JUMP JUMP DANCE DANCE - VMM In The Spotlight Interview
The Los Angeles-based electro-pop band, JUMP JUMP DANCE DANCE, consists of DJs/producers/bandmates CHRIS CARTER and SIMON LEWICKI. Already a sensation in Australia, the band is making waves in the U.S. ahead of the release of their self-titled studio album, Jump Jump Dance Dance (Universal Music Australia / Ministry Of Sound Australia). The first single from the forthcoming album, “2.0,” was a big hit, especially the LAIDBACK LUKE Remix. With the release of the band’s second single, “Show Me The Night,” the VMM spoke with CARTER and LEWICKI for this first-ever spotlight in the VMM.
The Interview:
The Beginning:
VMM Q: Your aka name “Jump Jump Dance Dance,” why did you come up with this name for the both of you and what message is behind this name guys?
Simon Lewicki: It was a working title for the type of music we wanted to make. We kept trying to change the name but every time we did, it just didn’t sound right. So it just stuck.
Chris Carter: Simon came up with the name – it just seemed to stick! It works for the music we make.
VMM Q: Can you tell VMM how and when did you start to work together as DJs and produce dance music, and how would you describe your sound in 2012?
Lewicki: It would have been a few years ago, probably 2006 or ’07, I think. Carter actually played guitar on a remix session I was doing with my other group, and then we decided to swap studio time for his demos for session work for my stuff. We ended up writing a bunch of stuff together, most of which ended up as the JJDD stuff you know today.
Carter: We started a few years ago. I would do session work on Simon’s tracks and he would produce some of mine, and we just started a band from there. Simon and I met at a rock ‘n roll electro club I used to DJ at in Hollywood. We just became friends from there. He used to hangout in the booth and steal my drink tickets. [laughs]
VMM Q: Can you tell the VMM Who would you say are your idols of dance music that have inspired the music you both create today?
Lewicki: This is a very long list! It’s running the gamut from Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, The Clash, Arthur Baker, Niles Rogers to Todd Terry, Masters At Work, Steve Hurley, Underground Resistance, Carl Craig, Daft Punk, Norman Cook, The Chemical brothers, Underworld, Butch Vig, Rick Rubin to more current people like Alan Braxe, Fred Falke, Phoenix and even Skrillex.
Carter: Oh, ouch. It’s too many to say, but Simon did a good job! [laughs]
The Studio:
VMM Q: The VMM would like to know what sort of studio setup you have, and can you give us one top studio tip for the budding producer?
Lewicki: It’s Ableton Live, Pro Tools and Logic on a Mac. We use the different DAWs [digital audio workstations] for different things. Pretty much all of the Arturia range and KVR range of soft synths got a solid workout on our album. We have some hardware synths as well, like the Super Jupiter and Sequential Circuits’ Prophet VS and a Moog Little Phatty that got some showtime as well. Vocals are almost always a U-87 thru the Avalon 737, which is the bomb!
VMM Q: VMM would like to know how you work together in the studio. Do you divide the studio production up? What works for you?
Lewicki: I’m usually driving (sitting in front of the computer console) and Carter usually jumps around from guitars to keys, depending on what we are doing.
Carter: I tend to focus on vocals and instruments and Simon on production, but it all gets mixed up and we just kinda go for it in the studio. Sometimes songs start with a lyric or a chord change, or maybe a production idea. Or it’s just us banging on some synths until something fires us up…
New releases:
VMM Q: Can you tell VMM what new projects are you working on in the studio at the moment and that we shall see hitting the stores in the coming months?
Lewicki: I’ve been spending a lot of time on another project called, Tonite Only. We’ve got a few singles out on Beatport, currently, and remixes by a few of my favorite producers including Nicky Romero and High Rankin.
Carter: The Jump Jump Dance Dance artist album release in the U.S. is in January and we’re super excited! That’s the big thing we’re focused on, for now.
Chilling out:
VMM Q: Guys, if you’re not mixing or producing dance music what other music do you enjoy listening to and chill out too?
Lewicki: My favorite albums this year have been the Cut Copy, Gypsy &The Cat, Bon Iver and Grizzly Bear, and I know The Black Keys album will be a longtime favorite, also.
Carter: I’m really into things like the XX, Fever Ray, more songwriter-y type stuff like Sufjan Stevens, Devendra Banhart, LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes, The Clash, you name it! I’ve been a musician my whole life, so I have my favorites in most genres. Lately I’ve been getting really into some of the traditional Amazonian shamanic curandero songs, used in the plant medicine healing ceremonies.
Jump Jump Dance Dance online:
VMM Q: Where can VMM readers find you online?
Lewicki: Find us on Facebook, facebook.com/jumpjumpdandance, and Twitter, @jumpjumpdance, and YouTube, jumpjumpdancedancetv.
Carter: Don’t forget our official website is jumpjumpdancedance.com!
The Future:
VMM Q: VMM would like to ask you what goals you have set for yourselves for 2012 that you would like to achieve?
Lewicki: To spend more time in the sun, in the studio and onstage, and less time in airports!
Carter: We’re focused on the U.S. and worldwide release of our album in January 2012, as I said, and live dates as a band and DJ gigs after that!
Thanks from VMM to JUMP JUMP DANCE DANCE for taking time out to do this In The Spotlight Interview and best of luck for 2012.
