(RE)SEARCHING FOR THE WAIFS
Third Channel Research, from Canberra, have impressed the Waifs with their remix of 'London Still'.
Ed Wilson and Nick Langdale Smith (both 23) have been collaborating under the name of Third Channel Research since 1995. Both are classically trained in piano and they have built up a studio and refined their sequencing, recording and producing skills.
Recently they have been exploring their interest in sampling, as apposed to using purely synthesized sounds from a keyboard or computer. Which is why they enjoyed working with all the acoustic parts of 'London Still' to create a remix that the Waifs loved.
Third Channel Research were also successful in the 2001 noise remix project, for their reworking of the Lino track �Augur Well�.
We asked Ed and Nick about creating their remix for The Waifs� �London Still��
Tell us about your idea for the remix where did you start and what were you aiming for?
We believe that remixing provides the opportunity to take a theme from one genre to another. Our idea was to write a funky mix that could be played by a DJ in a club or dance party.
We picked the Waifs track as the drum line, guitar samples, and the female vocals really stood out. We have traditionally used synthesized sounds and have recently ventured into playing with live acoustic samples. We started by cutting up the drum line, and picking out parts of the vocal line which really shone, particularly the "dream of home" sample.
How did you put the whole thing together?
The track was put together over about a week. We used software and hardware synths and a roland keyboard. Nick started by picking out samples and blending elements in short 4 bar loops, and then we moved these ideas to Ed's place (the second half of our studio) and began laying it all out into an actual track, with buildups, breakdowns, etc. It was at this stage that we started adding our own style of bassline, drums and lead.
Why did you pick The Waifs track to remix?
The short answer is we liked the samples. However, we also knew the original song quite well. We especially liked the guitar and female vocals, very well recorded.. Any song with good lyrics and theme tune has great potential to be remixed.
What other remixing/production/DJing work do you do?
We have been writing music in our spare for about 8 years, first starting in year 10 at high school. Full time study and work commitments has limited our exposure, although we're hoping to change that.
We have worked with the Australian Film and Television office, writing the music for a special effects documentary called "How Long is a Piece of String?"
What do you enjoy about remixing and producing? Why do you do it?
Remixing provides a framework to operate within: it's nice to work with some established sound and apply our own techniques. This allows us to take the track to a different audience. We find writing music together extremely sociable and amusing. We both like similar styles of music, and its extremely cool when one of us lays down a phat riff and the other can rave around the room for a bit :)
Its rewarding when someone compliments us on our work: we do it to inspire ourselves as much as others. We're both in it because its so much fun and allows for creative exploration through trial and error.
There is some great electronic production coming out of Canberra, and the rest of Australia. We hope to become recognised as producers in the dance music scene as it continues to expand in a rapid way.
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