Featuring: Sepia

Photo by Ben Donoghue Photography

One of the reasons why it's so easy to like Sepia's music, or for that matter so difficult to dislike it, is the way in which each track captures a mood so effortlessly and coherently. And while maintaining a simple, linear mood or tone across six or so minutes of music isn't necessarily a stand-out achievement, to create, develop and challenge - through the deployment and subtraction of subtle rhythmic and tonal inflections - a complex atmospheric web is most definitely something to be celebrated; and when all that is built around big basslines, intensely intricate drums and a doffed cap to all that's worth nodding to from the past twenty or so years of UK dance music culture, then celebrating becomes all the more easy. The last time we were this excited about a new producer was probably the last time Sepia sent a new beat through. Or Etch did, or Facta did, or Underclass or - well, you can probably see that there's a pattern emerging here...


Hedmuk: To introduce yourself, what's your name, where are you from and how would you describe your sound?

Sepia: Hello. My name is Theo, I currently reside in East London and make tunes and DJ under the name of Sepia.

It's kind of hard to describe my sound, as it varies depending on what tempo I am working on or what mood I am in, but I think there are some consistencies in my tunes; for instance, you'll always find my tunes are very percussive and focus a lot on intricacies in the drum patterns. I play drums, so I think that influences my drum programming a lot. I also try to capture certain moods and atmospheres through the melodies I use and always a warm rumbling sub bass. I have only really just gotten my head around building synth patches. Most of my earlier works were literally just melodies, drums and sub bass, but it worked for the kind of vibe I was going for. So yeah, I just kind of make percussive and deep, bass-driven music. Sorry for rambling (laughs).

H: How long have you been involved in making music? What was it that first got you into making beats?

S: Well, throughout my teenage years I was writing music with old bands I was in until I was about 17 or 18. I still write music on that side, but have been more focused on electronic music since 2008 I guess; I have always been interested in it, but I never really got into making music or DJing until I went to a party in a forest where I used to live on the Isle of Wight (a little island down south, near Portsmouth). I remember watching my mate Ben (who also runs the rig and parties) playing an incredible set with tunes by Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Luke Vibert etc. and then later through the night another guy was playing a dubstep set and the sounds just drew me in. I was gone at the time (laughs) but thought 'I really wanna play at one of these parties'. So I acquired some turntables and started collecting records and started DJing.

I started producing towards the end of 2008, but was only really messing about, I got a copy of FL Studio 7 and taught myself how to produce. I was under a different name back then and still finding my feet, but when I moved to Brighton I was playing shows weekly with some huge people (Skream, N-Type, Coki, Joy Orbison, James Blake etc.), had residencies and played at nights like Subsplash, Supercharged, Aka Aka Roar etc. and it is through playing them shows and networking in Brighton that I got to meet and become friends with the likes of Riskotheque, Marchmellow, Southbound Hangers, Dismantle, Gangoon Dubz, Etch and Ashley (from Well Rounded). It was about late-2009/early-2010 that I really got to grips with my production and finally developed my own sound and I started taking it a bit more seriously.

And now here I am I guess, I am still learning new things every day with DJing and making tunes, but I guess everybody is really because music and methods are constantly evolving and changing. Nobody ever stops learning, to be honest.



H: In terms of where you take your influence from musically, your tunes give the impression that your listening ear is a open one: is this the case? Who would you say you most often find yourself looking towards for influence?

S: Yeah, you could say that. I listen to a lot of different music, man, a lot of which are bands. If honest, I'd have to say my biggest musical influence would be Sigur Ros: words can not describe the effect their music has on me, so I am not even going to try. You may not be able to hear their influence in all of my tunes, but if you listen carefully to some of the melodies and arrangements I put together (for example in my tune 'If Only We Could See Us Now'), you can detect a hint of the ambient and orchestral sounds I use in some of the intros and atmospheres I create.

