Introducing: Russ Yallop

Introducing: Russ Yallop

11 April, 2011 | 4.30AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: crosstown rebels, russ yallop

Just a few years ago, it looked like the collapse of Crosstown Rebels‘ distributor might take the label down with it. But label founder Damian Lazarus clearly lives up to his name. Crosstown isn’t only still with us: it’s stronger than ever before, having placed itself at the center of a house-music renaissance.

To the list of relatively new names that Crosstown has brought us—Maceo Plex, Deniz Kurtel, Art Department—we can now add another: Russ Yallop. Long a familiar face on the UK scene, he joined Crosstown’s Rebel Agency last year, and he made his debut on the label with “I Can’t Wait,” a bouncy, funk-infused single that perfectly captured that Crosstown vibe—fun-loving, slightly off-kilter, and groovy as all get-out. Back in February, Yallop’s follow-up EP for the Losing Suki label proved that his debut was no fluke, with a triple dose of low-slung funk.

We caught up with the Brighton-based producer and DJ to find out more.

Can you tell us a little about your background? Where did you grow up, and where are you based now?

I grew up in Brighton and I moved away for university, where I stayed a few years after. In the mid noughties I did four seasons in Ibiza, which probably shaped my life more than anything. I’m based in Brighton now, but will soon be moving to London where all my friends are.

How did you get started DJing and making music?

I started DJing while I was at uni and was lucky enough to start playing in clubs at a young age, as I used to do lots of bar work, so I got to know lots of promoters. As for production, I started making music as soon as I finished uni, though didn’t really start full time until a few years after.

How did you end up on Crosstown Rebels?

I managed to get on the label thanks to a friend of mine, Melissa Maouris, who passed ”I Can’t Wait” to Damian Lazarus. As for the agency, it seemed a natural progression as I’d been friends with half the roster and Will who runs it for years, having got to know them all in the Ibiza years. One day Will and Damian approached me in Fabric with three shots of Jägermeister and asked me to be part of the Rebel Agency—I bit their arms off! Obviously, I’m very happy to part of such a quality institution such as Crosstown and amongst all my friends.

Your biog describes “I Can’t Wait” as being nu-school house.  How exactly would you describe that?

I’m very wary of genre terminology as most of it means different things to different people, and all it seems to do is confuse things. Rarely does it have any real relation to the music it describes, and since music is in a constant state of evolution, 2003’s “tech house” will sound nothing like 2011’s “tech house.” So I virtually never use genre terminology. However, I don’t mind “nu-school,” as it’s vague enough not to pigeonhole yet has some meaning since the music I represent is kinda new-ish, as in it’s slightly different to what the majority are doing anyway. I didn’t write the bio, though; the only words you’ll ever hear me use to describe my sound are “house music,” since I make a wide range of house—some deep, some funky, some discoey, some without classification. It may sound corny and vague, but I just start off with mindset to make a good track from an idea I have in my head, there’s nothing else I really consider. So nu-school is ok, but in a few months time it won’t be nu anymore anyway!

Did you have any idea as to how big that track would be?

Well you know when a track’s got the potential to be big, yet dance music can be fickle, and some tracks never do the damage they should. Though being on Crosstown, I was confident that it would have the best possible chance of reaching its potential, so I was very pleased when it did.

Do you currently have a favorite piece of gear or software?

I would just say Logic 9. It really is an amazing program. When I’m in the zone I feel like it’s an extension of my brain, just flying around the software getting everything I want done with minimum effort. Ableton is of course a brilliant piece of software, as a live tool and as a sequencer. But for true control freaks like myself, Logic enables you to really get your geek on. I’m not really a “gear” person, for me it’s all a means to an end. I rather strip my set up down than build it up!

What are some current favorite records to play out?

Jamie Jones has a track called “The Detour,” which I’m not sure if he plans to release, but I play it every set. I first heard Lee play it and was like, “I have to have this!” I like it ‘cause it’s got quite bit of oompf, and people seem to be scared of making tracks with muscle nowadays. Other staples are a new thing I done with The Wildkats called “System Crank,” “U Make Me Shy” by Lee Foss, “Can You Keep It” by Rob James, “Suck It” by Richy Ahmed, and last but definitely not least, my next single on Crosstown’s sublabel Rebellion, “The Crossroads”!  Shamless plug there!

If a wrecking ball was headed for your house, which *one* record would you rescue before it hit?

An obviously impossible question, where the answer would change by the hour. At the mo’ I’d say probably the Nas Illmatic album. There’s other albums I could mention, but if I was only allowed one and one only, I’d pick that one as it can stand repeated listens and it really takes me back.

Which record do you wish you had made?

Probably King Britt’s remix of Josh One, “Contemplation.” I’m a sucker for a killer bassline, and no bassline has slayed more dancefloors than that one! It’s got such a magic hook, timeless and genre-defying. 

When you’re not listening to electronic music, what do you listen to?

Nothing. I get very little time to actually listen to music, so what time I do have has to be dedicated to listening to music within the scene. I think it’s important to always keep up to date with what others are doing around you, for inspiration, plus to get an idea what sounds other people in your position are exploring. It’s a shame, as I love all forms of music, for me good music is good music. But you can’t have everything; it’s one of the drawbacks of the job.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing with your life?

Probably starting for Miami Heat—as long as the salary was to my liking.

Favorite Brighton bar?

A pub called The Bee’s Mouth. I’m a big beer drinker and it does all kinds of draught as well as beers from all over the world. I don’t really go out clubbing in Brighton, as there’s not enough nu-school house—ha.

Tell us about your upcoming gigs and releases…

I’m playing at Fabric on the 23rd of April as Hot Natured have Room 3, which I can’t wait for, especially as I’m playing with some good friends. As for releases, “The Crossroads” will be out very soon on Rebellion as mentioned above. I also have a few things coming out on Hot Creations, including an EP of my own which I’m looking forward to finishing. 

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