Biography
Spektrum are a four piece live band and studio unit, they write and produce all their own music and remain to this day determinedly independent and unique. Hailing from South East London, Spektrum have a very diverse background with ancestry from Nigeria (Lola Olafasoye), Russia (Gabriel Olegavich), and New Zealand (Isaac Tucker and Teia Williams).
"We are here to turn your head in a new direction, bury old music and out of its tomb raise the stench of something "kinda new", raw and brutally honest. Welcome to our freakbox!"
The band's first incarnation was in Gabriel's bedroom in 1999 where he and Lola decided to start writing and recording music, without expectations. Eventually they began to play live and hired musicians for a makeshift rhythm section. In 2001 they met bassist Teia through a mutual friend and soon recruited both Teia and drummer Isaac Tucker (the two had worked together in the past back in their native New Zealand).
Gigging frequently around London with their unique brand of indecent funk, the sound quickly developed and became even more electronic, using live electronic drums, without incorporating the use of samples or sequencer. They kept a very raw punk-influenced sound, as well as the sexy funk atmosphere - a sound for which they are now rightfully revered.
In 2002 they released their first Vinyl single "Breaker" to an excellent DJ response from the likes of Andrew Weatherall - "The best record I've been sent in a while - superb!", Matthew Herbert - "I think it's great, really great" and Tiga proclaimed it "Awesome!", this was followed by "Freakbox" which also drew huge support from the DJ hierarchy.
Even though they only released about 400 copies of each, the EPs soon found the talented hands of Richie Hawtin aka Plastic Man. After playing Gabriel's remix of "Freakbox" to 15000 people in Central Park N.Y.C. the record fell on to the counter of a record shop owner in Frankfurt who alone sold nearly 200 of the 400 pressings. Heiko Shafer of Playhouse Records in Frankfurt got a copy and loved it so much that he propositioned re-releasing "Freakbox" with additional remixes by Richie Hawtin, Rickado Villilobos, Alter Ego and Losoul. Last year the package dropped to huge success in Europe becoming a cult dance hit in clubs throughout the world.
Whilst still building their profile as an unmissable live act in Britain, they commenced recording "Enter The Spektrum", without a budget, guidance or any outside interference by majors. The result was the brilliant creation of "Enter the Spektrum" - living proof that they are re-arranging the way we listen to music today.
Now Spektrum has captured the attention of the industry, the band is focusing on the people, with tours across Europe all Summer and the release of the album on August 23rd on their own label NonStop Recordings
Be sure to add "Enter the Spektrum" to the favourite section of your collection.
INFORMATION ON THE BAND MEMBERS:
Lola Loafasoye
Born in North London Lola left home at a young age. Determined to be a singer and a great fan of Japan and Duran Duran she even went to the house of David Silvian with her friends and waited until he came home. In time she went to clubs and became a dancer for acid jazz clubs such as the Bluenote in Hoxton Square. Eventually she got singing lessons and soon developed her unique sound, naturally fusing her influences with her powerful instinct and tone. Likened to Betty Davis, Grace Jones and Nina Hagen, her lyrics are uninhibited and plentiful in detail to her main interest, Whikkerism. A reflection of the times and also begging a question; where does our spirituality exist today?
Gabriel Olegavich
Gabriel Grew up in South East London and involved himself in music at an early age. A classically trained musician, he was soon forming bands at school and taking them to Germany. He did not hesitate to show his talents in the studio, where he is making Garage under the name of Medasyn, whilst Caspa Codina is his own singing electro house project. Gabriel is also to be found writing and producing with artists including Lady Sovereign, Misteeq, and "!!!".
Isaac Tucker
Born in New Zealand, Isaac grew up in a very secluded Hippie environment using alternative methods of education. His Father, also a musician was an environmentalist by day. Isaac started jamming with his dad and friends from childhood and when he left school went into playing in bands professionally. Interested in many forms of music he played in orchestras to punk bands, studied African and Brazillian percussion. He became a leading figure in the New Zealand dance scene with Live drum n bass projects and has recorded on more than 17 albums.
Teia Williams
Also from New Zealand, Teia grew up in a small rural area in the North Island. Born into a large Maori family where music was a part of his family tradition, he soon picked up the bass and started off playing country music. After moving to Auckland city he got into the 90s rock and grunge scene, playing in a prominent local pop group called "Delta". Both Teia and Isaac worked together as a rhythm section as they now do in London, where they are widely respected and also perform with Box Saga and Ed Lalique.
