
English production duo PBR Streetgang have been going from strength to strength in recent years, releasing quality house music, innovative edits and most recently their first feature length album, ‘Late Night Party Line’.
We have been big fans of both PBR and Bonar Bradberry’s solo productions since we first came across their James Brown inspired J2thaB:
We also particularly liked their remix of 'One Night Stand', which came out on BMG in 2016


Q&A with Bonar and Tom
The dust has now settled on your critically acclaimed debut album Late Night Party Line. The reviews have been fantastic and the first single is being played in clubs around the around the world. How does it feel?
“Kind of strange really, in a good way! It’s our first album and we started to make it we really didn’t know if it was even going to get released, so the attention its got has been great” (B)

When did you sit down and say “right it’s time to make an album” & how long was the process from start to finish? Was it hard to home-in on one hour of music? Were there any casualties left of the cutting room floor?
“About 2-3 months really, we had an intense writing period, 8 hours + a day 5-6 days a week. So once we were a week or so in things start flowing very quickly. After that we stopped and listened to everything through really critically as to what would make the best album and order , at which point we had to be tough and cut about 4 or 5 tracks.” (B)
“We’d been talking about writing an album for around two to three years. Timing wise we were totally ready for it – up until that point we’d essentially made EPs and singles so the thought of creating a long player was exciting. The bulk of writing took around six to eight weeks. We didn’t find it particularly hard, more exciting. We both have broad taste and similarly our record collections consist a lot of layers so digging to find influences was fun!
For sure there were a few left out. We didn’t count how many we were making, we just made music until we were happy with the body of work – we then went back and started to trim until we found something that made sense to us, and had a coherent beginning middle and end.” (T)


Bonar – having been involved with 2020 Vision – you know a bit about labels. How has it been having the clout of a major label guiding you through this album?
“We went to Skint (BMG) with the finished album in order and they were great with that they saw what we saw in it much like a small independent. Where it has been really different is the resources at your disposal to release the record, promotion, press, they scale of things generally is so different like the ability to make great videos for the first time. (of which I cant wait for you to all see the vid. for ‘Everything Changes’).” (B)
You have amassed quite a lot of original PBR material – are you now tempted to present this in a live format?
“It’s something we’ve discussed, and we’re definitely not ruling it out. We always like to explore new ideas, and it makes total sense being a duo. Ultimately we were DJ’s before discovering the production side of things, it comes so naturally to us – we simply love playing records/music this way!” (T)
“We’re looking into it!” (B)
Can you tell us a bit more about this specific track ‘Transfunction’, which is a bit more mechanical than anything else on the record?
“With this we were trying to make something more stripped down and raw. Is was made up a series of live takes not synced to the computer just using the synths own internal tempos and we only used two keyboards I think to help keep our options limited. Some times in limiting choice can make you more creative.”
What are your plans for 2020? Another album?
“Well, we’re back in the studio already so lets see what happens!” (B)
“We’ve back in the studio, however this time we’re aiming to make some more singles – music designed for the clubs. We started the beginning of the year by remixing a track from the latest Hercules & Love Affair album, and now were going to concentrate on our own materiel. The goal is to follow up our album with a string of singles. We’re totally up for doing more albums, and if things go according to plan there could be more on the horizon, but as we’ve learnt from making this one – you can’t force these things!” (T)
DISCOLYPSO QUESTIONNAIRE !!!
[ Bonar First! ]


What was the first record you can remember buying?
What was your first musical composition, edit or remix?
As PBR ? It was Never Get off The Boat…..10 years ago!!

If you could have the audio stems to any track what would it be?
Tough question – probably something like Prince – Sign of the Times, not really
to remix just to see how it was constructed. Genius..


What song do you put on when you wake up?
I don’t really I listen to music all day so I try to have a little peace in the mornings if possible. But this is like a shot of espresso for the senses …
If money was not an option who would play at your wedding or birthday - both live acts and djs?

Which musical acts do you feel have not been dealt their fair hand in the annals of time?
There are loads aren’t there .. I could write an essay on some ..
From a personal point of view I’ve always thought while they our loved and admired in our small circle, Crazy P should be a far bigger act than they are, I’ve never really understood how they haven’t properly crossed over.

What song do you put on when you want to relax?
this is nice and dreamy for you…

If you could ask any musician alive or dead one question, what would it be?
Prince – Can we listen to what is in ‘The Vault’ please ? 😉
We all have our guilty pleasures… What song or Artist is do you play when nobody is around?!
There’s lots to be honest but this is something I’ve been listening to today:

And the same questions for Tom!

What was the first record you can remember buying?
Duran Duran, ‘A View To A Kill’

What was your first musical composition, edit or remix?
The first EP we release together was called ‘Never Get Off The Boat’ on Red Music
(2008).


If you could have the audio stems to any track what would it be?
Probably something by The Cure, maybe Lullaby.

If money was not an option who would play at your wedding or birthday - both live acts and djs?
I mix it up with mates and guests – so Crazy P live, with Dave Beer doing a ‘Bez’ on something like the triangle. David Byrne/Talking Heads at some point. DJ wise, maybe Harvey could tear in on a massive Harley and do a quick stint, plus Sam (Maxxi Sound system), and maybe Maurice Fulton (although he could wig the guests out right!) And Micky Flanagan would be propping up the bar telling a few jokes!

Which musical acts do you feel have not been dealt their fair hand in the annals of time?
Hmm… we’re really close with Crazy P, they’re all lovely people and amazing musicians. They’ve obviously had a fair share of success, but I’d love to see them fully crossover!

What song do you put on when you go to sleep?
Anything by Khruangbin

What song do you put on when you wake up?
Gil Scott Heron – ‘Willing’

If you could ask any musician alive or dead one question, what would it be?
To Larry Levan – ‘explain it all?’

