Exclusive: Ben Watt Shakes Off Writer’s Block with “Guinea Pig”

ben watt

DJ/producer Ben Watt of Everything But the Girl fame has talked to Big Shot exclusively about his upcoming single, “Guinea Pig,” which marks his first track in three years for his revered London-based Buzzin’ Fly imprint. Though Watt’s discography is packed with choice house singles like “Pop A Cap In Yo’ Ass” with Estelle, “Attack Attack Attack” with Baby Blak and “A Stronger Man” with Terence Trent D’Arby, among others, he says his new single is the result of conquering a three-year battle with writer’s block.

“‘Guinea Pig’ is my first stand-alone single for the label for three years. I’ve been suffering with periods of indecision and writer’s block for much of that time, which has not helped my productivity much!” Watt confessed. “But I discovered a new working method where I kidded myself that I wasn’t really working but just messing around. It was an experimental process, hence ‘Guinea Pig.'”

“People imagine that after 25 years of making music, I must be permanently creative. But even veterans suffer doubts.”

Watt says the glowing reaction to the track—the vocal version features Julia Biel, who sang on “I Love You” released on Buzzin’ Fly in 2004—by several top DJs “has been like a blood transfusion. To see kind words from people like Francois K, Laurent Garnier, James Zabiela and Will Saul gladdens the heart. People imagine that after 25 years of making music, I must be permanently creative. But even veterans suffer doubts.”

In addition to Watt’s new single, Buzzin’ Fly will release Chaos Restored 2 mixed by Justin Martin next week.

Paul McCartney’s Electronic Music Project Broadens Its Horizons

Paul McCartney The Fireman

After surviving threats from Islamic extremists before his recent gig in Israel, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, 66, announced his electronic music project with famed producer Youth (Killing Joke/The Orb/The Verve) will release its third album, Electric Arguments, on November 18. The album comes after 1998’s Rushes which preceded 1993’s Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest. According to a statement, McCartney and Youth went into the studio with no master plan or clear direction and recorded the album in just 13 days scattered over the course of a year. Unlike their prior albums that were focused on instrumental electronic music, the new album will contain vocals for the first time and rockier songs, “yet is in keeping with the genre-hopping spirit of the first two the Fireman albums.” The album’s first single, “Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight,” made its debut last night on the BBC. What do you think?

Tracklisting for The Fireman’s Electric Arguments

1. “Nothing Too Much Just out of Sight”
2. “Two Magpies”
3. “Sing the Changes”
4. “Travelling Light”
5. “Highway”
6. “Light from Your Lighthouse”
7. “Sun Is Shining”
8. “Dance ‘Til We’re High”
9. “Lifelong Passion”
10. “Is This Love?”
11. “Lovers in a Dream”
12. “Universal Here, Eve”

“Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight”

An older, much more electronic sounding Fireman tune…

image via MySpace

Live review: Matter’s Opening Night

carl cox at matter

If you ever visited London superclub Fabric in the early days, you’ll have a deep understanding of just what a different experience they offered club-goers. All of a sudden the faux leather and sticky carpets of traditional British nightclubs had been replaced with clean, industrial lines, and an experience more in line with the love of sonic ear assaults than half a pint and a pickled egg. Fabric broke the mold for London’s late night crowd, and now they’re at it again.

Matter is their new venture, situated at the incredible o2 arena, and (so I’m told) the first purpose-built music venue in London since the Albert Hall. I’m not entirely sure that’s true, but it sounds good. Almost as good as the M Audio Soundsystem rigged throughout Matter’s impeccable three tier layout. Stunning views of the clubbing carnage that is their 2,000+ capacity dance floor are available from almost any angle, as is a solid view of the DJ booth and stage.

With only the crème de la crème signed up for events at Matter, I can confidently say that whenever you choose to visit this brand new venue, you’ll be offered a similarly impressive experience as I had on their opening club night with Carl Cox. Thanks, Fabric!

Words: Jeryl Wilton
Images: Tom Bunning

matter opening night
matter opening night

Saam Farahmand Talks About Directing Soulwax’s ‘Part of the Weekend Never Dies’

soulwax part of the weekend never dies Saam Farahmand

Saam Farahmand is one of the hottest directors around, and he’s also an avid dance music fan. So it’s not surprising that Farahmand linked up with Soulwax and created the excellent tour documentary Part of the Weekend Never Dies. The film captures key moments during Radio Soulwax’s grueling global jaunt, which included 120 live shows and DJ gigs (where the band’s Dewaele brothers, David and Stephen, spin as 2ManyDJs). in North America, Europe and Asia. Armed with a video camera, passion for the music and the ability to stay up all night, Farahmand also interviewed close friends of the Belgian act, including Justice, Klaxons, Peaches, Tiga, LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy and Nancy Whang. In the end, he captured what life on the road is really like for a band who also DJ at their own gigs, and provide the first cinematic document on the nu rave scene.

“I have been a Soulwax fan since seeing them play in 1999, and I have followed their evolution closely since then,” Farahmand tells Big Shot. “It was an honor to be asked to collaborate on a film project with them… we didn’t know exactly what it would be, but we knew if we worked on it together it would be right.”

Look for a full interview with Saam Farahmand in Issue 24.