INTERVIEW: LADSCLUB and album review🪩

When Brighton based Greg and Ed got married in Las Vegas nearly 10 years ago, they weren’t planning on ever making an album together. But that’s just what they’ve done!

After releasing some home-made demos online last year the pair have spent the last 12 months locked down, working on and perfecting their craft – the result? 10 glittering tracks that glide through all of their own personal favourite music genres – dance, pop, electro, disco – all sprinkled with their signature punk attitude. This could only be LADSCLUB. Make yourself a cup of tea, get comfy, and get to know the lads better with me….

Who are LADSCLUB?/Tell us about yourself and your music.

Ed: I’m Ed and I’m the producer. I’ve actually been making music as a solo artist for over a decade initially doing mash ups and then under my Lee Taub pseudonym. We have been LADSCLUB for a year now, we are an electronic/dance pop duo. Our music is a blend of all of favourite genres and we’ve tried to add that fun element in our work. That was always the mantra from day 1, we need to have fun whilst working and I like to think that comes though in the music.

Greg: Yeah there’s a lot of humour in our work, in the lyrics and even our name is a joke/ metaphor as there’s nothing “laddy” about us, in the traditional sense. I genuinely love our music though, and I’m not ashamed to say our album is my favourite album of all time! I’m obsessed with it! I think it’s great that everyone who has heard it has a different favourite track too – that really shows how eclectic the style is, and how it’s difficult to pigeon-hole us.

Who are your inspirations?

Greg: I’d say for this project we’ve mainly gone back in time to our youth and drawn from 90’s dance and electronic artists like the Pet Shop Boys. Though I’d like to think there’s also a punk spirit that runs though the album too and Peaches has definitley been an influence, especially on the, er, saucier tracks.

Ed: I’m a huge dance music fan and I definitely think 90’s dance was a major influence for me when writing the music for the album.

Who would be your dream collab?

Greg: It’s a dream to collaborate together to be honest! Especially after being married for nearly 10 years. This album is like our child. So much of us has gone into the making of it. However, after self producing this album it would also be cool to work with other producers in the future too – like Stuart Price – one of my idols, who I recently met! Lovely chap.

Ed: working together has been amazing, it’s the collaboration I didn’t know would ever happen but a really great surprise. I have so many people I would love to collaborate with, Frankmusik a huge idol of mine he’s an absolute genuis! I would love to work with Calvin Harris too I reckon he would be a great match for us.

What is your creative process like?

Greg: It can vary but quite often we started with a title! I’d hear a word or phrase and then the next morning wake up with a song in my head. I’d sing it to Ed and he’d come up with a track and then it would just evolve form there really. Sometimes it was really quick but other times we were on like the 13th demo and pulling our hair out. There were tears and tantrums for sure.

Ed: We normally start with a few of Greg’s genius lyrics and I start playing around with some sounds, try and get a loop going and we go from there. I’ve definitely attempted a lot more styles/techniques than ever before on this album it’s really pushed me in a good way.

What are your favourite tracks on the album and why?

Greg: I love the opening track KLÜBLADS, it was one of the first ones we wrote but the last to be finished as we wanted the album to have a really strong opener. I think it’s a work of genius and that is mainly down to Ed’s production. I also have a soft spot for MATINEE as that’s my solo track and I tried to channel one of my idols, Jarvis Cocker, when we recorded the vocal. That song came from nowhere and I just love the way it GOES OFF.

Ed: It’s so hard picking as it keeps changing! Personally I adore HEAVY which is my solo track. I was left to my own devices and came up with it pretty quickly. It has a really fun euro sound and it’s a bit naughty ! Also INIT has to get a mention as it’s such a fun track, it’s the 90’s dance track I’ve always wanted to make. I’m channelling 2 Unlimited for this one.

What do you both get up to in Brighton?

Greg: Well for the last 12 months we’ve been mostly working on this album haha. No one has seen us!

Ed: Yeah we’ve kept a fairly low profile recently but we’re both looking forward to celebrating this album once it’s out.

Dream dinner party guests – dead or alive and doesn’t have to be music.

Greg: Ooh nice question. I’d genuinely like to be transported back to the early 80’s New York art scene and sit at a table with Madonna, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat. Not sure I’d get a word in but would be lovely just to observe and be in the mix with those creative geniuses.

Ed: For me, David Bowie, he was such an icon and I bet he would have been fascinating to talk to. Nick Jonas would be a great guest too, though I would be terrified of meeting someone like that, I tend to start talking complete gibberish when I meet anyone famous😂

Greg: can I actually change my answer to Nick Jonas please?

Any live shows coming up/dream gig?

Greg: Well..believe it or not we’ve never played anything live. When the album comes out and if the demand is there we’d love to give it a try. I have ideas for a live show but they would require a budget and we are currently independent so – if anyone out there wants to talk, get in touch! I mean songs like LOVEBOMBED and BIG were totally made with a huge Glastonbury crown in mind so…you never know!

Ed: Glastonbury for sure , that would be EPIC!

ALBUM REVIEW:

LADSCLUB have graced us with their electrifying self-titled debut album. Drawing inspo from legendary acts like Pet Shop Boys and Madonna, Greg and Ed deliver a fresh blend of retro synth-pop and modern dance beats! Let’s dive into the glittering world of LADSCLUB….

The night begins with KLUBLADS (one of my personal faves on the album). This is the boys introducing themselves to you and welcoming you to the party. We then enter the dancefloor for DISCOPRANCING, the 90’s house kick of huge dance anthem INIT is followed by the throbbing electro clash of LOVEBOMBED.

Things get down and dirty as we enter the dark rooms of MATINEE and HEAVY, then we fall in love over a glass of FINEWINE. The lads get punky on the stomping (and hilarious) future anthem BIG, get an Insta-crush with that guy from the ‘gram on COOL and then take it down a notch on the reflective SADCLUB. At this point you are left with no other choice but to hit the repeat button and start the party all over again!

I just love the fusion of retro aesthetics and contemporary beats that invites listeners to embrace their inner disco diva. Whether you’re dancing alone in your room or grooving at Club Revenge, this album pinky promises an exhilarating experience. The album is available to stream right….NOW!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars) #DALEYPOP approved!