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Features
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A preview To Tasty's Generation E with underground legend Eryk Orpheus
Reported by Allan@Nu Energy
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Submitted 14-06-06 19:01
Formerly one of the brains behind the acclaimed Orpheus 2 outfit, you’ll struggle to meet many nicer guys in today’s underground scene than the Nu Energy Collective’s Big Friendly Giant Eryk Orpheus. A university lecturer in Music Technology, he turned his attention from Orpheus 2’s twisted hard dance soundscapes to the more potent energy of hardcore/freeform after the act went their separate ways two years ago. His progress since has been impressive to say the least.
First surging with tracks like his epic Mark Ashley collaboration ‘The Tormentor’ and his hoover and acid frenzy ‘I’m The Daddy’, he’s now gearing up for his first full release on the Nu Energy main label, with a three track EP spearheaded by his massive classically inspired ‘P.V.C.’ anthem. A track that is a stern favourite in both Kevin Energy’s dj sets and all Eryk’s own PAs at events such as his London residency Total Mayhem, it’s by far his biggest hardcore tempo record yet. As he gears up for his first set for Billy Bunter’s legendary hard dance and hardcore rave up Tasty on 8th July at the Renaissance Rooms, we catch up with Eryk for an insight into his year so far and what lies ahead...
Hi Eryk, good to speak to you mate! First of all, what’s been the story of your year?
The year started of fantastically with a cracking gig for Total Mayhem at the Fridge in January and then it’s been all hands to battle stations in the studio. I’ve been to the darkest corner of north Kent to work on a track with Jon (Sharkey), Ville (DJRX) and Toni (Carbon Based) which I’ve got to finish off with Jon very soon and I’ve also been working with Skampy and Matt Style down at mine. I’ve also been a busy boy writing and remixing for various releases and for the live PA.
More recently I’ve just recovered from a nasty sinus infection which made me totally deaf for about three weeks and partially deaf for another couple so I’ve been out of action in the studio for over a month, but it gave me chance to catch up with my paperwork and I’ve developed my new website. However, I’m all better now so it’s business as usual.
The Eryk Orpheus PA experience is causing its fair share of ripples on the London hard dance scene with your Total Mayhem residency proving a serious hit with their crowd, while other promotions like Colours and Freeformation also recruit the distinctive sound. How much work goes into each PA? Is it all cobbled together the day before or do you spend days agonising over each one?
It takes bloody days to prepare the live show, especially as I never play the same show twice. If I’ve been working on new tracks or remixes then they have to be prepared in Logic and then the whole show is transferred to the live kit, which normally takes two days just to prepare and transfer the files. I did an exclusive hard trance PA for Colours which took about two weeks to prepare, including the remixing of ‘You’ve Got the Love’, ‘What Ya Got For Me’ and ‘P.V.C.’ but is was worth it as the crowd absolutely went off!
When it comes to performance itself is it hard sustaining the full-on PA experience as a solo artist? Are you all flapping dreadlocks and flailing fists or is it just a lanky tree-hugger looking moody and fiddling with a few knobs?
He, He, He it’s definitely not the latter as the only time I normally stop jumping about like a lunatic is when I’ve really got to concentrate on twiddling a controller or dropping in or out tracks on the sequencer during a break or when I’m bringing in the next tune. I get really into playing live and often forget there are people watching so I expect it’s quite amusing for the crowd sometimes when I’m singing along or moving my body to the filter sweeps like a muppet!
What has been your most satisfying PA performance? Of all the venues, you’re yet to play which one would you most like to be booked for?
I always love playing live but the set at Total Mayhem in January was a blinder, the crowd were right up for it and the atmosphere reminded me of the Atomic Energy parties. Venue-wise, I’d love to be booked for the main room at The Brixton Academy or Air in Birmingham, although my main aim is to get booked for some festivals. I’ve recently had to turn down a booking in Hamman in Jordan due to other commitments but I’m sure I’ll be off over there in a couple of months time.