As far as bass music goes, my influences will always be the first who got me into this sound, for instance Mala, Coki, Loefah, Burial, Kode 9,  El-B, Cluekid, Horsepower Productions, Steve Gurley etc. and then you have just some incredible producers such as Four Tet, Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada, Luke Vibert, J Dilla, Quasimoto etc. I wouldn't say they influence the sounds I make, but they influenced me to experiment with electronic music in the first place, way before I even discovered dubstep or garage. Also, you have more recent producers such as Phaeleh, Congi, and DjRum whose music really blows me away.

But my influences go beyond music too: books, movies, people, situations, atmospheres, summer, past experiences and life itself are all influences in my sound. I guess everything has an influence on me, it also has a lot to do with where I am at the time musically, consciously, emotionally and physically: it all plays a part in my process of making music.

H: Your music covers a wide range of styles - from Grime to UK Funky to Garage and Dubstep and more - is this something you're conscious of? Do you approach making a tune with a certain idea or style in mind or is it a more organic process of just seeing where it takes you?

S: I am aware of it after the tune is completed, but it is not something that is planned or thought out. I never sit and think to make a certain genre. Going with influences again, it all just depends where my mind is at the time. I usually start my tunes with an 8-bar drum loop and from there I try out some little bass hooks to try get a feel of what kind of groove it is going to be. From there I separate everything and start from scratch and build an intro, drums, basses, synths, atmospheres etc. and start constructing the sounds I have made into a song. But it is hard to say really, as each tune is different; I never produce in a certain way, it's ever-changing. Not sure if that is a good thing or not, but it works.




H: How does it feel, despite not easily fitting into a particular genre category, to be receiving airplay and support from the likes of Joe Nice, Dusk & Blackdown, Phaeleh and B Traits? Do you feel like this recognition puts the pressure on to deliver more in the future, or does it just encourage you to progress with your sound?

S: I have been stoked and overwhelmed by the support and plays from the people who have been into my sounds. It might not be much to many people, but I am so stoked that 'Observer' got played on Radio 1. Even more stoked that Joe Nice cut 'Observer' and played it on Sub FM. Skream & Benga recently dropped my tune 'Cornered' on Radio 1 too which I am stoked about. And the support and plays that Dusk & Blackdown have given me have definitely influenced me to keep striving to push my sound further and excel.

I do feel that knowing that some people enjoy the music does influence me to progress my sound and deliver more, but at the same time it also scares me. Sometimes I make tunes and won't even show them to anybody as I don't feel they are worthy because some people might be looking for a certain sound and I am not sure that it will be the one they are looking for. This goes back to the way I produce, I can't stick to a certain sound or genre because I'm influenced and intrigued by so many things and I like to experiment with different sounds and styles sometimes. I don't like to think there are any restrictions or boundaries in music: everybody should just be allowed to go with their instinct and see where their creative flow takes them.

H: Tell us a bit about the mix you've put together for us.

S: The mix was recorded at my friend's house on his CDJs (big up Etch for letting me use them); when I play out I like to try and give the listener a taste of where I am at musically, so I tend to jump genres and create different atmospheres and also try to keep the listener interested by playing different things that hopefully everybody can enjoy at least a part of. A lot of the tunes in my mix are made by my friends, and that is something I am loving about the underground music scene right now: a lot of us are actually friends, we all network with each other and we are all bouncing off each other to excel and progress. So this mix features a lot of dubs, forthcoming pieces, and a few new releases by more established artists that I am feeling. There is a sneaky VIP in the mix also and an upcoming project too...



H: Finally, are there are anything forthcomings lined up or anything else in the pipeline that you'd like to put the word out on? 

S: Yes there is, 'Cornered' and 'Outbreak' are forthcoming on Redshift-One and are due out June 24th (available from all the usual digital outlets). I've got something else lined up too but nothing is 100% confirmed yet, so keep an eye out on my Soundcloud or Facebook for forthcoming releases, gigs and new music. Hopefully you'll be hearing more from me in the near future.
And lastly, big up and shouts to yourselves at Hedmuk, Etch, Atlas, J-One, Lex, Breen, Facta, Underclass, Rabit, Scalade, Konvex, Threnody, Dusk & Blackdown, Joe Nice, Phaeleh, Congi, Quest, Glacial Sound and too many more. And of course my girlfriend for putting up with my noise all hours of the day (laughs).





