Back to index of Nerve 9 - Autumn 2006

Fade2

Fade2 are a Liverpool-based R'n'B trio who've already played at major events with some big names. They're keen to show their support for various causes as well as putting on their own original live shows. Matthew Ford spoke to Zain Salim from the group.

Firstly, introduce us to your music?
I think our music is hard to describe, myself, I don't even know what you can call it! It's like a mixture of r'n'b, rap, hip-hop, pop, garage, bhangra, electro, rock...every song is different so it's hard to say, but if you had to put it in a category...I think it leans more towards the r'n'b side.

Your music is fairly diverse. Is it a conscious decision to utilise a variety of influences, or do you find that the full range of the group's tastes naturally creeps into your sound?
When we make tunes we don't set out to make a certain type of song, whatever happens at that time we just go with it, but we do like to bring our culture into our music when we can. For example, Mutty B can speak the language of his home country, India, so we think why not use this to our advantage and put some Punjabi lyrics in our songs! We all listen to different types of music and this leaks into our songs.

How do you feel about live performances?
That is what we're all about, performing live! There is nothing we like doing better than putting on a show. Obviously we love to record as well, but nothing beats the feeling you get from a live show. This is where we come into our own. We like to think no matter who you are or what music you are into we can at least give you something to watch and keep you entertained. Our performances are spontaneous. Although we could sing the same songs at two different places, it's never the same performance. We love to just improvise and make it up as we go and we love that audience interaction. I think the challenge for us is to get that vibe and energy into the songs when we’re in the studio recording.

You've done Love Music Hate Racism and Children In Need concerts, as well as a memorial concert for Anthony Walker. What other concerts of this nature would you be interested in playing in the future?
Those concerts are great because everyone who is there is there for a good reason and everyone is supportive of each other. It's a great atmosphere to be in. We have got more lined up in the next couple of months…we just want to do our bit for causes we believe in.

What's the plan for the foreseeable future of Fade2?
The plan for us is to just get our material recorded, keep doing shows, perfecting what we do and then get ourselves out there to the people of the world!
Fade2 will be touring Merseyside schools from September to promote a message of anti-racism. They are due to begin recording with Grammy-nominated producer Andy Williams shortly.

Visit: www.fade2.net and www.myspace.com/fade2