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Artist Interviews
Q&A: The Whip
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 15 September 2009
Formed in 2006, The Whip released their debut album, ‘X Marks Destination’, last year via Fatboy Slim’s Southern Fried Records. This Friday night the band headline the CMU-approved Remix All-nighter at Matter. Currently working on their second album, the band will be showcasing some new material, as well as playing out some old favourites like ‘Blackout’. But before all that, we spoke to bassist Nathan Sudders.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
Well, I think it’s the same for most musicians. You start to learn an instrument because you love the band you’re listening to, and your friends are learning instruments as well, then the next step is to start playing with your mates and form a band!
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
I think the last two years touring in and out of clubs, venues and festivals has been the biggest influence on the new album. We have been watching the audience’s reaction to the live set and picking up on what they really get into. That has made us go a bit harder on the synth side of things and the dynamics of the band, also getting more hooks vocally etc, generally just more beef, please!
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
Usually Bruce will have to nucleus of an idea – maybe vocal or keyboard line – then he and Danny lock themselves up in Bruce’s attic and get the ideas down. Then when those ideas are demoed we get together as the band and start to play it. It usually has a rough bass line and drum beat, but it starts to evolve once you get four heads around the table. It’s pretty organic as the first time we usually play new songs/ideas is at a gig! So you get to know what’s working or not in front of an audience.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
There are so many influences on the band, we are a dance/electronic band with the traditional rock line up so we love everything from Daftpunk and Felix Da Housecat to Fleetwood Mac and The Beach Boys and everything in between. The whole Manchester scene has had its part as well, because we have grown up listening to the music that has come out of the city, but it’s no more an influence than anything else. Basically a good song is a good song for us whoever made it!
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
I would say it’s all about having a good time and having a dance. That’s the point for us – having that party vibe. You know, it’s the weekend, let’s forget about the bad stuff and enjoy ourselves. Unity!
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
We would obviously like everyone to feel like we’ve moved on and made a really good album and naturally we’d love to play bigger gigs with bigger production and bigger audiences! We have a lot of ideas about the future of The Whip and it involves bringing a bigger better party experience to people who want it.
MORE>> www.myspace.com/thewhipmanchester
