Featuring: Promise One

Though affiliated variously with the Deep Heads and Chord Marauders crews -
Geode, of the latter, in particular, having collaborated on releases for Innamind and now OpenEarz - Promise One still retains a strong sense of independence; moving, refreshingly, at his own pace and away from empty hype and shallow scene building. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it gives his music a sense independence and originality too.

There's a measured approach to his production, marrying the raw edge of a hip hop indebted, sample-based approach with the skintight, minimal rhythmic aesthetic of the proto-dubstep sound peddled by the likes of El-B and Zed Bias. The resultant space is where the groove or, as is becoming a more regular occurrence, vocalist lurks. With the news that Syte is relaunching his OpenEarz imprint with three of Promise One's finest, we caught up with the man behind the monitors for some words and a new mix to add to the series.

Hedmuk: By way of introduction, what's your name, where do you come from, and how would you describe your sound?

Promise One: Hey I'm Nick, I grew up around North Yorkshire and currently live in London. My sound tends to come from the garage roots of dubstep, I guess: rolling tunes around 140. Prefer to let the music speak really, but that's probably a cliché now...

H: When did you first get into making beats? Have you always been involved in writing music, or has Promise One been your first foray?

PO: I started out on Reason, having been introduced to it by a friend; that was about 10 years ago. I work on [Ableton] Live now and used to make instrumental hip hop/breaks stuff under the name Defiant Kinetics - always been a fan of sampling from that respect. I play the drums, started that a little before I got into making beats and have always played in 3 piece bands for some reason, probably just because it's less complicated!

H: There's a skip and swing to your drums that feels reminiscent of garage's period of development into dubstep's early sound - is this somewhere you find yourself taking influence from, or are there other places you feel you draw more from rhythmically? 

PO: I think that era was always really interesting to me, so I'm sure its an influence. I like offbeats and swing, rim shots and all of that El-B and Horsepower goodness. Drumming certainly helps, sometimes I play bits in with an MPD and sometimes I just use a mouse, it depends on the tune.

H: You've got a few releases under your belt already, but your next will be your first on vinyl. When did you first get involved with Syte, and how did the idea of resurrecting the OpenEarz imprint come about? How important is it to you to be putting out music on a physical format?

PO: Jim (Syte) had been planning a re-launch for some time and brought up some ideas to get me involved with a release around the same time I was finishing up the collab with Sparkz. I played him the final version and then we agreed with George (Geode) that 'Chroma' would sit well on the flip side and that was it! I'm really happy about putting out music on vinyl, it's been a goal of mine for a while. Records will never go away, I don't ever see a replacement format coming, so it's the best we have. The HD DVD was the successor to CD but the MP3 took the lead: we've gone backwards, if anything. I've cut most of my earlier tunes to dubplate as I love the process, but it is expensive. I collect and buy vinyl because it's important to me to have physical records. There is an element of quality control which isn't really a consideration in digital, but I don't play vinyl out due to dub cutting costs and a lack of [vinyl] support from most clubs.



H: With the lead track from the forthcoming OpenEarz release and your recent MIK bootleg, you're showing a real knack for working with vocals. Is this something you've always experimented with, or discovered more recently? Can we expect to see more work with vocalists from you in the future?

PO: Coming from a hip hop background I've always been into vocals, but equally I appreciate the instrumental side of the genre. The first tune I ever made with a vocalist was called 'Technicolour', with a guy called Kid Kareem, under Defiant Kinetics. I never really understood grime for a while but some of it is quite interesting to me, especially rhythmically. I wanted to make a track with a grime vocal but which didn't sound like a grime tune, and one that was a bit playful; that's how the MIK tune came about. I haven't got any specific plans to do more vocal stuff at the moment but no doubt something will come along soon.

H: Take us through how you approached the mix you've done for us.

PO: I wanted to play tracks from producers I'm feeling, and also to represent OpenEarz. I'd say it starts off at a comfortable pace and builds up to darker more intense ending - I think there is still a lot of good, interesting music being made around 140. It's great that producers are going in different directions but I'm not seeing any reason to change from around this area, it just naturally resonates with me.

