A futuristic take on retro is what D-Code describes of
Driving Lolita, an emerging band that caught our attention on the
digital universe and from various festivals. We spoke to D-Code
about what makes the bands music so vibrant, engaging and how the
band got together? Driving Lolita was conceived because I got
bored of the music I was making and, in fact, the way I was making
it. Being a Drum & Bass producer and a Radio 1 DJ I wanted to
explore areas that were new to me so I traded in my records and
headphones for a mic and instruments! I'd always had a passion
about live music and I just new whatever this project turned out to
be it would have to be performed live. I was listening to a lot of Rhythm &
Blues and Rock n Roll: Velvet Underground, The Doors, Janis Joplin,
Dylan, The Clash, Ella Fitzgerald - and through all of that I felt
something so natural and organic. I knew that was the vibe I wanted
to create - using those lessons of the past and applying them to
now. The first thing I needed to do was to find
a guitarist to work with, one who understood guitar music from it's
beginnings to now. Through mutual friends I knew Abrar Hafiz of
Sonar Fariq, a punk band from the late 90s. He instantly got the
idea when I played him the album demos and explained what was going
on in my head. We went to work. It came to the point where the music
needed a voice. We tried a few hundred vocalist friends of mine,
but nothing really stuck fast except for the first person I worked
with Arrows Down and the last (obviously) Graziella Affinita! She's
from a Hip Hop and Soul background but her voice really came
alive on the more Punk side of things I was working
on. It was in the vocal booth one day that the
name "Driving Lolita" was born. It came out of Graziella's lyrics
for a then untitled song. It's narrative hit the nail on the head.
It encapsulated everything the music is about - sex, lust, rush,
the excitement and danger of loosing your innocence. What to you, personally differs
when working in a live band and when beavering away in a
studio? Driving Lolita is a studio based project
with me at the producers helm, but incorporates all of the elements
of working in a live band. I wouldn't say I've come across
differences, it's been more a case of working with the best of both
worlds. I formulated a fine balance between the use of sound
technology and live artistry where one never superseded the other.
In an age where technology rules, the aim was to make sure
the human imprint remained prevalent as the voice of the music, not
the computer. Your work as been described as "Electro,
Doors-ey 60's rock n roll, Stooges Punk and Soulwax beats" and you
all bring different styles to the tracks, How would you describe
your music as a whole? The music's core attitude is Punk but
has drawn influences from various genres -
Blues, Rock n Roll, Punk, Big Beat, Motown, Drum
& Bass, Indie Rock. I definitely hear a
futuristic take on retro in there. If that makes any
sense! Where do you get
inspiration from? One of my aims was to explore the roots of
rock n roll, so a lot of my inspiration and influences came from
the old skool pioneers of the movement - The Doors, The Stooges,
Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Cream, Jefferson Airplane. They
were artists who created something new for their time. They
instigated a revolution which was a source of inspiration for
me. The heritage of rock n roll was also very
inspiring. The movement wasn't just about playing music, it
was theatre. Musicians became actors on stage telling their
song's story, becoming characters, living out the music on stage.
There was this culturally stimulating aspect to the movement
which was new and exciting for its time. It's something which
really liberated my imagination. Saying that, I've never
forgotten my own musical heritage. I grew up on a healthy
diet of Hardcore, Jungle and Drum & Bass and have always fed
off of the music's unique energy. There isn't any other genre
which can deliver a sonic punch like Drum & Bass can.
