Antipop Consortium

Ask a few long-winded emailed questions, expect some short and snappy answers . Ahead of Antipop Consortium's first European headline shows in seven years, Beans keeps it brief.

You said when announcing September’s release of Fluorescent Black  that you “needed time to grow and mature as artists individually.” What therefore is different now compared to six years ago that brought you back together?
    
Beans: That distance has allowe to bring our individual experience together to become a stronger unit collectively. It's made for a stronger work artistically that is reflective in the new record.
 
High Priest said in an interview a couple of years back that it was "the dynamic tension of the Consortium that pulled it apart, and at the same time, it's the biggest strength of its presentation.” Is that tension still alive, present and just as essential?

Beans: We're still very much individual but that growth has allowed us to just except those differences.

Does that tension tend to cause many colourful disagreements? Any studio bust ups you can tell us about now that you’ve come out the other side?
    
Beans: Nothing I care to discuss
 
You came together in the summer of 2007 to make tentative plans for a new record. Given the break, did the planning and throwing around of ideas take a particularly long time?
    
Beans: Yes, in a way we had to find our footing but the time has allowed for us to make a stronger record

Two thirds of Fluoresent Black is already in the can, right? What sort of finishing touches are left to do?
 
Beans: Mixing a few vocals that should be wrapped up soon. It's a strong album.

And how’s is it sounding compared to previous records? Does it share the same Antipop unpredictability?

Beans: Yes
 
Big Dada boss Will Ashon said Antipop were one of the groups that inspired him to start the label. How gratifying is it to hear that from your new label boss? Was it an easy decision to team up with them?

Beans: Easy breezy!!

When reporting news of the new album, Pitchfork simply but neatly summised that you guys “were weird rappers when it wasn't cool to be weird  rappers, and occupied a sort of unprecedented cultural space.” Do you think the musical landscape nowadays is more open to experimental acts?
    
Beans: That remains to be seen but I'm optimistic.
 
How were the reunion shows last year? Just like old times or did it  take a while for the old magic to kick back in?
    
Beans: It barely feels like there was a lapse of time. Even during our separation, we stayed in touch with one another so it just a matter of time working together again.
 
Having played on the all-star Public Enemy tour last year and shared stages previously with great, likeminded bands acts Radiohead and DJ Shadow, are there any bands around right now who you’d love to share a bill with?
    
Beans: I haven't played with TV on the Radio or The Roots yet. Who knows?
 
And finally are solo projects on hold for the time being or can they now coexist within the band?
    
Beans: Nope. My next solo record is called, End It All and should be out sometime next year. Airborn is working on their next record as well.
    
Antipop UK Tour:

05.08.09 - Minehead, UK - ATP Festival
05.09.09 - London, UK - Cargo
05.13.09 - Glasgow, UK - Stereo
05.14.09 - Manchester, UK - Futuresonic Festival
05.15.09 - Galway, Ireland - Roison Dubh
05.16.09 - Dublin, Ireland - Whelans