Striking out earlier this year with their bambamMuzik label, Sydney house DJ production duo Tom Piper & Elroy have just reached their first big landmark: the release of Upsized, the first album in a series of compilations made up entirely of 100 per cent local tunes signed to the label.

So what sort of tunage can we expect from Upsized? Think Tommy Trash, RobKAY, Craig Obey, Q45, PTY LTD, Grafton Primary as well as Elroy & Tom Piper themselves. It’s a fresh and unreleased collection of mix of house in its many different forms from electro, tech, progressive and the so-hot-right-now ‘twitch’. ITM has a chat with Elroy about the release, and how they’ve been going with the label.

How would you describe your sound?

Well BambamMuzik doesn’t really have a set ‘sound’, best to say house music and all its sub genres, because we dabble in straight house, techy prog stuff and the electro bassline house stuff . On the label we have all different kinds of things: remixes allow us to cater to everyone though! Live and remix wise we have moved into the fidget side of things, but really don’t stick to ‘one’ sound.

How did you first get started in the music industry?

Both of us went to raves from young ages and we both started playing records at a young age, I was putting lots of raves on and I met Tom through an ex girlfriend from many years ago. Tom would come to my parties and he was just a cool funny dude, we hung out worked on some beats and things just went from there ..

What was your first experience of electronic music?

Well for me is was growing up with family and older cousin that where into hip hop and hip house in the 80s and I was exposed to it at a really young age getting into Mel and Kim, Maddona , Necleus. Tom was a little raver from the age of 16, before that he played in bands. Punk rock n stuff! So I suppose raves were the start for young Tom.

What are you working on right now?

We have just released our first album on the label, its called Upsized, must to check out for anyone that’s into the electro/prog/tech club sound. Right now we are working on a remix for Ministry over in the UK and a mix for Central of a new garage act. Also in progress for a follow up of Point’n’Clap and some other originals. We still actually have four tracks we have previously done coming out through bambam over the next couple of months before we have some even newer stuff, so noo rush!

Who has been your favourite artist to work with?

For me, remixing the Grafton Primary stuff , those guys have it going on so badly its scary, they are like a nu-skool Stereo MCs with a new wave vibe. Ben Garden from Cabin Crew/Aviators is an amazing songwriter and producer and I guess it must run in the family cause he’s teamed up with his brother on the Grafton Project and they just write amazing music, so when you get the parts to remix, its takes you a month to work out what you want to do cause you have a million ideas run through your head. For example their last single I did two very different remixes because I couldn’t decide which way to go. I just asked Tom, and he said he likes working with anyone except me. Hahaha.

What’s more fun; playing or creating?

Creating definitely, cause you don’t know what’s going to happen next and there is no limitations to what you can do! Don’t get me wrong, playing is great to cause when you have finished creating you get to play the creation! But there’s limits to what you can do when you DJing. Tom just nodded at me agreeing.

Where’s home?

Cocklebay Wharf in Sydney, just opposite the iMax! Just kidding, haha we are Gladesville/Putney crew! Nice, not to far from the city and not to close. Water at the end of our streets and it’s peaceful, good for creative energy!

Where’s your favourite place to play?

I like to play as long as there is good sound and good working equipment, nothing worse than playing on a shit PA and crap DJ booth.

What do you love about the dance music scene in Australia?

It’s got sooo much talent for such a small country and there is big support for local stuff by everyone in the scene!

Any memorable touring experiences?

We only just started touring for our new mix album, but the first date was in Perth last Friday, it was great! Just hard on the head and body the next morning if ya know what I mean, Tequila ain’t the best thing for breakfast. Tom has some great video footage of me. If anyone has seen Tom’s RandomFresh videos, expect to see me in one in the future.

Who are your favourite artists?

Soo many to mention but first and for most every person we have on bambamMuzik!

Who have been your greatest influences?

For me damm growing up with so much different music in my life , but electronically I would owe it all to Ming D, tha one the only Biz-E , Sugar Ray and Phil Smart the Love parties where amazing, Old Boy Tim Mach 5 for keeping the vibe alive till 95 then that was it, boohoo goodbye the real warehouse times! So many great guys we used to watch growing up and hearing all this amazing electronic music for both of us that gave us both a good knowledge and foundation.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Still running the label in cyberspace and writing music that we like, and in Kutchan/Niseko riding the best Japanese powder snow every morning and night. Tom say’s he’ll see himself in a mirror, or some hi-tech mirror like device, holding a copy of Upsized #42.

What’s one thing you hope to achieve that you haven’t accomplished yet?

A #1 original tune that is, remixes we done but original tune not yet. Damn it, Point’n’Clap got to #2, but damn Van Helden wouldn’t budge for like 15 weeks! We get you Armand! Hahaha

Upsized mixed by Tom Piper & Elroy, is out now through bambamMuzik and you can grab it at JB Hifi and iTunes.