Simon Says
BATE is back and this time, the DJ duo are caught in a Webbe. By Sanjeeva Suresh.
What do you get when you combine electronic house music with soulful British rhythm and blues? A musical cross-genre collaboration that is two parts heavy bass, one part seductive vocals, and an all-round party head-bopper. BATE (an anagram for Brains And The Eye) is a twoman ensemble comprised of Ethan Curzon and Yeoh Wai Hong, while Simon Webb is the charming singerslash-rapper from ’90s boyband Blue. Their latest 007-inspired single entitled “Casino Royale” featuring Simon Webbe is a long time coming, as the DJ duo have gone from high school acquaintances to festival headliners. Having garnered upwards of 15 million streams to date and performed at some of the biggest festivals and parties (Future Music Festival Asia and Thirst, to name a few), their opportunity to work with Webbe came by an equal measure of hard work and luck. “Blue was down for a tour and we managed to let Simon Webbe have a listen to our new track, Casino Royale. He loved it and wanted to be a part of it,” comments Curzon. Their management team Lion Music Group certainly had a hand to play in the partnership. For Webbe, the song marks a new era in his career and an evolution to his sound. “It’s a new beginning for me and we also want to make sure it’s something that fans can connect to because I’ve grown up with them,” he tells BAZAAR Man exclusively. The joint effort may be signed and sealed but as it gets delivered, we meet up with the trio behind the infectious track.
How do you prefer the track to impact listeners? Ethan Curzon and Wai Hong: Our sound is a mix of progressive house and EDM. We want people to be happy and inspired during our shows and to have a really good time while taking home an emotional message from the music we play. We always try to take our audience on a journey with our upbeat music. Simon Webbe: When I write songs, it has to mean something to those who don’t want to voice out. If they can’t speak out to the public then I want to put that into my music. That’s why I relate to a lot of people.
What is your greatest achievement to date? EC: Playing at Djakarta Warehouse Project 2019 last year in Jakarta, Indonesia. That was a show that we have been waiting to get on the billing. WH: The best is yet to come. Definitely looking forward to bigger festivals in the future! Next is Coachella, followed by Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival. SW: Winning ‘Favourite Breakthrough Artist’ at the MTV Asia Awards in 2006. There were James Blunt, Kelly Clarkson, and the Pussycat Dolls all in my category and for me to win, especially with Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” in the same category, was a massive dream come true.
What can fans take away from this collaboration? EC and WH: We hope our fans will look at this collaboration as a track that puts Malaysia on the map. Getting to work with Simon Webbe shows that Malaysians can reach great heights and that we don’t give up on our dreams. Keep pushing and believing in what you do always. Trust the process! SW: I wish for people to jump around and just forget about their problems for at least an hour, and it’s best if my music is relatable. When writing the song “Fly By”, I still had to pay the bus fare. I didn’t have a ‘system up with the top-down’. And I couldn’t even drive, so the message behind that is to visualise what you desire, put it out there, and it will come true.
Which James Bond era are you? EC: Daniel Craig for me as I feel he was the most fearless out there but still had a soft side. WH: Pierce Brosnan because he was the first Bond I grew up watching on TV. SW: I would probably say Casino Royale, because it’s a new era of James Bond. That’s why this track is perfect for me because it’s a new era for Simon Webbe and it’s a fresh beginning for my music.
How does your style influence your music? EC and WH: Fashion and music go hand in hand. If you look good on stage, you will sound good too. Planning our outfits for our upcoming shows is something we really enjoy doing. Comfortable shoes are important. There is a lot of moving around and jumping, so we need some cushions for the feet! SW: The way I like to dress is how I walk down the street and it is the same onstage. My life, my music, and my looks are a lifestyle. [I want to] feel like a “boss” every time I walk into a room. I want people around me to embrace how I feel.
As a man who’s hosted many an evening, what is the perfect night out? EC and WH: We would say a nice hidden bar with some good chill music, or by a relaxing beachside bar. Some downtime once in a while from the crazy electronic music is definitely needed [laughs]. SW: The perfect night out is having the perfect company. I’ve got a saying which is “don’t go to where the party is; let the party come to you”. When I see a full club where everybody is “vibing” around the table, that makes me want to get up on the mic and embrace the moment. A flawless night is also when you’re not doing something for somebody else, but for yourself. What does 2020 have in store for you? EC and WH: We’re continuing to push the limits in reaching our goals and dreams. Hopefully, there will be loads of international collaborations and partnerships with brands too. SW: We’re going to do a promotional tour around six different countries including Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore. I hope to meet as many fans as I can in Southeast Asia. Listen to “Casino Royale” on Spotify.