Known for giving the world some “Bonafied Lovin,” Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) and P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) of Chromeo are coming back to Los Angeles. The duo is branded by their ’80s funk sound and infectious electronic jams ““ anyone who listens to them will be hypnotized to sing along as their bodies free themselves in uncontrollable jives. With an upcoming performance at this summer’s Hard Music Festival, P-Thugg sat down with the Daily Bruin’s Lynn Chu to talk about their first-time experience closing for Montreal’s International Jazz Festival, expectations for Hard this year and being addicted to life in the fast lane.
Daily Bruin: How has the North American tour been so far? Are there memorable moments or stories of this tour?
Patrick Gemayel: We’ve had a lot of really cool moments, but two weeks ago, we did our biggest show in Montreal. That kind of really took us by surprise. (Dave 1 and I) both grew up in Montreal and there’s this big jazz festival each year. (It was great) being able to do that, especially not being a jazz band. We sold out on stage (with) 100,000 people watching us the whole time. It was pretty intense, (because) usually we just have 30 (to) 50 thousand people. Our moms were there too.
DB: That sounds great. You pointed out that Chromeo doesn’t really fit into the festival as a jazz band, so what made them invite you guys this year?
PG: They have made an offer to us in the past just for regular jazz festivals, but we were everywhere, did a couple of TV shows here and there. This year … I guess the stars were just aligned. It feels like the time had come and they said, ‘Well we’re going to have them close the show ““ that’s it, it’s about time.’ And then we’re preparing for the show, the festival owner came to see us and he was like, “˜You’re well overdue. This was the best way to do it. You guys are closing the festival.’ We got on stage and it was incredible. This is one of my top-five shows.
DB: Amazing. Definitely a different scene from Hard Music Festival. How do you think this year’s Hard Summer will be compared to when you guys were performing last year?
PG: Well, last year was live and it was much harder. But the crowd at Hard, this is our scene. We know the people there, they know us and it’s really fun because they have a really good vivid response. At the jazz festival, it’s more mainstream, you get kids and adults and grandparents … you are just entertaining a bunch of people which is fun but this is our world, kids know our songs.
DB: And you guys are playing a DJ set this year? How do you think that will compare to your live performance last year?
PG: We’ll see what it’s going to be like. We’re not as good at it. (But we) thought it would be a fun alternative and (plus) putting a show together is a whole thing. We want as much time together (to work) on our album. A live show is going to take more time … and so we want to be more efficient. (To be honest), it’s actually harder (for us) to prepare a DJ set because we know our songs and we know how to play them. (It’s just in terms of) management, (a live show is) harder to prepare ““ the management backstage, the crew.
DB: So you are guys are now back at the studio working on an album. Do you guys prefer that to being out on the road and traveling all the time?
PG: It’s different because that’s where it all starts and that’s where you’re (in your) full comfort zone ““ you’re in the studio just making up tracks, you’re playing with instruments (and) that’s where you guys got started. We all started in a bedroom or in a garage just making up songs (so) it kind of brings you back to your roots. … It’s more challenging to be in a studio and rack your brain and write songs.
DB: What do you love most about the road?
PG: The traveling, the people, the fans, playing in front of a ton of people who appreciate it ““ and that’s really rewarding. Even the bad sides of the road, you kind of miss them, (things like) sleeping two hours and then going back to the stage. When it’s done you think about those moments. The road is a great life, you get attached to that. … It’s like the trucker ““ you get addicted to that fast-pace life, it’s like having a mission.
DB: And your brother, A-Trak, is also performing at Hard. Do you guys run into each other often or travel together?
PG: (Sometimes) we have a lot of shows together, but it’s always fun whether it’s a minute or the whole day together. (Another good thing about traveling is that) when you’re working with friends (or family), it’s always fun to cross paths, whether it’s during the DJ roads or the live music show. You’re always on the road and (it gives) you a little sense of the community. You make friends and you talk about different things, something only people on the road can understand.