Bobbyisms: Dada Life and monkeying around

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: DADALIFE.COM

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. What's the worst thing you can think of happening at a concert? I don't mean deaths or anything negative befalling the performing artist, but rather the experience you have going to a show — what ruins a concert experience for you?

This summer I've come to witness the newest low amongst concert- goer infractions. It was Rock The Park in July, and headliner Slash began his fiery set with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators following an afternoon of performances by Monster Truck, I Mother Earth and Bush. About four or five songs into the set, a drunk man weaving back and forth to the music in front of me suddenly half-turned, tucked his penis back into his pants and then disappeared into the crowd as everyone around suddenly realized the terrible truth: he had just peed on the guy in front of him. Sadly, the same happened to a dear friend of mine a couple of weeks ago at a concert in Toronto.

It's no surprise concert etiquette has changed over the years, and these days concert-goers now have to find patience with people playing with their phones and cameras in addition to traditional concert faux pas. But when fans can't feel comfortable or safe from assault amongst other fans, the experience as we know it will suffer profoundly.

So what's the answer? Love thy neighbour at a concert. Treat others the way you would have them treat you. Or, consider the Dada Life philosophy: "Destroy dance music and have fun. Don't look back in the past. Always go forward. Don't think too much. Always follow the money. Do the Dada."

Hailing from Sweden, Dada Life — Olle Corneer and Stefan Engblom — are putting the fun back into concerts. Known for their highly energetic live performances, the duo are at the forefront of the Swedish house music scene and just want their fans to have a good time. In fact, fans often dress in banana outfits for the show, as though the champagne, balloons and sausages being thrown from the stage triggers their inner fruitcake.

Dada Life has long been a part of the electronic music scene in their native country, and has enjoyed a growing status worldwide thanks to their distinct sound and fun attitude. You may have heard their releases back in 2006, but it wasn't until last year's "Kick Out The Epic Motherfucker" that they hit the top of the charts in Sweden, peaking at number two.

Dada Life is embarking on their biggest North American tour to date, stopping here in London on September 20 for their long-awaited return to the London Music Hall. The tour stops here in southern Ontario for a few dates before diving into the U.S. until the end of October.

Perhaps the most telling thing to consider is that Dada Life prefers to let the music do the talking. Don't mistake their laid-back disposition for indolence, however; the pair may exude a carefree demeanour, but their success has come directly from hard work.

"It started with doing a lot of tracks, doing remixes and doing songs," Corneer told Earmilk.com's Alex Leonard after their performance in London in November. "That's the best advice we give to new producers and DJs all around the world. Just keep doing remixes and keep doing songs and try to get them out to as many people as possible, it takes time, just be productive."

For more on Dada Life or to purchase tickets for their upcoming tour, visit them online at dadalife.com or follow along on Twitter @dadalife. Tickets for their September 20 gig here in London are $30 and doors will open at 10 p.m. Make no mistake, tickets are going to go fast for this event, so act soon or risk having to travel to nearby Guelph or Toronto to see them live.

And for more of the latest music news, views and more, consider following this column on Twitter @fsu_bobbyisms. Don't think too much and have fun, but please, don't pee on each other. I'm out of words.