Belgian dance maestros David and Stephen Dewaele aren’t your typical DJ/producer hybrid. Having founded Soulwax with Stefaan Van Leuven and Piet Dierickx in the mid-nineties, they began operating as 2manydjs shortly thereafter, building upon their successes with increasingly ambitious and exciting works. From the Deewee studio and Belgica soundtrack, to the Transient Program for Drums and Machinery and Radio Soulwax–they’ve always gone the extra mile in the name of art, while retaining a sense of humour and creative openness. Their body of remixes is a good reflection of 2manydjs sets: with all genres and ideas firmly on the table. Ahead of their set at the White Hotel, Salford on 14th July, here are five great remixes from the enormous body of the work.
Hot Chip – Haurache Lights (Soulwax remix, 2015)
The opening cut from Hot Chip’s Why Make Sense? takes shape around a rigid disco beat and chugging synth chord progression. But the Dewaele brothers shook up the arrangement on their downtempo house rework, replacing the live drums with programmed beats, bringing Alexis Taylor’s vocals to the fore and giving the track a tight, direct and club-ready sound.
Soulwax – Another Excuse (DFA Nite Version, 2005)
NY Excuse was so named as its creation was an excuse for Nancy Whang and Stephen Dewaele to hang out! The indie dance gem was remixed twice by Soulwax: one version containing drums sampled from Funky Town and the alternative Nite Version being mixed with the DFA records crew. There are funky lead lines and percussive elements galore!
Tame Impala – Let it Happen (Soulwax remix, 2015)
Tame Impala’s transition from psychedelic indie-rock to synth-laden indie-pop, was marked by a number of great remixes, each hinting at the dancefloor potential of Kevin Parker’s creations. Let it Happen was the first single from Currents and gave Soulwax plenty of groovy and synthy elements to work with. They open their remix with a dreamy arpeggiator, before breaking into a bass-led funk rhythm, making great use of crackling hi-hats and Kevin Parker’s processed vocals.
Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Soulwax remix)
Before Arcade Fire hit the studio with James Murphy to make what was their danciest record to date, Soulwax spun their track Sprawl II into a slice of throbbing synth-pop. Kicks, claps, duelling synth lines and percussive hooks give the remix an airy presence, demonstrating the brother’s ability to completely reimagine a song’s sonic environment.
LCD Soundsystem – Daft Punk is playing at my house (Soulwax Shibuya Re-Remix, 2007)
The mother of Soulwax remixes! Cutting LCD Soundsystem’s indie-disco classic with samples of actual Daft Punk material—not to mention Stardust’s Music Sounds Better With You—is pure, unadulterated fun that somehow works perfectly! Fizzy synth hi-hats continue throughout the track, with thick synths and reverberated percussion taking the song into heavy EDM territory. An incredible mix of elements that shows just how brave and bold the brothers are at the remix board.
