The Wideboys: Wide Load
Artist:
Wideboys
It takes a special kind of duo to stay fresh after nearly 15 years in the game. Eddie Craig and Jim Sullivan are that two. The production, remix and DJing outfit that make up The Wideboys talk Britney remixes, staying ahead of the pack and why Jim’s got a watch for every day of the week... Interview by Danny Walker
“We found new management last year in Matt Waterhouse Represents and he basically took what we were doing and brought us to a bigger field,” Ed explains of the unrelenting Wideboys re-fix roster. Jim Sullivan concurs, “We had always managed ourselves and thought we were doing OK, but now things are on a different level. Apart from freeing up our time – so we can work in the studio more...” Ed interjects, “My phone was going every two seconds. In the end, Jim was like, ‘I’m gonna launch that phone out that window!”
Knowing you need to keep rejuvenated to avoid being relegated, Jim is first to admit they kept their ears to the street. He soon divulges the secret to their success. “We listen to music and think, ‘OK, how can we push that forward.’” Once found, the duo don’t just stick to a winning formula/ beat/ loop/ sample; The Wideboys keep it fresh like the bread at the back of the supermarket shelf. “We have to change the sounds and the style for our own sanity. The same beat 24/7 would do our nuts in,” Ed points out.
Despite those big cheque remixes, there must have been a point when ‘nuts’ where definitely ‘done in’. Jim answers boldly about any jack-it-all in mornings. “There have been days when we have looked at the account and been laughing,” he recalls as they both chuckle as if in a joint daydream. “There have been times when Ed and I have had to empty out the penny jar. But on each of those days we were sitting in the studio, happy... In fact, I like being skint, I write better tunes when I’m skint.” Ed agrees: “For us, it’s all about the music. It’s much more the vibe and the project. There is nothing we’d rather do than to sit here making a beat.”
And make beats they do. “We’re so glad the bassline scene has come around,” Ed states. “We’ve been making that stuff since 2003 when we got phone calls from Shaun Banger Scott and Jamie Duggan saying ‘We love your sound.’ Basically we got brought into that scene naturally.” Daddy O Ft. Shaznay Lewis is a bass-drunk example of their natural progression, while Snow Flake Ft. Clare Evers is a dreamy concoction imbued with a tribute to Wideboys of old. Do they worry about coming on too strong, and alienating old fans? “I wouldn’t say Daddy O is too hard,” Jim insists. “It’s a real phat package and it just came together well. It was written by Therese Grankvist (Put ‘Em High and Take Me Away) and then we gave Shaz a call and next thing you know, we’ve filmed a hot video and a got a DJ Q remix.” Just before the goodbyes where I go and reload their new Garage Classics compilation (again) Ed has one last thing to say. “Look out for Clare Evers and The Wideboys, cos we’re still doing it for the love.”
Please rate/ cuss each others watches...
Ed: Jim has a collection of watches; he’s like a ‘One for every day of the week’ man. I’m more of a one-trick pony. He’s got some retro old skool thing today.
Jim: Ed wears some expensive watch on most days.
Ed: [Cuts in coughing proudly] A Breitling! Brietling!!!
Garage Classics is out now on Ministry of Sound. Snow Flake Ft. Clare Evers is out now. Daddy O Ft. Shaznay Lewis is out 5 May. Check garagejams.co.uk
RWD Magazine
garagejams.co.uk
It takes a special kind of duo to stay fresh after nearly 15 years in the game. Eddie Craig and Jim Sullivan are that two. The production, remix and DJing outfit that make up The Wideboys talk Britney remixes, staying ahead of the pack and why Jim’s got a watch for every day of the week... Interview by Danny Walker
“We found new management last year in Matt Waterhouse Represents and he basically took what we were doing and brought us to a bigger field,” Ed explains of the unrelenting Wideboys re-fix roster. Jim Sullivan concurs, “We had always managed ourselves and thought we were doing OK, but now things are on a different level. Apart from freeing up our time – so we can work in the studio more...” Ed interjects, “My phone was going every two seconds. In the end, Jim was like, ‘I’m gonna launch that phone out that window!”
Knowing you need to keep rejuvenated to avoid being relegated, Jim is first to admit they kept their ears to the street. He soon divulges the secret to their success. “We listen to music and think, ‘OK, how can we push that forward.’” Once found, the duo don’t just stick to a winning formula/ beat/ loop/ sample; The Wideboys keep it fresh like the bread at the back of the supermarket shelf. “We have to change the sounds and the style for our own sanity. The same beat 24/7 would do our nuts in,” Ed points out.
Despite those big cheque remixes, there must have been a point when ‘nuts’ where definitely ‘done in’. Jim answers boldly about any jack-it-all in mornings. “There have been days when we have looked at the account and been laughing,” he recalls as they both chuckle as if in a joint daydream. “There have been times when Ed and I have had to empty out the penny jar. But on each of those days we were sitting in the studio, happy... In fact, I like being skint, I write better tunes when I’m skint.” Ed agrees: “For us, it’s all about the music. It’s much more the vibe and the project. There is nothing we’d rather do than to sit here making a beat.”
And make beats they do. “We’re so glad the bassline scene has come around,” Ed states. “We’ve been making that stuff since 2003 when we got phone calls from Shaun Banger Scott and Jamie Duggan saying ‘We love your sound.’ Basically we got brought into that scene naturally.” Daddy O Ft. Shaznay Lewis is a bass-drunk example of their natural progression, while Snow Flake Ft. Clare Evers is a dreamy concoction imbued with a tribute to Wideboys of old. Do they worry about coming on too strong, and alienating old fans? “I wouldn’t say Daddy O is too hard,” Jim insists. “It’s a real phat package and it just came together well. It was written by Therese Grankvist (Put ‘Em High and Take Me Away) and then we gave Shaz a call and next thing you know, we’ve filmed a hot video and a got a DJ Q remix.” Just before the goodbyes where I go and reload their new Garage Classics compilation (again) Ed has one last thing to say. “Look out for Clare Evers and The Wideboys, cos we’re still doing it for the love.”
Please rate/ cuss each others watches...
Ed: Jim has a collection of watches; he’s like a ‘One for every day of the week’ man. I’m more of a one-trick pony. He’s got some retro old skool thing today.
Jim: Ed wears some expensive watch on most days.
Ed: [Cuts in coughing proudly] A Breitling! Brietling!!!
Garage Classics is out now on Ministry of Sound. Snow Flake Ft. Clare Evers is out now. Daddy O Ft. Shaznay Lewis is out 5 May. Check garagejams.co.uk
RWD Magazine
garagejams.co.uk
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