The MFA: A Different Make

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The MFA: A Different Make

Jan142004

Article by bing

After the massive exposure gained from their latest single "The Difference It Makes" which appeared in the coverted opening spot on James Holden's "Balance 005"; The MFA are moving forward with leaps an bounds.

Alastair Douglas and Rhys Evans (The MFA) first met in 2000 at University. A few years later they tried their hand at writing music together with their first two tracks earning them a slot at underground London venue The Foundry. Their third received airtime on John Digweed's Kiss100 show. Their fourth; "The Difference It Makes", has been picked up by James Holden's Border Community record label and has made a waves throughout the industry appearing in the coveted opening spot for his critically acclaimed Balance 005 mix CD.

Bing: The Difference It Makes will be released this week on Border Community with a remix by Petter and yourselves. What do you think of what Petter has done to your song and how does your own remix vary to the original?

Ali: Petter has done a great mix of our track. He has changed it around a lot, and introduced lots of nice acid and harmonic elements. We are both big fans of Petter's music. He has an individual style that he has imprinted onto this remix.

Rhys: Our own remix is called The Fungle Fix and takes us back to where we started, writing drum and bass. Plus we're quite pleased with the silliness factor.

Bing: EQ have signed your next track Two Billion Year Journey. What can you tell us about the tune and how did it come about that you are releasing songs on an Australian label?

Ali: We came up with the idea for the track a long time ago. We wanted to do something quite dark with this big bass line that would sound good in a club. It is quite different from the laid-back melodic nature of "The Difference It Makes". The EQ connection came about after James Holden put "The Difference It Makes" on his excellent Balance mix CD released by EQ. I was really glad to get the opportunity to work with an Australian label, as I am half Australian myself. I have been across to visit my family numerous times and the clubs have a nice vibe and everyone you meet is so friendly.

Rhys: This was the first house track we wrote together. We sent a demo to Digweed and it wasn't until the following year we realized he had played it on his radio show. The mix for EQ is fatter and more driving than our original demo, plus I'm looking forward to hearing the Dirty Fours remix too.

Bing: How does the MFA live show work? Is there a great deal of planning involved or do you opt more for going with the flow? Is the way you guys play live similar to the way you work on music in the studio?

Ali: Well, in the studio we tend to argue a lot and one person will lie on a couch drinking and reading the paper, whilst the other does all the work. The couch spot is very coveted, as all you have to do is sit there and make a few criticisms every now and then. When we play live we have to know what the other person is likely to do next so that we can keep the music going smoothly. Luckily this is quite easy, as we know each other well. We don't do any specific preparation for a gig other than jamming a bit to get a few ideas about what might sound good with something else. Obviously we have to get our tracks into a form that allows them to be played live, but after that it tends to all be done on the spur of the moment.

Rhys: The main complication when playing live is doing visuals. We have a mate who does these crazy animation stuff in time to our music which is cool.

Bing: When you're on stage- what is that rush for you - that thing that makes you say, "Wow. This is why I do it"?

Rhys: I always end up with this crazy buzz before we play, and then to see people dancing to your stuff is always amazing. The only downside is that I don't get the chance to stand back and listen properly myself, because I'm busy playing.

Ali: Like Rhys says, when you are playing live it is great to see people dancing because you know that it is all your own music. On the other hand it can make it a bit nerve racking because we can't fall back on playing "YMCA" if everyone hates it.

Bing: Can we expect a MFA album in the future?

Rhys: We've quite a few tracks that we play live but probably aren't "dj friendly' enough to fit into someone else's set. We've sometimes thought it would be nice to put these on an album so people can listen to them other than at our gigs.

Ali: I think a lot of people try to do albums without realizing quite how much is involved. At the moment I am happy writing singles and playing live because I think it is possible to become bogged down if you set out to write an album.

Bing: Who are your favourite artists and what is the magic x factor that sets them apart from the rest?

Rhys: I'm not sure how they've influenced our music (they're probably in there somewhere) but it has to be the Super Furry Animals and the Pet Shop Boys. Just the combination of good lyrics, fun melodies and a good feel sets them apart.

Ali: Pet Shop Boys is decidedly suspect if you ask me. My tastes are more dance orientated - but most of the albums I have are from when I was younger. However, they still sound good today. As millions of people say "The beats sound as fresh today as they did 10 years ago". I like Daft Punk, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Felix Da Housecat, Roni Size. Portishead used to be brilliant. It's the beats which I like - all these guys had good beats. Good beats and catchy melodies. It is difficult to get your hands on decent artist albums so I listen to a lot of mix compilations. I started out liking Jungle/DNB, I used to go the original Metalheadz nights at the old Blue Note to see Peshay, Goldie etc and still do now so listen to Hype, Andy C etc. If you are looking at house then there is no bettering James Holden.

Bing: What do you love away from music?

Rhys: Pubs and clubs and the reason that I think I can cancel out the effects of my unhealthy lifestyle " cycling.

Bing: What is the best film ever made?

Rhys: Sliding Doors.

Ali: What Rhys doesn't know is that Sliding Doors was filmed next to my school so I saw them filming it. I like The Godfather and Ace Ventura Pet Detective.

Bing: What do you just have to do at least once a month, a week and every day?

Rhys: I haven't a clue; I tend to take life as it comes. Although when we're in the studio, before we start we normally need to play a good track to get us into the zone. For quite a while this was a particularly good (but I'm afraid unreleased) remix of S Club 7's "Don't Stop Moving" by a respected DJ friend of ours.

Ali: Once a month: buy a travel card. Once a week: lose my travel card. Every day: use my travel card.

Bing: Your website has had a post about MFA T-shirts being available all year (but I haven't seen them!) is this a tricky anti-marketing stunt on your behalf?

A: So, this is an interesting idea this anti-marketing. Unfortunately it is just that we are disorganized. We ran out of T-shirts and haven't got anymore. But do not fear they will be available soon. If I haven't mentioned it before can I please use this opportunity to say that The MFA are available for weddings, bazmitzfahs and christenings"

Since completing this interview the lads have also finished a remix of DJ Yoshi's Dreamer for release on Red Jerry's and Ben Lost Language's new label " Precinct, on which they will be releasing a single in the future.