Big Band Hip Hoppers Lazy Habits Give Us Their Killer Playlist
The seven-member Lazy Habits is a burbling pot of '50s big band, New Orleans jazz and proto-funk, and they bring rap/live performance to a whole new level. Here, rapper James Collins on the songs to expect at their gigs.
Festival fave Lazy Habits (they've played Bestival, Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party and Edinburgh Festival) call their own unique sound "big band hip hop". It's energetic and infectious, with clever arrangements and tight hooks – and they're playing in Singapore this weekend. Rapper James Collins tells us what kind of songs to expect.
What are some great surefire tracks to get them dancing? "Our whole show is designed to start calm and just to continue building from there. But if I had to pick a few that really get the crowd moving, it would be Starting Fires and The Breach. The energy they give off seems infectious."
Lazy Habits > Starting Fires
Which song deserves more love than people give? “We honestly get a lot of love for pretty much everything in the set. I do feel Fades shows a different side of us, and sometimes in the late night shows – as it’s a little softer –people miss the point and don’t expect it. But we love the way it shows our versatility.”
Lazy Habits > Fades
Which classic never gets old? "Anything by Tom Waits." (FYI: The first song on his greatest hits album is called 'Singapore' - musical Ed)
What’s your most recent buy? “J Cole's Forest Hills Drive. Amazing rapper and a great, great album.”
What’d you play at a wedding party that you usually don’t? “We wouldn’t play at a wedding really, but I have played as part of the High Cross Society – our side project – and we play a song by More Like Trees, a northern soul cover in itself, called The Night. It’s guaranteed to get anybody out of their seats.”
More Like Trees > The Night
What’s a great house (home) party track? “Of our own I think Fades again; our fans really get it. You can hear a pin drop when we play it and it goes mental when the big section at the end kicks in. I would also say The Breach. It’s a new song for people who havn’t seen us over the last year, but we have been trying it out at the home shows and our fans love this song.”
Lazy Habits > The Breach
What’s the perfect end-of-night song? “Of our own, I would say Starting Fires. It’s a massive sing-along and involves a lot of audience participation. If I had to play somebody else's song it would probably be Electric Lady by Janelle Monae.”
Lady Habits play this weekend at The Henderson Project. Also on the bill: Benjamin Kheng and Michael Therese with L.A.B (half-hour set), Shigga Shay, and Matteblacc.
Party Details:
Where: 203 Henderson Road, #02-01, Henderson Industrial Park, Lift Lobby A
When: Friday, Feb 13 from 8pm
What: It's $20 for subscribers to Dream Academy’s mailing list (http://www.dreamacademy.com.sg). $25 in advance. $30 at the door
Ticketing: Contact 9726-7866 or 6278-0377