Danny Bonnici from Nubreed takes some time out from a very busy album production schedule to chat candidly with ITM’s elie9 about their new album, the Australian music scene, their upcoming aussie gigs and that successful working relationship with Phil K.
You’re now signed to Tayo’s label, MOB Records. I hear you’ve been working hard at producing some tunes for a new album?
Tayo’s actually coming down just after Christmas to stay with us and see how we’re going with the new album. He’s the one that signed us up to the label. We’ve been working pretty hard on various types of tunes from vocal tracks to dance floor tunes. We want the album to hang around for quite a while and not date very quickly. We can’t just have an album full of dancefloor hits or re-mixes. We can’t just produce something that’s … expected! It’ll be a varied production on many levels.
Is there any collaboration work on the album?
Oh yeah for sure. We’ve been doing collaboration work with Phil K, Luke Chabel, a guy from Sydney called Pocket, Danny McMillan and a whole heap of other people. They may not all get used on the album, but it’s always great to work with other people and see what happens. We’d love to even do a collaboration with the Infusion boys, they just have this amazing sound and are a great bunch of guys too.
Your new album willbe released when?
It’ll be ready in time for the European summer around June 2003.
You boys have a very strong and successful working relationship with Phil K for both dj gigs and production work. How did that start? Why do you think it has been so successful?
That strong relationship started from the day we met Phil. We first saw him playing at Sunny Side and he blew us away. That’s when we first met him and got to know him and see what he was about. We have a similar background when we were growing up with music. We seem to have a similar taste in music style too. What I’m also trying to say is that we both know where each of us is coming from. He’s just full of energy and has so much knowledge and passion for the music scene that it just makes all the more enjoyable to work with and know him.
Do you think Australia is currently playing a lead role in producing fresh sounds for the global dance music market?
I think there is definitely a fresh sound happening in Australia, more so than saying we’re leading the world. We’re up there with everyone else in terms of producing quality music. The UK would be the leader at this stage, but in terms of the Aussie sound it is the freshest on the scene at the moment.
How do you feel about the term prog-breaks or nu-skool breaks used to describe your music?
I’m not really happy about our music being called any specific kind of breaks. If people like it we just want them to call it good music. If people want to know what it’s called, just tell them it’s “Nubreed Breaks” if you want. Breaks is really everywhere at the moment and there are a lot of sounds and styles being produced.
What do you think has been your most successful release to date?
In the early years I think the Apex re-mix that we did for Marine Parade. I think that got a bit of attention. More recently though it would have to be Way Out West. However my personal favourite would have to be one of our own production tunes Midi Killa, simply because it’s a different kind of album. That came out on Boom Box Records.
What’s next on your schedule around australia?
Our next gig is at the Fractured Christmas party at Seven, on the 20th December and New Years eve with Infusion and Tayo in Sydney. After that we play at the Big Day Out, followed on by a gig at Revolver with Tayo on the 18th January.
What’s the thing that scares you the most in the world?
George Bush! everything about him.
What do you want for Xmas?
Really? (laughs) I want X-Box games for Christmas.
elie9’s left-of-field Q&A
If there were a Goddess for dance music what would be her name?
I’m not sure how seriously I should take the question (laughs) but I’d have to say Bjork.
If you could paint your music, which 3 colors would you use?
Blue, Black and Purple
If you could physically touch music, what do you think it would feel like?
velvet
In one word describe music to me.
Spine-tingling
What album is a “must have” in everyone’s music collection?
definitely Grace – Jeff Buckley has to be in everyone’s collection.
Treble or Bass?
Bass!!! Too easy.
Hypothetical: I’ve just told you that in one hour’s time, you will loss your hearing for life. What would you do for the next hour?
talk to my family
How many records and CD’s do you think you own?
that’s too heavy a question. I don’t know.
Complete this phrase: “The day the music died…”
the world was over!
You can catch Nubreed playing live this Friday 20th December at the Fractured Christmas Party @ Seven Nightclub and at The Slip Inn, NYE ‘2003 Leagues Under the Sea’.
