Waifs & Strays Interview: We are just two guys making house music

A product of the West Country club scene, Waifs & Strays happy collision of influences first rubbed up against each other at the tail end of the last decade. Amos Nelson's rave charge sheet included promoting and DJing for a series of the West Country and South Wales' most revered and influential clubnights, whereas Rich Beanland had been reared on the region's heady jungle and drum and bass parties.

It might seem an uneasy alliance at first glance, but the disparity in influences meant for a delightful platform for the duo to build a sassy groove heavy sound, resulting in debut single '3am' receiving rave reviews n release in 2010. When the folow up 'yeah Yeah' ensnared Pete Tong's Essential New Tune accolade (above) it set them on a path that would take in djing across the planet and releasing on labels and imprints like Hot Creations, Futureboogie and Leftroom - and they've since not looked back 

They head to Leeds' newest superclub Control on Friday 15th November for All Gone Pete Tong, before taking part in the final ever Ruckus up in Middlesbrough on Saturday 30th November. We caught up AMos ahead of the shows to catch a glimpse into .

Are you looking forward to playing at All Gone Pete Tong at Control? What’s your relationship with Leeds like?

Yeah of course looking forward to it - heard some great things about Control. We love Leeds and have loads of friends there, and have had some absolutely corking nights out there over the years. But we haven't played there in a long time so really looking excited to be coming back! 

Where else have you been playing recently? Any highlights?

We have had a couple of weeks off to work on music, but some notable highlights recently have been Warehouse Project in Manchester, which is amazing, and we had a really amazing party in Miami, by the pool of the Delano hotel... so much fun playing in the sunshine when its cold and wet in the UK!

Couple of gigs we have coming up that we are really excited about later on in November. Firstly the last ever Ruckus in Middlesbrough with Paul Woolford, No Artificial Colours and Denney. The last time we went to Ruckus it was insane so super excited to go back there... especially with those guys who are all friends of ours - its going to be a massive night! And to top it off the next day we are playing the Coronet in London with Hercules and Love Affair, Friendly Fires and Horsemeat Disco! 

For those of us that haven’t seen you play live, how would you describe a Waifs and Strays set?

We like to keep it interesting, and try to not to stick to heavily to one type of house music, but prefer to move it around a bit. All the sets are different depending on the club and the crowd.

How did it feel at the beginning to get your tracks supported by the likes of Luciano, Laurent Garnier, Danny Tenaglia and Heidi?

It was like a dream come true, to have these artists that you hold in such high regard saying they are into your music is truly an amazing feeling. It was a bit mind blowing! To be honest, it isnt any different now, to have anyone, DJ or not, say they like your music is one of the best things about this job.

What remixes and productions have you had recently? Have you any forthcoming that we can get excited about?

We have had a load of tracks and releases out recently. Our EP with our good buddy Lukas on Heidi's Jackathon Jams label, a remix for Leftwing & Kody's new label, Lost records, and then a pair of remixes for a new Leeds label called Dilate. We have some really exciting things coming really soon, but cant say too much about it right now! 

What else lies in the future for Waifs and Strays?

Carry on with what we've been doing. We are just two guys making house music, and we are going to keep doing that!

Hypothetical situation - it’s your last ever set and you’re about to play your last record, what would you play and why?

For me Womack & Womack 'Love Wars' (above), and Rich's would be Westbam featuring Nena 'Old School Baby' (below).

Get your All Gone Pete Tong tickets here.

And for more details on Ruckus head here.

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