Download: Sepia - Hedmuk Exclusive Mix



Tracklist:


Sepia - Bullets [Dub]
Sepia - Because Of Me [Dub]
Wen - Swingin' [Badimup]
Sepia - Outbreak VIP [Dub]
Walton - Homage [Keysound]
Pearson Sound - Quivver [Nonplus+]
Fresh Paul - Sunblazed [Keysound]
Bloom - Quartz [Gobstopper]
Vivek - Asteroids [System Music]
??? - ??? [Dub]
Sepia - If Only We Could See Us Now [Free]
Sepia - Into The Abyss [Dub]
Sepia - Observer [Dub]
Sepia - Skyline [Dub]
Congi - Somnium VIP [Dub]
Sub Basics - In The Quiet [Dub]
Klax & Disonata - Lost Souls [Forthcoming Uprise Audio]
Daega Sound - Land In Motion [Black Box]
SPD - Habitus [Slime]
Sepia - Cornered [Forthcoming Redshift One]
DjRum - Honey [2nd Drop]

Sepia - HEDMUK Exclusive Mix by Hedmuk on Mixcloud

W.

Remix Competition: Sparxy & Fused Forces - Leviathan

One of this year's fast-risers, Sparxy has spent 2012 leap-frogging his way to Radio 1 and Rinse FM plays from the likes of scene legends Skream, Benga and N-Type, as well as steering output from his own Bacon Dubs imprint up the release charts with uncompromising regularity. This week saw the release of his own 'Gravitation EP', and with it comes the opportunity to not only have a go at remixing one of the stand-out tunes from the release - 'Leviathan', a collaboration with Fused Forces - but also to have the remix released on Bacon Dubs as well as winning a whole sack of other good stuff.

The rules are simple:

1. Entries can be in any style, of any length and incorporate any number of other parts, but at least 4 of the remix parts provided may be used.

2. Finished remixes should be sent via email attachment or Mediafire link to hedmuk@gmail.com before the closing date, with the subject 'Sparxy Remix Competition'.

3. Your email should include a note of which 4 (or more) of the remix parts have been used.

4. Entries should be sent in 320kbps mp3 format.

5. All entries are to be kept offline and private until after the competition close date.

6. One entry per person.

7. All entrants are strongly advised to label their remix entries properly with ID3 tags in order to clearly indicate who is responsible for each version.


Download: Sparxy & Fused Forces - Leviathan Remix Pack


The competition will close on Sunday the 13th of January, after which date all entries will be judged jointly by Sparxy and Hedmuk and the winning entries announced a week later, on the 20th of January.

The winner will not only have their remix included on Sparxy's next EP (subject to contract agreement), but will also receive: 1 x Hedmuk X Thelem T-shirt in the size of their choice, 1 x Bacon Dubs T-shirt in the size of their choice, 1 x Bacon Dubs coffee mug, Bacon Dubs stickers, the entire Bacon Dubs back catalogue on a limited edition CD. Three runners-up will also have their versions released as part of a free EP released via Hedmuk.

Preacha.

Competition: Win tickets to APE 7th Birthday @ The Warehouse Project, Manchester, 13/10/12 + APE Merchandise

The Warehouse Project has risen over the last six years to near-legendary status. Beginning in an old Boddingtons Brewery in Strangeways, before moving to the otherworldly underground car park space beneath Manchester's main train station and then, in Easter of this year, to the cavernous Victoria Warehouse in Trafford Park, the Project is seen as not just a series of top lineups but also as an experience in itself. It's difficult to talk about clubbing in Manchester without mentioning the Hacienda, and many perceive the yearly 12-week runs of WHP events to be an extension of that vibrancy and creativity that first put The Rainy City's dance music scene on the map.

