By Abigail Bruley  |  Send to Friend

Call him a pop-art master, mass manipulator, irony jockey, but Dave Macklovitch of Chromeo is just a plain, old cool dude. And, for that matter, very busy. When not providing his own brand of Jewish electro-funk on the guitar and vocals, he is studying to get his PhD in French literature at Columbia University and serving as rap editor at Vice Magazine. With the release of their remix album "Fancier Footwork," Macklovitch and his long time best friend P-Thugg had the opportunity to work with just about everyone in the biz, including MSTRKRFT, Crookers,Lifelike, Yusek, Whitey, Playgroup, DFA, Laidback, and Jori Hulkkonen. Here, we give him the third degree and the new album and spending his nights counting panties.

two.one.five: What setting do you envision people listening to fancy and fancier footwork?

Dave: No setting in particular. As long as they can get their swerve on.

two.one.five: Can you tell me a little bit about your favorite track on the album?

Dave: It's Momma's Boy. I had that written for a long time and I wasn't sure I wanted to include it on the record -- Pee had to force me. I'm especially happy with it because it sounds exactly like I had envisioned it in my head...guitar solo and all. And because it's a departure from our usual funk stuff. But it works...and the video added to it as well, I think.

two.one.five: How do you decide who you're going to work with interms of remixing?

Dave: We either pick remixers we like (as with Crookers or Laidback Luke), or Tiga and the Turbo crew reach out to some of their peeps (as with Jori Hulkkonen or Proxy), or some cats reach out to us, do a remix on the strength and we end up loving it (as with Yuksek).

two.one.five: Who was the person you enjoyed working with most?

Dave: Daryl [Halle]. Duh.

two.one.five: What are each of your roles in the song writing process?

Dave: It changes from track to track. The only things that stay constant are that I write the lyrics and Pee crafts the analog sounds. On everything else, we share duties.

two.one.five: How many pairs of underwear would you estimate have been tossed on
the stage during your sets (men's or women's)?

Dave: I can count them! Exactly four. All women's.

two.one.five: How does balancing your time between student, Vice magazines rap editor and shows/production work?

Dave: That's a really good question. I'm not too sure myself. I haven't worked at Vice for a year now though... But so far music and school have equated to some sort of existential equilibrium for me.

two.one.five: Is the song Needy Girl based on any real life experience?

Dave: Absolutely.

two.one.five: Where's your favorite city to perform?

Dave: Hmm...I'd say London...or LA. But we've had some great surprises elsewhere too. San Diego is always wonderful to us... Our hometown of Montreal is really special as well...

two.one.five: Rapper you would most recommend to your fans?

Dave: Lil Boosie. I'm feeling him at the moment. Pause.

two.one.five: Is there anyone you haven't worked with that you would want to?

Dave: Oates!

Guest Illustrator Infidel! would like to thank you from the bizzle of his hizzle. www.infidelphia.com

If you'd like to illustrate a Play By Ear feature contact abigail@215mag.com