Inland Knights

Inland Knights

Inland Knights are a Nottingham house music duo comprising Andy Riley and Laurence Ritchie. They begin in 1993, emerging from the free party scene in northern England and from their involvement with the Smokescreen sound system, a crew known for underground events across the English countryside and later in clubs and on tour across Europe. Ritchie is a founder member of Smokescreen, while Riley joins in 1995; both are already active as DJs before they start producing together.

Background and formation

The pair meet through the early 1990s free party network and work within a scene shaped by large outdoor events, rotating secret venues and a strong anti-commercial outlook. Their interest in production grows from this environment. After regulatory pressure increases on the free party scene, they focus more heavily on making original tracks and develop Inland Knights as a production partnership.

Drop Music and production work

Inland Knights launch Drop Music with Inland Knights Volume 1. The label is an independent outlet for house music and issues EPs, singles and continuous-mix CDs. The Drop catalogue grows to 32 releases and becomes known in dance music circles for consistency and quality. Under the Inland Knights name, and through aliases including Party Criminals, In House Alterations, Grand Theft Audio and Big Audio Spidermite, the duo account for much of the label’s output.

Style and releases

Their music combines jazz and funk influences, strong percussion and vocal hooks. Their DJ sets range across house styles including dubby deep house, disco, garage and four-to-the-floor tech house. Their work appears on labels including 20:20 Vision, Panhandle Records, Vista, Siesta, Sunflower, NRK, Low Pressings and double down. Their tracks are also licensed to compilations such as the Global Underground series and Miguel Migs’ Nite Life mixes.

Remixes, album and touring

The duo become a sought-after remix team, with credits including Faithless’ “Mohammed Ali,” Onionz and Tony’s “Everywhere You Are,” Floris’ “Shake It,” Dano’s “Horny Hustle,” releases for Tango Recordings, Blockhead Records and MobileTrax, and work connected to Smokescreen associate Steve Lee of the Littlemen. Their first full-length album, Creative Spaces, appears in 2001 and is issued as a live mix on CD rather than a re-edited digital master. They tour extensively, playing venues and events in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Chile, the United States and Russia, as well as major clubs and festivals including Amnesia in Ibiza, Dance Valley in Holland, Fabric and The End in London, and Back 2 Basics in Leeds.

Later activity

The pair continue to balance studio work and DJ dates, with Riley describing their approach as one of keeping production and performance in check. Inland Knights remain active from Nottingham and continue to work as house music specialists.