And yet another staple of Manchester's ever-bristling nightlife is APE; a name synonymous with big raves, eclectic lineups and huge parties hosted at the Warehouse Project. This year's seventh birthday celebrations are no different, and that online tickets for the event sold out more than a week in advance is testament to both the quality of the music on offer and to APE's reputation when it comes to throwing a party. This Saturday's lineup mixes iconic performers across a range of styles, such as Sir David Rodigan MBE, Benga, Shy FX, Jackmaster, DOOM, The Bug, Andy C and DJ EZ, with some of the newer breed of talent, including Deadboy and Redinho, and is set to be an all-encompassing route through the realm of soundsystem and rave culture.

With all this on offer, we've hooked up with APE and the Warehouse Project to offer the chance for two winners to bag plus-one guestlist entry to this sold-out event as well as an APE hoody to pull up over your head for the cab-ride home. To enter, just send your answer to this simple question to hedmuk@gmail.com with the subject 'APE Competition':



In what year was the very first Warehouse Project event?



The competition will close on Friday the 12th of October, on which date two winners will be chosen by an independent third party, announced on Facebook and Twitter and notified via email. For more information on the event, including the full lineup and more information about the artists performing on the night, head over to the event profile page at the WHP website here.


W.

Competition: Win tickets to see Hatcha, Benga, Youngsta, Distance, Chef, N-Type and more at Croydub @ Black Sheep Bar, Croydon

Croydon is now well known as 'the place where it all started'; whilst the likes of Plastic People and 3rd Base are acknowledged for their pivotal roles in the development of the early dubstep sound, Big Apple Records' place in the history of dubstep is now firmly established and this is largely due to the presence of a certain DJ Hatcha.

Croydub events, held at the Black Sheep Bar in Croydon, have always been about remembering the roots of the sound and each lineup is, and has been, a testament to that. For this new phase in the Croydub story, then, it seems fitting that Hatcha - whose influence on dubstep is largely unmatched - should take the helm in inviting a group of DJs and producers who have all helped shape the sound in their own individual ways, and many of whom were there when it all began.

To be in with a chance of winning two tickets to this event, simply send your answer to the following question to hedmuk@gmail.com with the subject 'Croydub Competition':

What was the very first release on the Big Apple Records label?

The competition will close on July 14th, a winner will be chosen at random by an independent third party and then notified by email and announced on the Hedmuk Facebook Page and Twitter.

For more information on the event, including how to find the venue and buy tickets, click here.

.Preacha.

12 Classic Sets / Mixtapes

With Outlook coming up next weekend, there will be many people making their way over to Croatia to experience one of the world's best and fastest-rising festivals and an equal amount of people (if not more) left sitting at home wishing they were there. With this in mind, we at HEDMUK have put together this collection of some of our favourite sets and mixtapes from over the years which should provide a perfect accompaniment for both long journeys to Pula and days sat at home wishing you were taking it all in at Fort Punta Christo. Moving chronologically from 2002 to 2009, and taking in a wide range of styles from dark garage, to grime, to dubstep and jungle, we start with dubstep sound-definer, Hatcha. Enjoi:


Featuring an unreal number of dubplates and exclusives, this mix from 2002 is indicative of the degree of influence that Hatcha had when it came to sculpting out the original dubstep sound.


Download: Hatcha - Studio Mix [2002]


Quality from start to finish, and a small piece of history in itself, Skream's promo mix for Big Apple Records has stood the test of time and serves as both reason and reminder for the unbridled success that the Croydon originator now enjoys.


Download: Skream - Big Apple Mix [2004]


The first of a CD series that only ran to two volumes, this live recording of one of Youngsta's sets at FWD>> is a snapshot of the dread-bass, dark halfstep sound that the legendary DJ made his own.


Download: Youngsta - FWD>> Live: Vol. 1 (feat. Crazy D) [2004]


Perhaps best known for their more recent '10 Year Anniversary' mixes, United Vibes had already shown their skills of observation in 2006 by tracing the history of dubstep back to its origins in this tight retrospective selection.


