Jammerzine Exclusive: An Interview with The Mouse Outfit

Diversity in music is becoming more and more a rare thing nowadays when it comes to the mixing of genres and the mashing of rhythm and beats. It can truly become a great melting pot. When the band or artist themselves become a melting pot, when done right, the chemistry is pure magic. Today we interview such an act in the form of The Mouse Outfit. We talk with Defty, the co-founder of the Manchester U.K. juggernaut that is The Mouse Outfit about their origins and creative style as well as their new album titled ‘Jagged Tooth Crook’ (review HERE).

Get your copy of ‘Jagged Tooth Crook’ on the band’s Bandcamp and check out their new video for their latest single ‘Trigger The Wave’ featuring Ellis Meade & Dubbul O below.

About The Mouse Outfit
Formed by Chini and Defty in South Manchester, The Mouse Outfit cut their teeth as a live band for a Hip Hop open mic night called In The Loop. It was at these events that the connections were formed to create 2013’s debut album Escape Music. A verified UK Hip Hop classic, this album gained The Mouse Outfit a reputation for nurturing local talent and bringing them to the attention of a wider audience. Tried and tested on the festival circuit, and highly respected as the UK’s premier live Hip Hop band, their growing reputation caught the attention of the BBC, who have consistently promoted their music and invited them to two sessions at Maida Vale and one at Salford’s Media City for Mary Anne Hobbes.

Their second album ‘Step Steadier’ (2015) cemented their stature, making the top ten of ABC News’ albums of the year, whilst on their ‘Remixed’ album (2016) they collaborated with internationally acclaimed producers, including Dub Phizix, Tall Black Guy, and DJ Vadim. These kinds of accolades helped the band reach an international audience which has allowed them to tour in over 14 countries across Europe and Asia over the last three years. This brings us to The Mouse Outfit’s third studio album, the 17 track ’JAGGED TOOTH CROOK’.

With over 29 musicians, vocalists and producers involved in the album (including Blue Note’s Ashley Henry and the Cinematic Orchestra’s Sam Vicary), this is their most ambitious project to date. The lead single from the album (I Wonder – feat. IAMDDB & Fox) has already clocked up over 900,000 views on Youtube. Production has been overseen by the band founders Chini and Defty with help from synth wizard Metrodome (LEVELZ). Contributions have also come from the band’s drummer Deese and Pitch 92 (High Focus). This album retains the trademark head nodding beats of the band’s previous releases, but on Jagged Tooth Crook, The Mouse Outfit’s Jazz and Soul influences are even more evident.

In truest form Chini and Defty have sought out a new generation of talent to collaborate with, four tracks from last year’s breakout soulstress IAMDDB (winner of the breakthrough act of the year award at Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards 2018), and a roster of Manchester’s most talked about rappers and singers, including Kinkai, Berry Blacc, Ellis Meade, Dubbul O, T-Man and Layfullstop. Longtime collaborators Fox, Sparkz, Dr. Syntax & Black Josh are also present alongside Birmingham based TrueMendous. The band is planning a concentrated music video release strategy over the course of the next three months. Five music videos are already filmed and edited with further videos planned, they also have a huge tour planned for the new album.

@themouseoutfit [rotatingtweets screen_name=’themouseoutfit’]

THE JAGGED TOOTH CROOK TOUR
With collaboration at the heart of The Mouse Outfit’s ethos, their live show has had an ever-evolving lineup over the last five years. For the Jagged Tooth Crook Tour, the band is fronted by Dubbul O, Ellis Meade, Berry Blacc & [KSR], a mixture of rapid fire lyrical dexterity and soulful melodies. The live band is comprised of co-founders Chini (keys) and Defty (bass) with long-term members Deese (drums) and Phil Ratcliffe (guitar). This tour takes the band across the UK, Ireland and to mainland Europe with shows in Paris, Amsterdam and four shows in Germany.

LINKS:
http://themouseoutfit.com
https://www.facebook.com/themouseoutfit
https://www.twitter.com/themouseoutfit
https://www.instagram.com/themouseoutfit
https://soundcloud.com/themouseoutfit
https://themouseoutfit.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fZgTHf9UHEA1oLYLEhnk2