This interview took place a few days before the release of the ''7inch dubplates when the pressings just arrived and all the covers were finished...
I am meeting two artists this afternoon, one being a dub producer and sound caterpillar named WUDUB!?, while the second one is a versatile graphic artist who goes by the name of ROMAAN NAMOOR.
In front of me is a newly released single, the result of their collaboration.
They are clearly excited about it, and I may not be an expert (or sometimes not even that music minded at all) but I must say it looks pretty neat &sharp.
After listening to the two tracks on it, released by Monkey Dub Records, I admit my eardrums were pleasantly stimulated.
'On the Move' , an adrenalin packed kickstart with raw, passionate and rough as ever Babylonbuster vocals, seems to set the pace and prep the listener for 'I Am Free, a more laid back contemplative slow earthy groove, on which Saimn-I transmits a similar philosophy, yet in his typical versatile way of singing.
Since the record hits it off straight forward, and as I'm looking at their faces, I see no need to go easy on either one of them, so I guess I'm going to cut right to the chase.
Could you explain what is so particular, or exceptional about this single?
WUDUB?!: Well, we took the concept 'handmade' dead serious and as far as we possibly could on this one, meaning that everything about it we did ourselves, all aspects of it, up to even the folding and glueing of the cover paper. Artwork and music are equally important in this release, the cover with its drawings isn't just a package the music comes in, they are both mutual parts of an artistic creation.
I notice each of the faces on the singles has a slightly different expression.
ROMAAN NAMOOR: Indeed. The drawings I made one by one, starting from the same beginning and principle lines, but at completely separate moments. That's what gives them all a unique appearance and atmosphere, fuelled by these tracks I was meanwhile listening to the entire time.
They are thus in a somehow contradictionary sense coïncidental, yet at the same time not in the smallest detail left to chance.
I allowed the moment of making, life itself, to intervene, and have a say in the process.
How did you guys meet? Had you heard of one another, and what did you think of each other's work?
ROMAAN NAMOOR: Before we met, actually, I had already been into WUDUB!?'s music for a while, when my girlfriend got me two wonderful surprises: she ordered a record of his for me, and got him to perform at my birthday party, which happened to coincide with the release of his latest album, so needless to mention, those were two of the best gifts ever!
Thank you Chris. How about you, Kris? (they are both named 'Kris')
WUDUB!?: I'm glad you ask, because it was at that very birthday party that I first met him, also got acquainted with his style of drawing, and I immediately sensed true potential, although at that moment I could not yet imagine precisely in which capacity.
But when he expressed his wish to have the track 'On the Move' on record, it got me thinking. For some time I wanted this song on vinyl, and maybe this was a perfect opportunity to add an extra dimension to my music.
So I thought: “ I'll do him one better. One he won't see coming...
Haha, makes sense!
ROMAAN NAMMOR: Exactly. In a way, this project felt logical, because the way we met went just as natural, and quite automatic.
Next one, who did you make it for?
ROMAAN NAMOOR: It is a rarity, an item for authentic vinylheads such as me, and did I mention there are only ten of them?
Basically it was a constant mutual trust back and forth avalanche of high-tuning any single aspect in the development, since we are both creative minds that see nothing as a detail.
In short, we were increasingly pushing each other further during every step of the way, and the result is there.
WUDUB!?: Yes, that is why we can be really proud of it, they are honest and pure, and all one of a kind, especially because they will remain like that, limited for all eternity.
We can only hope the right people get their hands on it...
Ok. Any side effects about this project? I mean, creative anomalies, things that weren't anticipated, but with a stroke of brilliance?
ROMAAN NAMOOR: I for one noticed that shortly after we started working together I began to listen differently to WUDUB!?'s music, which on the other hand isn't really that strange if you consider I had made it a habit of being in a constant loop of these tracks while I was drawing the covers.
May I be so bold as to later take the liberty of rephrasing this as: ' I felt as if the flow of the songs was guiding my hand?'
I think it' ll sound really nice.
WUDUB!?: Hell yeah!
ROMAAN NAMOOR: I couldn't have put it better myself.
Which brings me to my final question I suppose: What about future endeavours, any sign of them yet?
ROMAAN NAMOOR: I am convinced a fuse to something much bigger has been lit, and this cooperation has reassured me that I am gradually working towards to a design, ready to be printed. I see it as the next obvious step in refining my creations towards a larger audience.
WUDUB!?: I shall answer this question and the previous one too, with the following:
I grew aware of the influence Romaan's drawings, and the mental universes, inner mental states they unchain, had on my music, and in some way they are now also a part of my creative thought process. I am sure that this factor will become even more apparent in future projects to come.
All right, I thank you gentlemen for these insights, and wish you well.
While I am walking out, and salute our lovely hostess, there is suddenly yet another curious smile around my lips, when I realise, it is a blunt fact that, as of this moment, there’s only nine of them left...
Article by Tobias G.M.M. Reyntjens
Photos © - Nono Rongé