Download: United Vibes - Dubstep History Mix [2006]


Jumping on the mic for Kode9's show on Rinse, the self-proclaimed Godfather of Grime rides classic beats from the likes of Skream, Benga, D1, Mala, Coki & Loefah and asserts the potential for innovative crossover between the two genres.


Download: Kode9 - Wiley's Guest Appearance: Rinse FM [2006]


The beginnings of his now-renowned yearly mix series (recently rebranded as the 'Sound That Speaks Volumes' series) saw Plastician blending his own dark hybrid grime/dubstep productions with some of the year's biggest dubs and already-released tunes.


Download: Plastician - May Mix [2006]


Dizzee Rascal makes an appearance on Kool FM (a London pirate that was key in the development of the jungle scene, and not to be confused with Northern Ireland's Cool FM) and switches from his usual grimey flow to jump on a Ruff Stuff jungle set and Skibadee's reaction is enough confirmation of his cross-genre abilities.


Download: Ruff Stuff - Skibadee, Dizzee Rascal, Funsta, Harry Shotta & D Double E: Kool FM [2007]


Judge Jules' predictions of future success for Benga could not have been more on point, and the latter's Essential Mix remains as an example of the innovation and talent behind the widespread acclaim he and his music would garner over the following years.


Download: Benga - Essential Mix [2008]


To celebrate the Newham legend's birthday, Tubby and D Double E returned to their roots in jungle for this special set in 2008 which is packed full of stone cold classic tunes, bars and flows.


Download: Tubby & D Double E - D Double's Birthday Set: Rinse FM [2008]


Collaborating with their label -30, Cotti & Cluekid took an almost literal interpretation of the word 'dubstep' by creating a blend of dark garage rhythms and atmospherics and a heavily reggae-influenced approach to melodies, vocals and sampling. In this promo mix for the now-defunct label, Cotti takes the listener through this unique approach to the sound.


Download: Cotti - -30 Mix [2008]


A year after his seminal 'Dubstep Allstars: Vol. 5' mix, N-Type upped the ante with this tightly constructed mix for Radio 1 pioneer, Mary Anne Hobbs. Moving in one swift motion from jungle to garage to dubstep, N-Type shows why he's held up as one of the best and most respected DJs around.


Download: N-Type - In The Mix For Mary Anne Hobbs' Experimental Show: Radio 1 [2008]


After making the switchover from drum & bass to dubstep and linking up with Loefah for what would be the launch of his label, Swamp 81, Kryptic Minds made clear their true potential around the 140bpm mark with this mix for Blackdown. Dropping a few months before their debut dubstep album, 'One Of Us', this mix set them out as a duo that would become impossible to ignore.


Download: Kryptic Minds - Blackdown Studio Mix [2009]


.Preacha.

Free Download: Truth - Straight Jacket

Generosity must certainly be in the air at the moment as after Shredexx dropping a free beat, Benga's giveaway (and with another one promised) and MindStep Music giving out a free tune from Dubtro yesterday, Truth have put up this thumping growler for free download through Defy Recordings.

A somewhat typical Truth production, with heavy kicks and an ample dose of interchanging mid-range frequencies and echoing samples, this is destined to break up rooms of half-step moodiness this summer with a sense of controlled aggression similar to that harnessed by the likes of Tunnidge or Distance.

Download: Truth - Straight Jacket

.Preacha.

Free Download: Benga - Midnight

Far from carrying the same brooding mood of the classic Loefah dubplate of the same name, this latest freebie from Benga takes on a much harder edge with a simple kick-snare drum pattern topped with a grinding, metallic synth and is certainly aimed more at the dancefloor than at meditation.

Download: Benga - Midnight

.Preacha.

Free Download: Benga - Smack Your Bitch Up

A tune that's become something of an anthem over the last year or so, Benga's 'Smack Your Bitch Up' will be familiar as the lurching opener to his set's alongside Skream. Having promised a free giveaway some time ago, it comes as something of a surprise that a beat which was expected to receive a full release has been put up for free download but it may equally be taken as a positive sign as to the level of quality to expect from Benga's forthcoming album. In this way, the tune fulfils its assumed role as a statement track: a big set-opener that has stood the test of time, a re-appropriation of an already-established dance anthem and a preview of what to expect to an important post-fame follow-up album.

