ITMers were positively jubilant with the news that seminal Australian rave squad Itch-E & Scratch-E – fondly remembered as the legends behind ‘90s anthem Sweetness & Light and who thanked the ‘ecstasy dealers of Sydney’ in their infamous ARIA’s acceptance speech – would be re-emerging from the wilderness to slay crowds at this year’s Big Day Out festival. Excitement blossomed even more when word hit that the duo of Paul Mac and Andy Rantzen would be sticking around to release a new album this May, and now we’ve got the first details of what’s ahead, direct from the guys themselves.

In an interview with ITM last week, both Mac and Rantzen spoke with great enthusiasm about their return to the Australian dance scene, promising some big things from their comeback LP Hooray For Everything!!, describing it as “a real headfuck”.

“It’s a real headfuck, we’ve put a lot of stuff into this” Mac says of the impending Hooray For Everything!!. “I think we’re up to our 11th or 12th mix of the tracks at this stage, it’s like giant game of chess. We’ve just been nudging everything forward very gradually, getting everything to that magic buzz moment where we know it’s right.”

Mac and Rantzen were likewise giddy about their return to the Itch-E & Scratch-E project, stating that the ten plus years they spent apart from the studio had not dampened their chemistry together.

“I think having that break was a really healthy thing for both of us,” Mac explains. “I think before we would both feel under-appreciated by the other person, but now we both feel the same and it’s just way more fun. We play to each other’s strengths now.”

Before Hooray For Everything!! impacts on local record stores this May, the duo will commence a string of Itch-E & Scratch-E live shows, beginning at the Sydney’s The Forum on March 6th in celebration of this year’s Mardi Gras festival. Stay tuned to ITM for more info and tour developments, and check back soon for our full interview with the duo.