actually wanted to record the debut of backing singer Dave Okumu. But the two session players Tom Herbert and Leo Taylor did such a good job that everyone decided to take this one step further. Now they already toured with the Doves, have been remixed by Headman, Hot Chip and Gatto Fritto and are compared to – often rather tiringly – TV On The Radio.
It has a certain unhinged charm, so I’ll go with that.
you come home from the club?
Portishead - The Rip
It’s lush.
you take a bubble bath?
D'Angelo - Africa
That version of D'Angelo singing «Africa» accompanied only by his piano. That feels like a bubble bath to me.
you ride a bicycle?
Kenny Wheeler - Kind Folk
It’s so elegant and rhythmic. So I’d like it to inform my bike riding.
you prepare a candle light dinner?
Irma Thomas - Ruler Of My Heart
It’s so unashamedly romantic and so happening and has so much depth.
you go to a club?
Don Blackman - Heart's Desire
That tune always makes me want to dance and I don’t think there’s anything that sounds quite like it.
you cook?
Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23
I love food, I love cooking, I love Shuggie. That song always makes me feel happy.
you prepare for an important date?
Prince - Erotic City
That is some sexy feel good shizzle.
you are in a depressive mood?
PJ Harvey - One Line
Although it’s melancholic, it’s also uplifting.
you want to disturb your neighbours?
The Jackson 5 - ABC
I don’t see how that tune could piss anyone off. Even if it was on at an ear-splitting volume.
you drive a car late at night?
We Fell To Earth - Lights Out
It makes me feel like I’m in a Michael Mann movie or in «Blade Runner». It sounds sleek and mercurial. And it would actually be suicide because I can’t drive.
you fall asleep?
Jimi Hendrix - Castles Made Of Sand
It’s a magical image to drift away to.
you are love sick?
Joni Mitchell - All I Want
Joni Mitchell - A Case Of You
you make love?
The Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes For You
In my opinion, some activities shouldn’t be accompanied by music. Generally, I find listening to music pretty absorbing and, in this instance particularly. I think there’s enought to focus on without music up in the mix. But if I had to choose something, then «I Only Have Eyes For You».
you jump out of a plane with a parachute?
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
you sit in a plane?
Finn Peters - Atlas
Some of Finn’s compositions make me feel like I’m flying.
you are in the sauna?
Tom Waits - Straight To The Top (Vegas)
you have to spend a night in a spooky hotel?
Radiohead - Pyramid Song
Haunting yet comforting.
you sit in the subway?
Slum Village - Conant Gardens
Dilla’s production remains unhindered when competing with the hussle and bustle of the underground.
you wake up?
Eska Mtungwazi - Rock Of Ages
It sounds sacred to me, like it’s always been there. Good way to start the day.
you need to get work done?
Kraftwerk - Computer Love
I can’t work with music on. Being a simpleton, I get too distracted. But, for the sake of argument I’ll say «Computer Love» by Kraftwerk ‘cause it’s got a lovely movement that might assist the flow of whatever work I was doing, and it manages to be very cute and very hip at the same time.
5 favorite animals
owl / elephant / dog / lion / dinosaur
5 favorite books
James Baldwin: «Sonny’s Blues» / J.M. Coetzee: «Disgrace» / Olga Grushin: «The Dream Life Of Sukhanov» / JD Salinger: «Catcher In The Rye» / The Bible
5 favorite cartoon characters
The Uninvited Batman / Stimpy / Ren / Homer Simpson / Inspector Gadget
5 favorite dishes
roast lamb / sushi / fish tagine / roast vegetables / my mum's dahl
«Play It Again Sam» by Woody Allen / «The Breakfast Club» by John Hughes / «Breaking The Waves» by Lars Von Trier / «I Am Cuba» by Mikhail Kalatozov / «Todo Sobre Mi Madre» by Pedro Almodovar
5 favorite personal belongings
Hohner telecaster / Austrian coachman’s cape / my mattress / Chris the accordion / my Global chef's knife
5 favorite places in the world
London /Mull / Paris / Tokyo / Mombassa
5 favorite records
Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information
Prince - Sign Of The Times
Don Blackman – Don Blackman
Eugene McDaniels - Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse
Talking Heads - Remain In Light
5 favorite restaurants
Franklins / Moro / Khans / Tokyo Diner / Wheelers
5 favorite sport teams
Austrian horse racing team / Nigerian metal detecting team / Cardiff breathing association / Peckham United / Whitstable waterpolo society
5 favorite things about London
the people / the music / Battersea Power Station / The Tate / Horniman Museum
Questions answered by: Dave Okumu
Whitehouse
a song guaranteed to make you feel depressed The Beatles - Yesterday
are finally back. After their very promising debut they took some time to come back with an album that finally shows the full potential of what Johnny Jewel & co is capable of. Where «In The City» left off ...