Supernova preview with Nick Sagar-House: the first thrash musician interview on HarderFaster
Reported by taktikal london
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Submitted 23-05-06 16:36
Nick Sagar-House is not your average hard dance musician. In fact he is not even a hard dance musician so there can be nothing average about him. In fact he is not even an average musician — he is an incredibly exceptional musician! Confused? So is Nick!
It’s undeniable that the two biggest hard dance forces in London are the legendary Frantic and antipodean driven behemoth Heat. For the aptly named Supernova event on May 28th they will be combining for one of the biggest UK hard dance collaboration parties ever held — in the biggest hard dance music venue in London — Brixton Academy. How then does a young and passionate thrash metal guitarist find himself slap bang amongst so many mentions of the word ‘hard dance’?!?
The answer lies once again in the hands of Mr Gregory Brookman. Searching high and low for musicians to ‘bolt-on’ to his A.L.I.V.E. PA project, he stumbled on the rock and roll loving guitarist through a mutual friend. After a quick studio session together it soon because clear that Sagar-House was an opportunity Brookman could not miss and quickly invited him under the A.L.I.V.E. umbrella. Since that date he has only managed to get on stage once with Brookman at the Tidy Weekender — I say managed as he was due to join A.L.I.V.E. at Polysexual South in April but the finest constables from Scotland Yard and about 200 of their mates decided The Fridge was their target of choice that night!
The plans were put back in the chiller and the A.L.I.V.E. family now are binding their time and waiting for the big event, Supernova, and hopefully this time Nick will be able to show everyone that rock and hard dance can be a marriage made in heaven! For now Nick Sagar-House makes history as the first dedicated thrash metal musician to be interviewed on HarderFaster.
Nick welcome to www.harderfaster.net. This is quite a unique interview for a dance music based website — a feature with a fully fledged rock guitarist! The reason you’re here is that you’re the latest edition to Greg Brookman’s A.L.I.V.E. PA project. How did you first meet Brookman?
Nick Sagar-House: We were introduced via a mutual friend.
Nick Sagar-House: “Its was all a bit of a blur to be honest”
Frantic and Heat’s Supernova will be your first performance with A.L.I.V.E. in London. Without giving too much away we’ve heard there are some interesting plans afoot for your role within the show. Any hints for the HarderFaster readers?
NSH: Haha, yeah we do have a few plans, if I say anything it would definitely give it away though. I’m sure it’s going to set the place off!
You were due to debut with A.L.I.V.E. in London at Polysexual South in April but — as most London clubbers will know — the boys from Scotland Yard had other ideas! What was your lasting impression from that night — apart from 200 boys in blue storming across the dance floor?
NSH: I felt really gutted on that night. It was such a shame that we couldn’t perform after Craig (DJ Hypnosis), myself and especially Greg had put so much effort into preparing for the event. I was also really looking forward to experiencing my first night at the Fridge too.
Nick Sagar-House: Gene Simmons eat your heart out
You’ve only appeared with Brookman once before, at the tidy Weekender 9: can you tell us a bit about the role you played that night?
NSH: I think my role that night was to give that live feel. It’s amazing what Greg can do with Ableton Live and with a guitarist on stage I guess it would definitely give the clubbers the vibe of a performance. It was an incredible night; I had a lot of fun.
A.L.I.V.E. isn’t the first — and won’t be the last — PA to include a guitarist in their set up, but A.L.I.V.E. isn’t just any live PA. What made you decide to add dance music into your already busy gigging schedule?
NSH: I have only been into dance music for a short time now and I’m loving it! The opportunity couldn’t be missed, especially since I’m a guitarist, it’s quite a rare occurrence. I’ve been getting into production quite a lot over the last year as well and being able to work along side with one of the top producers in hard dance is a great learning experience.
How long have you been playing the guitar for and what other non hard dance bands have you performed with?
NSH: I’ve been playing the guitar for about four years now. Like many aspiring guitarists I’ve worked with many bands and musicians in the past. I am currently committed to a thrash metal band but I also do session/production work with artists of all sorts of styles from jazz, dance music, metal, trip-hop . . . I’m trying to work with pretty much anyone from every genre to help increase diversity in my guitar playing and production styles.
Rock and hard dance aren’t always a cocktail of sound people would associate with each other and often a fan of one genre is far from a fan of the other but you are both — what does each genre do for you?
