Sam GreenwoodWe’re stopping off in Belfast today, as we catch up with Drum & Bass collective Crilli, as they celebrate 15 years of parties with a 4 track EP titled ‘130 University Street’. We’re also delighted to premiere the track ‘Smiley Faces’, from longtime resident and booker, Bad Operator.
Bad Operator (David Campbell) and Artois (Seamus Barnett) are resident DJs at Crilli, the Belfast-based Drum & Bass event which has played host to many local and internationally renowned acts during the 15 years it has been running. With events sidelined for most of 2020, David and Seamus have been busy hosting working on new original music and limited edition merchandise as an alternative means of celebrating Crilli’s 15 year milestone.
130 University Street is the debut release from the pair, the EP title and artwork referencing the notorious Menagerie Bar on University Street, where some of Crilli’s most memorable events in recent years were hosted, and which recently closed its doors.
Drawing influence from these shared experiences in a sweaty basement bar, the core of the EP is suitably clubby, its four tracks (two from each artist) work through rolling jungle beats, meditative basslines and melodic modern drum and bass styles.
The release forms part of a wider campaign to celebrate fifteen years of Crilli, the first party having taken place on 20 December, 2005. A limited edition t-shirt featuring every artist Crilli has booked over the years and home-made hot sauce made from chillies grown in David’s back garden in Bangor will accompany the EP, available separately or as part of a bundle.
Bad Operator & Artois – 130 University Street EP is available for pre-order today [Friday 4th December] right here, ahead of the full release on December 20th.