The Electric are a sort of international supergroup comprised of the well known Russian-born/England-raised DJ Vadim, Chicago lyricist Pugs Atomz, and UK singer Sabira Jade. The group was formed during Vadim's world tour for the U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun LP, and since then they have been recording and performing all over Europe. Their sound is an interesting mix of early 90's soul and R&B, with a well-done hip-hop edge and a more current electronic flair set over it. They manage to do what most can’t—to make electronic music organic and soulful. We Skyped with the band recently about their music, their influences, their upcoming debut Life Is Moving, and what makes The Electric work.


Inyourspeakers: How would you describe your group to someone who hasn’t heard of you?

Pugs Atomz: I'd really describe our group as the culmination of soul, hip-hop and electric and good music from around the world.


IYS: What are your influences? Your YouTube clips sound like a bunch of different styles.

PA: I would say from of all of our musical experiences. I mean, me, I have toured America and Canada and different parts of Europe and the different musicians I've met along the way while touring and opening and recorded songs with, but I'm also influenced by painters and other artists as well.


IYS: When I first heard your music it seemed like you have combined some of the colder aspects of electronic music with warmer, organic aspects of soul. I wondered, how were you able to combine the two?

DJ Vadim: I think you're right on the ball there, Joseph. That's exactly what we are. For me, obviously there's the soul element and the rap element, the beats and so-on. It’s the whole history of those kinds of genres, from people listening to those genres to those who listen to Kanye and Outkast to soul. From Soul II Soul to Erica Badu. Who do you think, Sabira?

Sabira Jade: Yes, all of those.

DJV: I'm glad that you picked up on the electronic element, there is a slight touch of that too. We didn't just make an R&B record and try and sound like Teddy Riley—even though I love Teddy and he was the shit back in '92—he was the foundation that gave birth to the Neptunes, Missy and Timberland, so he led the way. Music's progressed and hopefully we're part of that progression.


IYS: I’ve always viewed this type of music as sort of the next level of that music, now that technology is able to allow something like this to happen. A lot of people can't do that right, how are you able to combine what sometimes sounds like straight electronic music and also have it sound like there is a live band?

DJV: Well that's called... the magic of being a super dope producer… [everyone laughs] … to be able to seamlessly blend soul and hip-hop and technology.

PA: We also do have people playing on the record as well.

DJV: We had Steve Keys who is a great keyboard player, we had live drums, we had The Imaginations, who are an amazing vocal pair. We definitely love that live band element.