NSH: In both genres it’s the energy in the music that does it. I’ve been into rock for a while, not only do I enjoy the music but to see what musicians do on stage is a whole new level. I find it so impressive that they can do all the technical work on their instrument whilst connecting with the audience. I think that’s why I find dance and rock quite closely linked in that they both are heavily based on energy and connecting with the crowd in some way or an other.
I also really appreciate the culture in the dance scene, I love the way everyone can connect and have a good time together regardless of what other music you like etc. . . . it’s really nice to go out meeting people of all sorts of backgrounds and have a good time to enjoy the music. This is one element that I wish was more present in other music cultures.
Heat and Frantic present Supernova is at the legendary music venue Carling Brixton Academy. For you this must be the perfect combination for your love of music. Have you ever been to the venue before to see any acts perform?
NSH: Unfortunately I haven’t been able to check out the venue yet but I’ve heard some great things about it. I’m really looking forward to enjoying the night, being able perform there is really incredible.
Sagar-House: health & safety nightmare
It must now be slightly surreal to be appearing on the main stage as a guitarist — in a hard dance act?
NSH: Haha! Yeah it does seam slightly surreal but it’s a new challenge and experience which I’m really willing to take. It’s not the first time I’ve seen live musicians with djs before, for example, I’ve seen a lot of really talented percussion players jamming over chill out tracks. Even Roni Size, The Prodigy and Faithless have band performances. I really enjoy the live element in dance music that is now appearing and I hope I can do more live work in the dance industry soon.
Your colleagues on the night will be A.L.I.V.E man himself, Greg Brookman and scratch DJ Hypnosis. From the time you have spent with them what’s your thoughts on both?
NSH: I’m not that experienced in what they do exactly in terms of djing yet I was blown away by their talent. Not only are they very skilful at what they do, they really know how to connect with the crowd. Greg and Craig are great to work with, really easy going and down to earth. I also really admire the way in which Greg appreciates and understands live music. I found that we were able to communicate really well in rehearsal despite the fact that we were from two completely different genres.
You must draw inspiration from many angles with your shared passion for both musical genres. Who from each genre of music are you a big fan of?
NSH: I have to admit I do love 80s rock music! My favourite band for a few years now have been Dream Theatre, they are all completely insane on their instruments! Even after all the years of listening to them I’m still shocked by what they can do. In terms of dance music I’ve been really getting into a lot of psy trance and hard dance lately, with artists such as Infected Mushroom and Eskimo, I find myself riffing over the top quite often and it’s surprisingly similar to thrash metal.
On a personal note — it’s a little known fact that Frantic ‘head honcho’ Will Paterson is a huge fan of Bruce Spingstein! Is there any chance of a little tribute ‘Born in the USA’ riff just for him at the event?
NSH: Haha, I’ll have to see with Greg, there is plenty of rock influence in Greg’s set which I’m sure he’ll love!
Photos appear coutesy of Nick Sagar-House. Not to be reproduced without permission.
HeatUK & Frantic present Supernova
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On:
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Saturday 27th May 2006
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At:
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Brixton Academy [map]
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From:
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2000-0600
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Cost:
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Limited Early Bird Tickets £15+BF ON SALE NOW
Saver Tickets £18+BF
Standard Tickets £23+BF
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Website:
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www.franticdsi.com
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Ticket Info:
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VERY Limited £15+BF Early Bird Tickets on sale Monday 6th March.
We expect all Early Bird Tickets to sell out within 7 days!
Standard Tickets £23+BF
Call Ticketweb on 08700 600 100
or book online at...
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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After nearly 4 years since their last joint event, Heat and Frantic are teaming up for ONE NIGHT ONLY! This isn’t just big – this is SUPERNOVA!
The two biggest and most respected Hard House and Trance promotions in the country are teaming up for the party to end all parties. This is the stuff dreams are made of! Over the last 5 years Heat and Frantic have changed the way London parties. They have staged immensely successful festivals, broken new venues, new DJs, new Live Acts, new trends, and have travelled half the known universe to put on parties that you will still be telling your grandchildren about in 50 years time!
Now we have joined together to create the ultimate Hard House, Trance and Hardcore Gathering! With 4500 Clubbers, 50 DJs and Live PAs and 4 sensational arenas this is the be all and end all of superior Hard clubbing!
This is the biggest head-to-head club battle London has ever seen. It’s the official kick-off to Summer 2006, and it’s taking place on a Bank Holiday – meaning you can party twice as hard!
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Flyer:
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