MyGen
Profile GeneratorIt would have been justifiable for both Phil Hartnoll and Nick Smith to take it easy instead of starting Long Range. Both had already achieved so much – Phil as half of techno legends Orbital, and Nick with his sound design and music work on films like Hannibal - but both still have plenty more to offer. Their stunning debut album ‘Madness & Me’ drew in the talents of producersBen Burns , Jimmy Day and Toby May and showed they could surpass their previous glories. A cinematic trawl right across dance music, it covered atmospheric soundscapes and pure dancefloor belters. Their sound echoes the classic widescreen Orbital sound of old, while updating it with layers of Nick’s sonic understanding. Crossing genres without fear, it’s the latest installment in a project that promises to head further past expectations.
But they’re very much more than a studio project. This summer sees the pair continuing to tour, with new, unreleased material alongside tracks from ‘Madness And Me’, both as an Ableton set and backed up by a full band of musicians with an impeccable pedigree. Add in stunning live visuals from C6 and Phil Hartnoll’s DJ sets and you’ve got something really special. The dates can only add to Long Range’s already impressive live reputation, forged in part by their now legendary collaboration with Irvine ‘Trainspotting’ Welsh and Chuck ‘Fight Club’ Palahnuik at the Brighton Festival (where fourteen people famously passed out from the intensity) as well as their groundbreaking Second Life gig.
In between gigs Long Range are ensconced in their country retreat, writing and recording material with Toby and Jimmy for the second album, having released the final single from ‘Madness And Me’ - ‘Dispel The Clouds’ which includes re-works from previous Long Range remixer Lee Coombs, and respected Canadian producer Myagi. If that isn’t enough Long Range for you then keep an eye out for their remix of indie band Clearlake‘s ‘Neon’, reinforcing how well they work with a band set up.
Thank god they didn’t decide to put their feet up.
www.longrange.tv
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Interview with Phil at the Urban Explorers festival 2008 Netherlands ( Wilbert Baan - Vimeo)
Long Range live- The Sage, Gateshead 2008
