I’ve been a fan of Basement Jaxx since the late 90s and for those of you too young to know who they are, well, I feel really old now, so thanks!
I got to chat to Simon Ratcliffe on Friday night (before some epic solo Netflix and chilling) and I gotta say, it was really nice getting to know the man behind the music.
Basement Jaxx are coming out to Australia for Electric Gardens and we’re ready for some serious banger-dropping.
–
We’re two weeks into 2017. How has it been so far?
It’s been good, gentle so far. Things are carrying on in a stream really. In the past, New Year’s felt like a definite punctuation mark but this time it’s more like a comma, and we’re carrying on. It’s starting to get quite chilly now though but I wish it was colder, I miss the snow. We haven’t had snow for about four or five years now.
I can assure you that when you come to Australia in a week, you’ll be sunning your buns. Are you ready for some sun action?
I don’t know? It’ll probably be a shock to my system. I’ll need a fan and a large parasol to protect me.
You’re coming to Australia for Electric Gardens and you’re performing on Australia Day which is huge! Have you experienced an Australia Day before?
Yeah we’ve been there for three Big Day Out’s and they always happen around that time. I remember that being a big deal.
What do you recall most fondly about your time in Australia during those visits?
To be honest, whether I can remember a particular Australia Day I’m not sure. The thing is, when you’re playing a festival everything is quite exciting anyways. Everything is one big celebration. We were on holiday so it all blurs into one but it’s a nice time and good way to be earning a living. It’s all hype and people having a good time. My memories are very happy ones.
When you come this time around are you going to cities you haven’t been to before?
I don’t know Adelaide very well and I’m curious because I don’t have a picture in my head. I’ve been to Melbourne loads.
Do you have favourite places in Melbourne?
Melbourne I know very well because my wife of 10 years is from there. I actually met her there. When I come there I’ll be seeing family so I’ve got a strong history there. I’ve not been there for three years though. Melbourne is so culturally aware and connected though, it’s a fun place and I’m looking forward to seeing it.
I’ve got a few fun questions just to get to know you a little better, and it’s playing with your song titles.
‘Where’s Your Head At?’ – What fascinates you most about the world?
The whole package! The complexity of people and Earth, and the fact we might be extremely irrelevant or relevant and not knowing which it is. What our place is. It’s a huge question. It’s all fascinating and subjective.
‘Never Say Never’ – What did someone once dare you to do and you actually followed through and did?
I’ve gone blank but probably something very silly at school that I don’t want to repeat. But if I was to choose out of truth or dare I’d pick truth because at least I know it and can control it but the dare I’m not in control of.
‘Good Luck’ – Can you say good luck in another language?
Bonne chance which is French. I do speak Dutch but I can’t think of what it is right now [laughs]. I was born in the Netherlands and stayed there ‘til I was about eight or nine.
‘Oh My Gosh’ – What is the best surprise you ever received?
Finding out I was going to be a father. It was immense and life changing. Oh my gosh I’m gonna be dad!
‘Plug It In’ – Which electronic device can you not live without?
I can live without anything, I sometimes think we all should, but more and more recently I’d be quite happy getting rid of everything except my laptop. It’s such a big part of our lives. If I had clean underpants, my laptop and a toothbrush I’d be right actually.
‘Romeo’ – If you played Romeo who would you want to be your Juliet?
It’d have to be my other half. She’s Australian so if I was climbing the balcony she’d tell me to stop being a twat! But I’d do it anyway [laughs].
–
There are still a few tickets available for Electric Gardens this Australia Day – click the artwork below to get yours
Basement Jaxx:
author: Kara Bertoncini