Stereo MCs: Double Bubble Trouble
“I used to drink so much coffee you could sink a ship with it, I’m trying to get outta the habit though...”
Rob Birch of hip-hop/ electronica act Stereo MCs is sittin’ pretty- “its morning time, cuppa coffee, fairly nice day, window open”- even though it is raining and wintry here in Melbourne town. But Rob takes pity. Anyway, we launch straight into the tough questions, real hard stuff: what was the process of making the latest album like (Double Bubble)?
“Beautiful, man...we experimented for a while, songs gradually started falling into shape, we had a beautiful summer, created loads of tracks, did some DJing, listened to and was inspired by new music...This record has been a total learning process, its propelled ourselves into the present. Even during touring, I got my laptop, I can still work when were sitting around hotels in dead time, its something to focus my mind on. You know the old saying, lazy hands...”
“Idle hands are the devil’s plaything?”
“Yeah, that. The fact that I can do that stuff whenever I want; it’s like having a studio in your knapsack”
Stereo MCs last jaunt to merry Oz was for the Parklife festival (“that was an incredible line-up, very inspiring”) and the celebrated Chapel sessions (“That was awesome, we were the only band that managed to crack their plaster, wherever we go, I want people to say that”) but they hope to come out for this new album (keep watching the skies, kids!)
Talking about his creative flow in this digital world, Rob is dreamy and affirmative; “I’m a little bit more of a caveman when it comes to all that but I try to embrace new technology and new things, having a good idea is more important than any of that, all you need is your voice and an acoustic guitar and you can get a song across to somebody, anybody. The fundamental essence of music is still the same, you gotta have a voice”
The life of a musician may seem idyllic, but it can come with backbiters. A simple question on current trends and the plight or privilege of a musician to fit into them (as well as the notion of ‘selling out’ which Stereo MC detractors have accused the band of doing, for having their tracks in *gasp* ads!) launches Rob into a semi-tirade. “To be honest, those people are hypocrites, if this or that group isn’t cool at the moment, look at them selling out. Loads of artists have got music in ads, everyone’s gotta put food on the able, I don’t give a toss what they say, I’m lucky enough to be making a life in music, if I can make money, as long as it’s not advertising I feel strongly against, more people will hear our music anyway. No point being a snob about it, don’t you want people to hear your music? I’ve got no problem with it; it’s got nothing but positives. I think some people have their head up in the arses”
Phew. On that, I have to say my goodbyes, citing lunch as well as ‘time up’. I make mention of the certain multiculturalism in Melbourne and Rob has the same vibe in his homeplace; “London’s very diverse, especially in Brixton, the community is like... Jamaican, Africa, South America, Portuguese, Irish, Welsh, Australian, you name it, everybody lives down here”