Around 18 months ago, you began to crop up with some releases in the stables of the Nu Energy Collective, the umbrella collective of some of the hardcore scene’s most inspiring and innovative labels. How did you first come into contact with the sounds of the main Nu Energy label itself? What was it that first attracted you to its unique sound?
I first encountered the Nu Energy sound when I saw the guys play at one of the early Atomic Energy parties, which is also where I first met Kev, Pete and Alan. I loved their set as it had all the elements of dance music that I love, pounding beats, uplifting riffs and dirty acid.
Having previously operating as one of the hard dance underground’s most electrifying PA acts in the Antiworld championed Orpheus 2 act, you then turned your attentions almost exclusively towards the more racier tempos of the hardcore template. Was it hard moving away from the hard dance sound or did you feel that your close involvement with it had run its course for the time being?
I’d always been into the faster more energetic side of the scene and it wasn’t really a conscious decision to concentrate on the freeform and hardcore, but you’ve just got to use what’s inspiring you and write tunes accordingly. I’m still writing hard trance and probably always will but it’s just that most of the projects I’m working on at the minute are hardcore and freeform. Keep your eyes peeled for ‘Porno’ though which is a hard trance collaboration I’ve just finished with Matt Style, you can’t miss it as it’s got a filthy vocal in it.
One of the tracks that brought you to the attention of many freeform/hardcore fans was the twisted Nu Energy Limited release ‘I’m The Daddy’, a full-on hoovers and acid frenzy that hit that twisted peak-time spot every time. But have you ever used the phrase ‘I’m The Daddy’ when you’ve been hitting a certain other spot with the same pulsing precision?
He, He, He, you’d better ask my lady!
Your debut on the main Nu Energy label will take place with a three track EP comprising of the spine-tingling ‘PVC’, the freeform epic ‘35 Cycles’ and your massive remix of ‘Crescendos Of Ecstasy’. With the label hitting 60 releases this year and celebrating with a whole new house bag and design look, how proud are you to make the breakthrough to the label that has in many ways been the father of the freeform sound as we know it?
Quite simply, I’m very proud. It was wicked having the Atom-E themes, The Tormentor and I’m the Daddy on the limited label but having P.V.C., 35 Cycles and the Crescendos remix on the main label is amazing. Like you say Nu Energy really do set the standard for Freeform and there are a lot of producers trying to get their tunes signed to it so to have my own E.P. is wicked.
What tracks have you been working on most recently and are there any exciting collaborations in the pipeline that you can share with us?
I’ve mainly been trying to clear my backlog of remixes for Finrg, Nu Energy and Ravin Phantasy most recently but I have also just finished ‘Brown Paper Blag’ which cheekily drops into Roni Size’s jump up D and B classic ‘Brown Paper Bag’ and one of my ex students, Simon Perry, sent over a hardcore track called ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ which I nabbed the vocal from to do a Freeform mix of. I’m also doing another mix with Simon so he can hopefully experience his first vinyl release.
Collaboration-wise I’ve still got to get my arse along to the Ephexis boys studio in the not too distant future and I’ve talked to Marc Smith about a collaboration as well which we’ll be doing as soon as we’ve both got some time. Other than that I’ll be pounding out the tunes with Mark Ashley, Pete (K-Complex) and also Skampy’s due down soon as well.
Rather than a collective of disparate individual entities, the Nu Energy Collective seems to be much more a solid group of mates all having a laugh. Are you good friends with many of the other Collective members? They’re well known for their debauched antics . . . what is the most bizarre situation that you’ve ended up in with any of the other NEC members?
No they bully me and steal my lunch money! No seriously they’re a wicked bunch of guys and they all share my passion for music, which is great. I’ve been working in the music industry for about 14 years now and I’ve met some real f*cking arseholes, so it’s nice to finally be settled with a group of people that are in it for the music rather than the fame and glory.
I don’t think there’s been any particularly bizarre situations with the boys although blocking up Kev’s toilet with vomit on my birthday last year will always have a special place in my heart and the journey back from the Hardcore Heaven weekender was certainly a memorable experience, wasn’t it Allan!?!