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

I seem to be playing more DJ sets at the moment so that is taking up more of my time, which is fun. I suppose I consider myself more a producer than a DJ, though. I need to get back on the beats, it takes me a long time to come up with a finished idea; I'm not one of these people who writes three tracks a week: it's more like one tune every couple of months! The 'See We Roll EP' is forthcoming on OpenEarz on vinyl and digital formats (with 'Ghost Note' as a digi exclusive) and should be available mid-to-end of February.


Download: Promise One - Hedmuk Exclusive Mix


Tracklist:

Indigo - Premonition [EARZ002]
Gunston - Danger Again [Dub]
Lefty - Wise Guy [Dub]
Lack - 432 [Dub]
Congi & Geode - Flow One [Forthcoming Chord Marauders]
Piezo - Antelope Swing [Dub]
Promise One & Geode - Chroma [Forthcoming EARZ004]
Ago - Backlash [Dub]
Baitface - Disrobe [Dub]
D-Operation Drop - Justice [Dub]
Promise One - Ghost Note [Forthcoming EARZ004]
Subreachers - Spitfire [Dub]
Promise One - See We Roll (feat. Sparkz) [Forthcoming EARZ004]
Elemental - Spring Dub [RUNTIMECD001]
Promise One - M.I. [Dub]
Clearlight - No Rules [Dub]
Argo, Karnage & MarkIV - Unforeseen [Dub]
Mikael - Blessed [Dub]
Nanobyte - Impartial [Dub]
Sub Basics - Untitles [Dub]
Facta - Poliwhirl [Dub]

Promise One - HEDMUK Exclusive Mix by Hedmuk on Mixcloud

W.

Free Download: Geode - Pistachio

Not unlike Anti-Social Crew's melodic offshoots from the dank beats pioneered at early FWD>> and DMZ nights, the saturation of dubstep with dark, lurching halfstep over the last couple of years has in turn seen a response from producers seeking to inject some added melody and groove into the genre. Geode, along with his Chord Marauders cohort and the likes of Phaeleh, Jack Sparrow and Ruckspin - among others, of course - speaks of clarity, restraint, momentum and in his music combines a love of expressive jazz notation with those most exciting moments when modern day genres, like garage and drum & bass, begin to push out into new ground and establish their own movements. With the aforementioned Chord Marauders' second compilation fresh on the virtual shelves, and an appearance from Geode on this site long overdue, we caught up with him for a chat - and he decided to throw in a free download too, which happens to be, for our money, one of the best beats he's produced yet. Lucky us/you.

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

Geode: My name's George Harris, raised in Herefordshire but based in London, and I would describe my sound as beats with momentum, punctuated by cluster chords.

H: Plenty of people will have first come across your name through the Vie EP, released earlier this year on Innamind: how did you first get involved with the label? Should we expect to see more from you on Innamind in the near future?

G: Innamind was one of about three labels that I had earmarked for potential releases towards the end of last year. I sent Jeremy (Innamind boss) a quick message with downloadable copies of some WAVs and he got back to me positively. Since he was moving to London from New Zealand, we linked shortly after - I believe at a FWD night - and decided to push on with an EP from there. Unfortunately I don't have anything planned on Innamind at the moment, but I'd definitely like to release with them again at some point. Jez runs a tight ship and it's the first place I'd go with any of my darker material.



H: Since then you've released twice with Smokin' Sessions; do you feel like you've found a good space for your music with the label? How important do you feel it is to be well-represented by the labels you release on and by the rosters and sounds that they are defined by?

G: Yup. I think Zeb Samuels (Smokin' Sessions/Deep Heads boss) has created a very successful platform which has propelled many melodically-minded producers; the history and artist roster of Smokin' Sessions was an important factor in signing with them as well. I have enjoyed working with the label because it's meant I can freely explore my deeper and jazzier sounds. There's no real attention to what the label is defined by, in fact it's quite anti-hype and I think a lot of the output defies easy definition. I like music that way, not too self-aware or self-referencing.

