While some producers spend years learning the ropes of their DAWs, perfecting snare drums and fighting their way into the spotlight, Disclosure is blessed with a different path. After gaining traction last year from their hit single ‘ Latch ’, Howard and Guy Lawrence have seen no limit to their potential or recognition.
The duo makes an elevated impression on UK house and bass music, inviting inquisitive listeners to these underground genres. Disclosure’s vocal splicing is also a notable point of difference that is prominent in much of their production; it lifts their work out of the clubs and into new ground. While many comment on the brothers’ youth as a standout feature, what I find more striking is their rare and desirable blend of authentic taste, genuine talent, hard work, good fortune and down-to-earth sensibilities.
I was lucky enough to chat with Howard recently about the release of their first album Settle and their return to Australia this spring…
***
Sonia Miles-Khan: How are you feeling about the reception of Settle ?
Disclosure: Really good. Just blown away by the response; it’s gone number one in the UK, which is absolutely amazing. Top ten in Australia, which is unbelievable. Over the moon!
We sold one record too in Paraguay, which is quite funny!
SM-K: The title of the album seems askew. It certainly can’t have been reflective of the songs because there’s a lot of movement in Settle …
D: The name is a joke between us and our managers. During the excitement of ‘Latch’ and ‘ White Noise ’ charting, our record label and everyone around us got so excited, “OH MY GOD THEY’RE GOING TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING RAH RAH RAH”. It was all really exciting but after a while we didn’t really want to talk about going so well all the time! We just had to tell everyone to settle down. It became this joke where anytime anyone said something along those lines, one of us would say, “Settle.” Like to keep them quiet!
SM-K: Do you feel comfortable with expectations at this point?
D: Well we’ve never felt uncomfortable . We just make music and people might like it. It seems to keep outdoing everyone’s expectations, which is great.
SM-K: How are you feeling towards your own creations?
D: I’m so proud of the album. I think that we worked so hard to make it all sound good and keep the Disclosure sound even though we were using lots of different vocalists. We managed to do that, so I’m proud.
SM-K: For so long before the release, all we knew was that there was going to be “a house record” but did you have any other aims during the process?
D: Yeah well we were going to have some hip hop on the album. It was the only thing that we set out to do that we didn’t do. It was kind of a blessing in disguise; it’s given us somewhere to go. After a lot of people’s first album, they get a bit stuck and feel like they don’t have anywhere to go. We still have a lot more to give. We love hip hop, so I think we’re going to work on that while keeping the pop-y house thing we do.
SM-K: How’s the live show looking now?
D: We’ve massively ramped it up since our last trip to Oz. We have two workstations. I’m playing the bass guitar, synthesisers as well as singing. Guy does more of the drums, live percussion, synthesisers and the vocal samples.
SM-K: How long have you both been playing instruments?
D: We were brought up playing instruments at a really young age, about four or five.
SM-K: So when did mucking around on the computer start?
D: We started mucking around on the computer when we made our first single! We just had to develop in the spotlight. Our single was our first song that we ever made together. We’ve had to learn as we’ve gone along.
SM-K: Did that add to the pressure or did it stay fun?
D: It was still a really fun process. Our manager did really well at not revealing that there was much pressure. We were quite oblivious at the time, but in hindsight there was loads of pressure.
SM-K: Now I know that you went to see some underground artists at clubs in the UK, before your own success. Were those your aims then?
D: I don’t know. I couldn’t have really imagined what our show would consist of; we hadn’t invented it. Later on we started playing at nightclubs, which was fun but not really suitable for a full live show. People want to get drunk and take drugs, so they might not care about what you’re doing on stage. We’ve found that concert venues have worked a little better because people are more alert to what we’re doing onstage…. while still having a bit of a rave.
SM-K: Well we can’t wait to see you perform the new material out on Settle at Listen Out this year – very exciting.
D: Yeah man, can’t wait to come back and get some sunshine. Field Day in Sydney was so incredible [New Year, 2013]. This time everyone will get to hear the new album and live, so I just hope they enjoy it.
***
Catch Disclosure along with AlunaGeorge , John Talabot and Rufus (to name a few) at Listen Out Festival:
- Sat 28 Sep - Centennial Park - Sydney
- Sun 29 Sep - Ozone Reserve – Perth
- Sat 5 Oct - Observatory Precinct - Royal Botanic Gardens - Melbourne
- Sun 6 Oct - Cultural Forecourt - Southbank - Brisbane
Tickets and further info at http://listen-out.com.au/
WORDS BY Sonia Miles-Khan
Comments
.