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Hybrid

“Cinematic” is a term long associated with acclaimed dance-music innovators Hybrid—and that widescreen emphasis comes even more into focus on Hybrid’s ground-breaking new double-disc mix collection, Soundsystem 01 (Nettwerk Records/Hope Recordings). “We’re on the opposite end of minimal—more maximal really,” explains Mike Truman, who with Chris Healings forms Hybrid’s creative core. “It’s ingrained in us. We’ve always wanted these expansive sounds behind everything, which makes our songs so cinematic.” “Making big noises is what we do,” adds Healings. “It’s our calling card. But whether we use electronics, string orchestras, or brass, our songs always take the listener somewhere, which is where the cinematic tag comes from.” Hybrid’s filmic quality was evident from their genre-defining 1999 debut Wide Angle—from the very title down to the duo’s propensity for blending epic symphonic soundscapes with massive beats, as well as the prominent use of singer Julee Cruise (best known for her eerie vocals on Angelo Badalamenti’s Twin Peaks soundtrack). Since then, in addition to crafting dancefloor hits of their own and remixes for everyone from Radiohead to Moby, Hybrid has become known for their work scoring films, as well as sound design and arranging. Truman and Healings can be heard on the soundtracks of Kingdom of Heaven, Déjà Vu, Man On Fire, and Domino, and “Chronicles of Narnia” entry, Prince Caspian (all projects with renowned composer and frequent collaborator Harry Gregson-Williams, who also appeared on the group’s 2006 album I Choose Noise). 2007, meanwhile, saw Hybrid complete its first full score for the horror film Catacombs. Soundsystem 01 takes Hybrid’s movie obsession to a new level, however, fully merging it with their DJ/production roots. On CD 1 of Soundsystem, Truman and Healings fuse actual film scores and ambient electronica together for the first time, making for an unforgettable downtempo odyssey: here, glitchy, atmospheric tracks from Trentemoller, Spooky, Andy Page, and new Hybrid vocalist Charlotte James (who contributes a haunting new chill-out classic, “Shadows of the City”) blend seamlessly with edgy score selections from films like Babel and 28 Days Later. “It gives a good insight into glorious bits of music we thought should see light of day,” Truman says. “It’s a bit out of the norm—a more beatless, more abstract vein than we’re known for—yet it also reflects the kind of soundtrack work we do for something like a Tony Scott film.” The idea for the mix came about when the combination of this great Ryuichi Sakamoto track featuring David Sylvian, with a remix of Harry Gregson-Williams’ score for Man On Fire just jelled. We wanted to mix it up so that other people’s tracks become a bit of our own.” The more upfront, club-oriented disc of Soundsystem 01 also features some surprises for Hybrid fans. For one, while big-room icons like Sasha, Quivver and Elite Force are represented, Soundsystem shifts the duo’s trademark progressive/breaks sound into a predominantly techier, 4/4-driven groove. “We’ve never actually played just one style, so this is a real reflection of our DJ sets—of what’s actually in our record box,” Healings explains. “This mix isn’t so much banging as it is a refined journey through today’s clubbing experience: a little bit progressive, a little bit chunky and tech-housey, with some techno and breakbeat in the middle. Basically, when we DJ, we go everywhere: we’ll throw on whatever works to both get people moving and create a real listening experience at the same time.” Soundsystem’s DJ-mix disc also features a stripped-down club mix of Hybrid’s latest single “Formula of Fear,” which reflects of how the band’s famous live show—hailed everywhere from festivals spanning Coachella to Glastonbury—has evolved a new creative direction. “It’s the first step to what our next artist album will sound like,” Truman explains. In addition to Charlotte James, Hybrid’s touring lineup includes guitarist Peter DiStefano (of Porno For Pyros fame); bassist Tim Hutton (also known for his work with Ian Brown, Prodigy, and Groove Armada); and programmer/producer John Graham (also famed for his studio aliases Quivver and Tilt). “The next album is really drawing on the strengths on the band members,” Healings explains. “Playing live, we’ve got up to eight people improvising and playing lines on our tracks, and we wanted to continue that vibe. Therefore, we’re recording the new album first as a band, then we’ll electronically destroy it and make it our own—‘Hybrid’ it, if you know what I mean.” Hybrid are no strangers to working with notable musicians. In addition to Julee Cruise, Wide Angle featured collaborations with the likes of Chrissie Hynde; Hybrid’s second album, 2003’s Morning Sci-Fi, was energized by two tracks featuring legendary New Order bassist Peter Hook; as well, their last full-length, 2006’s I Choose Noise, was spotlit by an appearance by alt-rock guru Perry Farrell. Such high-profile alliances highlight Hybrid’s devotion to real songwriting as the ultimate goal, setting them apart from the majority of electronic/dance producers. “Even if we do a club record, it has to have a song-based chorus,” Healings clarifies. “It has to do something—it can’t just be beat programming.” Then again, defying expectations has been what Hybrid has all about since the beginning: true to its name, the band functions as an umbrella under which Healings and Truman can fuse their different interests. “I think you have to go beyond being just a club act,” Healings says. “We think of ourselves as producers, film scorers, sound designers, songwriters, and a real live band. If we were just DJs, we’d get bored very quickly.” Indeed, both Soundsystem’s mixes and Hybrid’s new material reflect just how diverse and vital the sphere of electronic music has become. “Music is so clashing right now, and it’s glorious,” Truman concludes. “It’s an exciting time for music—everything’s wide open.”

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04:04 PM December 15

Big show at Ministry of Sound!

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Oct 29, 09:44 AM

The New Album Is Ready...

