Those unaware that ‘leng’ is a British slang term could be forgiven for thinking that UK electronic duo, My Nu Leng, recently purchased an elevated bank around a field (léng, 塄) or some spinach which they address in antiquated terms (léng, 薐). For those who are aware that the word refers to a gun, the first obvious question would be: what happened to their previous one?
“There never was an old leng,” admits one half of the pair, James ‘Jammo’ Irving. “And we don’t promote gun violence whatsoever!”
With the serious business out of the way, there is another pressing issue to address. Having gained plaudits for a string of EPs going into the beginning of 2014, the up-and-coming duo then left a gap of over a year between releases. The decision meant risking a loss of momentum in the quickly-evolving zeitgeist of electronic music. So was there – as the title of their menacingly bassy prehiatus EP implied – a Masterplan?
“We’ve just been touring extensively,” Irving explains. “When we’re on tour, little ideas will happen and we’ve got so many recordings just called ‘plane ting’ or ‘bus ting.’ Some of them have turned into finished tracks but most of them... I’ve never really been able to zone in when I’m traveling. It’s better when I’m at home in my studio with no distractions.”
In addition to regular shows in their native UK, My Nu Leng’s summer schedule included international dates from Sweden to India, and over a month spent in the US. Although Irving says that “making original music” has always been the pair’s priority, they managed to remain on people’s radars with a number of high-profile remixes.
Yet impatience brewed. When this year’s EP Horizons finally appeared in May 2015, popular online retailer Juno Records joked: “Word on the street was that… My Nu Leng were going to change their name to My Nu Long because we've waited so long.” Irving, while clearly grateful for the experiences of a summer touring, seems relieved at the response to their new material.
“Not many people have been lucky enough to release with 14 months in between and still get a lot of bookings, recognition and that buzz that makes people want to come and see them,” he explains.
The renewed enthusiasm among fans may result from the fact that Horizons is a remarkable record – laden with lurking bass and just as relevant as their previous output. While still existing in the unclassifiable territory between house, techno, garage and bassline, it displays a softer, more nuanced approach to production.
“I think that our music started to broaden to a point where we’re not just playing dark, evil music,” Irving continues. “We want to show our diversity. But I do think that the music that’s appreciated and accepted goes in waves, and in the last year or two people have really liked to go clubbing to dark music – that’s really helped us.”
With bookings still coming thick and fast, The Syndicate secured a stop on My Nu Leng’s Asia minitour. The Beijing promotions crew, which turned 11 last month, bring the duo to Dada in partnership with Black Butter Records, a label that is home to some of both the UK bass scene’s most established names (Sub Focus, Rudimental, Redlight) and its most exciting prospects (Kidnap Kid, Nvoy and Woz, with the latter set to warm up the decks at Dada). STD have also booked a Shanghai show on Nov 28 at Arkham.
Upon returning to the UK, Irving is confident that releases will be somewhat more prolific (“we definitely don’t want to wait another 14 months”). His base in Bristol, Southwest England, where he lives close to My Nu Leng’s other half, Tommy (gun?) Jackson, could hardly be more suitable for getting into the production mindset. Since the emergence of Massive Attack, Portishead and the so-called ‘Bristol sound’ of the 1990s, the city of under 500,000 people continues to pioneer electronic music that is exported across the world.
“At the moment there’s not a new ‘Bristol genre,’ and I don’t think it’s the hub of 130 [bpm] stuff, because that’s all over the UK,” he explains. “But Bristol was a hub for dubstep, drum ‘n’ bass and then the trip-hop stuff as well. If it’s not at the forefront of a new genre then it’s definitely pushing the best artists in those different genres. In five years time, who knows if something else is going to come through.
“I think it’s the community vibe you get here – the collaboration of club nights and production. You can just hit up a producer, ask for advice, use their studios. It’s great to be an up-and-coming producer here because people respect your individuality. People around the world are mad jealous of our weekends when there’s these big nights on. We’re very lucky to have the electronic music that we do in this city.”
So while they hope to bring a slice of Bristol to Beijing, no lengs, old or new, will be making the journey. Posed with a range of Chinese alternatives for the duo’s name, Irving opts for the old term for spinach – “I like a bit of spinach with my dishes.” You heard it here first.
> Beijing: Nov 27, 10pm-late, RMB70, Dada (The Syndicate w/Woz, Blackie, Kay C, Clir and Donkey Tonk)
> Shanghai: Nov 28, 10pm-late, RMBTBA. Arkam (w/Woz).
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