High-octane breakbeats and cheeky samples that capture the peak of the London club scene. Gritty, fun, and built for loud speakers.
Friendly delivers a masterclass in the kind of high-energy, syncopated electronic music that defined the turn-of-the-millennium club scene. It is a sound rooted in the 'breaks' tradition, characterized by heavy, rolling drum loops that feel both mechanical and deeply funky. The music is often punctuated by distorted basslines and a sense of irreverent humor, utilizing vocal snippets and samples that keep the atmosphere light despite the heavy sonic weight.
What truly sets Friendly apart is the 'shenanigans' factor mentioned in his history. There is a palpable sense of mischief in the production, where a track might suddenly pivot from a straight-ahead techno pulse into a quirky, sample-heavy breakdown. It is music that refuses to take itself too seriously while maintaining a high level of technical proficiency in its rhythmic construction and layering.
For those new to his catalog, Akimbo is the essential starting point. It captures the transition from his Australian roots to his London evolution, showcasing the blend of big beat energy and refined breakbeat science that made him a staple at legendary venues like The End. It is the perfect soundtrack for when you need to inject a room with immediate, undeniable kinetic energy.
Friendly (Andrew Kornweibel) is a breaks' producer and DJ. Originally from Australia he is now based in London. Friendly's debut album, Hello Bellybutton (released on his own Gulp Communications label), was nominated for Best Dance Release at the 1998 ARIA Music Awards. The follow-up album, Akimbo debuted at #20 on the Australian albums chart.
Shares big beat, nu jazz (subgenres); energetic, playful, confident (moods)
Shares big beat, techno (subgenres); energetic, playful, confident (moods)
Shares energetic, playful, confident (moods); big beat (subgenres)
Shares energetic, playful, confident (moods); big beat, techno (subgenres)
Shares big beat, techno (subgenres); energetic, playful, confident (moods)
Shares sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style); energetic, playful, confident (moods)
Shares sample based, compressed loud, drum machine (production style); big beat, nu jazz (subgenres)
Shares sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style); energetic, confident, playful (moods)
Shares breakbeat, big beat, sample based, turntables (signature)
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