LAWNCHAIR GENERALS,INTERVIEW (w underground house)

[wangchung]

Meet Peter Christianson and Carlos Mendoza,


together they make up the match made in heaven that is Lawnchair Generals. They take the art of tagteam, multi-deck mixing and turn it into a funk fueled array of sheer house genius. Playing seamlessly in harmony together without a word ever transpiring between them, they seam to have an infalable understanding between them and work 4 decks and more importantly the punters to perfection. This ability is also reflected in their unforgetable string of releases and remixes, all of which are played repeatedly by many a dj. All of this has been achieved in a short enough timespan that would warrent others in their shoes to be classified as sheer amatures at best. They've brought their varied backgrounds to Seattle, a city that is normally associated with the alternative scene, and have done for house what Nirvana did for grunge. Some would attribute some of their success to abit of luck, but they manage to prove time and time again that this simply aint the case. Carlos and Peter took some time out of their busy touring schedule to answer a few questions.

For such a relative short time together you guys seam to have an unprecedented mutual understanding when djing and in the studio, did things just click from the begining and if so when did you decide that merging into Lawnchair Generals would best reflect that?

P- Things fell into place pretty much on their own. We were both looking for some thing more, with the music that is, something to take us further. It felt like the right thing at the right time.

C- Things pretty much clicked from the beginning. We were drawn to the idea of collaborating when we realized much of our tastes and complaints about House music were similar, and that we had many of the same influences. We thought we would give it a shot and worry about the name after we actually had some music completed.

When in the studio, do you guys notice a trend in the roles you play when laying down a track or does it vary with every project?

P- The roles vary depending on what is needed for the track. There are countless variables including motivation, inspiration even hunger.

C- It really does vary, although I tend slightly to supply the chaos and Peter the order. But it always shifts. Whatever works. We both know what we like when we hear it, regardless of origin.

Your also known for having very catchy vocals in your tracks, do you normally start with a hot vocal and work from there or do you generally lay the beats down first?

P- Like all things in the world of LCG, it varies wildly. Sometimes we'll work on beats for weeks and then a vocal will drop in our lap tying it all together. Other times we'll start with the vocal and it will help to determine the groove from the get-go.

C- Vocals provide a human element, someth for the mind to remember. Instrumental music is difficult for us to create without getting bored of it. So somehow, the human voice will likely be present. But where it enters the process, or even what form it takes, is different every time.

In your sets you're known for working a lot of tracks similtaniously and doing remixes on the fly, did you play individually in a similar manner when you were not working together?

P- Our individual sets definitely contain elements our 2*4, that's unavoidable. But there is something that happens when you play with someone else. If everything goes right it's like having a second "you". Your abilities and confidence increase far more than just two fold.
C- The 2X4 situation makes it easier to achieve a certain comfort level quickly so that, plus the benefit of four hands and four ears, brings something different. But I think our 2X4 experience has improved and changed our individual sets as a result.

You've also been known for producing top notch remixes, do you find that these days you remix tracks that you dig on your own accord or that you get approached with material?

P- Again, every project is different. If we hear something we really like and we know they're looking for it to be remixed, we'll throw our hat in the ring. But we do get approached by labels and artist that we don't know. This is cool because it widens the network, extends the family.
C- Thank you. Sometimes we hear something we like and we ask to remix it. Sometimes we hear something before we are asked by the artist or label to remix it. Sometimes we are approached with something we've never heard before.

You guys are closely related to EastCoast Boogiemen and embarked on a national tour that was unique to anything of it's kind, is there a possiblity of another tour together, perhaps even an international one?

P- Another tour with those guys? Ah hell, I guess so. Go Team Fun!

C- Another Town & Country Tour? Possible, although it has not been discussed. The only thing closely related to ECB is Australopithecine or the snow monkey. It is a wonder how they keep finding their way out of their pens and onto airplanes. Another tour would require helmets and difficult amounts of money and alcohol. (Winks)

In recent times you have surged in popularity, when touring do you still feel as though your representing Seattle in what you do, or do you think that you now more closely reflect the US house scene in general?

P- I would say we represent us and the diversity of House Music. The coolest thing about electronic music in general is that its global.

C- At present we just make and play music we like. We don't tour to represent or reflect any municipality or state. We represent two guys who make and play music they like and all of the friends, family, artists and supporters from everywhere that help make that possible.

[mambana]

Your also known for having very catchy vocals in your tracks, do you normally start with a hot vocal and work from there or do you generally lay the beats down first?

P- Like all things in the world of LCG, it varies wildly. Sometimes we'll work on beats for weeks and then a vocal will drop in our lap tying it all together. Other times we'll start with the vocal and it will help to determine the groove from the get-go.

C- Vocals provide a human element, someth for the mind to remember. Instrumental music is difficult for us to create without getting bored of it. So somehow, the human voice will likely be present. But where it enters the process, or even what form it takes, is different every time.

boleh juga nih...

[Oki Koro]

BOLEH BANGET!!!