By Paul Hutnick
Ask any dance fan in Europe about Bent Collective and they’ll know who you’re talking about. Through their work with Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Nick Jonas and Justin Bieber, producing sensations Danny Verde and Steven Redant have helped usher in the big room club sound to mainstream radio.
Their fame in the USA hasn’t been as explosive but they’re working to change that. This month, Bent Collective is releasing ”Get Up, Stand Up”, their first track with the San Francisco-based dance label, Swishcraft Music.
Inspired by Frantique’s 1979 disco song “Strut Your Funky Stuff”, ”Get Up, Stand Up” is a peak time tribal house track layered with disco vocals and high hats. The cover stays true to the original, using the same chord structure, but Verde and Redant infuse the hook with energy and a tribal bass sound that kicks hard and loud. The guys of Bent Collective explain more.
How would you describe the sound of “Get Up, Stand Up”?
Steven Redant: It’s hard enough for the big room but not too hard for the house floor.
Danny Verde: With a screaming diva on top.
What inspired you to make a new version of Frantique’s disco classic?
Danny Verde: When we’re in the studio, Steven and I like to find old music on Youtube. There is some unbelievable stuff out there! We dance and act crazy. On this one, we had such an incredible laugh because we couldn’t figure out what Frantique was singing. We looked up the lyrics and found ‘strut your funky stuff, sure enough’. We decided to do something with it.
It’s not exactly a cover. You use only some the original chord structure and the vocalist sings only one line from the original. So, what would you call your version?
Steven Redant: We still call it a cover. Credit must go where credit is due. The original is such a great piece of musical art, we have to respect that. But times have changed and we wanted to help the song evolve.
Who provides the vocals?
Steven Redant: That’s top secret, although if pressed, Danny will likely tell you. He’s a blabbermouth.
Did you know from the start how you wanted your version to sound?
Steven Redant: The version out is not the first we made. Producing a song is a process. It takes multiple versions, in this case five, and the end result is a surprise every time. As a producer, you come across sounds and loops that lead to new ideas and takes. More often than not, the take fails, but, at least then, we know what doesn’t work. When we come back in the studio the next day and both still like what we did the night before, we’re golden. Then we know we’re on to something.
Danny Verde: Mostly, though, we’re embarrassed about our enthusiasm from the day before and the crap we thought was pure magic.
Why did you choose to release this track through an American label?
Danny Verde: Matt Consola of Swishcraft is one of the good ones, one of the old school. His label has personality and does great promotion. We knew the song would be in good hands and that it might help us grow our presence in the USA.
What do you hope people take away from the song?
Steven Redant: Ultimately, the only thing we hope people take away is a smile. And some appreciation for the DJs would also be nice.
For more information, visit http://swishcraftmusic.com.