On 8th July, you’re taking your distinctive sound to the much loved and pleasingly underexposed Renaissance Rooms venue in Vauxhall, for Tasty’s Generation Energy event. This is your first time at Tasty although you did play on Billy Bunter’s Tasty birthday bonanza tour in Amsterdam. What was the funniest thing that happened all tour or is it a case of ‘what goes on tour, stays on tour?
The Tasty weekender was actually very civilised although I do have some marvellous footage of Mark Ashley dancing on a table to Whigfield’s ‘Saturday Night’ on the ferry over to Holland. I still chuckle when I see the footage now but in his defence he was very, very drunk, err, well, we both were! Greg Brookman also decided to dive into one of the Dutch canals whilst we were sat outside a coffee shop much to the amusement of us and the locals.
The summer season is nearly upon us. For some that means sun-baked sessions in Ibiza, others tents, bands and festivals. What will you be getting up to over the summer months? Any trips away from Blighty blotched into the diary or will you be spending it camped out in finest beer garden our good country has to offer?
I’m actually doing a week of location recording for a documentary about Nick Drake, which will mean travelling about the country and I’m engineering at the Broadstairs folk festival for a week. In between those I’ll hopefully be going on holiday but I’ll be heading to Cornwall with my partner to catch up on a bit of sand, sea and surfing.
Sex, lies and some freak who’s one sandwich short of a picnic hiding all the tucker . . . oh, yes, summer also means Big Brother is back with a bang. Do you think you could ever be coaxed on to reality TV? And if you were, do you think you’d maintain your cheerful, unassuming nature or would the world be exposed to a darker uncompromising underside of hard dance’s original Big Friendly Giant?
I really couldn’t do something like Big Brother as I do enjoy my privacy and bollocks to sh*tting and showering in front of the camera (reminds me of some of the DVDs that were on display in certain windows in Amsterdam).
Finally, what are the chances of you shaving off those big tree-hugging dreadlocks over these (hopefully!) sweltering summer months? Carrying around all that dead weight in the baking heat can’t be too pleasant and I can’t imagine they smell too clever after a day of hot and heavy exertion?
No chance whatsoever, it can get uncomfortable during the summer but I really do look like a soccer thug with short hair so the dreads are here until they start to fall out. Anyway, I’ll have you know that my dreads are extremely clean and smell like wild flowers and luxurious spices, er hum, well sometimes they do anyway.
Tasty - Generation Energy
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On:
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Saturday 8th July 2006
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At:
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Renaissance Rooms [map]
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From:
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2100-0600
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Cost:
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Very Limited Early Bird Tickets Only £12
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Website:
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www.tastyuk.com
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Ticket Info:
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ALL £12+BF Early Bird Tickets SOLD OUT in 2 Weeks!
The £14+BF Saver Tickets will sell out by the end of May!
Standard Tickets £17+BF
Available from www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100 and TastyUK.com
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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This is the ONLY event ever to feature 2 Main Rooms of banging action from both our Hard House and Hardcore Superheroes! Only the Renaissance Rooms can provide 2 Massive Warehouse size spaces for our favourite styles!
Hard House – We’ve locked down the man voted worlds # 1 Hard Dance DJ Proteus. Alongside him will be the legendary Andy Whitby Frantics #1 Resident, and all time favourite and ultimate crowd pleaser Rob Tissera.
Hardcore – MC’s Storm & Whizzkid will be exclusively hosting the Hardcore Arena ALL NIGHT LONG! Force & Styles have teamed up with MC Junior for a very very special set, and Hardcore’s # 1 DJ Sy goes head to head with the one the only…Slipmatt!
This is just a taster of the killer line-up we’ll be bringing you…
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2 Other Arenas give you a massive total line-up of 40DJs, PAs and MCs.
NOTE****This is not a club event this is a 21st Century Harder Rave!****NOTE
No venue can match the Renaissance Room sound! Since the hugely successful Timeless was held there back in January the venue have spent £150,000 on 4 Funktion One Dance Stacks for the Main Room and brand new Funktion One for the Top Room. This will definitely go BOOM!!!
