The Luck of the Draw: Hot Press meets The Animators

When Hot Press catches up with The Animators’ Adam Fogarty, it’s down the blower from the UK, as the beatmaker is currently on a work trip there. He’ll fly home, he tells us, for the band’s upcoming support slot alongside New York rapper Pharoahe Monch. Such is life when bills need to be paid.

“Logistically, it’s awkward!,” he laughs. “Some of the lads are in college, the rest working. So to even make time to get to the studio together – to write, to rehearse – is complicated! We're operating to the best of our ability though, given our circumstances, and making use of the technology that's there.”

An energetic six-piece with a passion for old-school hip hop and funk, The Animators offi cially formed two-and-a-half years ago and soon began work on their debut LP, Drawn Together. Recording was done in fellow band member Ricki Rawness’ studio. Did they fi nd a certain freedom in having their own space to lay tracks down?

“Absolutely,” says Adam. “I think that whole DIY mentality should be embraced. There are Irish guys producing world-class music from their bedrooms and home studios. It's not about where you are or what you use, it's about how good you are at using that set of equipment. I love that attitude – it’s what hip hop is built on.”

The album’s highlight is undoubtedly ‘Those Were The Days’, featuring a certain eight-piece Chicago collective. Adam explains; “About six years ago, I met Hypnotic Brass Ensemble at an event here. After that, any time they’d come to Ireland we'd hook up and go for beers. I'd been discussing a possible feature on the album with them, though, again, I was sure it would be a logistical nightmare! One Saturday morning I got a call. They were in Dublin, and had a window of about 45 minutes to do it. So I picked them up, drove to the studio, and laid the track, melody, and harmonies. From there, I threw them in the back of the car and sped them back to the city centre. We got it done – by the skin of our teeth! It's the track that as a group, we’re most proud of. Not only because of what Hypnotic brought, but because I think it really embodies something about us.”

The album will be showcased at the aforementioned Pharoahe Monch gig, as well as alongside Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt in May. What can we expect from the guys in a live setting?

“The rehearsals are going on in my absence!” Adam laughs. “One thing that’s important to us is that the live show has a visual aspect. We’re really passionate about the core elements of hip hop culture - and one of those is graffi ti and artwork. We're conscious of bringing a multi disciplinary element to the fore - I think that cultural idea is important.

“A lot of people say we're about positivity”, he continues, “And we most definitely are – not in a corny way. We're not the Sugarhill Gang! We just have a good attitude. And we're not trying to bring any negative vibes. We're really about feel-good hip hop at the end of the day.” Hear hear!

Drawn Together is out now. The Animators play the Dublin Academy with Earl Sweatshirt on March 26