Double Adaptor; it's like Britney Spears "getting down" to Metallica

How's it working together as brothers? Any sibling rivalry?

Tim: We really don't have any problems. In Double our roles are quite defined - Dan brings what you look at, I bring what you hear, and together we shake up the crowd.

Dan: I'd rather be working with my brother than any friend. It's good because when you are hard on each other, you can't take it personally. I think we are a little past sibling rivalry, except when he uses the last of the milk - then its on like Donkey Kong.

Are you looking forward to your international tour? Where are you playing and what can your foreign fans expect?

Tim: We're embarking on a three-week tour to Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic. I think fans here in SA will know what fans over there can expect - it's energetic, it's loud, it's bright - it's all about dancing until you fall over, then getting up and doing it until the club throws you out.

Dan: Yeah. Strictly speaking this is my first real European trip. I'm really excited and have been making German friends teach me words that will come in handy. Our foreign fans can look forward to a whole new set that has been created just for them that they get to enjoy before our local fan base.

Favourite venue or gig to play?

Tim: We have a few favourites in South Africa. Personally, I love The Assembly in Cape Town - it's really got the most professional attitude to partying (if that makes any sense). Every time we play there, we pretty much have the time of our lives. We also love Town Hall in Joburg.

Dan: Yeah. Definitely The Assembly in Cape Town. The vibe is always great and you cant help but have a great time. I love playing in Pretoria because I get to hang out with my favourite doggies and Untamed Youth (Fiction, CT) is the best week-night party ever created.

How would you describe your sound?

Tim: Double Adapter is a blend of all things electro - Dan and I have a strange fascination with both heavy dance music and alternative/pop/everything else, so Double is always a blend of massive techno and electro club sounds blended with all sorts of songs you wouldn't expect to hear.

Dan: Yeah. If I had to throw it out there I would say imagine Britney Spears giving Metallica head in a club toilet.

How do you create your visuals?

Tim: Dan ...

Dan: My visuals are created in a number of ways. Some are 3D generated in After Effects to others which are simply paper cut-outs animated to move around a page. I don't like to force myself to use one medium or program when creating images, but rather to create visuals that are effective and make your eyes bleed. Oh, and don't underestimate Microsoft Paint, it's a powerful tool. Haha.

What do you think makes a successful DJ act?

Tim: DJing is all about picking songs to define a moment - but I think you get two kinds of DJ acts: one that plays for the crowd, and one that defines its own brand and draws a crowd that wants to experience that brand. Double Adapter is definitely in the second category, although we aren't scared to jump out of our own brand every now and then.

Dan: We hate DJs who just bob their heads, if that, to the music they are playing. A successful DJ is anyone who loves the music they are playing as much as the people they are playing it for. You can't be afraid to play to a crowd. If you love hip hop, but can see the crowd is in the mood for some rock and roll, then you better put some Nirvana on. A successful DJ is a DJ who likes to have fun.

What has been your craziest "rock star" DJ moment?

Tim: Dan and I do stupid things on stage all the time. We stage dive, we break stuff (usually accidentally) and we try our best to be the party when we're playing. We finished a show the other day and while we were packing up the entire DJ booth collapsed - it just fell apart. To me, that means we'd pretty much done what we'd set out to do.

Dan: Breaking four ribs is a big one for me. Pulling off a back flip unintentionally and landing in Cape Town 30 minutes before a gig (twice) are my favourites.

What would you say is your best performance of your musical career?

Tim: I still love the first gig we did in Munich last year at Crux Club for SoNotBerlin. That was a crazy experience - lots of stage diving. Our best show could also have been at our label Griet's second birthday party last year in November. Good friends, good times.

Dan: With Double Adapter, I think my personal best was with Cyberpunkers (Italy) at Town Hall in Joburg. We unveiled what has become our look, feel and sound at that show and it really sticks out for me. Playing at Ramfest with Cutout Collective is another favourite, and Vjing for Mr Sakitumi at this year's Ramfest was unbelievable, a definite dream come true.

How do you think the SA music scene (especially the dance scene) could be improved and what do you think we are doing right?

Dan: I think the crowds are doing it right. There is a great integration of different people and sub-cultures involved with the dance music scene. I love that a metal head can come to an electro show with a pessimistic view of what's going to happen and nine times out of 10 he head bangs the whole night. I'd like to see better and more interesting stage set-ups that really wow the DJs and audience.

Tim: The SA dance scene is stronger than people think it is. We have massive international artists living here that a lot of people don't even know about. Counterstrike (Drum and Bass producer), for instance, has 15 000 fans and people in Joburg barely know him! It's hard to say what could be improved, but I think at the moment fans are hungry for amazing, consistent venues - that's the greatest strength of the commercial dance scene, and if the more underground genres like Drum and Bass and Techno/Trash Electro could find homes we'd be able to build a stronger industry.

If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

Dan: I would be an otter, because otters are freaking awesome and swim around all day looking for clams. That sounds amazing.
Tim: Most definitely a cat. I do enjoy sleeping.

Is this your full-time job?

Tim: I'm lucky because I own a company and work with sound and music all day, every day, so in a lot of ways it is. Double Adapter is a live extension of what I do in studio, but I also do a lot of work on other projects for TV.

Dan: No, I am actually a full-time student at Wits University, studying film and animation.

The best and worst things about what you do?

Tim: The best is definitely being able to go to parties for free, knowing the artists and promoters as friends, and feeling like you're part of a scene, not just a visitor. The worst is definitely having to wake up early for flights to the next city when you've only just got to sleep!

Dan: The best thing is definitely getting to travel and meeting loads of great people. Worst is definitely hangovers and 6am flights.

What puts a spring in your step and sparkle in your eye?

Tim: Any song that sends a shiver down my spine - heavy electro, awesome jazz, an amazing vocal hook, something like that.

Dan: A new pair of shoes and a clean pair of sunglasses.

Your future plans?

Tim: Double Adapter is a party brand above all else - when a promoter books us, they are booking two guys who will bring a good vibe with them. We'd like to expand that brand and expand the market that enjoys watching and listening to us. I think commercial and underground music is growing ever closer, so a personal goal for me is to bring a harder edge into the commercial music scene and further blur the gap - who knows, maybe play an H2o event?

Dan: We are already dreaming up our next tour, America maybe, and just growing and adapting with our show. I want to see bigger parties and brighter lights.

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