4DLS

Pioneer Unit is the bizniz. Truth and no lies. So when theblagg found out that there was some (more) radical concept music coming out of the indie we went looking for the source and the answers. We spoke to Dplanet, the man who run tings over at P.U and who has now temporarily moved from being the man behind the artists to being the one on stage. We talked to him about his new project, Fourth Density Light Show, that sees him hook up with Ben Sharpa, Raiko and spo0ky. This week they've been rehearsing their magic at Cape Town's Red Bull Studio - and in case you miss that tiny fact you'll see the branding on ever video and mentioned everywhere. It's all good though, we all get it how we can. Here's what D had to say:


theblagg: How did Fourth Density Light Show (4DLS) come about? Please explain what the idea behind it is, is it an album, who is involved etc?
Dplanet: 4DLS is a live, improvised hip hop, electro-dub mashup featuring Ben Sharpa on 'freestyle' vocals. Myself on live production, DJ Raiko behind the decks creating cuts, scratches and live DJ effects, and spo0ky using bespoke graphic and motion design to create high-impact visual stimulus.
Ben Sharpa and I started experimenting with 140 bpm dubbed-out hybrid 'soundsystem' beats on his album, 'B. Sharpa' ('Off the Rails' and 'Critical Mass'). This project is a progression from that. I've always been interested in pushing the boundaries of hip hop. Ben has the unique ability to connect whatever beats I make to the authentic roots of lyrical hip hop. Working with him allows me the freedom to experiment, whilst still maintaining the core values and essence of hip hop.
At Pioneer Unit we've been focusing on the live performance aspect of our music for a while now. We realise that people want an experience, not to just go and listen to the same music they hear on the mp3 or CD. We believe that live production, a DJ and the visual elements create a powerfully visceral experience.

theblagg: One of the key elements of this project is “freestyle underground lyrical hip hop,” – does that mean each artist has to come up with new material upon arrival in the studio or is it just new material to the public’s ears?
Dplanet: It's more of an improvisation, although there will be completely freestyle elements. Ben has been writing for this project for a while now. He has a core of new material that forms the basis for the performance, but he is free to take it where he wants, or where individual situations demand.



theblagg: On your blog you say “there is no point going to a live show to hear music exactly the same way it was recorded” what will people get to experience when they go to a 4DLS?
Dplanet: They'll get a heavy live improvised audio visual experience!

theblagg: You also say this idea has been in the pipeline since June 09. How easy/difficult have these planning stages been? Can you take us through the whole process?
Dplanet: It's always quite difficult as Ben is based between Johannesburg and Europe. We all have our various commitments to attend to so matching up our schedules is quite challenging. We started with the concept phase - I basically came up with the idea and wrote a brief proposal to explain it to the others. After everyone had agreed that they were interested I started writing beats and sending them to Ben so he could begin writing - this was the longest phase. Now we've reached the rehearsal phase things should start moving faster. We're all just getting a feel for what we can do and jamming in the studio. The next stage will be to tighten up what we've got so we're ready to perform.

theblagg: Having checked out what your band looks like, it seems that it will be an audio-visual-sensory explosion of sorts. Where and when will the public be able to see/hear your music?
Dplanet: We're hoping to line up some gigs in SA before we take this overseas. I can't promise a date right now but it will be in the fourth quarter of 2010.

theblagg: What is Robot Army Music?
Dplanet: Robot Army Music is what we do. It's the militant theme music to our struggle against corporate-owned media and the nauseating music that is produced as a result of their influence, social injustice and all the other bullshit that keep people stuck in inequitable and limiting systems.

theblagg: Now with you running Pioneer Unit, did you ever feel like some of the acts on your roster might be uneasy about you investing this time on this project or will they also be featured on the music?
Dplanet: We've got a lot of projects lined-up for the rest of the Unit. We work in carefully planned production cycles so no one is going to get ignored while we do this.

theblagg: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dplanet: Thanks for the interview. I'd just like to shout out Ivan and Richard at Red Bull Studio in Cape Town for facilitating our rehearsal sessions.


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