate he’ll go far. Nyquist Freqs – best new act of 2005. Innovative and great guys too. Micah’s a stalwart and it says a lot that I’ve never heard one bad thing about this guy and I’d also have to mention Buex and Dazz K for there longevity and professionalism.

Mark: Pete’s said it all really. What I like about the seen at the moment is there is so much choice and so much talent and everyone is coming together. The crew are such great people who are passionate about what they do.

How are you feeling about the direction of Perth’s scene across the board right now?

Pete: Breaks in Perth is riding a bit of a high at the moment and I think as new genres such as Grime and the resurgence of Electro House occur, breaks will need to consolidate itself as a genre. What we’ve been trying to do with all of our projects is to unite the breaks crews of Perth. Over the next 2 years I’m confident that Perth will be recognized internationally with quality production.

Mark: Very, very positive. There is a great vibe in Perth and there’s a general feeling amongst the industry in breaks that it’s going to be a big 2006!

Pete: Thanks Megs, great chatting with you

Mark: See you at the next Destination?....