The Renaissance Rooms has had brand new lighting installed and now has loads and we mean loads of Intelligent Lighting in all Rooms and 10 Brand spanking new Mirror Balls to light up the Main Arena!
Witness the cool as f**K Outdoor Area as we enjoy one of the longest nights of the year!
All Roads and Raves lead to the Renaissance Rave Rooms!
This will be the Last Tasty for Months…don’t miss it!
This will see ravers travelling from all over the UK to unite for the birth of a new chapter in the glorious history of the almighty TASTY!
TastyUK.com presents:
TASTY-Generation Energy
‘Lift Off’ Saturday 8th July 2006
@ The Renaissance “Rave” Rooms,
Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall,
London, SW8 1SD
ALL £12+BF Early Bird Tickets SOLD OUT in 2 Weeks!
The £14+BF Saver Tickets will sell out by the end of May!
Standard Tickets £17+BF
Available from www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100 and TastyUK.com
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Flyer:
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Other Features By Allan@Nu Energy:
The Elevate interview — Phil York & Kevin Energy get ready to take you higher
Decimation interview with Alter Ego of Opeum
Preview to the Nu Energy Collective’s Freeformation with Tranzlation’s Phil York
Preview To Freeformation’s final free party with Exeter’s answer to Scott Project, Nick The Kid
PUSH goes Deepgrooving
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Flip on 14th Jun 2006 20:47.35
Cool interview. Long time no see Eryk.
From: Little Miss Moo on 15th Jun 2006 09:43.34
Excellent interview. Looking forward to hearing your new tunes.
From: twiglet on 15th Jun 2006 12:19.43
Top Geeza Keep on Rockin Eryk you are the DADDY!!!!!!
From: SmYrKy on 15th Jun 2006 16:23.19
Bravo - Great stuff, hats off to ya matey. Still lovin PVC more than ever! 
From: Ian Edwards on 15th Jun 2006 19:12.13
Everytime i've heard Eryk play, he has blown me away. one of the nicest blokes i've met too. well done mate. look forward to hearing you again at Total Mayhem.
From: k-complex on 15th Jun 2006 21:40.47
Legend!!!!! Big up Selecta! =D
From: Eryk Orpheus on 16th Jun 2006 09:01.41
Nice one cheers guys, I'll see most of you at Mayhem tonight
From: Mark Ashley on 16th Jun 2006 13:34.19
Yes Yes Eryk, cracking interview - Don't forget our secret supicions of one of room mates in Amsterdam, we never did work out if it was true or not, and as for the footage of me 'n' Whigfield, got a classic pic of you crashed on the boat longing for home, which took about 3 hours from London if memory serves me right !
From: Eryk Orpheus on 16th Jun 2006 13:48.21
Ah yes, the 'tourist', most amusing, See ya soon fella
From: *cheeky chick* on 16th Jun 2006 15:41.20
really gutted i cant make mayhem 
but see you at tasty Eryk 
From: Eryk Orpheus on 16th Jun 2006 15:44.42
Ah, Mayhem's gonna rock honey, but see ya at Tasty
From: sunvisordude on 19th Jun 2006 23:20.33
even though i've retired from harddance 100% Eryk will still be a man i have great respect for. he got me through loads of great nights out. thanks Eryk
From: DANNY TAPPENDEN on 20th Jun 2006 18:58.02
Eryk you're a legend & doing all things for the RIGHT reasons...
Sound Geezer & WICKED Talent...
Cant wait for ya Sundaze Debut
Keep it up dude
From: Hardcore honey!! on 21st Jun 2006 22:04.38
Nice one Eryk....ill see you at tasty,its robs bday!! see you there for another unforgettable set im sure!!
From: Eryk Orpheus on 22nd Jun 2006 09:13.32
Thank you everyone for all your support, looking forward to seeing you all very soon x
From: WEBBO on 22nd Jun 2006 18:00.34
good read , see you at tasty eryk , lots of acid please  
" hes the daddy "
From: GJB on 29th Jun 2006 10:26.37
One of the nicest blokes you could ever meet in the industry. A true gentleman. Top stuff Eryk
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