Berlin-born electronic producer, Kinky Roland, continues his rich seam of work with Boy George on their latest song ‘You’re Not The One”, which is up for a Grammy in the Best Remix category.
Known for their Retrophobia projects like their Remix of “Be Electric” and “Sweet Dreams”, the duo first got together hanging out in electronic & queer scene clubs like Nag, Nag, Nag, Trade and Trash, featuring in Dazed & Confused, The Face, and i-D magazines. During the early Noughties Roland worked with Marc Almond and Soft Cell, Heaven 17’s Glen Gregory, Princess Julia, Jonny Slut and Minty.
He remixed E-zee Possee’s hit, “Everything Starts With An E” as house music exploded and constantly evolved as a producer, releasing techno and house music for labels such as Trade, React, Ultravinyl and Prolecult in the 90’s and Noughties. As production half of dance duo LoverushUK, Roland enjoyed success with their rework of “Yeke Yeke” with Mory Kante as well as collabs with Bryan Adams and Marcella Detroit and remixes for Kylie Minogue, Moby, Nelly Furtado, Katie Melua, and Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Knights.
His stellar musical history includes collabs with S-Express; reinventing himself as Replicant during the electroclash era; joining the band Punxsoundcheck with John Taylor and working under his birth name Roland Sebastian Faber (RSF) for electronic Italo-disco film & synth projects culminating in the vinyl release of RSF ‘Metropol” album featuring Erasure’s Any Bell, Boy George and Marian Gold (Alphaville).
Here Brixton resident Roland gives us the lowdown on all things Ldn.
What’s the best thing about London?
The diversity of all cultures, races, sexualities, food, beliefs, music and art.
What’s the worst thing about London?
The money-grabbing landlords and ridiculous housing prices.
Where do you go to have fun?
Brixton Market for music and drinks and eats on the weekend and also Dalston as there’s tons of great little bars, clubs and places to eat. And lastly Elektrowerkz in Angel, Islington, depending on what kind of fun you're talking about lol.
Where is the most relaxing place in town?
My favourite tree behind the house with a pot of coffee ideally with some sunshine lol :-)
Where is your favourite place to eat and drinks in London?
The Royal Mahal in Tooting for a great Indian spread in ornate and colourful surroundings.
Van Hing, a Vietnamese favourite in Camberwell, where the food is amazing and costs next to nothing compared to London prices!
Carraro Cafe hidden away under the arches on Brixton Station Road and it’s a great place to grab a proper Italian coffee with friends.
Brixton Brewery is also under the arches on Brixton Station Road and is the perfect weekend spot to settle in with some tunes and just the right amount of beer.
If I could change one thing about London…
The crazy rents and ridiculous housing prices lol :-(
What’s your favourite venue to play at and what makes it so special?
I must say I still love the old venues like Nag Nag Nag, which was so crazy and creative at the peak of electroclash. Also The End club on a Sunday for DTPM, which was the best way to round off the weekend with its essential filtered disco and funky house delivered in style by DJs Smokin Jo, Jeffery Hinton and others. Wayne Shires’ East Bloc was another fabulous club at that time.
Currently it’s Dalston Superstore, which is always well worth it and Thomas Mutkes longstanding Bootylicious, which is the urban mixed queer place to go. I’ve also performed in some of these…lol :-)
The song that reminds me most of London is…
“Blue Bell Knoll” by the Cocteau Twins. It was my first winter in London and captures the mood so perfectly.
“You’ve Got The Love” by The Source featuring Candi Staton, which was always the biggest tune at my first job at The Fridge Club (now Electric Brixton) in Brixton.
“Devotion” by Nomad is also a great 90s and London tune and the centre of so many great nights out…it’s kinda a perfect example of my first raving days.
Tell us a London gem that everyone should know about
The Dulwich Picture Gallery. It’s a hidden away gem set in a park and it’s also great to have a cream tea afterwards in their coffee shop
One thing everyone should do in London is…
Move away form the tourist traps and explore the local communities with their culture and street food
Oh and visit the Frieze Art Fair in Autumn which opens this week October 9th-13th in Regents Park. There’s art to suit all tastes and it’s always so inspiring.
“You’re Not The One” is the new single from Kinky Roland & Boy George with mixes by Eric Kupper and released on Househead London on October 25th 2024. All info via website or @househeadlondon