H: You're also a founding member of the Chord Marauders collective/label. Tell us a little more about the project: what was it that first set it in motion? Who exactly is involved, and what would say are the principles that tie you all together as a group?  And with the Groove Booty compilations and B9's solo album already delivered - what else have you got planned for Chord Marauders?

G: The Chord Marauders comprises myself, Congi, B9 & Jafu. We wanted to create a platform to release our own music, feature upcoming artists we're feeling and engage with the people who go out of their way to buy our music. The principles that tie us together would probably be mutual respect, not taking it too seriously, and plenty of fresh ideas.

As you mention, Groove Booty II  has just dropped and has been well received. Next up is Congi's album; currently being finalised and coming out early 2014 at the usual place. Myself and Jafu are due a solo project each next year and we'll also be moving into physical releases if all goes to plan. Going forward we'll be continuing with the compilations, although perhaps annually rather than biannually as the inevitable admin can distract from creativity a little. And we're also in the process of organising a night in London, more info on that to come via our Facebook page.



H: It's unsurprising that you'd be involved like this in something which appears to be album-led since your own repertoire - swinging all the way from dubstep, to drum & bass, and back down to house - is so comfortable in its variety. There appears to be a jazz influence floating through your chords and incidental drums, but what would you say are your musical touchstones? Are these things you were exposed to whilst growing up or was music something you discovered for yourself?

G: A bit of both I suppose. There was always weird and wonderful music playing in the house growing up, DJ Kicks: Nightmares on Wax being the CD I am most nostalgic about. My focus on jazz notation is definitely inherited; I find myself glazing over to any music with ballad chords, I guess that kind of reaction requires a certain amount of parental conditioning.

But I think my focus on drums & percussion probably comes from my early years as a producer, learning FruityLoops inside out, mashing up jungle breaks and bulking them up. I have about 200 tracks of mad Amens, quirky melodies and subs: they're all poorly produced but they familiarised the shuffles, percussive licks and momentum I try to build into my music now. Like many artists of this generation it was drum & bass that gave me the production bug, tunes like 'Metropolis' by Adam F, Photek's 'Consciousness' and 'Flute Tune' by Hidden Agenda.

It's funny, the only music I didn't ever really listen to until recently was dubstep, but I find music at 140bpm with the snare on the 3rd beat the most liberating for my own projects, the perfect balance of speed and space. The stuff that grabs me is the steppier, garage elements of the scene – Cluekid, Congi, early Martyn, Circula, Promise One, K-LONE.

Sometimes I need to go on a complete tangent stylistically and genre-wise to keep my interest flowing, which is why you'll hear me posting house and drum and bass tunes from time to time. I don't really get that casual genre snobbery that floats around on VICE articles because I'm always striving for that unspoken soul and style that ties producers of different brackets (Medlar, Robert Glasper, DjRum, B9 & Jafu, Melodiesinfonie, Detroit Swindle, J-One, Harry Love or MJ Cole) together. Imagine if DjRum made a tune at 140, Jafu made an instrumental piece or Robert Glasper got on some garage...they'd still have dem feels.



H: Finally, can you tell us about the track you're giving away here, and whether there are any forthcomings or anything else in the pipeline that people should be keeping an eye for.

G: I chose 'Pistachio' because it's a strange tune that doesn't fit with much of my other stuff. I thought the miscreant Hedmuk readership would appreciate it anyways! Release-wise, there are some bits and pieces planned for Chord Marauders and Deep Heads, along with collaborative vinyl releases with Promise One and D-Operation Drop. Keep an eye on SOULECTION as well.

Big up, and thanks for the questions, Will.


Download: Geode - Pistachio [WAV]
                       Geode - Pistachio [320kbps mp3]




W.

