2006 sees the launch of ‘Curfew Time’ at The Gallery. What’s the idea behind the night and which guests are we likely to see playing?
 
Curfew Time is our own night, we’ll be taking over room two at Turnmills and playing lots of LED - Loud Electronic Dirt. We’ve been playing out together for over 5 years, but this’ll be the first time we’ve had our own base camp. The plan for the night is simple - have a really good time, evolve our sound in front of a cool crowd, and break a few boundaries both musically and technically.
We have rising talent James Talk on board as regular support to get things moving after midnight, guest slots from like-minded groovy DJs and we’ll be playing a headline slot at every party.

What made you go for this new residency?
 
We’ve done some great gigs with Soundworx at Turnmills in 2005, it’s a natural venue for our dirty house sound. The room has a groovy unpretentious vibe cos the people are there to have a good time. Throw in a few dirty house freaks and the odd King Unique stalker and you’ve got somewhere we’ll be proud to call home.

Having embraced Ableton Live to great effect, you come across as fans of new technology. How important is it these days to move with the times?
 
Evolve or die has always been the name of the game in dance music, otherwise next thing you know you’re a Northern Soul boy. We’ve been taking laptops and studio gear into DJ booths for five years now, Ableton is just the latest in a long line of techy toys we’ve used. Unlike most DJs we’re not using it to play tracks but to add layers of vocals, FX and synths over the top of the tracks we’re playing off CDs. The bulk of our set is made up of our own special re-edits prepared back at the studio with Ableton, but we still prefer to play them off CDs cos we’re fans of mixing by hand/ear.
 
What was the latest gadget you’ve bought?
 
Matt T: A Nixon ‘Dork’ watch, a chunky steel 70s-style LED watch that talks - including calling you a dork on the hour, every hour. My life is complete.

Matthew R: I bought a nice 4 slice toaster on Sunday. Yum!

Do you own a fancy case for your i-Pod?!
 
Matthew R: No mine looks like rats have been chewing it.

Matt T: I don’t own an i-Pod, I just listen to my watch telling me the time over and over.
                 
What’s next on the King Unique production line?
 
We’re working on a couple of new tracks of our own at the moment as a bit of a treat after all those remixes. One of them will be our next single on JBO, a sequel to Flashing Lights. That pretty much sets the pattern for 2006 - loads more original trax.
 
How do you unwind after a hard days slog in the studio?
 
Drive really fast through heavy traffic in order to get to our homes, change nappies, rescue the cat from being strangled, and obey everything we’re told to do by tiny two-foot tall dictators. (We’ve both got young kids). Then slump into a coma next to someone we vaguely remember marrying at some point. And relaaaaaxxxx....
 
Your press shots feature various cartoon images… are you comic book fans at heart?
 
As far as most comics are concerned – no. The King Unique comic book vibe was inspired by the 70s psychedelic stoner comics from Rip Off Press. Gilbert Shelton did great epic covers for these comics about dingy hippies and it just seemed an appropriate look for a pair of dingy house producers.
 
Who’s your favourite superhero?
 
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers
 
If you could be superheroes for the day, what would your name be and what would be your special power?
 
The-Underground-House-Crossover-Hit-Twins.
 
Who would win in a fight - Batman or Superman?
 
No idea. Maybe someone should send Superman a note saying “I shagged your mum, love Batman” and then we’ll find out?
 
How about, Postman Pat or Fireman Sam?
 
Can’t say we’ve ever been stoned enough to give this the consideration it deserves.
 
Or even – Mickey Mouse or Mighty Mouse?
 
We’re on firmer ground here, Mighty would obviously shit all over Mickey. Of course Danger would give them both a good hiding...
 
Sorry I went off on a bit of a tangent there. What are your main goals for 2006?
 
Make more records, spend less time doing it. Have more fun, spend less money doing it.
 
Can England win the World Cup?
 
Sorry, what’s a World Cup?