Epaulette puts some questions to Melbourne's Knightlife who will be playing with Bag Raiders this weekend.
How did you get your moniker, Knightlife? Are you in to knights or anything Medieval?
It’s name that sort of just happened really. It was time to choose a name to put on the tracks I’d been making and I had nothing. My girlfriend just came out one day with ‘what about Knightlife?’ It was perfect because it means a bunch of things and also nothing at the same time.
What do you gain inspiration from?
A few places. A lot of old vinyl - and a lot of new vinyl! I’m all about late 70s / early 80s funk and disco at the moment. Well, I’ve been all about that stuff forever, but that seems to be the biggest influence on the music I’m making. Bands like Heat Wave and Raydio are constantly on rotation.
Do you have a set process that you approach all your remixes with?
I always try and take a track in a different or unexpected direction – give it a new context, you know? Like if the track is huge and anthemic, I’ll try to make it small and understated (or not!). I try to keep things interesting.
The Hearts On Fire remix that I did a while was a really tough one to remix because I’d been living with the original for such a long time. I couldn’t imagine the song sounding any other way. So I threw out everything but the vocal and built a new song around underneath it.
What was it like touring the U.S with Cut Copy?
It was wild. I’d been on a few tours with those guys before, but nothing like this. It was my first time playing in the US and my first time on a proper tour bus. The ‘coolness’ of travelling across the States by bus (with a bunch of sweaty dudes) soon wore off though.
The crowds were easily the best part of the tour. The Cut Copy boys have a lot of support over there and it was amazing to play in front of so many people – a pleasure. I can’t wait to get back there actually.
What’s your Best party set ever?
Something with Michael Jackson in it for sure. And that’s not just because he’s dead either.
The best party set I’ve played though, would have to be the Cutters Records party in New York City at Le Poisson Rouge. I’d never seen a crowd like it. It was incredible. The place was already heaving when we arrived! And everyone stayed ‘till close. Amazing night. Aahh, the memories…
What are you working on next? Are there any plans for a future album?
There are plans indeed for an album. I’m working on it at the moment. No idea what it’ll sound like and when you’ll be able to listen to it, but it is definitely coming. There’ll be another Cutters 12” before then though. We’re just putting the finishing touches on it now and it should be out before the end of the year.
What are your top five tracks at the moment?
The Swiss – Movement 1
Canyons – Fire Eyes
Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars (In Flagranti Remix)
Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop (T&T Version)
Shit Robot – Work It Out
