STREAMING AUDIO INTERVIEW
There’s little doubt that UNKLE’s third full-length album from last year, War Stories, was one of the most outstanding releases of the year. The brainchild of legendary DJ/producer and former Mo’ Wax owner James Lavelle along with an assortment of music partners that has included DJ Shadow and Richard File (who has just announced his departure form the band, check the news HERE), the earlier efforts from UNKLE delivered an unmistakable take on experimental hip hop that left music fans around the world breathless. War Stories shifted focus with more of a digi-rock vibe, reflected in hard-rocking guests like Josh Homme from Queens of The Stone Age, but somehow it managed to sound consistent with all the other amazing music released throughout UNKLE’s tumultuous existence.
There’s a powerful emotional resonance to the sounds on War Stories, and there’s been speculation that it was inspired by Lavelle’s own personal disappointments: the collapse of Mo’ Wax, getting dropped from Island Records as well as his professional and relationship issues. Showing us his battle scars, if you will. Last in the country in late ‘07 for a DJ tour, Lavelle is nothing if not an expert at being a little controversial (he rubbed Future Entertainment up the wrong way last year HERE), and he talks to ITM about the brilliance that is UNKLE, and their upcoming first ever tour of Australia as part of the Big Day Out roadshow.
A new UNKLE compilation More Stories will be in stores on 26th January via POD/Inertia, and you can check em out playing live at the following shows across the country…
Sun Jan 20: Big Day Out, Gold Coast
Wed Jan 23: The Metro, Sydney
Fri Jan 25: Big Day Out, Sydney
Sun Jan 27: Prince Of Wales, Melb
Mon Jan 28: Big Day Out, Melbourne
Fri Feb 1: Big Day Out, Adelaide
Sun Feb 3: Big Day Out, Perth
