With the globally famous and fabulous Scissor Sisters in another hiatus, founding member and guitarist Del Marquis (now going by his real name, Derek Gruen) is staying busy creating his own music projects.
This isn’t the first time Gruen has gone solo: He released a number of EPs digitally between the last two Scissor Sisters albums. Gruen started off this year releasing a free six-song mixtape “Tickle,” with friend and Boys Choir of Harlem alumnus Xavier sharing vocal duties. The mixtape features the duo’s stellar funk cover of Jermaine Jackson’s minor hit “Let Me Tickle Your Fancy.” You can see a definitely NSFW music video for the song online.
Gruen’s new album, “Cosmos,” comes out March 26 under the moniker Slow Knights and features a number of guest vocalists and contributions from Prince’s former backing band, The New Power Generation.
Gruen talked to PGN about how his new musical projects came together and his future plans.
PGN: How did you end up working with Xavier and the New Power Generation? DG: Xavier and I have known each other since before joining Scissor. He worked on music with Babydaddy at one point, and I’ve always admired his voice. The NPG guys have done session work for my mix engineer, and when he heard the demos I was working on, it was his suggestion that I go to Minneapolis and track with them. It was the highlight of the record for me.
PGN: As much as we liked your last batch of EP releases, I think “Tickle” is some of your best work yet. I was disappointed to find out that this mixtape isn’t indicative of the direction of the new album. “Perverted and up-tempo” works well for you. Are there more mixtape releases coming in the future? DG: I wouldn’t say they are radically different. They are both steeped in pop and R&B … but I had to focus on linearity and concept with a proper album — the sum of parts. So whatever songs threw my ear off ended up on the mixtape. It’s a great way to be offhanded about ideas, giving away songs that may have just ended up at the back of a hard drive.
PGN: The guitar-playing on the new tracks we’ve heard so far is very sparse, but still great. What instruments do you find yourself going to the most for songwriting? And are there any tracks on the new album where you really get to show off your guitar skills? DG: I don’t think I’ve written a song starting with guitar in a decade, which is either depressing or interesting. I start with rhythm, even before lyrics … drums, bass … and once my shoulders start moving, then I can begin to flesh out the song. The guitar is fun for me on the backend, sprinkling over top of a solid rhythm track. The guitar is at the service to the song but my favorite use of guitar on the record is for “Legendary Children.” I’m happy with how I’ve blended programming and the human element on that song.
PGN: What can you tell us about the upcoming album, “Cosmos”? DG: It’s absolutely the best record I could make, at this time. I’m happy that I could give it a name without history attached. Music became exciting again, thinking up imagery and concepts with a project that has no precedent. “Cosmos” is my interpretation of R&B in pop music: a mix of new wave, soul, pop and outer space.
PGN: Are there any vocalists or performers you’d like to work with in the future? DG: Nina Persson (The Cardigans), Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) … I’m in a soothing and sensual state of mind, but how killer could voices like those sound over aggressive tracks?
PGN: What would you say is the biggest difference between your solo work and the Scissor Sisters? DG: I wrote these songs! Ha, just kidding. I have some SS credits and some songs I’m really proud of. But this is what the synthesis of my influences sounds like.
PGN: What are some of your favorite all-time albums? DG: Chaka Khan, “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me”; Tegan and Sara, “Heartthrob”; Cardigans, “Long Gone Before Daylight”; Mary J. Blige, “Share My World”; Alice in Chains, “Dirt”; Basement Jaxx, “Kish Kash”; The Cure, “Disintegration”; Janet Jackson, “Control”; The Cult, “Sonic Temple”; George Michael, “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1”; Róisín Murphy, “Overpowered.”
PGN: Does the hiatus mean that we will see more new music from you before we see a new album or tour from Scissor Sisters? DG: There might be some lost archives that see the light of day, some of which are truly amazing. I’m happy to let it lie, and I’d be happy to pick it up again if it felt right … which I hope is not any time soon.
PGN: Do you feel like you are under the same pressure and expectations with your solo work as you are with the Scissor Sisters? DG: I’m not on a wide radar; if people pick up on this record, it’s because it’s good and not because they are dying to hear a solo record from the guitarist from SS. Solo records aren’t usually a hot look, unless, of course, they’re great.
PGN: Have you even been approached by other bands or artists looking for a guitarist? DG: Indirectly … or some of my crew who’ve gone out to do other tours have suggested me. But I will never tour again! It was amazing at first, and a mix of great and tragic on the last few runs … I’d never give up those moments. But after a decade, I can honestly say no, thanks.
PGN: Will you be doing any shows in support of the new album after it comes out? DG: My sometimes-collaborator, embryo room, and myself are putting together a one-month residency at Envoy Enterprises in the city — a combination of live events and showcasing the work we’ve done together and separately (March 28-April 25). I’m working on other shows, but they will most likely be centered in and around New York City.
“Cosmos” by Slow Knights comes out March 26. For more information, visit www.slowknights.com or twitter.com/delmarquis.
Del & Xavier “Tickle” Independent
Slow Knights “Cosmos” DM
Dusting off an old Jermaine Jackson hit (“Let Me Tickle Your Fancy”) and making it more exciting than it has any right to be is certainly a good way to get people to sit up and notice. Just YouTube the original song and you’ll see how magical Del & Xavier’s version is by comparison.
The rest of the “Tickle” mixtape is equally exuberant and fun, reminiscent of the kaleidoscope that was 1980s pop. “Fame (She Wants)” sounds like the kind of funky pop track George Michael in his prime would conjure up, borrowing The Revolution from Prince. “Say Ooh Damn” has a lot of early-’90s dance-dive flavor that never runs the risk of losing its infectious bump to excessive synth. By comparison, “I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass” is somewhat darker and very new-wave. They are a couple remixes of “Let Me Tickle Your Fancy” on the mixtape but they feel rather perfunctory, as their techno flavor doesn’t mesh well with the overall flavor of the mixtape.
Still, this is a stellar collection of songs and, since they are free to download, there is no excuse not to add them to your collection. It’s easy to see why the songs on “Tickle” didn’t fit with those that make up “Cosmos.” While there is some overlap in influences, especially in the 1980s-influenced sounds that percolate throughout the album, “Cosmos” comes across as more introspective and serious. Sure, there are new-wave tracks (“In The Quiet”) and upbeat poppy moments (“Signs of Life” and “Under Attack”), but there’s also a darker feel to this batch of songs. Many of them echo late ’80s and early ’90s European dance pop, like “Caught Up in the Rhythm” and “Legendary Children,” as well as R&B-influenced tracks like “Shame” and “Sweet Harmony.”
Slow Knights is sure to find some overlap in fans of the Scissor Sisters, but Marquis (or Gruen) is definitely staking out some interesting sonic territory with his work outside of the band. Both of these releases are finely crafted and worth checking out.
— Larry Nichols