Words: Miljan Milekić
Adventure Club is a dubstep duo from Montreal, Canada. They began their journey as a hardcore/pop-punk band before discovering electronic music and devoting themselves to it completely. So far, they have released only one EP and several singles, but with their remixes – many of which have gained millions of views on internet sites – and their high-energy performances, they have built a reputation as a major name on the EDM scene and have performed almost all over the world. We spoke with Leighton James, while Christian Srigley sat beside him, chiming in occasionally and “guarding” the drinks.
Let me start the recording first, as I wanna have this on tape! If I miss the end of the HURTS show, you guys are buying me plane tickets to their next show!
Leighton: I mean, you can go watch them! We’ll be fine! (laughs)
So, when did you guys arrive in Serbia? Did you get to see anything already?
Leighton: No, nothing. We came about four hours ago. It was already dark when we landed, and it was dark on the ride here. And now we’re here, so we didn’t really get to see anything besides the airport, the car, and this room.
This is your first time here. What can we expect from you and your set?
Leighton: I want to play really, really heavy. In America, I tend to play a lot of house music, but here I wanna play a lot of really heavy dubstep. The mosh pit stuff. What do you think I should play?
Wait, you’re asking me what to play?! (laughs)
Leighton: Yeah! What has the crowd been responsive to over the weekend?
I think you’re on the right track. I’d say Skrillex did a bit better than Koven.
Leighton: They didn’t like Koven?! I love Koven!
I love them too, they were amazing! The crowd loved them, but Skrillex was just crazy.
Leighton: So, we’re going heavy! (laughs)
So, what do you like more, festivals like this with big, mixed crowds, or club settings with your own fans?
Leighton: They both have aspects that you love. I love having a huge crowd; a huge response. The only downside of that is that not everyone there came to see you. You’ll see patches of the crowd that aren’t really into it. Whereas club shows are super intimate. You play mostly your own music, and the crowd is there to see us. You can get super close to people, you can crowdsurf, and have a good time with them. It’s a different energy, but I prefer the festival scene.
And what kind of festivals do you like more – strictly electronic music, or mixed ones?
Leighton: I like the mixture because I can play a wider array of music. It allows me to play rock, pop, indie, or more vibey stuff. It all depends on the crowd and the vibe. I listen to more than just EDM, so I don’t want to limit my sets either.
So far, you’ve shared the stage with so many different artists. Who do you like to play with, and who would you like to play with?
Leighton: I could play with three other artists; it would be Architects… I like playing with Borgore and just having him around. And probably W&W, I love those dudes.
When you say Architects, you mean…
Leighton: They are a metalcore band from the UK.
I was just checking we’re thinking about the same guys! (laughs) I love them, and actually got a chance to interview them not too long ago.
Leighton: No way! (laughs) But yeah, Architects are unreal. Also, Bring Me The Horizon, I would add them to the lineup. They are so good!
How would you explain that connection between punk and metal with dubstep? I grew up listening to punk rock and hardcore before getting into drum and bass and dubstep, and I see lots of fans wearing band shirts at dubstep and d’n’b shows…
Leighton: Yeah, we actually started as a pop punk band. (laughs) Is that a punk band on your shirt?
Yeah, a punk rock band from Serbia.
Leighton: Tea Brea, I’ll remember that. (laughs) But yeah, I see it as a natural progression of aggression. Once you get a bit tired of thrashing and the breakdowns, the next thing to do is go to a dubstep show. It’s the same energy.
Did you ever think about combining the two and doing some kind of collaboration?
Leighton: We’ve had a collaboration with Bring Me The Horizon in the works for almost a year now, but we just can’t find the right time to release it. But if it’s anyone, it would be them, or the band from the States called Issues, with some of the guys from Woe, Is Me.
I can’t wait to hear that! But wait… what happened with Architects?! (laughs)
Leighton: I don’t know them! (laughs) I only know Bring Me, they’re good friends of ours. But maybe Cradle Of Filth? (jokingly imitates Dani Filth’s shriek)
So, besides the BMTH collab, what are you guys up to?
Leighton: We’re just gonna lock ourselves in a cabin in the woods and make music for the next two months. But I can’t say who we’re gonna be working with. Don’t look at me like that! (laughs)
OKAY! (laughs) Any message for your fans to end this with?
Leighton: Thank you!
*Interview edited for length and clarity.
*Originally published on nocturnemagazone.net on July 28, 2014.