Grazin not Blazin!THE RURAL
Rising UK production duo The Rural have come to international prominence with a Golden Globe nomination for the Beyonce track ‘Once In A Lifetime’. The song written and produced by The Rural (James Dring and Jody Street) with British songwriter Amanda Ghost was chosen for the soundtrack for ‘Cadillac Records’, the biopic in which Knowles portrays soul legend Etta James, leading to a nod for Best Original Song at the 2009 Hollywood ceremony.
The song’s contemporary electronic take on the classic soul template is part of what is making The Rural one of the most sought-after production teams in the UK. From their purpose-built spacious studio headquarters in Newington Green, north London, they are fast gaining a reputation as the hottest production property, with a deft hand at walking the line between credible and commercial.
Dring and Street first met while working for Cameron McVey (Massive Attack / Portishead / Sugababes). They found an instant musical common ground, and their differing formative experiences (Dring playing in bands, Street as a drum’n’bass DJ) intersected ideally for them to forge a partnership. They started working together during studio downtime almost immediately.
As Jody honed his programming skills working on projects such as Jamelia, Neon Hitch and Neneh Cherry under McVey, James went to work with Damon Albarn as a programmer and co-producer on Gorillaz’ six-million selling 2005 album ‘Demon Days’, an experience which instilled both a work ethic and let him absorb the methodology of one of the modern masters.
Officially, The Rural began modestly, remixing British folk duo Turin Brakes, and working with artists such as Tha Alkaholiks. The profile grew fast and since then they have worked on many projects including Leon-Jean Marie, Cut Chemist, Jamie T, Mattafix, Terry Hall, Livvi Franc, The Good The Bad & The Queen and Gym Class Heroes. They have also written and produced for T.V series ‘Journeyman’ (title music) and ‘Skins’.
2009 has brought various new projects to the fold for The Rural including writing/producing/remixing for CocknBullkid, Beverley Knight, Princess Superstar, Tommy Sparks, The Feeling and Sean Kingston. The Rural have also been in the studio writing and producing they’re own album with singer James Mathe…watch…this…space!
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