It's a cutting edge art form which I always look to for
inspiration and
education. What
instruments can you each play? Whatever I need to in order to get the
sound in my head coming out of my speakers! So far that's
included drums, keyboard, a microphone and a computer (whether I'm
using them correctly is another question) and getting on the mic as
a vocalist. Abrar plays guitars and bass, Graziella
sings/song writes and Arrows Down is classically trained pianist,
plays guitar and is a singer/songwriter. Who are your favourite artists
personally? Tough question, good thing I have a
list! As a Dance music
lover: The Boogie Times Tribe Criminal Minds Alex Reece Wax Doctor Doc Scott Photek Goldie Roni Size Dillinja Omni Trio Origin Unknown Ram Trilogy Moving Fusion LTJ Bukem Chemical Brothers The Prodigy As a Rock n Roll lover: Primal Scream The Doors The Clash Jimi Hendrix Cream Jefferson Airplane Janis Joplin Dead Weather The Stooges As a Soul lover: Curtis Mayfield Ray Charles Ella Fitzgerald How do you go about laying
tracks? I don't have a set way of starting a
track, I find it too restrictive and clinical. Whatever
creates a spark, I run with. Starting points have ranged from
drum rolls I've found on old records to guitar out-takes I've
stumbled across in recordings. If I'm into an idea, I'll usually get the
drums, bass and melody written and arranged. I then get Abrar
involved who runs with my melody ideas and provides the gritty
guitar layers for that organic sound. Once I've completed the
instrumental we'll do a few vocal versions with either Graziella,
Arrows Down or me on vocals depending on who the vibe of the track
fits with. The way I see it, one of music's primary
functions is to elicit a good emotion. That's what I expect
to feel when I listen to a finished track. If the music doesn't
perform that function, it will never see the light of
day. Having worked for the BBC, what do
you think of the current music industry and representation of Asian
talent in mainstream media? The current music industry is a reflection
of our times. We're living in an age where technology and
consumerism rules and it's those factors which heavily influence
what we make and the way we make it. Whether the music's good or
not is down to personal preference, the key thing is that music is
an industry, and industries do whatever they need to in order to
achieve their primary objectives - support what is popular in order
to capitalise on it. If that ideology doesn't work for you,
there's always the underground. As for being Asian, I think the main point
is that mainstream media is there to showcase talent which is
universal and not based around ethnicity. Every Asian artist
has a choice to either build their reputation based on their skin
tone or their craft. Your heritage will come through in the art you
make anyway, if it's honest. If you have a talent you will
inevitably be recognised for it regardless of your
ethnic background. As an artist, how has the way you
have interacted with fans changed over the last ten years or
so? Artists have to interact with their fans
in order to earn their loyalty. With the explosion of social
media, music alone isn't enough of an offering. It's become
more of a commodity rather than an artifact. There's a certain
level of expectation from fans to be given an insight into the
artist's world as it's the done thing now. It's tricky for an
artist to retain an element of mystery to them if they want to be
popular. They have to play the 'open book' card to a degree if they
want to keep their fans attention. It's all becoming one big happy
family. What plans do you have over the
coming months, festivals, gigs, tracks? Touring has been the priority this year as
we've wanted to perform our material as much as possible.
We've been privileged enough to play some amazing gigs so far
including Radio 1's Hackney Weekend and the main stage at Bingley
Festival. We're going to be touring up until the end of
the year with gig dates around London and a five date tour across
India!. There are plans to put out more music next year to add to
the stuff that's already up to grab on our website. www.drivinglolita.com FROM LEFT TO RIGHT (page 73
image) D-Code - Producer/DJ
from Essex. Grew up on rave music and DJ'd lots on pirate
radio and at raves. Met Nerm in 2004 and became a member of Shiva
Soundsystem, through which several records were released on Shiva
Soundsystem Recordings and Ram Records subsidiary Terrafunk
Records. D-Code has toured nationally and internationally, won a
Brit Asia Award for 'Best Alternative Act', had a show on Radio 1
alongside Nerm, and has covered shows for Mary Anne Hobbs and Bobby
Friction. He has co-presented alongside Zane Lowe, Annie
Mac, Huw Stephens and Nihal and was Senior Remixer for video game DJ Hero. Founder of
Driving Lolita. Graziella -
Singer/Songwriter from Tottenham. Brought up on a diet of
Soul and Blues music and has featured on the Foreign Beggars
acclaimed albums ‘Asylum Speakers’, 'Stray Point Agenda' and
'United Colours of Beggatron'. Competed in 2009's X-Factor as part
of Miss Frank who got through to the finals. In 2011 toured with DJ
Vadim (Ninja Tunes) and his new group The Electric. Arrows Down
- Singer/Songwriter from London. Classically trained
pianist and guitarist who has collaborated and performed with
artists from the Disturbing London camp, home to Tine Tempah. In
addition, works with indie rock band Magna Saga, now known as
Crystal Head. Abrar - Guitarist
and Bassist from East London. Co-founded punk band Sona
Fariq. Signed to Warners (WEA) 1999 and was nominated for Best New
British Band at the Kerrang Awards 2000. Interview by Nardip Singh Photos courtesy of: BBC Will Reid Visuals As featured in Unfolded Magazine Issue
10
Photographer and Journalist
specialising in art and fashion. Former editor of Unfolded
Magazine.