David Kennedy has always been a name to follow ever since tracks like ‘Offal’ and ‘Blimey’ started to surface under the Ramadanman moniker on labels like Soul Jazz and his own co-run Hessle Audio imprint in 2008. Since then his ascension to becoming one of the most eloquent and spatially aware producers on the – for lack of a better catch all term – bass music scene has been quick and decidedly fruitful.
Any followers of our prose here will no doubt be versed in his use of powerful basslines, field recordings and his love affair with his recently acquired classic drum machine sample pack. In the tail end of last year, he really grew to prominence unleashing anthems like ‘Work Them’ on Swamp 81’ and ‘Glut’ on Untold’s Hemlock imprint; but when you consider both the fact that he released 8 singles last year (under his Pearson Sound guise - the one he’ll be using henceforth - as well as as Ramadanman) and the quality of each of them it really doesn’t come as a surprise that he’s gracing clubs the world over every weekend.
“It’s ridiculous really but hey… it’s just making the most of it,” he tells us of his constant travelling over a crackling phone line. “Especially as I’m young and energetic, I can take it a bit more than some people who’ll perhaps get bitter [laughs]. I can quite easily function on no sleep whereas I know some people for whom doing an all nighter would throw them for a week or whatever. I seem to be able to handle it at the moment…”
“I had a lot of stuff out last year so it’s gonna bit a bit quieter inevitably,” he muses when the snatched conversation turns to forthcoming material for the early part of 2011; “but I’ve got a Maurice Donovan 12 inch - the Chicago House legend is making a comeback for 2011 - that’s coming on Sssssss or whatever it’s called. Then there’s a little white label which is coming on Night Slugs in probably a month or two…”
All of this is of course in addition to his contribution to his instalment in the fabric mix series, FABRICLIVE 56, which is due out next week. It’s an impeccable mix, drawing on Kennedy’s hard drive packed with exclusive blends and unreleased productions as much as it does his current DJ sets. It’s a mix that cements his raised profile and continuing residency at the London nightclub perfectly.
In honour of his launch party for the CD, happening at fabric this Friday which features a Room One lineup to rival any club (the full Hessle Audio trio + Joy Orbison, Mala b2b Pinch, Julio Bashmore and Midland) we’ve been given 2 copies of FABRICLIVE 56 and 2 pairs of tickets to the rave itself to giveaway. More info on the event itself is available here.
To be in the running to win these prizes just email us the answer to the following question by the end of play on Thursday.
Q: David Kennedy’s club night, which he runs up in Leeds, is called what?
Please note: winners will be notified by email.
UPDATE: You can stream 30 mins of FABRICLIVE 56 thanks to The FADER.
We're hyper aware of the amount of mixes that flood your eyes every time you look at the internet (I mean sheeeeeeeeeeit, we do it too) and in an attempt to distance ourselves from the tide a little, we quashed a lot of our own gumpf. But sometimes, there's an artist that does something special that's truly worth shouting about.
Dutch producer 2562 made a massive impact on us with his debut album for Pinch's Tectonic imprint, 'Aerial' and his follow up 'Unbalance' topped our 2009 retrospective chart with its characteristic colourful trajectories. Since then Dave Huismans has released countless gems under his A Made Up Sound guise, constantly bringing his hard edged, dancefloor punch in new and beasting ways.
Ahead of an appearance at fabric this very evening, he put together a mix for American site URB.com (what's good Mitch?) and it's simply total class. Anyone who's seen him play out can testify to his mechanistic poly-rhythm matching, and its here in full effect alongside a whole bunch of unreleased heat from SR family like FaltyDL, Blawan, Pinch and West Norwood Cassette Library.
