I first stumbled on to Electrolightz a while back when they released a killer remix of La Roux's "Bulletproof". Everyone and their mother remixed that song but the Electrolightz mix was a standout even against vet DJs and producers.
In their new "Bad Romance" remix, Electrolightz employs a formula I've never heard before. Rami, pictured on the right, sings, erOc produces and Name Brand raps. The result is more like new original than a remix. In that sense it reminds me of the way Kanye and friends turned "Poker Face" into "Make Her Say". Its a bit like call and response. Bottom line- it works. Electrolightz sent me songs off their new EP and their new remix of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". Their remix comes out on top over both the Grum mix and the Hercules and Love Affair mix - neither of whom are at all light weights.
All in all, you need to watch out for these guys. Very very possibly the next LMFAO...
Who is in Electrolightz and how did the group come together?
Electrolightz came about by coincidence. I knew erOc (producer) through mutual friends and we would run into each other at Hollywood parties and shows. ErOc had been working on some electro songs on his own as more of a side project than anything else. He got rapper Name Brand rap on the tracks. Those songs had erOc's voice on them. I didn't even know about the project when I met up with erOc to try to get him to produce some of my solo stuff (Rami Dearest). I played him a couple of my tracks, and he was like "yeah, that's cool, check out this other shit that I've been working on that I want you to sing on". The second he played me the first song (The Future) I knew that erOc was on to something special. I worked on songs with him for two weeks without even meeting Name Brand. We didn't know we were going to actually form a band until we all got in the same room and I instantly hit it off with Name Brand. The rest is history/ the future.
Between your remixes and your originals it seems like you guys have a pretty varied sound. How do you guys think of yourselves?
We are lovers of all types of music. I think that the Electrolightz original songs really showcase all of our influences from Electro to hip hop to The Beatles. We think of ourselves as music that isn't just for people into Electo or Hip Hop. We take our songwriting seriously, and hope that our songs can transcend one genre. Our remixes are for the club. We go out a lot, and we know that when people hear music in the club, they want to let go and just go wild. We approach our remixes with that understanding so that we can give the people what they want, no... what they need!
What are your plans for the future? Labels, tours, releases, remixes etc.
Hollywood has got to feel like the epicenter of electro in North America right now but there is definitely a lag time between whats cool in California and whats cool everywhere else. Do you see your brand of electro/hip hop fusion as a potentially up and coming sound for more mainstream audiences nationally?
For sure. You can look at the success of LMFAO and even Kanye as examples of where music is moving. I also feel that LA definitely is ahead of the curve as far as what is bumping in the clubs and played on the radio. At the same time, lots of kids around the country are being exposed to new music and styles through social networking and twitter. We are all about that. The majority of our new fans found out about us through our YouTube videos! We love that direct connection with fans, and I know that if I had grown up with fast internet and Facebook, i would have been stoked if the lead singer from a band I liked personally sent me an e-mail. lol
Editorial Note: I was stoked.
Cliche I know but who are your influences?
If you guys could work with anybody in music who would it be? (producers, artists, etc)
Phil CollinsEditorial Note: Fuck yes
Robots: Friend or Foe?
Bad Romance- Lady Gaga (ElectroLightz Remix)
Here is a link to a zip file with Electrolightz EP and some other recent remixes: LINK
My personal favorites have been the La Roux and Lady Gaga remixes and of the originals definitely take a look at "It's Written All Over Your Face" - it's pure auditory crack. It's got some dirty pleasure bubblegum appeal but also is fantastically well produced and has everything purists demand of their electro. Plus, Name Brand lays down some pretty impressive flow.
