Known as one of the most entertaining live acts around, Crazy P have been shaking Britain’s dance floors for over 15 years now. It’s been very hard to ignore this soulful ensemble, they have toured around the world and boast a bigger discography than Sir Elton Johns’s wig collection. Rightfully signed with Ralph Lawson’s giant House & Techno label; 20:20 Vision, Crazy P continuously strive to push the future of these two genres with an exciting medley of smooth Soul, Funk, Disco and reformed 90′s Pop. Whether it’s through their productions, live performances or DJ sets – a night with Crazy P is a night well spent. Flux sits down with their leading lady & vocalist Danielle Moore to find out more (pun intended) about what shapes this legendary group.
Hey Danielle, how are you?
Hey Emilka, all good thanks!
I see you’ve been touring loads last year. How did your yearly tour in Australia turn out? I’ve never been to Australia but have heard a lot of good things about the music there, especially in Melbourne, do you make regular visits?
Yes we do. We seem to always escape England’s cold winter annually for at least a couple of weeks. We’ve played various places over there; Good Vibrations Festival alongside Nitin Sahwney and Moloko back in 2004 which was simply brilliant! Our last trip was our 10th year in Oz. Our music, thankfully is well appreciated over there. “Great with bbqs” could be our tag line! Australia was really amazing. It was a very different tour for us as we were part of a more musically eclectic festival…which was good. To be honest all the funny bits and there were loads are not anything I think are in anyway broadcastable… We have made good friends over there so it is always exciting to make our trips.
Haha yeah I’ve heard Ozzie’s have a fetish for good BBQ’s! Festivals must be exciting for a live act, what are your highlights so far and mind you your talking to a person which (embarrassingly) has never been to a festival yet! Not out of choice of course, but next summer for sure…
Glastonbury is amazing-for all its hype and enormity it does hold something very special and I didn’t go til my early 30s so doesn’t matter you’ve not been. Our favourite performance I would have to say was at the Big Chill 2007 Castle Stage. For the first time we had our own lighting guy and we were last on that stage so in effect headlining! It was the most exhilarating thing we have ever done. We even let off lanterns as we played! Our other favourite is Croatia’s Garden Festival. A small but perfectly formed beauty of a gathering.
Bum Cop (Original Mix) – Crazy P
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All sounds very very tempting. The principal force behind all the love your getting from fans – is your music! Can you give us a description of what you play….
I think our music is one reason people have warmed to us. The other is the fact they can see how hard we have worked AND still together after so long is testament to the fact we are all really good friends and people can see that on stage. Our music is heavily disco influenced house music but we play soul and acid house too…very varied
Have these always been the genres that excited you the most?
Disco definitely. But as you get older your tastes get more appreciative and much broader. We listen to MOR, Blues, Rock…everything that inspires emotion in us.
I love that, emotion IS key. Can you tell us a bit about yourself Danielle, where are you from, your musical background and inspiration, which will lead me nicely onto my next question. How was Crazy P Soundsystem formed?
I’m from Manchester and my introduction to music was through my mum . She took me to a Sister Sledge concert at the Apollo when I was 9 and this stuck in my mind. Their performance was very intimate. The Hacienda was instrumental in my prime years. It was a meeting point for creative types-I wasn’t one at the time I just loved dancing and looked up to my elders! Manchester was a honey pot of music and creativity…but also very industrial which made everyone proud of whatever they achieved… Crazy P met in Manchester but previous to that Jim and Chris had met at Uni in Notts which is where the studio is now. They then met me djing at a party and doing Shirley Bassey impressions. They asked me to come to an audition and the rest is history.
Open For Service (Original Mix) – Crazy P
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A personal favourite of mine has got to be ‘Open for Service’ out on 20:20Vision and part of a huge album collaboration, When We On. What was the inspiration behind that album? It was a great follow up to some of Crazy P’s other groove assassins ; A Night on Earth ‘2004’ and Stop Space Return ‘2008’ pure euphoric funk!
It came from a very different place. We had all grown musically and we had been through a very emotional time together and When We On represented huge emotion and a lot of love between us…musically we approached it in a very different way to before.
Crazy P is a live electronic music band formed out of five very talented members, yourself, Jim Baron, Chris Todd, Tim Davies, and Matt Klose. All of you have your significant roles in the group…
Yes . Jim keys, Tim bass, Chris guitar and Matt drums.
Beatbox (Original Mix) – Crazy P
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How is it working with lads? And does the previous name for Crazy P – “Crazy Penis,” have any relevant connotations ….. are they mad?!
All men are mad of course – but Crazy Penis comes from a 7 inch record the lads loved - Loco Pinga which vaguely translates as Crazy Penis. The record label at the time thought that was a funnier name so we went with that….soon to be disapproved by radio stations etc. I love the guys. They are my brothers!
…..most days 
So you guys are signed with 20:20 Vision, OM Records & ITH (Defected In the House) to name a few. Your latest remix of Miguel Migs – Tonight was an absolute lounge smoothie did it ever come out on any Hed Kandi releases?
Oo gosh don’t know-we have had some of our material on Hed Kandi compilations but not sure that has made it-maybe it has…not sure? Recently we had Toddys mix of “Reach Me” but yes maybe something for you to investigate!
On the case! How often do you guys spend in the studio together? and what is it that gets that first beat of an upcoming track in loop?
Not enough time! We are so busy at the minute we never seem to get the balance…but when we do and we will, it really depends. Usually the lads are instrumental in finding or creating a rhythm or it could come from chords and singing….or from a vocal loop. It really varies but it’s the 3 of us usually..
Changes (Original Mix) – Crazy P
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Can you let us in on the kind of feeling you get when your performing live and what it means doing it together as a team, can imagine it to be buzzing !
It is incredible.
How incredible?
Its like eating a million sweets as a kid and getting that rush. It’s beautiful . To share that emotion with a team of your best mates . And to feel all the warmth from the audience who have come to see you perform! Believe me its not what I imagined Id be doing when I was a schoolgirl. Feel very lucky-its hard work but the incredible feeling of hearing people sing words you’ve written back to you both fills you with pride and is incredibly funny! It really is the most natural high you can get-unless things go really wrong of course..
Ha yeah… So what music do you listen to when not performing, when relaxing or maybe on the plane going to your next gig, or cooking!
I am currently listening to a great mix by Mancunian based Balearic DJ Moonboots that he did for Joes bakery-its wonderfully relaxing and inspiring. Also Donald Fagen and a bit of Kate Bush at the moment. Nothing too heavy. I love audiobooks too.
I am very into my Balearic vibes. Starts the day off well..
Yes
Heartbreaker (Original Mix) – Crazy P
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Can you give us a few words on latest EP, the Heartbreaker EP…
I don’t feature in Heartbreaker although for me it is essentially the best track on the album touching all the melancholic 80′s Indie days with its gritty dark bassline and licks of vocals.
Finally, what are we to expect from the slinky Disco ensemble in 2013?
ALBUM WRITING we hope. V important we take some time to write some new stuff. And also gig’s throughout December in the UK, check our site for further dates : )
More soul driven anthems in store for us, thank you Danielle! Brilliant interview. I Look forward to seeing you guys on stage back in the UK.
Crazy P’s website – Click here
Crazy P’s Soundcloud – Click here
Crazy P’s Facebook – Click here
Check out Crazy P’s latest release, a compilation of remixes; Crazy P Remixed is out now!
E. Wilk-Mullis
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