Two of the hardest-working and most consistent European dubstep representatives have this week teamed up to give away two free tunes. Antics is a Belgian DJ/producer and the man behind the country's premiere dubstep event, Midnite Run, which has welcomed over the last two years, among many others, the likes of Cyrus, District, Lurka, Subreachers, Killa & Instinct, Sleeper and Goth Trad. TMSV, from the Netherlands, has been quietly carving out his own unique and highly-rated sound from the so-often-saturated 140bpm mark and marking his progression with a steady stream of releases, notably through Box Clever, as well as the criminally-overlooked 'Dem A Talk' bootleg which arguably set the ball rolling, with other producers since taking a shot at working the vocal sample into their own tunes.
With the recent reinvigoration of the half-step leaning deep dubstep sound, it seems that 'Angles' and the Orientis imprint which brings it forward will serve as an important defining point in the progression of the genre. At eleven tracks, the statement is of quality over quantity and this quality is ensured by label-head Thelem's intense attention to detail: there is no filler here. The whole collection is defined by an acute sense of control and restraint, and it is the addition of this element which is so vital to the overall success of the release as both a project and a statement from the artists and label involved.
Beginning with Thelem's own 'Illusions', the album takes a rolling start over tight kicks and a hypnotic panning synth before moving into the haunting territory of Killa & Instinct's 'Halftime' with its bulging bassline. Subreachers' 'Left Hand Path' adds a subtle skip to the beat with a scatter of high-hats over a growling bassline, which is extended by BunZer0's techy offering in the form of 'Recovering' and 'Krymia', the first of two tunes from Crisp, which trails a floating synth over neatly tumbling percussion.
It is at this point that Antics' 'Unconscious' drops in with a stripped-back beat and pulsing sub and settles the pace once more. This careful ordering of the tracks serves as another reminder of the attention given to the details as 'Apocrypha', a collaboration between Instinct & Thelem, gently draws the listener from their halftime sway. Collision uses tribal drums and an eery sample on 'Another Planet' to build in progression over a warping bassline and lead into Crisp's heavy roller, 'Surge'.
The penultimate track on the compilation, Pressa's 'Orbs', lets a tightly controlled bass melody flow under rounded synth stabs before Legend4ry's 'That Kid's Got Spirit' rounds of the collection with a twisting bassline, reverb-laced synths and something of a telling sentiment in its title.
To add to this, we've linked up with the Orientis family to exclusively offer something a little extra. First up is a free bonus track for the compilation from Pressa: 'Concussed' is a stuttering roller with plenty of swing in its drums and licks of his characteristically delicate, minimal synths. Also included is an exclusive mix of the tracks featured on the compilation which has been put together by Killa & Instinct and showcases the tunes featured, by a simple re-ordering and a series of subtle blends, in a different light.
Antics' Midnite Run Sessions on Rood FM are always worth a listen, if not only for his choice selection of beats then for the guest mixes featured on the show. Killa & Instinct, TMSV and Thelem have all laid down heavy exclusive mixes for our mix series, and so come highly recommended. The tracklists, which balance old favourites and upfront dubplates, all speak for themselves and make each one a must for the download.
We first became aware of Subreachers through their remix of Killa and Instinct'sIndica. Hailing from Belgium, the production duo make deep, dark, moody beats or, in there words, 'music for frozen souls'. With releases on Haunted Audio and Dubkraft Records, as well as a number of forthcomings, now is a good time to check their sound:
Bristol-based production duo Killa and Instinct are the latest contributors to the You Dun Know podcast series. Showcasing their own impressive deep, dark production alongside dubs from the likes of Cyrus, Lurka, TMSV and Commodo. Enjoy:
With 'Haterz' featuring on Get Darker's recent This Is Dubstep Vol.3 compilation, many will be aware of Killa & Instinct. The production duo's brand of fierce, brooding beats have won them the support of some of the scene's biggest names, with perhaps the most significant being that of Cyrus and Tunnidge who recently added the pair to their Origin Audio imprint. Both Killa & Instinct have put together an exclusive mix for us showcasing their sound and that off producers making tunes in a vein similar to theirs, as well as taking the time to answer a few of our questions. This one's big: enjoy.
Hedmuk: Just as an introduction, what names do you both write under, when did you start to make beats and how would you describe your sound?
Killa & Instinct: We both write under the Killa & Instinct name but we do make some solo projects where we go under our individual names. We both played around with beats when we where younger but started taking making music seriously in 2008. We would describe our sound as deep, dark & minimal.
H: In past interviews you’ve mentioned the influence of people from Guernsey in shaping your musical direction. Who has influenced both of you in taking up music production and who continues to shape and affect the beats you make?
K&I: No one in particular spurred us on to start producing music. We both were DJ's for a long time before we started producing but it was more of a natural progression to make our own beats. Some life experiences in Guernsey had shaped a few of our tunes. For instance Haterz(which featured on Get Darker's This is Dubstep: Vol.3 compilation) was definitely shaped by our mood at the time.
H: Did being, for want of a better word, isolated from London affect your response to Dubstep? Was it harder to find and listen to? If so, did it enhance it's appeal?
K&I: It was hard for us to go to nights unless we hosted them ourselves or flew to London for the weekend and go to places like FWD. It wasn't hard keeping up to date with the music as we both found ourselfs listening to pirate shows on Rinse FM, React FM and downloading sets from Barefiles. We were also strongly influenced by a friend up in Leeds who used to send Killa mix CD's.
H: You set up Guernsey’s first Dubstep and Bass Music night in 2007. Having had Youngsta andChefal play out on the island, is it safe to assume it’s been successful?
K&I: The nights where really successful it gave Dubstep a strong base on the island but due to closures of clubs we had to take up a smaller residency where bringing artists over was no longer ideal. We still maintained a good vibe at the smaller scale nights with local DJ's. This was a shaping factor in our move to Bristol, there is such a good scene with many nights to get involved in.
H: Production duos have found success in Dubstep, perhaps most notably with DMZ. How does working as a pair affect your production? Is it advantageous?
K&I: Yeah it definitely helped us, especially coming from a small island with no one to show you how to use our software. We both push each other to get the best possible sound out of our tracks, bouncing ideas of each other. Two heads are better than one.
H: How did your involvement with Origin Audio come about?
K&I: We both started sending our tracks to Cyrus simply asking him his views on them. He asked us to keep sending our tunes to him. This made us knuckle down more on making beats. When we sent him H2O he told us he was starting a new Label with Tunnidge to promote the deeper side of Dubstep which wasn't being represented very well at the time.
H: Your dark, sub-driven beats fit perfectly to the labels plans. On a personal level, what does it mean for you to work with such established and respected scene veterans?
K&I: We bear influence from all over the Dubstep spectrum but we were already big fans of Cyrus with his early album "From The Shadows" and Tunnidge's track Geddeon. So we are thrilled to be working under their wing.
H: What can we expect from you in the future? Any releases forthcoming or big projects in the pipe-line?
K&I: H20 is forthcoming on Origin Audio. Haterz was recently released on This is Dubstep volume 3 and we have a remix forthcoming on a EP for NE Records. We are currently working on a collaboration with Lurka who is making next level stuff at the moment.
H: To finish on a different note, it’s clear from your podcast series that music aside from Dubstep has been important. Who do you listen to outside of the 140 bpm spectrum?
K&I: We both listen to a wide range of music anything with a vibe or some sort of soul to it. Whether it be D&B House, Trip Hop, Ambient, 90's Hip Hop or even Metal. We are both open minded.
