1. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today?1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d)Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

The greatest influence has been the music i've heard right the way through my life, all sorts of styles..

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists, Reggae area... Or just any particular artist/s? Please tell us?

My first musical hero was my Uncle, he plays some mean rock/blues riffs on his flying V! ummm. I also liked Adam Ant when I was a young squid..

3. You are a Dj/Producers and musicians first and foremost? However, what was the first club, music venue or other entertainment venue that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now?; and have you gone back to play there from time to time?

My first major gig was being a stand in drummer in a school band gig (13 years), gig was on the town green ,ye it's still there, I chuckle every time I walk past it!

4.The Rurals have been running for 6 Years now, and being based in the South West area of England; how did the group of the Rurals meet up? You didn't all come together at the same time did you? However you, have managed to capture all the best that Deep House music is known for. Dreammy like jazz-soul grooves, aided and abettied with the lovely vocals of Marie. How did you come together?

The Rurals morphed through the years in terms of members, at first it was just pure fun jamming in the studio every weekend, nearly everyone was invited. Thing was all my other pals ended up getting full time jobs 'cos when you start to work full time on music it takes a very long time to get results, basically we were super skint!

I met Marie through my friend Jan, who owns the local record shop (Reform, Exeter) it was like a dream come true! At last some one to sing over our music, our tunes just before we met we're getting quite tracky and weird...the injection of soul helped things roll along a bit quicker, attracting a wider audience.

5.Marie vocals seem to fit the groups sound. Does she take part in any of the groups musical compositions - in other words, the writing of the lyrics?

Marie writes ALL the vocals and harmonies, that's her department! (as well as the peng online shop!)

6.For anyone new to you and your sound. Has any of the Rurals got a Dj residency within your area of the world? And if so, are you allowed to have some control over what you can play. Do the promoters tell you what to play in some instances.

We haven't a residency at the moment, however we do play at our man Bazils night (Fruity Antics) a few times a year, he plays there every month, it's a great club, we test our new tunes in the and Marie sometimes sings..16th of Feb,2002 is the peng 3 year party there, should be great! Only Matt, Bazil, and myself and Marie

7. Have you played outside the UK to play? What did it feel like to have Dj or played a concert outside of your country for the first time, if you have?

We play outside the Uk, 80% of the time, the first gig abroad for me and Marie was at the Tressor in Berlin, Germany was great fun!

8.It great to see that countries such as England, France, Norway, Scotland, Germany and Ireland are adding their Deep House influence to House and Garage music.. Do you like the Deep House sounds that are coming from these countries..? Or does The USA have the edge when it come to making Deep House or Vocal Garage tunes... Glenn Underground, Larry Heard, Master at Work, Robert Owens, Blaze, etc ,etc comes to mind here?

I just love it all!! I'm a real bad train spotter, I never read the labels..house is now global so it don't matter to me!

9.As we taking about tunes. What is your favourite tune that you have made. Anyone in particular thats a favourite of yours?

It's a song called"Sweet" recorded 2 weeks ago, it's gonna be on our next album...I had tears in my eyes when I mixed it down, deep stuff!

10.Still staying on the subject of tunes. When the "Rurals" are considering making up a fresh musical compositions. What tends to come first. The Lyrics first then the groove, or the Groove then the lyrics. How do you go about making up a fresh new tune...??

We jam the music, then if Marie likes it she does the vocals.

11. You have managed to create a credible website that is allows you place on your mixes of some the tracks that you have produced.What gave you the inspiration in making such as website in the first place?

The website is designed by our art dude Matt (aka "onlymatt") the site was started a long while back, it gets a face lift every 6 months or so. We put our experimental mp3 clips up for feedback.Inspiration...Well, living in Devon,England you've got to find a way to connect worldwide, or we'll end up playing down the local barn dance!

12. As some of you are dj's within the group. Do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? A lot of DJ's nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

Totally! My collection is freebee's and swaps, I buy less than 4 house tunes a month..It's 30 miles to our nearest record shop so i cant get down there to often. Before we do a tour I stock up from www.juno.co.uk

13.Record mixing (Djing!!). Your technique when playing out. Do you use a style of blending when you playing out; or are you a person who like to jump straight in and out of a track without warning!!! What styles do you like to use.If you still do Dj...

I'm not too flash, like to keep things smooooth!

14.Keeping on the music side of things and this time with remixing (* Production wise!!). Have you been asked or taken part in remixing any artists at all? Or are you got something or someone in mind in the future?

We do plenty of remixes, my faves being for Savannah, Harly and Muscle, and Physics. We've just completed one for BRS, and will start working on a new Trouble Men remix soon.

15.Chicago, New Jersey and New York City have traditionally dominated the musical output coming from the USA of recent years(*with regards to Soulful House and Garage music). However, the city of San Franciso input over the last 3 years has changed that. I take it that you are aware of Labels such as Naked Music, Panhandle, Red Melon and a host of others that are truly challenging these traditional cities musical output. Do you get a chance to listen artists from those labels.

Yeh, got some stuff through on Naked, it's a good vibe! I haven't heard much from the others.My pal dj tune in oakland keep me up to date with all the new stuff, he sends through a new mix cd every month.

16. Many Soulful House and Garage artists and fans around the world now know, or are know familiar with tracks from either The Arftul Dodger and M.J.Cole. Do you think that these artists have bought the music forward for Uk Garage or 2-Step Garage music from within England to around the world. Or is there still a very long way to go on that score? Are you a fan of 2-Step Garage music? Would we ever see the Rurals ever comtemplating releasing at set of Uk Garage or 2-Step Garage remixes for future tracks...???

I've heard a couple of great 2 step bits, I don't like the commercial ragga stuff though. The Rurals won't be going 2 step!

17. To come up with that distinctive sound that you have, what music equipment do you have to achieve that Dreamy Deep House sound?

The Rhodes, Analogue synths, and plenty of different guitars/basses.

18. Has any of your tracks been featured in any film scores or Film documentary's at all?

We have a songs on a few erotic hollywood movies!

19.What is your relationship with the press and media? Do you like giving comments out or doing interviews? Even though we are doing this right now? Do you feel comfortable doing interviews. Or would you like to be left alone to just to create music?

I don't mind interviews, I dont like doing live radio though...I get a bit shy!

20. What are the aims of the Rurals for 2002. Are there are any Single/s, or Albums releases for us to look out for?

We're working hard to complete our next Album, been workin with Pete Jacobsen(keys), Charlie Hearnshaw (sax) Ricky Thorne (guitar) and gurner (all sorts!), Maries been coming up with some great soul vocals.so far this year we've released "messages" on Peng, and "Habits" (Feb - 2002) on Peng records.Dino and Terry have done a great remix of "No power" , will be cut soon. Also, Marie has done a collaboration with Enzo from Paris, France, to be released on Peng records.

21.Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage.Any rules that he should adhere to!!!

Just keep on working on it! If you put all your energy into something things will happen, but not overnight

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Rurals (Devon, England). If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.

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