01 Reject Monkee – Sun Fever [unreleased] 02 Pinch – Get Out Of Here [unreleased] 03 Kowton – Never Liked Dancing [unreleased] 04 FaltyDL – Mean Streets Pt. 2 [unreleased] 05 Recloose – Us vs Us [Rush Hour] 06 Motorcitysoul – Ushuaia (Deetron Remix) [Simple] 07 T-Polar – The Ghost of Echerville [forthcoming NonPlus] 08 Seiji – Agua Riddim [Seijigoodies] 09 Blawan – Bohla [unreleased] 10 Knowing Looks – Abandoned Skip [forthcoming WNCL] 11 Boddika – Breezi’n [unreleased] 12 Pangaea – Won’t Hurt [forthcoming Hessle Audio] 13 Bio Method – Found In Translation [unreleased] 14 Skudge – Convolution (2562 Remix) [forthcoming Skudge] 15 Instra:mental – Tired Light [forthcoming Darkestral] 16 Morphosis – Androids Among Us (Just For One Day Remix) [M>O>S] 17 A Made Up Sound – Demons (Reprise) [A Made Up Sound]
Bristolian producer Gemmel Phillips, better known by his shortened nickname Gemmy, blossomed out of the so called ‘purple’ quagmire. Spearheaded by fellow producers Joker and Guido, the trio’s penchant for naggingly catchy leads and squalling computer funk made them an instant hit in the dubstep world, servicing beats that were often drastically different to the deep and pressing bass loaded soundscapes. Feeding more off the energy and insistency of grime music, Gemmy’s debut release on the Punch Drunk label – a Bristol based label famed for bringing the emerging sounds of the South West to the wider world – ‘Bk II The Future’ b/w ‘Bass Transmitter’ wailed and staggered through contrasting synth lines.
Inebriated with the sound, his consequent release for the Planet Mu label ‘Supligen’ rewired the template whilst the flip side, ‘BT Tower,’ showed a different side to his productions, positively bruising speaker stacks with its pummeling array of low end frequencies. Following it up with the ‘Jonny 5’ double pack – again on Planet Mu – it was obvious Gemmy’s sound was maturing, deviating rhythmically from the halfstep template, he riddled the stand out track ‘Dolla Digital,’ with tom tom rolls piled on top of erratic snares.
Hard at work on his debut album, he's just dropped a freebie ahead of his performance at fabric on the 24th, which you can download below.
The importance of pirate radio stations in London has been frequently documented, with the impact of these small pockets of fiercely original producers and DJs pushing their own sounds out over the vast expanse of the city; sitting pretty between frequencies on your FM dial. Rinse FM is without doubt the most influential former pirate station to broadcast in London; starting 16 years ago as a primarily jungle station its constantly provided an outlet for British underground music, housing legendary shows that featured appearances from people like Skream, Tinchy Stryder, Dizzee Rascal and Wiley – whose Ustream binge has kept us locked to our screens for most of today even though he’s done very little –giving them and a whole host of other incredible DJs and shows a global audience when the station harness the power of the internet and began broadcasting online.
As should be common knowledge by now, earlier this year Rinse was awarded an FM license, something the station have been pushing for since mid 2007 - something Dan Hancox described more eloquently than I ever could in a piece for the Guardian newspaper - so it comes as something of a double celebration that the station’s 16th Birthday party is happening next Friday at fabric in London, with something of an epic lineup – just peep the flyer below.
Rinse have been giving away an exclusive mp3 every day over at the site with the promise of delivering a full 16 tracks before the event itself on Friday 10th September. So far producers like Roska, Bok Bok, Zinc, ScratchaDVA and more have dropped peaches for nothing, just the price of a couple of cursor clicks. You can go here for a handy run down of the downloads or keep an eye on Rinse’s twitter for up to the second updates.
So... in celebration of the FM broadcast license and their 16th anniversary – which the internet tells me should be celebrated with the giving of silver holloware or the gemstone peridot - we’ve been given the honour of giving away two pairs of tickets to the event, with one lucky winner obtaining the bonus prize of an exclusive ‘I Am 16’ t-shirt (pictured here).
To be in the running simply email us the answer to the following question by the end of play next Wednesday.
Q: Who mixed the latest Rinse compilation, Rinse 12?
Please note: The winner will be notified by email on Thursday. Please make sure you can attend the event before entering.
"...I just don’t think there’s anything more righteous than a heavy brass section really."
Read the Sonic Router penned interview with Night Slug's prog monolith Mosca over on the fabric Blog and download his epic 80 minute mix, made in promotion of his upcoming date at fabric on the 6th August for Club Autonomic.
