Rosita Warlock & Mr Djub choose to oppose, to today's dominating technology, the simple and raw pleasure of music, free from mix tables and artificial sounds but with the grainy quality that would drive any producer nuts. They dig into a vast repertoire of early Jazz , Rock'n Roll, Swing, Music-hall, Classic fantastic and Blues (a repertoire that starts in the begining of 20th century, and finishes in the fifties with the arrival of the 33RPM
LP), back then the music industry was only in its infancy and experimentation was everywhere, even in the manufacturing process.
With their 3 gramophones dating from 1912 and 1917, and that used to be carried around like ghetto blasters, 78 RPM Selector offers a time travel through major musical references. The production of this period counts hundreds of thousands songs that long to be discovered in flea markets and other second hand sales, and to be given a second life under expert fingers; these include classics, but also ill-known cover versions and rarities
The set tells a story from rural blues to big bands, roots to swing and shindigs. It also celebrates the music that was born and played in the streets. The group wears "Carnivale" evocative costumes,a mix between the early 20th century afro-American slums and 1929 depression hobos.
THE DJ's:
ROSITA WARLOCK AND Mr DJUB play one disc after the other with no other logic than the length of the songs, and the
atmosphere they wish to share with their set. The songs are not altered by modern techniques and effects: they are not electrified, but only amplified. A gestural choreography, characteristic of the 78 RPM, imposes itself: they must change the needle at the end of the tone arm after each song, check and clean the next disc, and wind up the
mechanism of the gramophones. Sometimes, they also need to adjust the speed of the turn tables.
Their musical selection is punctuated by bizarre tableau's: they are offering ideal musical plateforms as a basis for the performer and beatboxer.
In their "off-stage life”, they’ve been know as “ Anne et Julien” for 20 years now, Anne being a journalist specialized in music, comics, and alternative cultures and Julien a music selector for a national radio station. They are currently writing
a book of illustrated fables (Rackham Editions)- the illustrations are Mr Djub's creations, and so are the 78 RPM selector
live sceneries.
YANNICK UNFRICHT, the performer, started fifteen years ago a reflection and exploration of the interactions between his body and his environment . From the confined space of the art galleries to the overheated dance-floors, and from the stages of music festivals to the streets of the cities he visits: everything becomes a pretext for new experiences and performances. Amongst his characters: Olaf Odgari, the “red man”.
After having lived in seclusion, Olaf Odgari is re-born thanks to the vibrations of the music played by the gramophones. The music slowly reveals him his Talent: he becomes a "mentalist": he is able to perceive the true nature and the mysteries of humanity. He is present throughout the set and is the bridge between yesterday's music and today's dancefloor. His theatrical gestures, elegant yet silent, link the poetic dandy aesthetics from the beginning of last century to modern-day DJ-set performances. Yannick Unfricht as Olaf Odgari expresses a wide range of emotions, moving from acute anguish to extreme enthousiasm in a blink of an eye, and eventually discovering his mentalist's talents.
EZRA, the beatboxer, enters the group in Season 2 (2009-2010).
Ezra is 25 years old and is a self-taught artist. He's been an active member of the international Beatboxing
community since several years. He represented France at the first World Championships in 2005, was The
2006 TKO Battle winner, and was a member of the jury in the 2009 Beatboxing World Championships the
took place in Berlin.
Whether performing solo or as a featuring, his instinct, his passion and generosity are exeptionnal. His great capacities, his taste for the eclectic as well as his adaptability and on-stage talents have led him to work with artists like Kid Koala and Bauchklang, to tour with Camille, and collaborate with Jacques Higelin, One Self (label Ninja Tunes), Wax Tailor, DJ Netik, Lotek HiFi (Label Big Dada). Aside of his live performances, he invests his time and energy in organizing work shops in hospitals, prisons, refugy camps in Palestine, and setting up a Beatboxing network in France.
In 78 RPM Selector, he is Kid Odji, a character that personifies the energy of the streets, that refuses laws and conventions and whose freedom is not for sale. He enjoys life, and hangs around all the places where Jazz and Blues rule.
Why having Beatboxing in 78 RPM Selector?
During the period the 78 RPM Selector illustrates, the "Rent Parties" where social and cultural events. These parties took place in flats, and their aim was to help the organiser pay his rent. He invited either a classical formation ( pianist, guitarist, singer..), or installed gramophones. If the gramophones were playing, the music from the discs was completed by a double bass (bass), some percussions and tap dancers (ligh percussions). Sometimes, vocal percusions were added ( technique popularized by The Mills Brothers).
Nowadays, these "vocal percussions" have evolved into one of the major disciplines of the Hip Hop culture: Beatboxing. And it continues to entertain neighborhood parties.
78 RPM selector wants to continue this popular and street tradition and that is why it has decided to invite one of the best french beatboxers to join the group.
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