Interview: Crazy P

A l’occasion de la sortie de leur nouvel album « Stop Space Return », chroniqué sur notre site, le groupe Crazy P nous a accordé une interview. Ce groupe qui n’a jamais couru après la gloire, les derniers sons à la mode se retrouvent à l’heure actuelle, une fois de plus, nous devrions dire, en plein dans la mouvance. Depuis de nombreuses années, ils ont toujours été précurseur des mouvements à venir sans jamais accepter de compromis sur leurs envies et leur musique.

TheClubbing.com: Could You tell us a bit about your group and how it was created?
Crazy P: The band was created by Mssrs Todd and Baron aka Jim and Chris as they pursued their love of music in Nottingham in 1996… Two studio bound musicians who growingly wanted to take their show on the road which meant employing a vocalist (myself Danielle) Matt Klose on drums, Tim Davies on bass and at the time but no longer with us percussionist mav…

TheClubbing.com: Is it hard working together for such a long time? No lassitude or tension?
Crazy P: It is hard working together for a long time especially when times are hard; but most musicians know that the compromise for very exciting tours travels and amazing memories. We’ve learned how to handle each others personalities and still do have our tantrums but we are a solid unit/family and love each other dearly… aaaaaahhhhh

TheClubbing.com: And what about your solo careers?
Crazy P: Yes well Jim Baron has his ron basejam and secret stealth projects, toddy his hot toddy project, me and tim bionics and we’ve all worked on the lads individual albums too as guests.

TheClubbing.com: How did you come up with the name Crazy Penis, and then Crazy P? And why did you change it?
Crazy P: Crazy Penis was erected back in the early days-originally a 7 inch record, Loco Pingo it was discovered this vaguely translated to Crazy Penis and so the name was born to two students who didn’t totally take themselves or their music too seriously. However taking the name with a full live band to Singapore we found they didn’t like the name and we became Crazy Denis there furthermore we couldn’t get comfortable radio play in the UK… down to the genitalia-and so arose Crazy P.

TheClubbing.com: How do you approach making music?
Crazy P: When the mood takes you you work. If it’s not happening on a certain day the best thing is not to fret about it. We either all get together in the studio and jam until we all hook into an idea and the song writing begins or we break into smaller groups and focus on specifics – like writing a dancefloor fuelled tougher track. The lyrics and music are usually written hand in hand. Luckily we have a great sandwich shop round the corner and three pubs which provide frequent creative « preparation » time.

TheClubbing.com: It’s often said that you’re ahead of your time. What’s your reaction to that?
Crazy P: Ha… what does that mean we’re old? Not sure about that one. We just get on with things. What I would say is that we love making music more than we’ve ever done before.

TheClubbing.com: How did you approach the creation of your new album Stop Space Return?
Crazy P: Well as I said before the album has been written in two ways – one as a band and two with smaller groups in the band getting ideas together. Lyrically the album is straight from the heart and reflects a period of time. It’s actually a good way of dealing with emotions-writing about them. It’s the most personal album to date and we have all put a lot of energy into it.

TheClubbing.com: Were you able to include everything you wanted to into it?
Crazy P: Not everything. We had a couple of tracks that didn’t quite make it but we feel sometimes you have to lose certain songs to achieve a more rounded and cohesive finished product. We were sad to lose ever enough and look me up but they may make an appearance on b sides who knows – it’s always good to have your work challenged and to rethink what does and doesn’t work.

TheClubbing.com: What are you influenced by? And where do they come from?
Crazy P: We are influenced by lots of various of new and old music. From folk to acid house to Chicago House to M.O.R. it’s finding sounds and grooves wherever you can that hook you in and give you an emotion or an idea that sets something off. There are some great sounds coming from Hercules & Love Affair, still the ever brill LCD Soundsystem, Roisin Murphy is an amazing performer with and without Moloko, Clyde on Mantis Records, Jamie Lidell – sweet and I recently saw Grace Jones in full incredible power and she blew my head off!

TheClubbing.com: How do you see its evolution from a musical point of view?
Crazy P: I think we have recognized what we are good at and we had to go experiment with other sounds and ways of writing to get to that conclusion. We love dancing we love djing and so are ruled by the dance floor so we make music that hopefully makes people move. And is accessible by all ages. Never too trendy we don’t think. (The lyrics are very simple as that’s me.)

TheClubbing.com: And how do you see the evolution in the music market?
Crazy P: Good question. I think we’ve been through the minimal shoe gazing era and are hearing some disco techno sounds. I think so long as people continue to experiment with production and stay true to the music they want to make rather than following any « trends » music will always evolve as it’s any given combination of inspirations that fuel any individuals creative path. I felt that everyone jumped on the Balearic and cosmic disco bandwagon and for a time I was just hearing chin stroking male orientated crap…stay unique I say!

TheClubbing.com: Which are your projects for the future?
Crazy P: Well we would all hope to expand our output of music; Jim works on his ron basejam and secret stealth stuff toddy on his hot toddy stuff, myself and tim on bionics and we have all contributed to the lads albums. Furthermore re edits remixes and djing all over the world hopefully!!! (Wishful!) I suppose continuing writing with Crazy P will never stop… and getting involved in some live Crazy P acoustic gigs too.

TheClubbing.com: Would you like to collaborate with someone?
Crazy P: Gosh yes – we have our faves. Jamie Lidell, Guy Garvey from elbow-awesome voice, Prince – maybe bit too difficult, Eyrlend Oye, errrrr then I could get ridiculous!

TheClubbing.com: In conclusion, a small classical question: What is your top 5 or top 10 in no matter which style?
Crazy P: That is Tough! Too hard but these spring to mind
Derrick May – Strings Of Life
Prince – Sign Of The Times
Nick Drake – Riverman
JJ Cale – Magnolia
Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.

TheClubbing.com: Thanks for your answers and your time.