Competition: Win a signed test press of Thelem - Bring Me Down (feat. T-Man) / False Imprint [IMRV007]

Innamind continue to cement their position as one of the most consistent and progressive labels within dubstep on this, the seventh vinyl release from the label. Enlisting new signee Thelem, following up his latest 12" for Osiris Music, the lead cut welcomes a second new face in the form of Manchester MC T-Man, whose blistering vocal brings a cocksure swagger to Thelem's low-swung halfstep instrumental. Having already proved himself on beats for Dub Phizix, and with a Wayfarer & Kanjira collaboration brewing too, it'd be difficult to disagree when he says he's 'one of the best on road at the moment.' The B-side sees Thelem in a more meditative mood: tight-looped, revolving synths, blips and whirls skirting in-between heavy-tread drums.

This release also marks the first video outing for the label, which is premiering here on Hedmuk. To mark the occasion, we're switching up the usual 'Like & Share' formula to involve the release's visual accompaniment: to enter for the chance to win a signed test press of the record, simply follow the link below to the Hedmuk Facebook Page and repost the official video by clicking 'Share'.

Enter here: https://www.facebook.com/Hedmuk.BassMusic/posts/10153354552610319

The competition will close one week from today, on Tuesday the 15th of October 2013, on which date a winner will be chosen at random by an independent third party and announced via Facebook and Twitter.



Thelem - Bring Me Down (feat. T-Man) / False Imprint [IMRV007] will be released on 28/10/13, on 10" vinyl and digital, and is available to pre-order from the Innamind Surus store now.

W.

Review: Gantz - Enso / Siyam [IMRV003]

Longtime, or even more recent, Hedmuk followers will no doubt be aware of our support for one of the continent's finest musical exports, Gantz. Those same followers will also be aware of our long-running support of Kiwi-born label Innamind Recordings, and so to see Gantz taking the reins for the imprint's third vinyl release serves as something of an ideal marriage of the two forces.

Following heavyweight efforts from Perverse and Catacombs, IMRV003 sees Gantz' characteristic experimental streak being drawn through the series' 140 template. 'Enso' is hypnotic, with a pulsing low-end and bongos rolling intermittently between cut up, decaying vocals. On the flipside 'Siyam' nods, with its intro's nostalgic synths and Bez-like shakers, to a bygone rave aesthetic before dropping into a sub workout and dragging the track straight into 21st century uncertainty with complex percs and eery atmospherics. This release undoubtedly marks a newfound confidence to Gantz' sound, and can only indicate more exciting things for the coming year.


Gantz - Enso / Siyam [IMRV003] is set for release on the 4th of February.







W.

Free Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time: The Remixes [Innamind 1 Year Anniversary]

When Innamind Recordings boss Jeremy announced that the label was due to celebrate its one year anniversary this December it served as a sharp reminder as to just how far the imprint has come, and how quickly: Innamind has, over twelve rapid months, become a tight and efficient machine, pushing out quality material on a regular and consistent basis without having to sacrifice anything of quality or artistic value to meet its own mechanistic specifications. Quality is an important word here too, as while many labels would struggle to put out releases at a rate of almost one a month and still maintain the close attention to detail and upfront A&R work required to ensure that everything hitting the shelves - be they virtual or not - the Innamind tag has become, in a way, its own seal of approval.

When speaking to DJ Thinking about the origins of his labels Black Box and Box Clever, he couldn't stress enough the importance of a new label establishing its own identity in order to put its own stamp on the scene; and it seems fitting that Innamind's stamp-like artwork has become, over the last year, symbolic of the label's development into something which has developed and almost grown into its own striking, and reliable, identity. And with the recent announcement of a third vinyl release dropping in January, this time with with the inimitable Gantz at the helm, it seems that this strong run is set to continue apace.

To celebrate this first milestone, as seems fitting, we've linked up with the minds behind Innamind once more to deliver a selection of free music which shows off just a slice of some of the talent that the label plays host to. Taking a standout track from Nanobyte's debut release on the label, and putting it in the hands of Gantz, Anex, Occult, Dubtek and Congi to take on remix duties, the results are as varied an pleasing as you'd expect.


Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time (Gantz Remix)

Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time (Occult's After Dark Remix)

Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time (Dubtek Remix)

Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time (Anex's Push Up Ya Lighters Remix)

Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time (Congi Remix)


Download: Nanobyte - Lost Time: The Remixes [.zip]


Preacha.