Download: Benga - Smack Your Bitch Up

.Preacha.

Free Download: Benga - United Kingdom

To promote his appearance this coming Saturday at Brixton Academy, Benga gives away this stripped-back stomper. Using vocal samples and a extra dashes of percussion to break up the structure of the beat and give it a little extra swing, this one comes on like a skippier incarnation of Skream's 'Darkin It'.




Download: Benga - United Kingdom




.Preacha.

Free Download: Skream - Come To Murder (feat. Sgt. Pokes) / Benga & Kutz - I'll Kut Ya

The most famous (ex-)pirate radio station in the world turns sixteen this year and, as was also the case last year, Rinse is giving its listeners their own birthday present. Skream and Benga have undoubtedly been two of the stations biggest success stories and have certainly done a lot for the image and prowess of the station themselves, so it seems fitting that they are giving away their tunes to celebrate not only the stations ground-breaking sixteenth birthday, but also the year in which it historically gained a full FM license.

Skream's tune features a sample of the much-loved DMZ MC Sgt. Pokes with a trademark crowd-hyping soundbite alongside synths which come with a drunken swagger and classic Skream kicks and snares.

Download: Skream - Come To Murder (feat. Sgt. Pokes)

The offering from Benga is his hugely anticipated collaboration with Croydon old-timer Kutz. A good example of a decent wobble tune, as control has clearly been exercised, the current dancefloor smash 'Night Hunter' by Fis-T certainly owes a lot to the sound of this tune: instant cop.

Download: Benga & Kutz - I'll Kut Ya

.Fukhed.

Free Download: Skream - Freeizm Vol. 1

With his sophomore album 'Outside The Box' due out later this year, as well as an album alongside Benga and Artwork under the Magnetic Man moniker on the horizon, it seems unfair to expect much more of Skream. Yet due to the popularity of the Skreamizm series which followed his debut album from 2006 there is still a rising anticipation for the sixth installment of the run of EPs. With talk, also, of a Skream remixes EP (featuring remixes of his tunes by other artists, such as Silkie's 'Filth' remix) it seems the man causing all the hype has stepped up to the unwritten challenge in releasing the first installment of the punning 'Freeizm' series. The Free-P features a healthy mixture of sounds, with the mellow, spacious 'Minimooool' alongside the tripped-out 'Cut Like A Buffalo' remix, dirty tearout tune 'Pitfall' and old school garage stepper 'Show Me Love' and is definitely worth grabbing before the next two in the series are released in the run up to the highly anticipated album.

Download: Skream - Freeizm Vol. 1

Tracklist:

1. Skream - Pitfall
2. Skream - Minimoool
3. The Dead Weather - Cut Like A Buffalo (Skreamix)
4. Robert S - Show Me Love (Skreamix)

Distance - DOA Mix

Distance steps up to lay down yet another heavy mix, this time for Dogs On Acid, and the tracklist is absolutely packed with dubplates from the likes of Benga, Skream, Tunnidge, Tes La Rok and of course the man himself.

Download: Distance - DOA Mix June 2010

Tracklist:

Distance - Beyond (Kryptic Minds Remix) [Dubplate]
Deleted Scenes - Reasons [Dubplate]
Distance - Feel Me [Planet Mu]
Mr. Lager & Alys Blaze - Tell Me (Distance Remix) [forthcoming Subfrequency]
Distance - Jungle Fears [Chestplate]
Cyrus - The Calling [Dubplate]
Icicle - Minimal Funk VIP [Dubplate]
Distance - Devastator [Dubplate]
Distance - iLL Kontent [Dubplate]
Skream - Untitled [Dubplate]
Distance - No Warning [Chestplate]
Distance - Reboot [Dubplate]
Distance - Menace [Chestplate]
Distance - Malice [Dubplate]
Distance - Twilight [Chestplate]
Tunnidge vs. Distance - Blame [Dubplate]
Vivek - Pulse [Dubplate]
Benga - Nutty Bass [Dubplate]
Tes La Rok - Them [Dubplate]
Distance - Drawn [Dubplate]
Distance - Koncrete [Planet Mu]
Skream - Mood2Fuck [Dubplate]
Tunnidge - 7 Breaths [Dubplate]
Distance - Clockwork [Tectonic]
Dustmite - Game Over (Distance Remix) [Smog]

Read the DOA interview with Distance here.

