It’s almost non-stop touring for Smoove and Turrell. Not quite but almost.
They’ve been here, there and everywhere although their roots are firmly embedded in Northern soil.
The “Northern Funk” duo is Geordie through and through with a love for vintage synths and remixes of their own soulful songs.
Smooth and Turrell have recently released “Will You Be Mine”, a single from their third studio album “Broken Toys”.
They don’t have a favourite album of theirs as told by Smoove in our Q&A.
We talk touring, foreign countries and a greatness for Northern cities.
How’s the tour going?
Smashing! We have been all over the place this summer from Prague to Liverpool where we played outside the Liver Buildings as part of BBC6 Festival.
Other highlights have to be playing Brighton’s Great Escape Festival and Holmfirth for the Tour De France not forgetting Troyfest in Wales.
We recently we went straight from Bestival on the Isle of White to L.A. and on to Siberia, ADE Festival in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Berlin, Hannover and Brussels not forgetting to mention a few U.K dates in between.
What do you love most about touring?
Playing Live is always an incredible feeling; it makes being stuck in a van for days/weeks on end really worth it!
Do you ever have a break from touring?
Yes! It’s really important to recoup and recharge your batteries as well as make studio time for recording new material.
You have performed in Ibiza, Dubai and Moscow. Where’s the most “out there” place that you have gone?
Performing in Marseille was pretty out there, we performed on the roof of the fortress overlooking the whole city!
Which is your favourite album of yours?
All three!
Who would you love to have support you for one of your gigs – dead or alive?
Chaka Khan. She’s unreal. I went to see her perform in Newcastle recently and I was speechless for at least three days!
What do you get up to on your days off?
I enjoy digging for old records and cooking food.
I also love spending time with my wife and my son Floyd who is 3 years old now; he’s a lot of fun to be around as I’m a big kid myself.
What is your favourite decade of music?
The Golden Era of Hip Hop 90-97.
USA and Amsterdam?! How was that?
We went to L.A to test the waters so to speak. We spent a week there which was amazing to say the least.
In between shows we got to meet up with some really cool people like Myron from Myron & E (Stones Throw) and some of the guys from Jungle Fire too.
We’re hoping to return with the full band next year.
ADE festival is always an amazing festival. We played there last year and tore the roof off the place!
Finally, did you love Liverpool? Compare it to Newcastle. Be nice!
Liverpool is similar to Newcastle in many ways. It’s a beautiful city and the people are so friendly.
There is no such thing as a school night in either of these cites!
Smoove is right about that!
If you want to find out any more information about the lives and tours of Smoove and Turrell, visit their website at www.smooveandturrell.com.
Give them a follow on Twitter too: @SmooveTurrell