Nobody Beats the Drum Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 4th 2010 9:10AM by Preston Jones
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Nobody Beats the Drum are upfront about their ambitions: "Resistance is futile," reads one tagline on the Dutch electronica trio's MySpace page. Although they've not yet begun touring America in earnest, the group -- which employs samples, keyboards and throbbing beats that will put a big grin on the faces of fans of Daft Punk or the Chemical Brothers -- sets out to "whip a crowd up into a sweaty, writhing heap of body parts" every time. Although DJ Sjam Sjamsoedin, "visualist" Rogier van der Zwagg and keyboardist Jori Collignon insist the best way to appreciated Nobody Beats The Drum is to see their act in person, another option is to listen to the just released 'Dirty Monkey' EP, or 2008's full-length, 'Beats Work."' Spinner cornered Collignon in anticipation of SXSW as the Netherlands natives planned their dance party assault on the United States.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Analog and/or digital saw, sinus or pulse waveforms oscillated, filtered, distorted and layered with sampled and/or wave-generated beats. Heavily [sidechain] compressed and limited to guarantee the full, blasting effect.

How did the band form?

We started investigating the combination of live, instrumental, hip-hop-based dance music and visuals back in 2003. We had a kick-start, winning a national prize at our third gig. We took a couple of years to develop our sound, find time (Sjam and I also perform with other groups), and finally released our debut album in 2008. It feels like we only just started.

What are the band's musical influences?

In the '90s, Daft Punk [and the] Chemical Brothers, I guess. Sjam and I come from different backgrounds. He used to be more of a hip-hop guy. I was more into punk, pop-rock or whatever. Everything is so mixed up these days. We listen to everything. Hmm, [German DJ] Boys Noize gets me inspired. And all kinds of African beats. Ha, and Ujala Radio of course, [the] best radio station in Amsterdam.

How did you come up with your band name?

Sjam came up with it. We like word jokes.

What's your biggest vice?

If I get really, really drunk, I might piss in your kitchen.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

[Hal David and Burt Bacharach's] 'Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.'

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Hmm, a thing that comes to mind is a couple having rough sex out in the open, right in front of a church somewhere in the UK, inviting Rogier to join them.

Are you working on any new material?

Always. We're releasing a new EP on a different label every three months for this year. The 'Focus' EP on Satan's Circus [was released] last December. The 'Dirty Monkey' EP on Boemklatsch Records will be released [on] March 6 on digital and vinyl. Then, [we'll release] a French one, and we're planning a US tour later this year, so we want to do a release in the States as well.

What are the ingredients for a perfect dance party?

Heavy rocking sounds, good friends, a bottle of water and an easy day after, if you know what I mean.

Preston Jones is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.