Myhouse-Yourhouse is a worldwide global underground house and eclectic internet radio behemoth, with bases in cities such as Miami, London, Dallas, Stavanger and - of course - Nottingham. Since its launch, the station has built up a solid reputation amongst the underground house community for its non-stop commitment and quality - and we've managed to secure their services for the next monthly session of LeftLion Presents at the Orange Tree, Saturday April 5. So it goes without saying that we dragged the prime movers of the local MHYH cartel in for a word...

Alex Traska

How would you describe the music you play?

Accessible shades of records you probably don't know, covering soul, funk, disco, broken beat, ninjas, deep house music and more besides. 

Where is the best place you've ever played?

A party in the basement of a huge house packed wall to wall with people, sweat running down the walls, shouting, screaming, laughing, clapping and dancing to 6hrs of energetic house music madness. It beats anything I've experienced playing in a club either at home or abroad. 

Who do you think is the best producer around at the moment?

A guy from Connecticut, USA, called ‘Jus-Ed’ (who has a show on the station) is releasing some really fresh and unusual house music on his own label ‘Underground Quality’. It’s in a similar vein to Move D (Warp Records) who also deserves a mention. 

What's your idea of a perfect Sunday?

Having a cup of Lady Grey tea with a slice of walnut cake in bed whilst reading the Sunday Times (especially A A Gills’ restaurant review). Then knocking up a sausage, mustard and barley casserole, whilst listening to any new vinyl purchases. Then curling up on the sofa with a bottle of Pinot Noir and my girlfriend to watch a Shane Meadows or foreign film on DVD. 

Red Rack’em 

Where did you start out in music?

I grew up in Fife, Scotland and played in loads of bands until I was 18. My first DJ gig was playing heavy US hip hop in Anstruther Church Hall in Scotland supporting my band in 1994. Unfortunately I blew the system with Puerto Rico by Frankie Cutlass - I was popular that night...

What is your all time favourite track?

That really is the toughest question! It’s out of Tribute to the Soul We Lost by Moodymann, Life by Pepe Braddock, Got To Get Your Own by Rueben Wilson, Goat Stare by Loefah, Find My Way by Quest or 14 Days by Lex.

Who do you reckon are the best up and coming artists we should check out? Offshore, Floating Points, Dragon, Metaphi, Early Bird, Hot Coins and Big Kid.

Where do you aspire to play?

 I just want to play somewhere where the crowd are totally up for it. Anywhere abroad - the crowds are way less prejudiced than in the UK. Ibiza, at a decent night, or somewhere like Germany, Holland, Spain, NZ.

 
Ravi

How would you describe the music you play?
I play anything really, old soul, new funk, jazz, hip hop, dancehall. I'll play anything as long as it's got soul. 

What are your favourite hangouts in Nottingham?
Broadway, The Alley Cafe, record shops 

Who are your biggest influences in music?
Main influences are old soul and funk artists such as Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin and Al Green. Isaac Hayes is without doubt my favourite old soul artist. I’ve got a real thing for old 50s and 60s gospel music too. More contemporary influences are folk like Antibalas, Breakestra and Coldcut. 
 

Drink of choice?
Calvados 

Describe your average day...
My day job is as a trade union official for UNISON so a typical working day would involve helping trade union activists deal with negotiations, individual member's problems and generally trying to help people to get a fair deal in their workplace. A non working day would involve playing records, hanging out with my partner and her three kids.

Beane 

What do you listen to at home?
Countless radio shows (Benji B and Gilles Peterson, are a must every week), dozens of podcasts and online mixes. If I ever get the time to I try to sieve through the tonnes of music I get hold of but never listen too! 

How would you describe the music you play?
Erm.... wonky, weird, wonderful beats, drunk on jazz, overdosing on Brazilica, while getting slapped round the bonce with some serious funky double time drum syncopation.

What is your favourite venue in Nottingham?
I don't really have one. It all depends on what kind of tom foolery I'm getting up to. Saltwater's balcony for those lovely ladyshape summer sessions, Moog for its house party-style vibes, The Social’s good when they stick something soulful on, Rescue Rooms is great for the live stuff and the Lace Market chippy for when only a large battered fish will do.

Describe your perfect Sunday
Ooooh...starting the day with a big breakfast and catch up on Hollyoaks. Put on my best pants and then march off to one of the infamous Basement Boogaloo Bank Holiday Sunday all dayers with 12 hours of madness dancing outside to barbecued beats. Then to top it all off, a lovely romantic candle-lit dinner with a lovely lady in Istanbul Kebabs... preferably a window seat.

LeftLion Presents: Myhouse-Yourhouse, Saturday April 5, The Orange Tree, 38 Shakespeare Street, NG1 4FQ. 8pm-Midnight. Free.

It is with sadness and regret that last month we lost one of the original creators of MHYH, Erick Andersen (of Stavanger, Norway), 25. From all at Myhouse-Yourhouse, you were our friend and without you we wouldn't be together. You are sadly missed.

Myhouse-Yourhouse website

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