Blawan - Potchla Vee [Unreleased] Rubi Dan - Pelvic Floor (Acapella) [Unreleased] Mosca - Tilt Shift [Forthcoming Fat City] Deamonds - Tilt Shift Crooks [Unreleased] Keke Palmer - Super Jerkin' Equinoxx - Infantry Riddim (Version) T'Nez - Normal Day (Infantry Riddim) Kemikal - Hear Mi Nuh (Infantry Riddim) Navino - Put It On (Infantry Riddim) Terre Thaemlitz - Radio Freedom Ramadanman - Grab Somebody [Unreleased] G.O.D Limited – Bounce Kismet - Loose Screw [Unreleased] DJ Deekline & Red Polo - Let It Bump (Hydroz Remix) Menta - Sounds Of Da Future Braiden - The Alps [Forthcoming Doldrums] Seany B - Bass Release DJ Technics - Hoody Hood Rat Riva Starr – Maria Funkystepz - Leave With You [Unreleased] Dwongo Lab - 60 Seconds Pariah - Crossed Out Ramadanman & Midland - More Than You Know Alison Hinds - Roll It Gal (Acapella) Doc Daneeka - Hold On [Forthcoming Ramp] T Williams - Drumstrumental [Unreleased] Imran Khan – Amplifier Frankie Bones – Beware J2K Ft Roses Gabor - Don't Let It Go [Unreleased] Mosca - Brand New Polaroid Loefah - Fire Elements Jaimeson - Urban Hero Darqwan – Confused Tubby vs Footsie - Tiger Style Joe – Digest JME Ft Tempz - CD Is Dead (Acapella) Youngstar - The Formula TRC Ft Z.O & Bonez - Bang (DJ Q Remix) [Unreleased] General LOK - Elmo Riddem CRST - Dance (Mosca Remix) [Forthcoming No Hats No Hoods]
This week marks another milestone for us: our 50th installment in the Sonic Router mix series. A tidy number and a goal we’ve achieved that, when we started, we never really knew we had. Without looking back at the past 18 months with glossy eyes, patting ourselves on the back, high five-ing all of our separate achievements since we first unleashed Rekordah’s 20 minute plus beat tape, we’re focusing all our attention on the future. And whilst we're more than aware this is a poignant moment for our humble blogspot, we’re still more than content to always be looking for the next thing... that next producer whose tunes make us hustle to educate our friends, familiars and the wider internet at large.
One such dude we felt compelled to push, is Blawan. The Hessle Audio backed producer – his debut 12” on the label ‘Fram’ b/w ‘Iddy’ was released recently – has a strong and rugged approach to his drum lines; a similarity he shares with label mate Joe and to a lesser extent - given this player’s more dancefloor centric wanderings of late, Ramadanman. Making tonal wanderings simply from his selected percussion he booms out bass stabs on ‘Iddy’ rollocking through the beat’s progression with whispered layers of phrase and machine hum atmospherics plucked straight from the bows of dystopian warships and the winding lead synth on ‘Fram’ could have been taken straight out of Kode 9’s ‘Black Sun’ era. It’s simply the way he cracks out his drum loops that grabbed our attention, subtle snaps of snare drum piquing through the top end perfectly.
We caught up with the South Yorkshireman between train journeys, giving him the opportunity to further introduce himself and his music ahead of his forthcoming date at fabric for the Hessle Audio takeover...
Sonic Router: Can you provide those who may not know you with a bit of background info?
Blawan: For starters I am not Ben UFO despite the kind rumors. My name is Jamie, I am a DJ/Producer originally from the cultural melting pot that is Barnsley and I recently had my debut release on Hessle Audio.
Outside of music who are you? What do you do on the daily?
On the daily, I drink a lot of tea, don't finish tunes, delete ones that I have finished and get easily distracted...
How did you first get into making music? What was it that infected you to do so?
Like a lot of people, school really got me into music. I went to a pretty rough school that thanks to Labour's deprived schools policy had mint facilities, so I started playing drums at the age of 10. I first got into making electronic music on a dodgy version of Fruity Loops when I was 15 but didn't really get serious about making tunes until I was about 18. Prior to the Hessle Audio release I had a pretty random musical background. I used to drum in a couple of bands playing like post-punk stuff as well as making dance tunes, and just muddled it along until now.
What’s your production set up like? What’s your favourite bit of kit in the studio?
My set-up is pretty simple, I run Ableton Live, midi controllers and some decent monitors… oh and some nice flat response headphones and that's really it. My favorite bit of kit has to be my Ozone 4 plugin; it’s a sweet all rounder.
Where do you take inspiration from when making music? And how did you get into this current flux of dubstep?
