To a person who has never heard a Rex the Dog track, how would you describe your sound?
Hmm, it’s a bit of a mixture! some of it is quite like techno but then some of it is quite like pop music. It’s pretty much always about synths and electronic sounds, with some singing too. We like the 80s but we also like the 90s and the right nows. When we play in clubs and parties, lots of things go into the mix, but the emphasis is on the party.
Hmm, it’s a bit of a mixture! some of it is quite like techno but then some of it is quite like pop music. It’s pretty much always about synths and electronic sounds, with some singing too. We like the 80s but we also like the 90s and the right nows. When we play in clubs and parties, lots of things go into the mix, but the emphasis is on the party.
This album has been nurtured over a four year period what has been the inspiration behind your music?
Everything around us! Stuff from when I was young (and before Rex was born) like early Depeche Mode and B-boy drumbeats, but also electronic music like Minimal and German techno has an effect on us. And the people we’ve remixed like The Knife, they are our favourite band really, and they have quite an effect on us.
Everything around us! Stuff from when I was young (and before Rex was born) like early Depeche Mode and B-boy drumbeats, but also electronic music like Minimal and German techno has an effect on us. And the people we’ve remixed like The Knife, they are our favourite band really, and they have quite an effect on us.
Which new artists have impressed you lately and what makes them stand out?
Dusty Kid has been amazing for a few years now, he has a real skill for drama and we’ve played his track ‘Adyra’ (actually that was when he was one half of Duoteque) so many times that we know every single millisecond of it. We love John and Jesper Dahlback also, our favourite DJs at the moment are Fanklub DJs out of Antwerp. They are quite underground so they might not want us mentioning them, ha ha! but they are killer for us right now.
Dusty Kid has been amazing for a few years now, he has a real skill for drama and we’ve played his track ‘Adyra’ (actually that was when he was one half of Duoteque) so many times that we know every single millisecond of it. We love John and Jesper Dahlback also, our favourite DJs at the moment are Fanklub DJs out of Antwerp. They are quite underground so they might not want us mentioning them, ha ha! but they are killer for us right now.
Which of your remixes are you most proud of? We play the Lopazz – ‘We Are’ track all the time…
Thanks!!! Our favourite is probably ‘Girls’ by The Prodigy, or ‘Heartbeats’ by the Knife. Great original tracks that just sort of remixed themselves. When a track is already great, you find it’s much easier to have fresh ideas for the remix.
Thanks!!! Our favourite is probably ‘Girls’ by The Prodigy, or ‘Heartbeats’ by the Knife. Great original tracks that just sort of remixed themselves. When a track is already great, you find it’s much easier to have fresh ideas for the remix.
What does the future hold for Rex the Dog, anything we should be watching out for?
Hmmm, well there is the animation side of things which we get very excited about. We have lots of plans to develop this visual side, with stop motion videos using cardboard robots and things you find round the house. We will release two more singles from the album, and then we will start to make new stuff again.
Hmmm, well there is the animation side of things which we get very excited about. We have lots of plans to develop this visual side, with stop motion videos using cardboard robots and things you find round the house. We will release two more singles from the album, and then we will start to make new stuff again.
Has the industry changed much since you first started making music?
I don’t feel like I’m really in an industry particularly, but I can see that lots has changed. It’s file sharing really which means it is harder to make money selling music. Also the whole boyband/girlband/X factor culture has sort of changed the perception of what it means to be in a group. It seems to inspire some people to want to be famous as an end in itself, rather than to want to make something of value or do their own thing. That may or may not be true actually, who knows? There’s still enough of everything out there if you look, and Rex and I love watching X Factor so we are guilty.
I don’t feel like I’m really in an industry particularly, but I can see that lots has changed. It’s file sharing really which means it is harder to make money selling music. Also the whole boyband/girlband/X factor culture has sort of changed the perception of what it means to be in a group. It seems to inspire some people to want to be famous as an end in itself, rather than to want to make something of value or do their own thing. That may or may not be true actually, who knows? There’s still enough of everything out there if you look, and Rex and I love watching X Factor so we are guilty.
Your current tour takes you all across Europe, Spain, Germany, Holland, and the UK. Which cities in the world do you love going back to?
It’s a big privilege to go to any city! But for sure there are favourites. Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona. Food, cool people and sun (except for Berlin, where it’s usually just food and cool people)
It’s a big privilege to go to any city! But for sure there are favourites. Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona. Food, cool people and sun (except for Berlin, where it’s usually just food and cool people)
We all know who Rex the Dog is, but who is the guy who tours with Rex?
That’s me! People usually ask if Rex is real because he only appears in cartoons, and sometimes barks on the radio. But he is real. One day we will do photos, but for now he prefers to remain in the shadows. ha ha. I just evaded the real question right?
That’s me! People usually ask if Rex is real because he only appears in cartoons, and sometimes barks on the radio. But he is real. One day we will do photos, but for now he prefers to remain in the shadows. ha ha. I just evaded the real question right?
What does Rex the Dog do when he is not making music, any hobbies? Chasing cars for example?
Rex has many hobbies. In fact making music isn’t his priority hobby. Do you want a list? OK: eating food. Eating non-food. Eating shoes. Barking in the stairwell to my building when he knows everyone is asleep. Stealing things and hiding them. Sleeping. Licking things.
Rex has many hobbies. In fact making music isn’t his priority hobby. Do you want a list? OK: eating food. Eating non-food. Eating shoes. Barking in the stairwell to my building when he knows everyone is asleep. Stealing things and hiding them. Sleeping. Licking things.
Common folk lore suggests that Rex The Dog is a reference to the Rex the Wonder Dog cartoon series that was created by DC Comics in the ’50s, what could the 21st century learn from the 50’s?
I’ve read that a few times now. It’s not true!! I didn’t even know who Rex The So Called Wonder Dog was until I read that. We use the name for our music, because that’s the name of my dog! Rex was actually named after a launderette in Brixton. It’s not there anymore.
I’ve read that a few times now. It’s not true!! I didn’t even know who Rex The So Called Wonder Dog was until I read that. We use the name for our music, because that’s the name of my dog! Rex was actually named after a launderette in Brixton. It’s not there anymore.
To hear Rex in action check his exclusive WeAreBlahBlahBlah mix at:
www.weareblahblahblah.blogspot.com
www.weareblahblahblah.blogspot.com
Interview by Jonny Cassell (Blah Blah Blah)
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