R3LL – Directions EP
Brick Bandits are a tight-knit, DJ / producer collective, formed in New Jersey fifteen years ago by Mike V and Tim Dolla, who have since singlehandedly spawned the newest, hottest dance music genre, known as Jersey Club. Played at around 135-140 bpm, Jersey Club is full of bouncy, heavy kick drum triplets, beat switch-ups and vocal cuts, generally stripped from rap, R&B and pop culture references.
2014 was the year the rest of the world finally began to latch onto Jersey Club and barrel forward at the speed of light. Jersey Club parties became the hottest nights on the East Coast, with leading music media outlets The Fader, Spin, Thump, Resident Advisor and MTV flocking to Newark to attend and learning that Jersey Club wasn’t just a new genre, but a real movement – complete with it’s own fashion and choreography.
In October, Boiler Room held a Jersey Club special, which saw record-breaking viewers tune in live. Pelican Fly, Mad Decent, Body High, Ultra and LuckyMe released music from original Brick Bandits members R3ll, Sliink, Nadus, Dirty South Joe and Uniique, who went on to tour the Jersey Club sound across the world. Major labels took notice and started requesting official remixes for huge pop artists, such as R3ll’s Jersey take on Iggy Azalea’s Beg For It, feat. MØ. The year ended with Vice filming a three-part documentary series on Brick Bandits and Jersey Club, with a sold-out premiere in Brooklyn.
Keen to develop their sound and further help Jersey Club to crossover and carve out a permanent niche in the dance music establishment, Brick Bandits are launching their long-overdue record label in 2015. Whilst showcasing true, pure Jersey Club sounds from old and new crew members, Brick Bandits are also planning to use the label to collaborate with other producers from outwith the immediate scene – further embodying their deserved reputation for breaking ground with bold experimentation.
Brick Bandits Records is launching with a release from longtime crew member R3ll. As one of the breakout stars from this burgeoning scene, R3ll gained international recognition, radio support and mass critical acclaim for his remixes, most notably on Disclosure’s Latch, Cashmere Cat’s Rice Rain (LuckyMe), Lido’s Money (Pelican Fly), Keys N Krates’ Your Love (Dim Mak) and Hannah Wants & Chris Lorenzo’s Signs (Ultra).
“R3ll is an intriguing young producer who’s not following the cues of others, but working tirelessly to create his own. This dude is going places, good luck keeping up.” THUMP, VICE
“R3ll made a huge name for himself last year… he was responsible for some of the biggest remixes of the year and for introducing the world to Jersey Club.” COMPLEX
“R3ll’s remix of Disclosure’s Latch provides a new charge to the song, adding a percussive force to Smith’s lyrics and gaining a physical intimacy the original sought, but was never allowed to achieve.”
THE FADER
“Behold yet another booming bass club banger from Jersey Club pioneer R3ll!”
ANNIE MAC, BBC RADIO 1
On his highly anticipated debut EP, R3ll showcases solid Jersey Club tracks, such as Ponanay (chosen by Vice to soundtrack their documentary series on Jersey Club) and Booty Go, a collaboration with fellow crew member Tr!cks. In keeping with the Brick Bandits ethos and ultimately demonstrating how Jersey Club can continue to grow, develop structurally and influence other worlds, on “Directions” you will also find exciting collaborations with Sinden and Riddim Commission, where Jersey Club comes face to face with UK Bass and House for the first time ever.
“Jersey Club’ s growth within the electronic scene has been one of 2014’s biggest surprises, but with new producers flocking to the club sound, you can expect it to continue to grow as its bouncy beats spread to new locations around the globe.” DJ MAG
“DIRECTIONS” BY R3LL IS OUT APRIL 13TH ON BRICK BANDITS RECORDS
