Artist Interview: Jump Jump Dance Dance

Photo Credit: Cybele Malinowski

Having conquered Australia, the electro-rock band comprising L.A.-based DJ and production duo Chris Carter and Simon Lewicki is ready to assail North America as the band Jump Jump Dance Dance. Laidback Luke‘s remix of the band’s single “2.0,” from their self-titled début album, has already been a festival staple since its release earlier this year. The band took a few minutes to answer some of our questions including how they started, their influences, and their thoughts on the future of live music. Continue after the break to listen to their track “2.0,” its Laidback Luke remix, and read what they had to say.

Jump Jump Dance Dance – 2.0 by DropTheBeat Recordings

DropTheBeat SD: What persuaded you want to start making music?  
Chris Carter: Analog synths and afterparties! [laughs]

DropTheBeat SD: How did you settle on the name “Jump Jump Dance Dance”?
Simon Lewicki: It was a working title for how we wanted the music to sound. We tried to change it a few times, but kept coming back to it.

DropTheBeat SD: Why did you decide to form a live act?   
Carter: Playing live is my reward for the all the studio time.

DropTheBeat SD: Who are some of your biggest influences?   
Carter: We were listening to stuff like Alan Braxe and Fred Falke, DFA, LCD Soundsystem, as well as The Clash, Duran Duran, early Chic records, etc. We’re both DJs so the list of influences is pretty vast. But we always let the songs go where they wanted and tried not to pay too much about what others were doing, just do what we do and make music we want to listen to.

DropTheBeat SD: How did you meet each other?  
Carter: Simon and I first started hanging out at a rock ‘n roll electro party, where I used to DJ in Hollywood.  He’d turn me on to music coming out of Australia and swipe my drink tickets. [laughs] We started making tunes in the studio soon after.

DropTheBeat SD: What was the best gig you’ve ever played?   
Carter: So many fun ones! Touring with Dragonette was amazing, and we’ve had some classic gigs at Crazy Girls (the legendary Hollywood rock ‘n roll strip club). But the Future Music Festival tour in Australia was really special, such a classic crew, got to hang out with some absolute legends.

DropTheBeat SD: How do you feel about finding success so quickly?   
Lewicki: [laughs] Is this a trick question?

DropTheBeat SD: How was it working with producers like Jack Joseph Puig, Mark Needham, and Dave Sardy on your album?
Lewicki: I’m a massive fan of these guys’ work. They’ve all done records that have been hugely influential in our sound and we wanted to be as close to that as possible

DropTheBeat SD: What can we expect to hear from you in the future? 
Lewicki: A lot more music! In what form? Well, that’s uncertain. It all depends on what we are both vibing on that day.

DropTheBeat SD: What artists would you like to work with/remix in the future?   
Carter: Dolly Parton. That woman can strum a banjo! That’s if Laidback Luke isn’t up for doing another one.

DropTheBeat SD: With the rising popularity of DJs, what do you think the future looks like for live music?   
Lewicki: There will always be a place for live performance! I just think bands will have to lift their game in trying to match the energy levels of a DJ set, though. 

Thanks to Chris Carter and Simon Lewicki for taking their time to answer our questions and Emily Tan from Emily Tan Media Relations for setting up this interview.

For more information on Jump Jump Dance Dance and keep up to date with them, go to their website or their facebook.