Erm, that's a hard question, I've always found it hard to pin point what inspires me to make a tune and to be honest I still don't really know. I think trying to keep my mind occupied when making a tune helps, as I find makings tunes when am bored rarely has a decent outcome or it ends up turning out as some weird jacking house thing.
I got into dubstep around late 2004/5. Before this, mates from Sheffield used to send me their badly recorded vinyl rips of Big Apple releases and old garage tunes and things just carried on down the usual routes from there really. I've also always had a passion for house music and think that's had a big impact on me musically. The tune that really pushed me to think I wasn't just making some weird garage type music was Pangaea's ‘You & I’ (HES006). The vibe caught me perfectly, it's still easily my favorite tune to date.
How would you describe your sound? You’ve got this proper tough percussion going on that drives everything… is the rhythm a main focus for you when making tunes?
Honestly, if I could just make drum loops for a living I would. Percussion is definitely something I focus a lot of my attention on when producing. Other elements of my tunes are always considered but are subtle enough to make sure they don't take away purpose from the rhythm and percussive melodies. The outcome of that in a tune is something minimal, but I fought my last battles with complex synth arrangements a long time ago and bare rhythms win hands down for me each and every.
Your first couple of releases are out now on Hessle and Folkwood respectively. How did you link the releases?
My debut with Hessle was a pretty surreal affair, I had a few tunes that had been sitting around and one day, I just said ‘Fuck it. I’ll send these to Untold.’ I did that then within about 2 hours I got a phone call off David (Ramadanman) saying Jack sent him the tunes and the guys liked them and want to put something out. A simple but crazy outcome and I can't tell you how lucky I feel to be in the Hessle camp. Oh and I still haven't bought Jack a drink yet to thank him.
The folkwood thing really was something that happened a while ago, a group of friends at Uni got hold of some cash to press up some music. They asked me to submit a track so I did. The tune is kinda old now, but it’s nice to get bits out there when you can. Big up Ste Shine on that one! Oh and you guys for the kind words about it…
What other projects have you got in the pipeline? What’s happening with you in the rest of 2010? Gigs, releases, personal growth etc?
2010 has been an amazing year already; I am just focusing on putting out tunes I am happy with, when I can so theres no rush. Hopefully DJing as many gigs as I can because that's what really gets me making more music. There are a couple of things in the pipeline that should be surfacing soon, so watch this space.
Any words of wisdom for our readers?
Yes, it needs to be strong with one sugar and milk. Secondly, catch me at Fabric on the 20th August, for the Hessle Audio takeover.
1. Titus 12 - Step Up (Mosca Remix) [Unreleased] 2. Afefe Iku - Bodydrummin' (S63 Refix) [Silver Label] 3. Ludacris vs Joe - How Low Claptrap (DJ Orgasmic Bootleg) [Unreleased] 4. Wookie - Weird Science [Manchu] 5. Randomer - Be Electric [Unreleased] 6. Mistamen - Lengthy Riddim [Bass Tourist] 7. DJ Faz - Believe [Locked On] 8. Menta - Sounds Of Da Future [Sounds Of Da Future] 9. Unknown - Unknown [Unreleased] 10. Untold - Angry Hat [Unreleased] 11. Commix - How You Gonna Feel (Pangaea Remix) [Unreleased] 12. Unknown – Unknown [Unreleased] 13. Ramadamman - Fall Short [Swamp81] 14. Blawan - Potchla Vee [Unreleased] 15. Oris Jay - Trippin (2010 Dub) [Gusto] 16. Untold - Come Follow We [Unreleased]
Catch Blawan at the Hessle Audio Room 3 takeover at fabric on 20th August alongside 2562, Ramadanman, Ben UFO and Pangaea - Addison Groove performs live in Room One on the same night alongside the first ever live set from Hessle affiliate Cosmin TRG. You can also catch Blawan taking to the airwaves of the newly FM licensed Rinse FM on 12th August on the Hessle Audio show from 12-2am.
Scratcha DVA is the latest person to put together a promotional mix for London nightclub fabric, commemorating his forthcoming appearance at the club with a super fresh mix of upfront tunes and a likkle YouTube Diggin' feature where the Rinse.fm DJ goes deep with the jokes.
Check both bits at the url below and look out for DVA005, 'New World Order,' dropping shortly.
