Interview: Chase and Status

Saul Milton and Will Kennard, better known as Chase and Status, have become one of the biggest names in drum’n’bass over the past two years. Since the release of More Than A Lot in 2008, the pair have been gaining critical recognition and some of the latest tracks to surface from the group have successfully crossed over to the mainstream. Having worked with names including Mali and Plan B amongst others, and a release due in January, the men have never been more in demand.

However, the duo’s success is credit to their love for music: “We got to know each other through mutual friends in London. Our friendship was really based on a mutual love of raving and wanting to change music. To be involved in it,” started Will. “We loved the same music and were always playing with the idea of being part of that scene.”

Their break came after several years of working together DJing at various venues. “We were up in Manchester: making music, working out what people want from the music they listen to, how the heroes make their music. Whilst up there, we asked to produce a track and it grew from there.” The band list influences from The Prodigy, whose “Music for the Jilted Generation was the early '90s influence that blew us away,” and DJ Andy C, who is “our biggest idol. The reason that we are here doing what we’re doing.”

Fame hasn’t affected the pair though: “It’s not too bad,” explained Will. “We’re only recognised every now and again because the group isn’t about faces. It’s the music. We are free to live a normal life and still have this exciting work.”

Indeed, Saul and Will have racked up an impressive list of collaborations over the past three years. When asked which artists they had had the most fun working with, Will answered Rihanna. This seemed unusual for a group so renowned for their electro work, but he continued: “She has such a sense of humour. We were quite conscious about the decision to work together at first, because we didn’t know how she’d be. She’s so down to earth and unaffected though. We basically spent two great weeks in the studio taking the piss, throwing insults back and forth. There were lots of jokes and some amazing music too.” And the reputation has its advantages; the group admit that they are fortunate enough not to have to work with people they don’t like.

No More Idols, the sophomore offering, is being finished. Talking about the album, Will admitted “there was more pressure. Expectations after More Than A Lot added a great deal. It was a bit more stressful. But we found a drive from that pressure. It helped us. We just get on with what we do. Making music, it’s the same as it always has been.”

‘Hypest Hype’ is available on the site for free download. When we got round to the new singles, it was said that “'Let You Go' had been put out to success. But the album wasn’t ready; we didn’t want to put it out how it was. But we didn’t want to suddenly go quiet. The track was to assure the fans that we weren’t going anywhere.” Of course, The Yorker asked what we can expect from the new album and Will didn’t disappoint: “There are lots of features; different singers, different rappers. There are huge artists from Cee-Lo Green, to Dizzee, to Plan B. We’ve got new talent in Liam Bailey, Mali. We’ve got one of our favourite bands White Lies on there.”

Drum and Bass may root the band, but that doesn’t mean they don’t dabble in other music. We asked what the cheesiest album is that Will owns: “I like to keep up in all areas. I have some of the popular Katy Perry tracks. The Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D. is always a great one to just stick on and get you ready for a night out!” I did have to admit, I liked those choices.

Chase and Status have worked hard these past twelve months with tours and collaborations. Their hope for 2011 is that “fans will be happy with the album.” Not to be kept a secret anymore, Will and Saul are definitely cemented as one of the most popular duos of the day.

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