Over the past few years, Nick Harriman and Alfie Granger-Howell, better known as Dusky, have risen into the international spotlight with the duo having been asked to create an Essential Mix in 2012 and now embarking on a North American tour, playing in fourteen different cities including two festivals. The London-based duo is known for their original work, which been supported by the likes of Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, Disclosure, Diplo, and even Calvin Harris and their remixes of tracks such as Hot Chip's "Night & Day" and Justin Martin's "Don't Go." We had a chance to catch up with Dusky just as they are starting their tour to discuss some of the stops on the tour they are especially looking forward to playing, their shows in Ibiza this summer, and what they've been working on in the studio.
You will be playing in fourteen different cities as part of your North American tour. Are there any you haven’t been to yet? Which ones are you especially looking forward to playing? Nick: We haven't been to most of cities to be honest. Last time we were over in the states we we're in Miami for most of the trip and only did a few other shows. San Francisco is supposed to have great parties so we're looking forward to that as well as Verboten in New York which has a really good reputation.
You’ve said in other interviews that a variety of factors such as classical and jazz music have influenced your work. What are some of your other musical influences that we might not already know about? Alfie: There are so many it's hard to pick out specifics. You may not know I'm a big fan of Brian Eno and Stravinsky, they have both had a big influence on me.
You played in Ibiza a few times this summer. What was that like? What have been the vibes on the island this season? Nick: Ibiza has been amazing for us this year. Our last show of the season for We Love at Space was one of our highlights of the summer. We were playing on the Terrace and you can get away with playing more classic tracks than you can normally can so it's been really fun. Paradise at DC10 was a great night too, it was totally packed.
What have been some of the major highlights of your summer season so far? Alfie: Apart from Ibiza I think the highlights have been Glastonbury festival and Parklife festival. There's nothing quite like playing Glastonbury. We stayed for the whole weekend and checked out some great music like Portishead and Bobby Womack. Parklife festival in Manchester was amazing too, the crowd had so much energy.
What would you say has been the most gratifying moment of your career so far? Nick: It's difficult to pick one moment but being asked to do an Essential Mix was very gratifying. As a dance music act it's a real benchmark in your career so it's incredibly satisfying to know you've reached that level.
You are well-known for your remixes in addition to your original productions. What constitutes a good remix to you? How do your remixes come about? Are you approached by specific artists or labels? Alfie: A good remix should add something to the original or take it in a different direction that the original track couldn't accomplish. We get sent lots of remix requests from various record labels or artist's managers. We only take on the ones we think we'll really be able to add something to otherwise we're better off spending our time focusing on originals.
What producers have really been impressing you of late that we might not have heard about yet? Nick: Paleman is making some great music at the moment as is South London Ordnance. Definitely check those guys out.
Alfie : Banton AKA Hardhouse Banton has switched up his style as well recently and we’ve been playing some of his new tracks a lot; they really work on the dancefloor.
What can we catch you guys doing in your free time when you’re not touring or producing? Alfie: Just the usual stuff, going to the pub, meeting friends, eating out. We go out raving too though we don’t get the chance to go out so much in London these days as we’re away a lot at the moment.
What’s on the horizon for Dusky after your North American tour? Are you working on any releases we should keep an eye out for? Nick: We've got a four track EP coming out on AUS music at the end of September that we're really excited about so keep an eye out for that.