.Fukhed.

Free Download: Magnetic Man - MAD

Yet another slice of freeness from Artwork, Skream & Benga, the men behind dubstep's most hyped live project: Magnetic Man.


Coming in with a Silkie-esque purple intro, before dropping into a pared back drum arrangement backed by a wall of sound and ascending synth melody. The track builds and builds and certainly does well to whet appetites for what the recently revamped Magnetic Man live show has to offer.


Download: Magnetic Man - MAD



.Fukhed.

Free Download: Loefah - Just A Beat

The past month has seen both Benga and Skream put up tunes for free download, and now another of the old school masters of the bass and beats combination has joined them. Loefah is often regarded as one of the producers largely responsible for the sub-heavy, half-step pattern that many subsequent dubstep producers followed, and 'Just A Beat' is a classic example of this influential sound:

Download: Loefah - Just A Beat

.Fukhed.

Benga - Phaze One

It has been a while since Benga's last sizeable release (his last probably being the Diary Of An Afro Warrior long player, way back in 2008), and the anticipation behind this one has been enormous. Having showcased so many new tunes through live sets and on official mix CDs (most notably on Rinse: 09 and Dubstep Allstars 7) but releasing so few of them caused worries among many that the tracks would never see a release. The announcement of Benga's plans, however, to release a series of EPs (similar to Skream's 'Skreamizm' collection) has put rest to much of the worry. Phaze One is released today with a heavy tracklist in tow, with the huge 'No Bra, No Panties', 'Mini Moto Cross', 'Rock Music' (aka 'Dramatic') and 'Baltimore Clap' making it an absolute must for the bag.

Buy: Vinyl Release (6 Tracks)
Buy: Download Release (8 Tracks)


.Fukhed.

Featuring: Dark0

The focus on space and a stripped-down approach to beat building in the production of dubstep is something which has, in recent times, caused the relevant sections of many independent record stores to become saturated with the latest releases from anyone who has seen the now infamous 'UKF Dubstep Tutorial' video. However, rather than resulting in mass disillusionment this means that it is even more rewarding when you successfully unearth a new producer with genuine promise, drive and originality. And so we come to Dark0; HEDMUK caught up with him to find out more about his approach to the music he makes, what influences him and what he can see on the horizon.

HEDMUK: To start with, what's your name, how old are you and where do you hail from?

Dark0: My name's Dark0, I'm 19 and I'm from Neasden in North London: born and raised.

H: When did you start producing music?

D: Always used to fuck about with Fruity Loops from when I was about 17 but never really got the hang of it. I was on it solid one day last year and made a beat that was pretty solid (well, I thought it was at the time) and I sent it out to my mate Ross (aka. DJ Roskoe) here in Birmingham and got it played on radio. Producing kicked off properly for me at the beginning of this year.

H: Would you say you're from a musical background, and had you previously been making other types of music?

D: I wouldn't say so, no. I used to fuck about with a guitar when I was younger but never got great at it like all my mates! Still though, I find I can be more creative using software. I'm currently trying to pull funds together and play more shows around Birmingham (where I'm located at the moment), so I can splash out on maybe getting Logic and a sweet keyboard. I like to think I'm a musical person naturally though (laughs). At first I tried to make something funky, I was proper into my funky at the time but since then I've developed my own sort of style and drifted into that darker side.

H: What or who was it that introduced you to dubstep, particularly the darker, deeper and more melodic style you appear to favour in your own productions?

