Jaymo & Andy George: Moda Black Influences

Where are you right now?

Jaymo: We’re currently in our new office, which we set up for Lost Village. That’s our new festival, taking place in the middle of this amazing woodland area, in a secret location in the Lincolnshire countryside. Our main Moda Black office is in London – that’s where the record and clothing label are operated from.

Let’s talk influences – how has your musical taste evolved over the years?

J: Back when I was in school it was all about Chicago stuff. Though I had no idea it was Chicago house at the time – I just knew I loved the sound of people like Sneak and labels like Henry Street. I think it would’ve been the remixes on Daft Punk records that provided the entry point.

That evolved into the Subliminal era of house and then into Electroclash, which was a big thing for me. The funny thing is those first loves are still a massive influence now. The sampling style of Chicago stuff and the melodic synthesis of Electroclash – that’s me, right there.

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“GLASGOW IS EASILY ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO PLAY” – JAYMO

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Andy: I was exposed to dance music through the back door really. I have always been incredibly interested in finding and exploring new music – when I was at school that was more about finding new bands and new sounds. The mini-disc revolution meant we could copy mixes we found and share them which was the main way me and my friends shared music then.

Even back then I was always a sucker for anything with melody, and I still am, though now after listening to so many demos on repeat my ears certainly know when they hear something unique and original and that’s what we’re always on the hunt for on MB.

The way people listen to music has changed a lot over the years. From vinyl records to tapes to Discmen to wireless. How do you think we will listen to music in ten years?

A: Maybe it will be wireless earplugs that you can barely see, with the music streamed directly from a cloud service.

Is there a type of music that you don’t make that inspires you?

J: Old disco and funk and 80s electronic stuff – even film scores really. A lot of that early 80s electronic stuff is amazing because nobody had written the rule book – there was no right or wrong. Now, at a time where our online society is so heavily calibrated by algorithms, originality is something you really have to search hard for. Bullshit shows like X Factor don’t help either – the idea that you can win a music career with a watery back-story and renditions of other people’s songs is ludicrous.

I still remember the first time I heard Erotic Discourse – I was in a record shop and everyone was just freaking out. It blew my mind. It was just so non-conforming – and still to this day it has a hugely profound effect on the dancefloor. That’s what happens when you dare to be different – those are the records that inspire me the most.

What’s next for you and Moda Black?

J: In a few weeks we’re up in Glasgow for NYE at St Judes. Glasgow is easily one of our favourite places to play – the guys at The Arches and St Judes are class, and the crowds are always full throttle, rain or shine, it doesn’t matter. Most DJs will agree that Scotland is one of the best places to DJ! Music-wise we’re just finishing a collab with Sidney Charles, as well as new J&AG original material. There’s a couple of more song-based tracks in the offing too, which we’re waiting on vocals for.

A: Lost Village is going to be one of our biggest moments in 2015. There’s a huge amount of effort going into it, to make sure it’s unlike anything else out there. You can see the trailer at lostvillagefestival.com. Then in Spring 2015 we’ll be releasing the second Little Black Book on Moda Black. Hot Since 82 did an amazing job of the first one – this time the reigns have been passed to Groove Armada. Little Black Book is a kind of two disc hybrid album project. The first disc is mainly new material. The second is all hand-picked back-catalogue – with brand new remixes from the likes of Kolsch, Huxley, Chaim, Andhim and a load more. It’s gonna be a massive release, for sure.

Jaymo & Andy George Mix Tape

A room by room guide to what to listen to around the house 

Bathroom: Greg Wilson Glastonbury Trilogy – Everyone loves to sing in the shower, right?

Kitchen: Jaques Lu Cont – Fabric Live – Just amazing. I was obsessed with his album, Dark Dancer, and this mix for quite a while. Actually, I still am now, come to think of it.

Garden: Jaymo & Andy George Essential Mix – OK, that’s a bit vain but when you spend your entire childhood listening to the Essential Mix it’s pretty fucking mad when you end up doing one yourself. A milestone for any DJ – we obsessed over that mix, to try make sure it said a lot about us and our past.

Bedroom: Daft Punk Essential Mix 1998 – Probably listened to this mix 1000 times. It really captured a moment in time and still amazing now.

Study: DJ Koze FACT MIX – Koze is pretty much the measuring stick, for us, in terms of production and originality.

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