Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself?
Brother B: I’m Basil aka Brother B and he’s Garfield aka G-Influence. Together we’re The Xtraordinary Gentlemen form Manchester, England. We’re proud of the city and what it represents, which is why we filmed our first video – Cooler Than an 8-Ball in the Corner Pocket – there, pretty much where the first Captain America movie was shot. We’ve always tried to be our effervescent, stylish selves rather than attempting to look and sound like everyone else, and that’s why the name is self-explanatory.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
Brother B: Prince taught me the benefit of being self-sufficient musically and Public Enemy made me understand the transformative power of music. I loved the authority in Chuck D’s voice and his perspective was different to the other artists ostensibly in the same field. I also liked the dramatic interplay between him and Flav. Everything changed when I heard PE for the first time.
Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?
Brother B: Live, Yes, Yessity Yes! always raises the roof and gets the crowd moving – so it was the obvious choice to be a single and for us to share its serrated vibrance.
G-Influence: Yes, Yessity Yes! is more than just a crowd favourite. It’s a high point. It’s our Hakkasan’s Truffle Caviar, if you will, chased with an aged bottled wine. Beautifully looking, tasting and genuinely high class.
Brother B: Musically it’s a throwback to old school Hip-Hop with some additional, subtle musical flourishes. We were also lucky to have the PicturedMedia team working on the music video. They also shot the 8-Ball video so they were easy to work with and we got a huge, percussive bang for our every single buck. The video perfectly represents both us as a band and the song.
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it? (genres/sub-genres)?
G-Influence: Being British we both have a fondness for reading literature. B consumes it like he’s eating a malt whiskey buttered crumpet. Our music stems from the excitement and beauty of the written word, and the imaginations that produces.
Brother B: What makes our music unique, I think, is that we wear our influences on our sleeves. We sound the way we do because our influences come from absolutely everywhere – Books, Films, Comics, TV, Double Breasted suits, Double Monk Strap shoes and Fine Art Pocket Squares. We listen to all kinds of music and, inevitably, it seeps into what we do. So alongside Hip-Hop/Rap in any given TXG song you’ll hear Funk, Rock, Pop and a little bit of Metal. What really sets us apart from the other players is our live show. We very much commit ourselves to entertaining the crowd and ensuring everyone goes home smiling with TXG as their new favourite band.
Do you play any instruments? And why do you love it?
Brother B: Well, another distinguishing feature of TXG is that we play everything – all of the instruments – ourselves. We don’t rely on a Producer to give us a beat. We play and construct the songs ourselves. And they are songs, not just beats. There is a discernible, narrative arc and crescendo in all of our songs.
How is your creative process when recording music? And what makes a good recording session?
Brother B: G and I will roughly sketch out how we want a song to sound and what we want to say. Once we begin recording the studio itself becomes an instrument and that very much determines how the song turns out. A good recording session is one where the song has a big catchy chorus that someone hearing it for the first time can sing along to after the first listen.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
G-Influence: My biggest musical influence is no doubt my brother. He’s a quiet musical genius. I care and don’t care about collaborating with other artists in equal measure. But if pushed, Lana Del Rey or Geoff Love
Brother B: Everything I do or suggest for TXG is always with an eye to meeting G’s approval. He is undoubtedly the man, so if he digs it then it’s going to be spectacular. Musically my inspiration comes from (deep breath): Public Enemy, KISS, Frank Sinatra, The Time, Prokofiev, Nine Inch Nails, Prince, Rammstein, E-40, George Clinton, Tech N9ne, Ghost, Ices Cube and T and Kool Keith. I’m waiting for the call from them where they ask to collaborate with us. Not Frank or Prince, obviously.
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
G-Influence: The best moment would be winning an end of year music award for one of our songs. With no record label backing, no video, up against huge established, and establishment, behemoths. The only thing they knew about us was the song. It was undeniable.
Brother B: Man, I’d forgotten about that! I must say, that was truly awesome. I concur.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
Brother B: There’s lots more TXG coming your way. Yes, Yessity Yes! Is out now via bandcamp and the album Black Dossier will be out in the New Year. Plus shows. Lots of shows.
G-Influence: You are always in our thoughts, and we won’t let you down.
Brother B: Catch you soon!
Watch: The Xtraordinary Gentlemen – Yes, Yessity Yes!
The Xtraordinary Gentlemen – Yes, Yessity Yes!
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