Multi-disciplinary creative Jude Greenaway presents his latest project Parallel Action, and reveals the lead single ‘10/10’ featuring the enigmatic MC Charlie Boy Manson, out now on C7NEMA100 and Loose Lips.

Heavy acidic sonics from Parallel Action meets intense, confident and twisted raps, written and performed by Charlie Boy Manson, a mysterious character challenged by the constant plight of debauchery. ‘10/10’ drops us into a psychedelic arcade, cranking the bass valve up a notch, telling a rebellious story of hedonistic invincibility and freedom - a cocktail of grimey dystopian arrogance, trip-hop breaks, sound-system basslines and lyrical gymnastics.

We sat down with them to chop it up hip hop style:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Parallel Action: There are several “Beginnings” in my story to be honest. The first beginning in my love for music, which came about growing up at home where my parents always had tunes on in the house: a mix of dub, blues, jazz and pop were the main styles throughout my youth. In my teens I got into pirate radio which then got me into buying tunes and Dj’ing, hanging out and then going out raving, listening to old school hardcore and early breakbeat, which sparked my second “beginning” as ScanOne. I have been producing since the late 90’s under this name and I now run two labels and still make tracks that reflect this melting pot of all the faster genres I’m into. So this brings us up the the latest “beginning”. I wanted to create a new parallel sonic journey for all the other types of slower music I’m influenced by, hence bringing ‘Parallel Action’ to life.

Charlie Boy Mason: People that grew up with me will tell you music has always been a part of my life. My boy Rommek’s dad’s record collection was a major starting point though, he had a good few thousand vinyls in his living room, me and Rom would spend most nights going through it. That’s when I was exposed to music like Aphex Twin, Bjork, Beastie Boys, The Strokes and Public Enemy. So was mad eye opening at that age to hear these varied and experimental sounds. Rommek is also now a well established Techno producer so it just goes to show the potential impact being exposed to good music at an early age can have. 

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

PA: Mate! All music influences me, I'm constantly listening to all sorts of stuff, and watching films, I love film soundtracks, all of this has fed into the formation of Parallel Action. But to really focus on this new journey, a pivotal catalyst came a few years back now when in my professional moniker as a filmmaker I worked with some amazing poets, including Lemzi & Jack Houston, while making a huge public artwork that was projection mapped onto the Town Hall in Walthamstow as part of the London Borough of Culture opening event (Into The Forest by Greenaway&Greenaway feat music by Talvin Singh - https://vimeo.com/312188695). I was really inspired by this collaboration with the spoken word artists and storytellers and wanted to start exploring this territory within my music, also opening up the way to bring in my other sonic influences, like brit-core, trip hop, Jazz breaks, psychedelic experimental stuff and film soundtracks. ScanOne is a solo project and Parallel Action is a chance to open up new collaborations and explore avenues I’m not used to. So I can’t say there’s a singular person I want to work with, I'm always looking out for new and interesting artists that can come on the journey with me. Charlie Boy Mansion is a great vocalist to be working with, and i'm also equally excited by a whole other list of talented spoken word artists that I’ve been working with in 2020 to create an album of tracks coming out next year.

CBM: I grew up listening to east-coast rap and early grime like Dizzee and Wiley as well as a lot of dubstep, metal and punk. it’s only over the last few years I got heavy into my Deep South and UK Rap. Generally, I mainly took my influences lyrically from artists outside of the rap scene. I was always in awe of people like Alex Turner and Jamie T and how accurately they could describe life in Britain, it’s something I try to emulate with my own writing. If I could choose any living artist to work with it would probably have to be Jamie T.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the coronavirus pandemic?

PA: In fact the opposite, the first lockdown enabled me to focus, it gave me time in the studio to experiment and push the Parallel Action project further.  From a production view point, I feel this first release is a reflection of what’s happening around us currently, reinforced in the sonic energy of the tune. Not being able to do gigs has been tricky but I’ve played on a few internet radio stations this year which has been brilliant for keeping the flow going.

