The Modernists

The founders of The Modernists are Druw (Andy Richardson) and Perez (Billy Perez). Their mutual appreciation of all things dance led them to collaborate on their album of their very own unique brand of dance music fusing soul, reggae, funk, electro, dub and house.

Perez is a DJ and has played at many major clubs in London including Ministry of Sound, Pacha and Egg. He started out hosting house parties from the age of 16 and has run his own successful club nights including the renowned Soulhouse night in Farringdon which saw live PAs from Jocelyn Brown, Don-E, Shaun Escoffery and Reel People. It was here that he honed his production skills by testing tracks out on the dance floor. Druw is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and producer with his own studio based in Brick Lane. Over the years he has played with, written, produced and recorded for artists such as Omar, Noel McKoy, Don-E, Diane Charlamange, Kele Le Roc, Donna Gardier, Alison David, Shovell (M-People) and Aitch B (Soul 2 Soul) to name but a few! The boys met at the legendary Notting Hill Arts Club and soon realized that they shared the same musical vision to bring their unique brand of soul & funk fusion to the dance world.

Their first track ‘A Little Sunshine’ was an inspired collaboration with UK Soul genius Don-E and was signed to Defected offshoot, Copyright Productions. It was an instant smash on the house scene with fans such as Louie Vega and The Dream Teem (Radio 1) who made it Number 1 in their hype chart for weeks. Druw and Perez followed up A Little Sunshine with another track featuring Don-E, called ‘Bonafide’ which was released by Soul Heaven as well as turning their hands to remixing Omar’s ‘It’s so’ for Ether records.

Their debut album Druw & Perez are The Modernists features a stellar line up of UK talent including MOBO-nominated Natalie Williams, Vula (Basement Jaxx), soul legends Omar and Don-E, reggae star Earl 16 (Dreadzone), Alison David (Red Snapper), Noel McKoy (JTQ), Atlantic Horns, Shovell (M-People) and Donna Gardier (Incognito).

The live act has been going down a storm in the London club scene, the 9-piece band consists of musicians from acts such as Incognito, Faze Action, Mercury nominated Led Bib and various top class singers such as Lifford Shillingford (Artful Dodger), Elisha Laverne and Cecilia Stalin as well as guest performers.