D: I remember listening to Benga's Essential Mix at the beginning of '08, I ain't a veteran or whatever like people want to claim to be and shit. I remember hearing Benga's 'Assumptions' remix on that and thinking "yeah, this is live". It was my brother who put it on a little memory stick for me to take upto my army college (which I boarded at); I rinsed that mix like a 100 times. After that I started doing my research and got hold of Vaccine's mix from 2007: that was the vibe I wanted to do but with more of a physical edge. Beautiful stuff. Just needed a tiny bit more of a punch to make it border to what I wanted to do.

H: You seem to bear your influences strongly, which artists in particular have affected your approach to your music?

D: Like before Vaccine's mixes which had a lot of Scuba and Gravious tunes. Other than that, everytime I go and see Youngsta live I just absorb that vibe. He's different. That whole darkness thing is the one. I try to incorporate elements of ambience with that darkness. I'm working on some new deep stuff at the moment and am looking to get a digital EP released over the summer. Try and push the name further; get people to enjoy my music.

H: Is there anything else, where you live for instance, which has particularly influenced your sound?

D: Yeah for real, I used to check FWD>> religiously. Not any more though: its all fucked up. That place was like magic to me and my bredrins, just used to go there and stare at the DJ and watch them mix in awe. Used to go out of that place in a trance with all sorts of ideas. FWD>> was the one.

H: Which producers are currently interesting you or even inspiring you?

D: Have to go through my record bag for this one! I'd have to say Headhunter or Ramadanman at the moment. They are pushing some different sounds that I'm loving. Every set I play I rinse 'Humber' by Ramadanman. It's that minimal, euphoric tip that just blesses me in more than one sense of the word (laughs).


H: It's a question asked too often, but what is your view on the future of dubstep?

D: It can go many ways at the moment, I think. For me some people are deading it completely. I ain't gonna name drop, but most of it coming out on vinyl release and getting signed seems to be just a bunch of noise with a 140bpm beat behind it. The Autonomic boys are pushing that 'drumstep' (as I like to call it), 170bpm sound. I like that, it's sexy, but it ain't my thing. I'd like to see it re-route itself to where it was just pure; those old subby vibes that Loefah and Mala push: that's just banging.

H: Have you got anything coming up yourself (live dates, releases etc.) in the near future that you'd like to do some healthy plugging for?

D: Yeah I play about in Birmingham sometimes weekly in Rainbow. Nice little place. Good crowd that appreciates diverse types of dubstep. As for releases, I'm still in the process of mastering and finishing my EP, which I'll push in the summer. Getting a couple dubplates pressed too to get the full effect of my production. We'll see whatever gets offered my way too, I'm keen to play out. I enjoy it so much seeing people vibing in front of you to songs you've made/chosen to play: sick feeling. I've got a Facebook page and a Soundcloud too. Just looking to polish off my first year at Birmingham so I can concentrate on the music more.

H: Anything else you'd like to add?

D: Yeah just look out for me! I'll be about trust.

Free Download: Benga - Who Remembers?

After Skream's Soundcloud giveaway of 'Clap Your Hands' a few weeks back, it seems almost like too much good favour that this breaks-influenced banger from his partner in crime Benga should also be given away for free. A genuine highlight of Chef's mix for Tempa's Dubstep Allstars series , the tune is being given away as part of a series of promo releases leading up to the next Rinse & FWD>> at Matter.



Download: Benga - Who Remembers?

.Fukhed.

Free Download: Skream - Clap Your Hands

Yet another big tune from Skream, except this one comes with the (much appreciated) twist of not only actually getting a release, but also being absolutely free.

Clap Your Hands by SKREAMIZM

This also coincides with news of DJ Chef's plans to launch a website dedicated to pushing regular digital releases for cutting to dubs, burning to CDs or using with digital mixing equipment such as Serato. With the focus currently being placed on beats from Benga and Skream (with other similarly exclusive producers being alluded to), the project is, according to Chef, aimed simply at increasing the availability of the music to fans whilst also putting 'pence in pockets'. Whilst nothing has been said, it is arguable that this surprise move has been brought on by the theft of Skream's CDs towards the end of last month.