Following up ‘The Golden Handshake’ EP from Low Limit and Lando Kal, collectively known as LazerSword, and the anthemic ‘IfUWantMe’ from Deadboy, the freshly minted Numbers imprint are serving up the ‘Bare Blips’ EP from London resident, Redinho, next month. Anyone who caught his bombastic live show at the label launch at Plastic People late last year can testify that Red's squashed syrup of low end frequencies and hip hop swagger is frankly, intense. Micro produced and with a strong focus on intensity the full EP is a glory to behold; flickering from the thump of the eponymous track to the flutter of the aptly named ‘Pitter Patter,’ Red explores ideas quickly, seemingly mastering each mood with ease.
Ahead of his slot at the Numbers fabric takeover this Friday, he passed us a minimix of the forthcoming EP and being that he’s one of the nicest dudes you ever shall meet, we shot him a few quizzical probes for dramatic effect.
Sonic Router: Can you provide those who may not know you with a bit of background info?
Redinho: I’m about to drop my debut EP, ‘Bare Blips,’ on Numbers.
Outside of music who are you? What do you do on the daily?
Tom Calvert aka Red. On the daily, I’m a professional nine to five avoider.
How did you first get into making music? What was it that infected you to do produce?
I spent a lot of time making music with my two brothers. I started playing drums, and my brothers got a guitar and bass. It’s weird because my parents aren’t musical in the slightest. I remember making recordings right from the start using a village tape recorder with a built in microphone ‘hole.’ We would set the drum kit up in one corner of the room, and place the tape recorder in the opposite corner, and my brother would “rap” as I played the drums. That way, if he rapped loudly (i.e. screamed), some sort of mix balance was achieved between the drums and the vocals on the recording.
Even more elaborate recording techniques were invented to combat our lack of equipment until we managed to borrow a multi track tape recorder. I used to rinse that thing until it was literally burning hot. Looking back on it, it was always recording that I loved. I didn’t really practice playing instruments; I just practiced writing and recording. I would make loads of tracks where I played everything from the drums, guitars, bass to vocals. Without realising it, I was producing, and it was something that I naturally loved to do and haven’t ever been able to stop doing since.
What’s your production set up like?
Laptop, vinyl, plus a few toys and whatever else I’ve managed to “borrow” from people.
Where do you take inspiration from when making music?
Gigs of all sorts leave a lasting impression on me. Also there’s just so much good music out there - past and present.
How would you describe your sound?
Some have described ‘Bare Blips’ as a fusion of electronic, beats and grime. I’m happy with that. The newer stuff I’m making has a different feel to it, maybe a more glorious vibe harmonically, but you can still hear those reference points in it.
What draws you to the mentally contorted, hip hop sound?
I’d say hip hop is essentially 'funk' music; I’ve always liked funk music, or music with a strong beat.
Your first release is out imminently on Numbers right? Can you tell us a bit about that...?
The ‘Bare Blips’ EP will be out on Numbers very soon. I made most of it in a week. I tuned into one of those autopilot zones. I just wanted to make something that excited and entertained me.
What else have you got coming up? (releases, gigs/plug the fabric show etc etc)
I’m playing live at fabric on this Friday in the Numbers room alongside Rustie, Martyn and Jackmaster. I'm also playing a Numbers thing in Glasgow on the 17th April with Deadboy.
Release wise, there's ‘Bare Blips’ v. soon, then I’ve got a track with Riz MC, and some more Redinho stuff to follow.
Surely, if you've read this elongated page before you'll be well aware of our love affair with Untold and his potent brew of riotous drums and his relentless musical schedule. Similarly you'll have seen the Glasgow Numbers conglomerate name checked here a bunch of times, whether its been in promotion of some of their legendary club nights or the announcement concerning the formation of the uber label - bore from the fusion of the Stuff, Wireblock and Dress 2 Sweat energies.
Well - the deal is this: Numbers just launched their brand new website - http://nmbrs.net - and they're offering a recording of Untold's set from one of their September '09 Glasgow bashes as a celebration.
Go and buy the first Numbers release 'The Golden Handshake EP,' from both parties behind the LazerSword project, Lando Kal and Low Limit. Its in stores now and you need it for 'Trapperkeeper' alone.
And look out for the Deadboy 'IfUWantMe' release in early April too - some super special single sided laser etched business...
Oh and make sure you attend the clique's next fabric takeover next Friday:
The Bruk DJs, Elgato and Bilal, just linked up a mix ahead of their appearance at fabric for the 4th Hessle Audio takeover which features Ikonika, Ramadanman, Pangaea and Ben UFO - names you'll be no doubt familiar with if you've glanced our way over the past year.
