Back in White

MUSIC EVENT 13 Hit the road, Jaxx: Simon Ratcliffe (left) and Felix Buxton will bring their dance act to Brisbane next month give them one hour of her time and ‘‘It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I Ratcliffe can’t remember the last any friends who wanted to meet her wouldn’t say it’s going to be No. 1 or time they played live. were asked to stay away. anything, but it’s a really cool track ‘‘The shows in Australia will be the ‘‘She was in and out within an that I’m really proud of, so that’s first live show we’ve done for a long BACK IN hour,’’ says Ratcliffe. going to be on the album.’’ time and it will be with slightly ‘‘And she doesn’t do this very On this cold crisp London morn- changed personnel — a bit of an often, apparently. She came in and ing, Ratcliffe takes the call on return unknown, really. I hope it goes all we had the music prepared and she from the post office, where he has just right, I’m sure it will. I feel slightly really liked it and just did it, and gave picked up a device to go with his anxious about it.’’ us Yoko Ono for an hour. Xbox, which he got for his birthday in But they haven’t been entirely idle. WHITE ‘‘We had friends who wanted to December. Last year Basement Jaxx also spent come see her but we were told she Simon spent Christmas and the time working with Lauper for her really doesn’t like crowds of people New Year in Melbourne, where he new record, the fabulous dance- It has been a long time between drinks but anywhere. We had to vacate the and his Australian partner visited oriented Bring Ya to the Brink. studio and have as few people there family with their two-year-old They were enchanted with the Basement Jaxx are ready to unleash a new as possible. She’s had a few people daughter. Queens, New York, character who mess her around over the years. She’s He was going to DJ on New Year’s showed up in their dingy London record and live show, writes Sally Browne a bit mistrustful of people, I think, Eve, but forgot to take his record with studio. these days. him, so he ended up watching the ‘‘She’s a real character,’’ Ratcliffe BRITISH dance act Basement Jaxx For this project, they worked with ‘‘She was really, really nice,’’ he fireworks in Melbourne instead. says. ‘‘She’s got this really strong seem to be attracted to strong a number of other stars including Yo continues. ‘‘And really happy to give ‘‘This time I was only able to stay Queens accent. I remember her from women. Majesty, Santo Gold, Lightspeed us what we wanted.’’ in Australia for about 10 days, which when I was 13. It’s really odd that Not only have the popular hit- Champion and Australian Sam Ratcliffe wrote the track especially is a pretty quick trip, but I had to get someone like that could suddenly be makers worked with Cyndi Lauper Sparro, although they are yet to for her, inspired by her experimental back to finish the album,’’ Ratcliffe in your studio. and Lily Allen, they also recorded decide which tracks will make it on work of the 1970s and ’80s. says. ‘‘Our studio’s tiny — it could be with the formidable Yoko Ono. the album. They were hoping to ‘‘I love Yoko Ono and I love what Basement Jaxx will return next someone’s bedroom. It’s so small and Ono will be one of the stars of their make it a double album at one point. she does and the music I think is month to headline the Future Music unglamorous in a really scruffy part highly anticipated new album, which They recorded the song with Ono sympathetic of the ’70s and the ’80s Festival, along with N.E.R.D, of town.’’ Simon Ratcliffe, one half of Basement in New York in April 2007. and kind of feels like it suits her in a Grandmaster Flash, CSS and Paul She spent two days with them to Jaxx, ‘‘promises’’ will be finished in a ‘‘The beginning of 2007, that’s way. Oakenfold. The tour will feature the record the song Rocking Chair, and couple of weeks. when we started the album,’’ Ratcliffe ‘‘I’m completely at ease with her full Basement Jaxx crew in action, then worked with the pair via email ‘‘I nearly promise,’’ he qualifies. says and then adds: ‘‘Is that when we voice, but some people, it really gives which includes vocalists and from around the world. Fans have been waiting some time started the album?’’ He sounds them a shiver. musicians, about 10 people all up. Although they’ve worked with for the next instalment in Basement almost surprised. many stars, Ratcliffe says the mys- Jaxx’s 15-year career. Basement Jaxx heard that Ono ‘Cyndi Lauper’s got this really strong terious and elusive Grace Jones tops Their last album, Crazy Itch Radio, was a fan through a journalist, so they their guest collaborator wishlist. came out in 2006 and included asked her if she’d be up for a Queens accent. It’s really odd that someone Basement Jaxx will perform at the contributions from Allen and collaboration. Future Music Festival, Brisbane Swedish sensation Robyn. Yoko said yes — but she could only like that could suddenly be in your studio’ Turf Club on March 7. thesundaymail.com.au THE SUNDAY MAIL, event February 15, 2009 Page 13.

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