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.
There is, of recent, a renewed momentum within the Dubstep scene; more specifically, a new wave of producers, pushing the dark, brooding, sub-heavy sound that many would associate with the likes of Kryptic Minds, Cyrus, or Distance have come to the fore. This should not be mistaken for simple imitation, producers such as TMSV, Lurka, Killa & Instinct, J: Kenzo, Pressa, Thelem, Benton, Myrkur and Sleeper, are all making tunes of startling originality and quality. District's production, dank and bass-driven, fits comfortably with this crowd of beat makers gaining increased exposure. Following sustained support from the likes of Distance and more recently Youngsta, we caught up with District to discuss his influences, future projects and to get his take on the state of the scene. In addition, District has laid down a heavy mix, packed full of dubs, as part of our mix series. Enjoi:
HEDMUK: To introduce yourself to those who don't know you yet: what's your name, where are you from and how would you describe the beats you make?
District: Hi, my names Dan. I'm from Coventry, England and I produce beats under the alias 'District'. I'd describe the sound I aim for as dark and bass heavy.
H: Are you from a musical background or was it something you picked up yourself?
D: I've played guitar since I was about 9 years old, from the age of about 18 - 23 I was playing in bands, death metal, hardcore punk, that kind of stuff. Rad times....
D: I went to college about 5 years ago to learn how to record bands and stuff, I met sleeper on the same course and he showed some drum and bass he was making at the time on the same software we were using to record. I've been mucking around for a few years but only really started taking it a bit more seriously a year ago when I stopped playing in bands. '3.5 grams' was the first tune I finished that I was happy with and could be classed as dubstep.
H: Tell us a bit more about you relationship with Sleeper. Do you see yourself as a production duo or do you prefer to define yourselves individually?
D: As mentioned in the other answer I've known him for a little while. When I started getting a bit more confident with the sounds I was making he was the first person I sent anything to. We've been collaborating on a few different things for the last year or so, different tempos etc. I think we both have strengths as individual producers; he's been producing a lot longer than me so when we combine we try to play on each others different strengths. Even on individual tracks we send each over the tunes for feedback etc.
Oh, and playing Trials HD while one of us works on individual parts of the tune. It might seem a bit backward playing the Xbox while collaborating but switching off for 20 minutes or so while one person works on the track helps us keep the track fresh in the ears. If we were both hovering over the pc all day both our ears would get knackered.
H: Youngsta has been playing a few of your beats recently. What does it mean for you to have someone as influential as Yunx listening to and playing out your tunes?
D: Yeah it's big. Both of us are big fans of Youngsta and the sound he pushes. The exposure has definitely helped us out a lot and continues to do so. I'd have to credit Distance as well though for playing the beats out first, he found us and introduced our tunes on to Youngsta as well as a lot of other people.
H: Has any increased exposure helped develop your production? Any tips from other producers/DJ’s ?
D: For sure, the last few months in particular I think have been fruitful. Distance, Tunnidge, Cyrus and Youngsta have given Sleeper and Myself pointers. Not just from a production aspect either. Hopefully that’s visible on some of the newer tracks that feature on the mix. The learning curve keeps production interesting for me as well as a challenge. There's a definite science to producing this kind of music, I don’t mind admitting I still have a lot to learn.
H: There is a new generation of producers gaining increased exposure within the Dubstep scene with the likes of Lurka, Killa and Instinct, TMSV, J: Kenzo, Benton, Sleeper and yourself all leaving lasting impressions of recent. Do you feel there is a renewed energy? What does it mean for you to be part of it?
D: It’s awesome. Every single producer mentioned there has a distinct sound and character to their beats, and that’s important. Without speaking directly for the others, there seems to be a slight push against some of the music that’s been put forward as dubstep over the last couple of years as its popularity has increased. I wouldn't want to discredit anybody else’s work or say it’s not dubstep. Right now it’s about being positive about the sounds everyone is pushing, and focusing on that. Its sick how many different people have started to creep out over the last 18 months or so with the same attitudes and enthusiasm for the darker sounds.
H: Tell us a bit about the mix you’ve put together for us.
D: Well, it’s just the sort of tunes I feel as a producer I want to represent, there's a lot of stuff from myself and Sleeper as well as a few other producers. It’s not too far from what I’d play out in a club environment. Hopefully people will enjoy it and can hear where I'm coming from.
H: Finally, any news, future projects or releases in the pipe-line?
D: I've got a few things on the go, I’m in the middle of finishing off the first few collaborations of mine with sleeper, a four way thing with myself, Sleeper and Killa and Instinct that I’m looking forward to as well as individual tunes. Release-wise, there are some things in the pipeline but that’s all I’ve got to say at the moment on that subject...
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.