Catch Bruk on Sub.fm - they've taken over the old Ruffage slot on Thursdays between 8-10pm.
The West District Allstars feat. Natasha Watts - Reach Up (Enzyme Black Stripped Dub) Kid Majesty - Desfile De Los Santos Tadow Productions - Rising Sun Stephanie Mills - Free (Domu Stripped Down Remix) Sony - Sugar Rush DVA - Nasty Nasty Nasty (Roska Remix) Xara - You Got Me Crazy Cousinz - Sonar Tonya Renee - About You (Karizma Boucha Remix) DJ 2face - I Love You Plastic Cash - Store Card Ultramarine - Hooter (Carl Craig / Ver. 1.1) Karizma - Necessary Madness Argy - The Storm Thommy Davis - Mars Needs Women
Its impossible to stress how much fun I've had at Brainfeeder parties over the last couple of years. The first one in the Hearne Street carpark in Shoreditch was mental; simultaneous proof that this toxic stew of skewed hip hop has a voice beyond small basement clubs and evidence that whiskey maketh the man crazy. The next one I attended was in Barcelona, a first night pre-cursor to my first Sonar experience... crazy rammed, hot as hell and super super fun... I remember Martyn b2b Pinch.
Damn.
So, this post gives me double the pleasure to be able to give away a pair of tickets to next week's Brainfeeder LDN event at fabric. With the combined pull of Brainfeeder and the Red Bull Music Academy, the incredible initiative currently beginning term 2 today, you can scoop the opportunity to see Flying Lotus, Kode 9, The Mother Fucking Gaslamp Killer, Martyn, J Rocc, Dimlite, Daedelus, Nosaj Thing and TOKiMONSTA all on fabric's custom tweaked soundsystem.
Just email us the answer to the below question.
Q: Flying Lotus' debut album on the Plug Research label was called:
01 Washed Out "Get Up" (Mexican Summer) 02 Lukid "Veto" (Werk) 03 King Midas Sound "Lost" (Hyperdub) 04 Rotating Assembly "Orchestra Hall" (Sound Signature) 05 Anthony Shakir "Shake it Up Dub (Remix)" (KMS) 06 Robert Owens "Bring Down the Walls" (Trax) 07 Lone "Once in a While" (Werk) 08 Jacob Korn "Grosskariert" (Permanent Vacation) 09 Joy Orbison "The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow (Actress remix)" (Aus) 10 Prince "When Doves Cry" (Warner Bros) 11 Dez Williams "Abandoned Emotions" (Cheap) 12 DJ Duke "Future Blast" (Music For Your Ears) 13 Glass Domain "Interlock" (Clone) 14 Drexciya "Lost Vessel" (Tresor) 15 The Future "Daz" (Black Melody) 16 Aardvarck "Tulti" (Eat Concrete) 17 Motor City Drum Ensemble "Raw Cuts #5" (Faces) 18 Basic Soul Unit "Hopy Unity Vision" (New Kanada) 19 Adonis "No Way Back" (Trax) 20 K-Alexi "Vertigo" (Transmat) 21 J Dilla "Nothing Like This" (Stones Throw)
All personal bias aside - go read the liner notes - 'Elevator Music Vol. 1' is an impeccable collection of beats and fresh ideas from some extremely talented underground producers. Joining the likes of Mosca, Julio Bashmore, Hackman and Doc Daneeka with more established artists like the work of Martyn, Untold and Starkey pays dividends in the end listen and an extremely high percentage of these tracks are a sheer pleasure to mix.
Ahead of his Apple Pips label's Room Three takeover at fabric on the 19th Feb, Appleblim has put together a promo mix and gets interviewed over on the fabric blog.
Super Scot Jackmaster continues his slew of great mixes with an exclusive for Dazed Digital, well timed to coincide with his Numbers conglomerate taking over Room One of fabric tomorrow night.
