Yes that's right kids, just the thing you need in your life: Another new band. But Milke are just not any new band. Oh no. More rock that the Scissor Sisters, less drug ravaged (so far) than INXS but already sporting the stage presence of million selling artists, it says something when at your very first gig you are way better than the act you are there to support. Over to Milke themselves to make their pitch for your vote:
Milke is a new project between breaks producer Friendly (Andrew Kornweibel) and singer Ra Khahn (that's his real name).
They met over Google, and have been writing together consistently ever since. Andrew Kornweibel, under the nom-de-boom Friendly, cut his teeth on the UK breaks scene when he moved to London from Australia in 2002. In 2004 he was awarded Best Newcomer at the International Breakspoll Awards, and has continued to produce and DJ around the world. He works closely with the hugely respected Fat! Records, who release most of his 12's,. With an album "Ten Things You Need To Know About Friendly" out on Fat! in 2004, as well as the first in a series of compilations "Chew the Fat! Sessions" in 2005, breakbeat anthems in the form of "The Bump and Grind', "2Black2Gay', `Glottal Stomp' and remixes and bootlegs for LFO, SL2, INXS, Smithmonger, Toby Neal, Booty Bouncers, Simply Jeff and Positiva, his production credentials are confirmed.
He also Djs across the globe, from the Love Parade in San Francisco, to the Waterdance Festival in Russia, Dubai, Lisbon, Barcelona, Tokyo, around the UK and back to Australia regularly, as well as a main room residency at The End club in London. Previously in Australia Friendly had considerable success being the first Australian signing to Zomba Records, playing the Big Day Out nationally five years running with a five piece live act, and touring Australia numerous times.
Ra Khahn meanwhile comes from a very different background. Also originally from Australia, (though Ra and Andrew met in London), Ra was raised on a hippy commune in Canberra. His musical education was through classical and jazz schools, most of which he's managed to forget in favour of creative freedom. Ra has a massive back catalogue of songs with acts as diverse as soul vocal groups, rock bands, house acts, chillout, and straight up pop. He's performed alongside the likes of Suzi Quatro, Trans Vision Vamp and Dionne Warrick in Australia, before moving to London five years ago. His latest guest appearance was on the Black Grass album through Catskills with the superb "Coming Home" and "Sweetest Thing", undoubtedly two standout tracks from that album.
It was through these tracks that Andrew first heard Ra's vocals. Ten minutes of Googling later, Andrew had Ra's phone number and had sent him an email. Within half an hour they had swapped addresses and had CDs in the post. The rest is quite possibly history.
It's rock, electro, R&B and breaks all mixed together. It takes everything from the past 15 years in music and brings it all firmly into 2005. First released on 500 white labels, this single scored plays on Pete Tong three weeks running, as well as huge interest across the board. The full release should see bigger things for this infectious single. Tired of all the current swathe of rock tribute bands, Milke is the most exciting thing to hit the scene in a long time. It's looking back at dance and funky-rock history, taking in influences from Talking Heads, INXS, Prince, Motown and much more, and mixing it with dance production from the current electro-house and breaks scenes, and bringing a whole new style to the table. Now performing live with bass player James and drummer Gav, with Ra on vocals and guitar, and Andrew on keyboard wizardry.
Vote Milke.
Now if that doesn't convince you, check them out live, so when they make it huge you can always say you were a grass roots supporter....
Apr 16 2006 Cargo LONDON
Apr 23 200 Hoxton Bar and Grill LONDON
May 5 2006 Hooga @ 93 Feet East LONDON
May 12 2006 Encompass Festival LONDON
Jun 17 2006 333 (TBC!) LONDON
Jul 1 2006 Aerosolics Festival SURREY
Jul 14 2006 Glade Festival TBC READING
Aug 4 2006 Electronic Garden Festival CANTEBURY
Aug 12 2006 Bloom Festival WILTSHIRE
or hear their tracks on their myspace site Milke Me
