JS: Given your past triumphs with Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Kristine W, and Deborah Cox, do you feel like you are becoming the go-to mixers for strong female vocals?
Gabriel: As soon as you think you're "it" I think your music suffers. We just try to do the best job we can on any project that we work on. At the end of the day we hare really happy to just be able to be making music.
Dresden: I hope so.
JS: Of the mixes you've done, which is your favorite?
Dresden: Andain - Beautiful Things. It's all about that groove for me!
Gabriel: Hmmm, I'd say Lili Hayden (dub)
JS: Giorgio Moroder and Trevor Horn have fallen into a lake and are in danger of drowning. You can only save one. Who, and why?
Gabriel: Tough question - I'd have to say Trevor, since I've been more influenced by him and the Art of Noise, etc...
Dresden: Well, for me, Giorgio Moroder is the master and innovator of the sound that I love. Trevor Horn is great too, but a bit slick. However, neither have made anything in recent years that has moved me so I guess I'd have to leave the decision up to rescue 911!
JS: In the spirit of Dave's excellent series of interviews for DMA, have any sketchy people tried to keep you down that you would like to expose in print?
Dresden: Too many to list. However, it's great to see them playing our records. Poetic justice!
Gabriel: Nope - no gripes here....
JS: If someone asked you what the 'essential' tracks to understanding and appreciating dance music were, which would you choose?
Gabriel: To really appreciate dance music I think you need to let go of the past, open your ears and follow your heart.
Dresden: New Order's early-to-mid 80s output is a great place to start.
JS: What pisses you off the most about dance music right now?
Gabriel: That we're stuck in the old system of still trying to sell music on vinyl, when people want to just download it - we are trying to change that. Also, I hate the fact that the dance music stations play mostly cheesy bullshit that I never hear in clubs. I don't understand why someone doesn't start a station that represents what people are playing clubs. That gets me mad :-)
Dresden: That it has never gotten the recognition it deserves because too many people involved in the scene are so unprofessional and money hungry. People do not support each other and cut each other's throats and a lot of times, the wrong person gets the job because his friend is the promoter. Also, the DJ scene moves way too slow. The same names that were at the top 10 years ago are still there, yet some of those people are not as vital to the growth of the scene as some of the new blood might be.
JS: Do you think the mp3 crisis in the music industry is going to resolve itself any time soon?
Dresden: If record labels and publishers work together using the system that the kids have shown they want, it will. If songs are released in a consumer format (i.e. not vinyl and not beatmixed), maybe the masses might take notice.
Gabriel: I hope so - iTunes has put a positive light on things - I'm excited about what the future holds.
JS: Do you think it is possible to make 'electroclash' without it being ironic?
Gabriel: Electroclash is no different that Oasis - new people listening to older music and getting inspired by it. From there, it's a question of taste.
Dresden: It's all up to the song, it doesn't matter what it is if it's good.
JS: What's the best film you've seen this year?
Gabriel: Lost in Translation
Dresden: A Mighty Wind... "Wha'Happen??"
JS: What is always in the refrigerator nearest the studio while you're recording?
Gabriel: Water
Dresden: Fruits, veggies and tons of pasta.
JS: What can save the dance industry?
Gabriel: Well first off, you'd have to get rid of the RAVE act - what a joke, and then it wouldn't hurt if the music video and radio stations gave it some support, just like they did for hip hop in the 80s.
Dresden: Everyone taking and expecting less for a bit. DJs and producers with open minds making music for the love of making music. Real songs with vocals by people who can sing. DJs not acting like rock stars.
(Special thanks to Kristy Lepley and Ornadel Management for arranging this interview)