Modeselektor - Art + Cash (SBTRKT Broke Remix) - forthcoming 50 Weapons Rhythm Construction Co. - Mighty Love (Wickedest Dub) - Nice 'N' Ripe Deadboy - Here 4 U - forthcoming Numbers C. J. Boland - Sugar Is Sweeter (Armand's Drum And Bass Mix) - FFRR TRG - Tribal Flex - forthcoming Tempa DJ Slugo - Wouldn't You Like To Be A Hoe Too - Dance Mania Mike Dunn pres. The MD X-Spress - Deep Down (The Unbderground) - Fluential Kim English - Night Life (Retail Club Mix) - Nervous Deadboy - if U ant Me (Brackles & Shortstuff Remix) - forthcoming Numbers KingThing - Bump - forthcoming Fortified Roska & Untold - Myth - forthcoming Build Joy Orbison - Derobe - forthcoming Aus Music George Fitzpatrick - Don't You - forthcoming Doldrums Taz Buckfaster - Wetter Is Better - forthcoming Rwina ROX - My Baby Left Me (Terror Danjah Remix) - forthcoming Rough Trade Terror Danjah & Rudekid - Best Crawler - forthcoming No Hats No Hoods Mr. De' - Whonleeone - Electrofunk Fonzworth Bentley & Anthony Hamilton - Greener (Instrumental)
Ahead of his 2nd album for Planet Mu, 'Ear Drums & Black Holes,'Starkey speaks to the fabric Blog in anticipation of his Room 1 debut at the London club on the 15th January.
They've also given out a mix initially recorded for Redlight's BBC 1xtra Radio show...
xxxy hails from Manchester and produces bass music that sucks in elements of house, techno and all the other good stuff that’s been perforating dance floors at the tail end of 2009. He’s released on the Formant, Mindset and Open Earz (alongside Indigo) labels and also has a track, ‘Sing With Us,’ forthcoming on the new fabric compilation, ‘Elevator Music Vol 1.’
To mark the eve of the New Year we grabbed him for a chat and managed to snatch our final exclusive mix of 2009…
Sonic Router: Can you provide those who may not know you with a bit of background info?
xxxy: I'm a bearded man from Manchester who makes electronic music in between 120 and 140 bpm.
Outside of music who are you? What do you do on the daily?
I work in local government. It's not very interesting but it contributes to the bills…
How did you first get into making music? What was it that infected you to do produce?
I had just dropped out of Uni and managed to steal an aging pc off my folks and at about the same time I'd got quite into the early dubstep tunes my mates had been buying. I was messing about a bit and my missus bought me a midi keyboard to get me out of the way while she finished her dissertation. I started getting more serious about it after that. It's been about 5 years but I am finally starting to be a little happier with my tunes.
What’s your production set up like?
A mac book pro and some headphones usually. My neighbour isn't very sympathetic about bass so I don't get on my monitors as much as I wish but they are there when I mix down.
In terms of software I use Ableton for production and for playing out. Sometimes there is a lot of stigma aimed towards DJs who play off laptops, I don’t know about anyone else but I go to clubs to listen to music dance and have a good time. I couldn't give a flying fuck if someone plays off a laptop, CDs or vinyl as long as I enjoy the tunes.
I can do a lot more interesting things with Ableton and a midi controller than I can with a set of decks and some 12"s. I still buy records, I love records and it’s an addiction I don't think I will ever shake. Often I will buy both the 12" and the mp3 release as I am too pressed for time (lazy) to rip the tunes myself.
How would you describe your sound to someone zoning in for the first time?
I dunno maybe a mix of techno house and garage with a smattering of other sounds…?
Whats the deal with the xxxy moniker? You keen on chromosomes or sommat?
It was a name that came into my head when I was walking home one day, I liked the ambiguity of it at the time and it stuck.
Also I’ve seen it written in numerous different ways. Whats your official line, XxXy, XXXY or xxxy?
xxxy - pronounced triple x, y
You used to produce as forensic (mcr), what made you change names/directions?
I produced as forensix (mcr) and released ‘1st Dynasty’ b/w ‘Solace’ on Revolution music in ‘07 but whilst it went down very well I had only just started making music properly and I wasn't happy with my sound; so I backed off for a while and wanted to start afresh so I came back with some better productions and a new name.
Your productions fuse house, garage and techno what is it about the slower than 140bpm tempo that you prefer?
I love the grooves and shuffle of house, garage and techno. Really rigid tunes can get a bit dull after a while.
Is that the kind of background you come from?
Not at all, I grew up listening to britpop and indie and I still listen to a bit of it. I would say some of my influences at the moment would be Rhythm and Sound, Carl Craig, Karizma, Modern Love releases, Theo Parrish and many, many more.