We're very happy to announce that our new LP is finally finished and ready to be mastered. It's been 2 years in the making and we've been solidly in the studio since last summer piecing it together. The album is called Disappear Here and is set for a worldwide release in March/April next year on Distinctive Records. Recently we've been recording the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra for the album under the watchful eye of Andrew Skeet who we worked with on our second LP. Below are some photos from the session and a video clip of the recording. Musically, we think this album isn't so much a departure from our sound, but a development and a fresh approach that has produced some of the most exciting music we've ever written. We'll be posting clips of the new LP and a host of free downloads in the coming months so watch this space.... Mike, Chris & Charlotte.x

Click here to watch a video of the recording session...
Sep 16, 07:19 AM

Hybrid Newsletter September 2009

News : DJ Mag Top 100 voting now open
Voting has now begun for the yearly DJ popularity contest where lots of poor innocent music lovers get bombarded by every DJ on the planet, begging you to vote for them. For those of you who thankfully know little or nothing about this, it’s a chance to vote for your top 5 DJs and when all the votes have been cast the top 100 most publicised DJs will enter the hallowed list. While this isn’t the most scientific scheme to find out who really is the best DJ in the world being included in the list does help raise the chances of your favourite DJ coming to your town. With this is mind, if you’d like to see us included in the list then please click the link below and fill out a ballot form. Voting closes on the 26th of September.
http://top100djs.djmag.com/

We'd also like to bring a few friends to your attention who have been slaving away making exceptional records and tirelessly DJIng in some of the best (and worst) clubs know to man, They're very worthy of your vote and include the 16 Bit Lolitas, Stefan Anion, King Unique, Omid 16B, Jody Wisternoff, Steve Porter and D Ramierez. All of whom have been tirelessly flying the flag for quality music around the world.

News : Hybrid's 4th studio album in final stages...
We’re pleased to announce that our new album is literally weeks away from completion. It’s been a long time coming and has already had one complete rethink along the way. We’re planning on recording strings in the first week of October and then finally sending off the LP to be mastered straight after that. We’re still toying with the last couple of tracks but it’s all set to be delivered for the beginning of October with a release scheduled for the start of next year. We’ll be posting snippets on our website in the near future and all registered members of www.hybridsoundsystem.comwill get an opportunity to download exclusive tracks and mixes when the LP is released. More info to follow...

News : New DJ sets available from Canberra Lot 33
Fresh from his Australian tour last month, Chris has uploaded three sets from his appearance at Canberra’s legendary club, Lot 33. We DJed there back in 2004 and the recording went on to be downloaded over 60,000 times from hybridized.org. This set is sure to follow the same path and is one of Chris’s finest to date. Thank you to everybody that made it on the night and braved the extreme cold, not something you normally associate with Australia! Here’s the first part of the 3 hour set, the remainder will be available on future Hybrid top 100 DJ mailouts later this month.

http://soundcloud.com/hybridsoundsystem
May 14, 05:13 AM

Album Studio Blog

With Spring starting to masquerade as Summer, it's now possible to venture into the studio without having to wear three jumpers and a woolly scarf, which is nice. The studio door is wide open, the birds are circling over the nearby field and the air is filled with deafening subsonic bass. It must be album time again...
Last year saw most of album 4 arrive, get frowned at, poked about and finally abandoned as it wasn't quite hitting the spot. One year later and it's a different story altogether. We've currently got about 33 individual tracks in varying states of completion, some have vocals, some have orchestration. Most have furiously heavy basslines and to us, feel more vibrant and alive than any of our previous work.
We've been recording drums in a rather lovely studio in the Midlands called The Priory under the watchful gaze of in house engineer Greg Chandler. Nice man. Makes Alex's drums sound cockier than an Essex boy on a Saturday night out. Since the start of the year we've been recording great washes of grand pianos, swathes of acoustic guitar, barrel loads of live bass and a barrage of new vocal material from Charlotte. John is joining us again in a couple of weeks to work on a few new festival pleasers and Chris is currently giving Future Sound Of London a run for their money in the 'who's got the maddest sound design' competition. Macs are creaking under the weight of all that granular shenanigans.
We'll have some tracks to post snippets of as and when they decide to emerge from the studio, blinking into the daylight. Oh, and a deadline for completion. First week of October. No, really, this time we mean it. Thanks for reading and more updates to follow shortly.
Over and out.
Album Photo Gallery May 2009
Mar 10, 07:54 AM

Big show at Ministry of Sound!
Feb 17, 06:58 AM

Feb 09 - Hybrid Top Ten

Top Ten - Hybrid Feb 09
1. Nhar - Lotus - Original Mix
2. MODE - Colours - Original Mix
3. Tomcraft - Naked on Clouds - Dub Mix
4. Lilium - Poppy Seeds - Original Mix
5. Beckers & Hatfield - You're Not Me - Original Mix
6. John Shelvin - Just Like You Said - Simon & Shaker Dub
7. Christian Smith & John Selway - Move - Dmitri Narkov & Gabe & Ritkam Remix
8. Elvs - Balloon - Original Mix
9. DJ Zombi - Anything You Want feat DJ Zombi - Beckers Remix
10. Shilo vs Radiohead - Flywheel/ Nude - Hybrid Re edit
Feb 10, 02:35 AM

New interview with Hybrid!

To listen to an interview with Hybrid click this link:
http://blog.music.je/
Feb 05, 05:14 AM

New Hybrid Podcast to Download

We have now made our 'This Is What You Need' mix from December available on the podcast. Subscribe using the links below:
iTunes Link - http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292800377
Direct Link - http://www.hopemanagement.co.uk/hybrid/podcast/podcast.xml

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