Image: Cover of Futurecop!’s debut EP. The “back cover” art is below.
Futurecop!, a DJ/production duo from England, aims to revive the spirit of 80s culture in their own, unique way. Many artists have revisited 80s music and fashion to some extent, but Futurecop! has touched upon a neglected area: the world of the epic, often-mystical 80s films, and the often dance-pop-oriented melodies that are suited for their soundtracks. Their original tracks are instrumentals, performed in earnest despite their obvious synth sounds.
The duo, Peter and Manzur, release their first EP, The Unicorn & the Lost City of Alvograth, Thursday on Beatport.com and on January 14 elsewhere via labels iheartcomix and Southern Fried. It features the tracks “N.A.S.A.,” “As Seen On TV” and “Tonite’s Hero.”
We at TheMusic.FM are pleased to bring you this exclusive mix from Futurecop! — including their original track “Skye Lights” which we haven’t seen elsewhere — and we thank them for sharing it with us. And in the interview, below, Peter from Futurecop! tells us about the duo’s 80s inspirations and reveals their plans to collaborate with Yo Majesty (who they’ve already remixed) and others.
Exclusive Mix
Futurecop! - TheMusic.FM NYCUINJAN Mix (December 2008).mp3
Futurecop! – TheMusic.FM NYCUINJAN Mix [MP3]
Track List and Another Futurecop Track
Futurecop! – Gateaux Blaster
Lifelike – Adventure
Pelifics – Guess What Paula, You’re Sued
Futurecop! – Skye Lights
Twisted Wires
Golden Filter – Solid Gold
Futurecop! - Starworshipper.mp3
Futurecop! – Starworshipper [MP3]
Hear more at Futurecop!’s Myspace page — most notably “N.A.S.A.,” an M.I.A. mashup, and the photo of a younger Steve Guttenberg attached to “Hey Heartthrob.”
Tour Dates
12/31 10P – Cinnabar/Abacus Gallery, Manchester
01/09 08P – Swim Fast Club, Malmo, Sweden
01/12 08P – Hoxton Bar & Grill, Shoreditch, London
01/17 11P – Pop Bar at Razzmatazz, Barcelona
01/23 08P – Mercury Lounge, New York
01/24 08P – Echo Lounge, Los Angeles
02/06 10P – Erste Liga, Munich
02/25 08P – [Start of US & Canadian Tour]
04/11 08P – Chateau Neuf, Oslo, Norway
Interview
When are where did Futurecop! form?
Peter Carroll: We met in University and have remained friends ever since, which was eight years ago now. Futurecop! was founded by Manz in 2006. I joined him in 2007.
What are your musical backgrounds?
Peter: Manz used to be in a punk band in school, and I used to DJ around the time of University. Our musical tastes are quite similar, we both love rock ballads – Roxette, Berlin, hair-metal LA bands from the 80s, Van Halen. Also USA indie pop and emo bands – Weezer, Pavement, Saves the Day, Goo Goo Dolls, Funeral for a Friend.
What are your favorite albums, artists, movies?
Peter: My favorite films are anything directed by vintage Oliver Stone or, for the present day, Paul Thomas Anderson. I also love anything Andy Kaufman is involved with. From the 80s Manzur loves everything by John Hughes. The artist we admire the most is Andy Warhol. Our favorite albums are She’s So Unusual – Cyndi Lauper, Madonna – Madonna, 1984 – Van Halen, Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution.
What drew you to the 80s as your source of inspiration?
Peter: We just love the clothes, the sound, the fashion, the brashness of it all. People deride the cultural output of the decade, but so much of the music is still popular today and that says a lot.
Is there a definitive version of the 80s in your opinion?
Peter: I think it would be Purple Rain, the movie.
If you had to name one song, one movie, one band, and one album to describe the 80s, what would they be?
Peter: One song would be Billie Jean, The Breakfast Club, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Thriller.
Any obscure gems of the 80s that people must see or hear?
Peter: This isn’t so obscure, but Fascination by The Human League is a fantastic album.
How will people be influenced by this era? Will there be a defining sound?
Peter: The sound of this decade has probably been hip hop coming into the mainstream to become the biggest genre of music. I think that the fact that it is such a mixture of styles and genres from the history of music means that it is harder to pin down and will probably be less influential than say, punk has been on modern music.
Do you have specific movies or other 80s influences in mind when coming up with tracks?
Peter: Manz is a massive fan of the Breakfast Club and even says that Transformers the Movie is a good resource to get inspiration from. Any film sound tracks are good for discovering lost gems, we get lost in those albums for hours.
What are you listening to currently?
Peter: I love The Killers’ new album. Anything produced by Stuart Price has our immediate attention. This year we also both loved Cut Copy’s new album, and I really like Kanye West’s album at the moment… It’s so unexpected!
What does the future hold for Futurecop!?
Peter: We have an EP out on iheartcomix and Southern Fried Records at the beginning of 2009. We will be touring 40 cities in the US and Canada through February and March, and then promoting our work throughout the rest of 2009. We are planning several collaborations, with Yo Majesty and Ben Westbeech as well as some other artists that we really respect. We also have a fashion line in the offing, called ‘We Are The Future’ which is available through our Myspace.
Interview by Charles Poladian. Introduction by Mike L.
Image: “Back cover” artwork of Futurecop’s debut EP, The Unicorn & The Lost City of Alvograth.