You’re involved with the Mindset label, further than just releasing on the label, right? What does this involve for you?
I assist Indigo with promotion and anything else he needs help with, it's a label that means a lot to me. The belief and enthusiasm he has for the music he puts out is very infectious.
You are a Manchester resident I believe, what’s the scene like up there?
The scene is hit and miss, as I am sure it is in most cities. There are some really good nights; Strange Fruit which has the finest array of residents anywhere in the country in my opinion - Rich Reason, Inidigo, Synkro, Andro and Dimit and Fantastic Mr Fox… Hit and Run, Curve, Soul:ution (which made it’s long overdue return this year) and Sicknote (which I help promote and I'm a resident at).
We are blessed with some great record shops too; Eastern Bloc, Piccadilly Records are great for house and techno and you can always pick up some second hand bargains at Vinyl Exchange.
Tell us a little bit about your mix, how did it come together, what tracks had to be in there and what other tracks are you digging right now?
I was off work sick with the flu and started listening to a lot of deep house and I thought it would be interesting to combine it with some of the new UK house which I had been making and have been sent as well as some dubstep which I am really feeling at the moment along with some classics.
What have you got coming up that the world should know about? (releases, gigs, bowel movements etc)
‘Rain’ should be out on Pollen soonish, ‘Sing With Us’ is coming out on ‘Elevator Music Vol 1’ - fabric's dubstep/post dubstep unmixed compilation which is a brilliant representation of bass music right now and there will hopefully be a release on Mindset in the new year.
I will be popping up regularly in Manchester in the next few months and I’m playing at fabric on 8th January for the ‘Elevator Music’ launch party which will be fun.
Have you got any words of wisdom for us, and our readers?
Look after your ears; imagine a world without music before you stick your head in a bassbin; oh, and always wear a bandit hat.
Missing Linkx - Who To Call [Philpot] The Machine - Fuse (Ame Remix) [Innervisions] Martyn - Elden St (Sebo K Watergate Edit) [Watergate] Dirty Culture - Doua Puncte Ics EP [Loco] Junior Boys - Like A Child (Carl Craig Remix) [Domino] Doc Daneeka - Drums in the Deep [fabric] Coyu and Edu Imbernon - Morena [Diynamic] Mario da Ragnio feat Abell - Curcuma (Milton Jackson Remix) [caballero recordings] Martyn - Friedrichstrasse [fabric] Canard & Lauer - Vibration [Peppermint Jam] Karizma - Groove A K Ordingly [R2] Atjazz, Domu & Yanna Valdevit - Info People (Atjazz & Domu’s Bruk Mush Remix) [development music] Spencer Parker - You Got Me [NRK] Hot City - If That’s How I Feel [fabric] L-vis 1990 - Run [Dress 2 Sweat] The Discowboys - At Midnight (Steve Bug’s always late mix) [Dessous] xxxy - Blue Flashing Lights [dub] Forsaken - Be my vice [dub] Synkro - Digital Soul [dub] xxxy - Flew [dub] Hypno - Telescope [dub] Joy Orbison - Wet Look [Hotflush] Mr Gasparov - 1975 [Steakhouse] Spatial - 90729 [Infrasonics] Fantastic Mr Fox - Sketches [Black Acre] Octa Push - Ai Nadia [Steakhouse] Geiom - No More Tears [Berkane Sol] Groove Chronicles - Stone Cold [DPR Recordings] Octa Push - Laika Likes it [Steakhouse] Brackles - Lizards [Applepips] F - Untitled Dub [7even] Appleblim - Vansan (Gatekeeper Remix) [If Symptoms Persist] xxxy - You Always Start It [dub]
Catch xxxy at the Elevator Music launch party on Friday 8th January at fabric:
Mini(mega)mix of the new 'Elevator Music' 'bass music' compilation on fabric Records. Minimix by mlr // Art by Remote Location // Animation by Peter Dickinson
Note: If you pre-order the CD you can get entrance to the launch party on the 8th Jan (featuring Untold, xxxy, Shortstuff, Mosca and Vista) for a tenner.
Scottish beat constructor Rustie uploaded his much sought after refix of Keisha Cole to his myspace for a FREE download earlier today. The producer may be in the lab working on his debut release for Warp but today he's also been announced for a live set on a super stacked line up in Room One at fabric in early January at a Numbers event that's running alongside the launch of the 'Elevator Music' compilation.
