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Paavo Sijamäki, Tony McGuinness and Jono Grant, aka Above & Beyond, Oceanlab and Tranquility Base have enjoyed the kind of success in the last eighteen months that would make a struggling producer weep into their keyboard. Their tracks romp to the top of trance charts, their DJ performances drive crowds into sublime frenzies, and their label Anjunabeats quietly and consistently turns out quality prog and euphoric trance. They might be big fans of the moody, unsmiling press shot, but they're actually three lovely lads, all too happy to have a chat with the Notion reader.
What's your big news?
The first Above & Beyond album! It's been a really long process. We started work on it about a year and a half ago, and we were supposed to finish it for June but these things take forever! This autumn we decided that we really had to get our asses in gear and finish it, but at the same time the DJing schedules were getting more and more hectic, so we've been writing tracks in hotel lobbies. It'll be finished by the beginning of January, and we're going to release it in March. It's called Tri-State.
MD: Anything new from my favorite alter-ego, Tranquility Base?
A&B: Actually no, but the album is going to surprise a few people. There's very 'filmic' stuff in there and Tranquility Base has always been at the 'filmic' end of what we do.
MD: How about Volume IV in the Anjunabeats series?
A&B: We'll be doing Volume IV at the end of the summer. Obviously when the Above & Beyond album comes out we'll be touring, so once we land from circling the planet I dont know how many times we'll get on it.
MD: What's been your track of 2005?
A&B: Hmm what have we been absolutely caning this year... Super8 vs DJ Tab - 'Helsinki Scorchin'.
MD: How was the summer of 2005 for Above & Beyond?
A&B: Great, but it's been hectic. Good parties everywhere, but we now cherish the moments we spend at home watching telly!
MD: Any superstar DJ behavior?
A&B: We've had a lot of fun, but I'm probably not allowed to disclose any further information!
MD: Any new producers you've got your eye on?
A&B: There's this guy called Dan Stone who sent us a demo. He's done a track called 'Made in Bahrain', and it's really good. He's really a brand new talent who's going to be producing a lot of cool stuff.
MD: Who is there left that you'd still like to work with?
A&B: Our dream collaborations would always be with someone outside the genre. We'd like to work with Depeche Mode, for example, and their producer really likes our stuff!
MD: Above & Beyond are on Jim'll Fix It... what would he fix?
A&B: 56 hours in the day please Jim! That would be the best thing that he could give us!
The first single from the Above & Beyond album is called 'Alone Tonight' and will be released in February. The boys will be holding a glam launch party for the album in London in early March. Dan Stone's single 'Made in Bahrain' will be released on Anjunabeats in January.
Interview by Matt Darey
www.dareyproducts.co.uk
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