Ever since the March release of their internationally acclaimed album ‘FROM DEEWEE’, it’s been a constant, uncompromising and sense-dazzling go for the masters of Soulwax. Today marks a new peak with the video premiere of their single “Is It Always Binary”, recorded live during their set in London in August. Since we last had our in-depth look at ‘FROM DEEWEE’, they’ve been hitting the road hard with the incredible live installation called “The Transient Program for Drums and Machinery”. Roving from all major European cities to a coveted spot at M.I.A.’s Meltdown Festival and collaborating with Loewe and Michel Gaubert on an Ibiza-themed vinyl; it’s been quite the summer for Team Dewaele.
The video for “Is It Always Binary” is a fascinating closer look at how a Soulwax track is constructed, from the pounding multi-drummer opening to Stephen and David layering on beats and distorted vocals. Shot live in a single take - just the way the album was recorded - on August 29 at 3 Mills Studio in London, the energy and artistry of this tour pours palpably from the screen. The album’s mascotte, the silver binaural microphone, also makes a triumphant appearance as a spinning mirrorball topping the visionary set designed in tandem with Soulwax’ trusted partner Ill-Studio.
The ‘FROM DEEWEE’ high continues. By popular demand, a second date at the London Roundhouse was added as part of the Soulwax Winter Tour, with supporting acts by Joe Goddard plus DJs Jarvis Cocker and Steve Mackey. The final stops of the year will be held in Manchester, Paris, Utrecht and finally Antwerp on December 22. Get your tickets here, before it’s ‘goodnight transmission’.
Visual: Ill-Studio & Scott Renau
You can buy and stream ‘FROM DEEWEE’ here.
FULL CREDITS
The Transient Program For Drums and Machinery is an installation imagined by Soulwax and Ill-Studio, built for live performance, and operated by Stephen and David Dewaele, Stefaan Van Leuven, Iggor Cavalera, Victoria Smith, Blake Davies and Laima Leyton, under the name of Soulwax.
The instruments used for this performance are: Two Staccato drumkits, one Meazzi Wooding drum with added Octobans, one set or Rototoms, a Macbeth M5n, an Oberheim 2-Voice Pro, a Human Comparator Two Thousand Six Hundred, an EMS Synthi AKS, an Arp Odyssey, a Mellotron M4000D, various reverbs, echoes and effects, all going through three refurbished Trident Fleximix consoles, all positioned on a giant rug representing the electronic schematic of the installation. Soulwax were reinforced by their technical team of Chris Walker, Oliver Geerts, Phil Evans, Marc Devulder, Hugo Scholten, Jasper Wouters, Tijs Coene and Priscilla Andrade.
This performance of 'Is It Always Binary' was recorded and filmed live on 29th of August at 3 Mills Studios in London, captured by James Willis for Bullion Productions.
Image: Kurt Augustyns
PRODUCTION: Bullion Productions
DIRECTOR: James Willis
EXEC PRODUCER: Hannah Gracie
PRODUCER: Nailah Clair Blissett
1st AD: Kerry Green
PRODUCTION ASSITANT: Nick Tewson
DOP: James Rhodes
FOCUS PULLER: Ryan Parkins
LOADER/DIT: Ky Brasey
GRIP: Daniel Laviada
GRIP ASSISTANT: Pete Nash
MOVI TECHNICIAN: Phil Arntz
GAFFER: Charlie Jenkins
SPARK: Nick Leishman
RIGGER: Glenn Jackson
ART DIRECTOR: David Hamilton
MAKE-UP / HAIR: Priscila Matano
ASSISTANT MAKE-UP / HAIR: Monica Vicente
RUNNER / DRIVER / FIRST AID: Charlotte Gardiner
RUNNER: Sara Rogers
EDITOR: Jack Abbot
COLOURIST: Edwin Metternich @ Framestore