CBM: Obviously studio’s being shut in lockdown 1 was a major barrier. Luckily Evabee and TMNMS lent me a soundcard and mic so I could make tunes at home. So without them my output this year would have been minimal, I deffo wouldn’t be doing this interview now, so love to them. Lockdown also meant I had to get used to collaborating remotely and over the internet, 10/10 with Parallel Action is actually the first internet collab I’ve successfully finished. 

4. How would you describe your sound?

PA: Dark downtempo grooves, thought provoking, visual, journey tracks, storytelling. This collaboration with Charlie boy Manson is a dark heavy banger, a session of urban angst with raw, gritty, bass punk attitude. But some of the stuff in the pipeline is more soulful and trip hop influenced.

CBM: The Charlie Boy Manson sound is dark, always. The first tape ‘Handsome Family’ was lo-fi and gritty as that was how we were living at the time. Now I’m trying to make music that is ambitious in nature and dance floor ready, so my DJ mates are more likely to play it out; hence deciding to work with talented producers like Parallel Action/Scanone (and many more you will hear about soon).

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

PA: As my other alias ScanOne I’ve had some quality memorable gigs. Playing at big events and clubs like Fabric, Glastonbury, Exit Fest, my first long time radio show on Ill Fm and Origin Fm. Parallel Action is such a new project that I’m just looking forward to working towards the album release next summer, hopefully with a live launch with all the collaborators and possible festival gigs in the Uk if this starts to open up again.

CBM: This forthcoming Vinyl release without a doubt. Something I’ve dreamt about since a yout. When I heard the test press a few months ago it was a mad moment I’m not gonna lie. Other than that it would be my headline shows in Iceland and Finland earlier this year.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

PA: Do it for yourself and not for anyone else, enjoy the process, don’t get hung up on kit, work with whatever feels good for you, don’t feel pressured and just keep going!

CBM: Be true to yourself, never stop working no matter how disillusioned you may become or how much you feel you're not being heard, it can be extremely difficult if you are not born into advantage (whether this is due to money, class or geographical location). Main one for me is: always make time to support the people you are surrounded by and the ones you came up with; you are nothing on your own and as an artist and member of a community you have to give back.

 7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

PA: I listen to so many types of music so it's hard to choose a few…I’m constantly buying new music but always listening to old stuff too, right now I’m really into Malcom Catto’s projects, Bad Bad Not Good and more electronic sounds like Fear Ratio and Clipping.

CBM: What I would say is I advise people to look outside of London when trying to find real, authentic and hard working talent. Every town and city outside of the capital has their own hometown hero. I’m surrounded by so many talented friends and artists, but some of the best ‘MC/Rappers’ that don’t get the shine they should or have got so far are; Ceeow, Degie, Sween, Fumez, Francö, Cool Hand & Grief School.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

PA: I don’t have Spotify, I’m a vinyl junkie! My house is an ever growing collection of records with the sound system always on and blasting out whatever fits the mood im in. I literally have thousands and thousands of tunes to choose from and im constantly seeking out new music on bandcamp or digging in the discog vaults for music I haven’t heard of yet to add to the collection.

CBM: This year my top 5 most played albums are: 

Potter Payper - Training Day 3

Nines - Crabs In A Bucket

Future - High Off Life 

King Krule - Man Alive 

Kano - Hoodies All Summer

I only really use Spotify to listen to new releases, so that top 5 only scratches the surface of my taste, I’ve been loving my Metal, 90’s D&B and early Cash Money records at the moment too. Also have to shout out Meekz as well ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop EP’ one of the best of the year, anywhere you go in Manchester you hear Meekz playing out of ubers and shotters’ whips; think the whole city is itching for his next release. Also anything on Paper Route Empire, thanks to Young Dolph; Memphis is having a mad revival at the moment.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

PA: Professionally I work with moving image and video so if im not making music im editing or processing footage in some way, I run an audio visual outfit with my brother as Greenaway & Greenaway so we are busy on various projects.

CBM: What do I like to do... just chill with the gang, spend time outdoors, paint graffiti, stand in front of sound systems, eat good food, smoke up and watch Man United. What I’m usually doing though is cheffing in the kitchen or mc’ing at a party.

 10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

PA: The dark, a drink and loud sound.

CBM: Lots of draw, H2O and a heater for these winter months.