The Feeling in the Air Is Electrikal

Having been responsible for some of the best underground bass music nights in the past year, the <strong>Electrikal Sound System</strong> has been turning heads and tuning ears into the emerging Scottish (and UK) underground sounds. We caught up with the core members of the collective to talk about how it all started, what they have achieved and what they hope to do in the future

Feature by Luke Dubuis | 06 Apr 2011

The rig is finally back on home turf after a quick pause for repairs, sanding down and polishing in Wales. Electrikal's collection of speakers now numbers 20KW+ of sound and counting, enough to provide for up to three thousand people when the need should arise. Setting up at over 60 gigs in the last year, the coming months could see further expansion as the sound system helps cause a spin northward on the UK bass compass.

So what is it that tends to make a band of audiophiles, DJs, producers, artists and promoters pry off their headphones and put their collective will to work in making a sound system project come to fruition? Hark back to the mid-50s: the forefathers of dancehall styles saw talent bottleneck in the same way. What started initially as a way for young entrepreneurial characters to hold cheap parties turned into a big business, showcasing emerging Jamaican sounds in a way that eclipsed any kind of live musical performance.

Around 60 years later the tradition continues, with a chance meeting at an outdoor event with Jerome from B.A.S.S. Alliance (a rig known for being half of sound system legends Mungo's Hi Fi) being the catalyst for the sound system’s formation. A few of the group fondly remember the moment when a random bunch of guys dressed in boiler suits turned up in a van asking if they needed any extra speakers. As core member Richard puts it, “We said yes, loaded the speakers into the barn and rocked the shit out of the place until early morning with some reggae/dub vibes... From then on, we were hooked.” Roughly 4 months later, the 5 initial members began building their sound system through Welsh DIY speaker enthusiasts Stable Audio.

Having started out by running free outdoor events in 2009, the collective quickly moved indoors to provide solace to music fanatics over the winter months. Through hosting a bunch of successful nights in and around Scotland, it allowed the sound system to grow both as a brand and a physical entity, bringing in bigger and bigger headlining acts for Edinburgh’s inhabitants. Having re-invested all the profits from their own nights and hires, the collective have been gradually increasing the stage production value with more speakers, lighting, Kamikaze girls dancing on stage and an array of tongue-in-cheek themes.

However, they continue to embrace the fundamental aspects of sound system culture, where the value is placed on the freshest cuts available. With a huge roster of DJs and producers on board, each genre can be placed safely in the hands of a competent selector. This has always been a conscious decision for the collective, as it allows for their work to reach a range of different people without ever sounding stale and out of touch. As Richard puts it, “We are a diverse bunch because one person’s taste isn’t limited to any one genre”, and subsequently it produces an environment where people’s tastes constantly evolve, allowing artists to ‘explore different avenues in music.’

The line up of DJs and producers championing the integrity of the rig varies from established names on the scene, such as Taz Buckfaster and J Bostron (G31) to up and coming names such as Noface, Daojia, Era and recently announced Glasgow residents Boom Monk Ben and S-Type. Arguably the most notorious figure within the group is February's featured artist Taz Buckfaster, whose barefaced take on dubstep and bass music has gained him plenty of credibility in his own right. His involvement has undoubtedly been part of the group’s initial and continuing success.

The passion and enthusiasm of the collective is evident but they assure me that the experience has been a steep learning curve for all of them. As Richard notes, “Some people don't appreciate the logistics involved, a lot of people come together to make things possible. People assume it's easy and there’s plenty of money in it but that’s the least of concerns when you want to make ends meet, yet stay on the cusp of new sounds at the same time.”

So how have they managed to stay on top of it all? I think the answer can be found in the collective’s overwhelmingly positive attitude, based around working as a group. Richard elaborates, “There are just too many people out there trying to do their own thing, and I think we have succeeded where others have failed because what we do is a product of our combined efforts”. This philosophy has also trickled down to the many followers of Electrikal, who can often be found pitching in, handing out flyers and moving speakers in return for free entry to events. This positive and communal attitude is a refreshing one in the day and age of profit-driven PR work and does nothing but add to the appeal of the collective.

The Electrikal crew are quick to point out that this is only the beginning of something they hope will flourish and branch out. With a planned night in Glasgow with Noface at the helm, expect to see and hear the sound system pushing the limits of UK bass sounds across Scotland. The collective also demonstrate a wider social awareness, through plans to start up workshops for budding musicians as well as offering work experience for up and coming artists, photographers and event managers. Such initiatives only go to show that this motley crew aren’t messing around and as the collective grows, one can only wonder what is in store for them.

Viewpoint Sessions 2011 #1 - Psychedelic Forest Disco!, Kelburn Castle 15 May
Viewpoint Sessions 2011 #2 - Mixed Bizness Takeover, Kelburn Castle 5 Jun

http://www.electrikal.net/