The
Scumfrog
Our friends at City Loud recently
had a chat with the Scumfrog, here's what he had to say...
Your debut performance
at City Loud is part of the Positiva 10th Anniversary world Tour,
what can we expect from you on the night?
Expect bells and whistles, live percussion,
live vocals, outrageous costumes, and a few surprises.
I'm a punter, sell
me your new album?
It's so great!!!! ehm... There's a lot of blood sweat and tears
that went
into this album. It's kind of a hybrid between a mix compilation
and an
artist album. The twenty tracks are by various artists (including
The
Scumfrog), but all are either produced or remixed by me. It was
hard
sometimes to stay focused on tracks that I've been so involved with
for so long, but I'm really proud of the result. Now I can almost
listen to it as an album that somebody else made, and enjoy it like
that.
Who is 'The Scumfrog'
Quite the character actually. Drop by the gig and you'll find out.
Of all the names you could choose, why
that particular one?
I didn't choose it. It came falling out of the sky with brutal force
and
precise timing.
What does 'The Scumfrog' Represent?
Beats, and Basslines primarily, with a close eye on song structure
and sound design. Oh, you mean when I'm NOT in the studio? Living
it up like an eighties rockstar, dress accordingly, and get as close
to Kylie as possible.
What drives your passion for music?
No idea, but whatever it is, it ain't going anywhere.
What can you tell me about Dirty Vegas
and George Micheal that we don't already know?
I'm always the last to find out anything on anybody, so this is
a tough
one....They still have all their teeth?
Who are the DJ's and producers closest
related to your sound?
I would say Planet Funk, Roger Sanchez, en Lee Cabrera
What DJ's play your records?
Who doesn't?
Who have you worked with that we should
know about them?
I just did the remixes for Annie Lennox' new single. Very proud
of the
outcome.
When The Scumfrog met Kylie Minogue was
it Love At First Sight!?
In my dreams it definitely was! Maybe she had the same dream, but
we never actually met.
Who are the DJ's that you most respect?
Roger (again), Walter V, Tiesto, Creamer
Do you have a residency?
Not right now. I have places in New York that I prefer to play at,
like Abaya and the Sullivan Room, but New York nightlife has the
wrong climate for a residency right now.
What inspires you about the clubscence
in London?
The fact that DJ's get to fill out questionnaires before they come
and do a gig.
How would you describe your style? (in
detail please).
Straight forward but full of surprises. Uplifting with a twisted
undertone
and a preference for Italian couture. My musical style is rather
similar to
that actually.
If there was one track that you'd have
to play in your set what would it be?
"Music Revolution", or Positiva would kill me.
Why do you love London?
Because you guys deal with rain and grey skies 300 days a year,
and still manage to have the best sense of humor in the world.
What have you got that other DJ's haven't?
I didn't know we were getting that close.
Who have you toured with?
I did a US tour with Roger back in 2001. The rest has pretty much
been The Scumfrog solo, unless you count the cute flight attendants
that I tend to collect on the way.
What have you got coming up in the future?
An artist album at the end of the year, maybe that yacht I always
wanted. This is why I stay good friends with my good friends at
Positiva.
Catch the Scumfrog live @ City Loud @ Turnmills
London on Saturday 17th May 2003.
Click
for City Loud Listings...
Biography
The Scumfrog, an Amsterdam native and New York
City transplant, has evolved his sound by combining the best from
both sides of the Atlantic with a sophisticated blend of New York
dark and funky beats and sexy European sounds. His recent successes
include four no. 1 club hits; 2001's Ibiza anthem "We Love You"
(Rolling Stones 60's cover), his remix of George Michael's single
"Freeek", the billboard dance smash "Love At First
Sight" by Kylie Minogue, and his re-conception of Dirty vegas'
"Days Go By". 2002 was an exciting year for The Scumfrog.
His highlights have included collaboration with David Bowie on Positiva,
and DJ Gigs all over the world.
For over ten years, The Scumfrog (a.k.a. Jesse Houk) had spread his
distinctive sound in clubs throughout Europe. In 1997, the DJ and
producer packed his record bags and brought his sound stateside to
New York City. Within a few months, he made a "splash" into
the club scene with his production of "The Watersong", which
was featured on Danny Tenaglia's Global Underground CD 010, Athens
During the next two years, The Scumfrog's hard work and perseverance
in the studio led him to produce the soulful single "Learning
To Fly". The track caught the attention of house music heavyweight
Roger Sanchez who loved it and immediately signed The Scumfrog to
his label, R*Senal Records. Since their collaboration, he has toured
worldwide with Sanchez playing big festivals such as "Gatecrasher
Sound Festival", "How Sweet It Is", and "Dance
Valley". It has been nonstop for this Dutch born DJ/producer,
with his productions of records and remixes for artists such as David
Bowie, George Michael, Kylie Minogue, Dirty Vegas, and New Order.
The first Scumfrog mix compilation featuring some of this biggest
remixes from the past two years is expected to hit stores March 2003.
When he is not on tour, he can be found in his New York recording
studio, working on his artist album and producing tracks with some
of music industry's giants that are sure to be number ones. To check
out everything about The Scumfrog, visit www.thescumfrog.com.
Keep an eye on this amphibian, as he is leaping all over the place.
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