DJ KRUST - Dogs On Acid

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DOA: Seems like I run into you for an interview yearly! It was around this time last year that we spoke about your departure from Full Cycle and the emergence of Rebel Instinct. We haven't heard any news of Rebel Instinct releases – what's the story on your label? Any info you can divulge?

Krust: The label is coming together slowly but surely. I'm putting together a compilation of the type of stuff that will be on the label; it's going to be a mixture of music. I'm still working on my band project, The Rules, and the first single will be on the label.

DOA: Are you working on any new DnB material?

Krust: I just finished a new 12" for the label. It will hit the streets very soon, just getting the mix right. Right now, I'm having fun in the studio making music. Some down-tempo, [some] off-key, some Jungle, some band stuff. I think it's an exciting time again for music, just like the late 80s/early 90s. No one really knows what's going on, so everybody is just doing their thing - any thing can happen, and does.

DOA: Word last year was that there were plans for an album from your band, The Rules. What's the situation with them? Do you have any audio up that the massive can hear?

Krust: The band project is going very well. I wanted to get a track out this year, and we still might. As far as the album is concerned, we are almost done. We have a few gigs lined up for later on this year and we start rehearsing in the next few weeks. Everything is looking good; the response is very positive. We should have The Rules website up and running very soon. There, people will be able to hear the tracks, see pictures, comment on stuff and get a chance to do there own remixes.

DOA: Outside of your crew and the artists you're working with, who else are you feeling, musically?

Krust: On the music front, I'm checking out everything. I think the music right now is as good as its every been. There's so much out there: new Wu-Tang, Kasabian, Queens of The Stone Age, Portishead, Massive Attack, Tricky, Santigold, Bloc Party, Teenagers in Tokyo, TV On The Radio, The Fouls and Friendly Fire. I’m feeling the Madlib BTS Radio vibes. And I like what Benga and Joker are doing. And I like what dBridge and Instr:mental are up to.

DOA: Are you still in good contact with guys like Roni Size and Die? Are there any possibilities of you guys collaborating on music in the future?

Krust: Haven't seen the guys much I live in London now, [although] I didn't really see much of them when I lived in Bristol; we're the type of people who live in the studio. But I am doing some gigs with Die; we're off to Japan in November.

DOA: Where do you see the sound of Drum & Bass going in the next couple of years? What are some of your favorite tunes from 2009?

Krust: I think when your dealing with an underground music, it can go anywhere. I think it's up to the people making it [to decide] as to where it's heading. As for me, everything I do is influenced from Jungle so anything I do, you will hear a bit of Jungle in there. To me, it's about pushing the music to wherever it wants to go. Keeping the name almost limits you, if you just call it "music", your scope is much bigger and you will try different combinations - that is how Jungle started, and [is] what the word means to me. Keep trying new things and see what happens.

DOA: There's been some chatter as of late about a sort of resurgence of producers focusing on "minimal" sounds within the DnB realm (ala the recent sets Loxy has been championing on his podcasts). What is your feeling about that take on Drum & Bass?

Krust: I think its good that artists try new things - the music will and has always been open to this. To find what’s next, we will have to keep opening new doors and having a look at what's behind it. I think we still have a billion options, we're all trying to find the key to open the magic lock. It's out there, we just got to keep on digging.

DOA: Where do you see your legacy within the scene – what's been your definitive contribution to DnB?

Krust: I think what I've brought to this scene is the abstract, the epic movie vibe. The larger than life song. What I tried to do was have my own vision on sound and texture and to think about how the two could meet and create a new dimension. For me, it's all about the journey. Take people where they have never been. Let the mind wonder "what's it like over there? What would happen if I do this?"; my take on it is very simple: if, when I'm making music, I think "what the fuck is this and where is this going", then I'm on the right track. It's important to not know where you're going. If you keep doing the same thing, you're always going to keep getting the same thing. In music, you want to push the boundaries and you can only do that by getting lost.

DOA: You were gracious enough to hit DOA off with a mix. What can the massive expect from this journey?

Krust: The mix is a summer vibe, some tracks that I'm feeling right now. I'm enjoying DJing at the moment, and there is a lot of music out there - this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm doing an alternative mixtape soon, so watch out for that.

DOA: What have you been doing lately to unwind? We know you're a deep thinker - what are some of the more recent debates or conversations that you've been having lately?

Krust: I don't really switch-off, although I do need a break now. I read a lot of books on spirituality, consciousness, innovation and creativity. I love technology, movies, and short stories. Also, I've set up a new company called ILS (Intuitive Learning Systems). It's for coaching and training people in creativity. I've been doing workshops and one-to-ones over the summer with the DJ Academy run by Lady MC. The sessions have been going really well, and that's been a good change to what I normally do. For me, right now it's about creating a community of like-minded people. Creating a new company that can cater for all types of creative people, and an outlet for people who what to develop themselves.

DOA: Where can we catch you on the decks LIVE in the near future?

Krust: I'm playing around the UK and Europe, Japan. The band will be doing dates in December, January and touring next year.

DOA: Do you have any shoutouts or final thoughts before we get into your mix?

Krust: Final thoughts: I've always thought this music had unlimited potential, and that it could go anywhere. My intention is to take what I've learned and create something new with it, build a community of like minds. And not just people in music, but bring people together from a social point of view. In the 60s, people used music to create, change and champion causes. We need to see that kind of spirit again in music. We are the change we want to see, and nobody can give that to you, you have to take it - you have to stand up for what is right and make yourself count. This is a great time for change and an opportunity to contribute to the planet. Ask not what the planet can do for you, but what you can do for the planet. Thank you.

And now, without further adieu, we bring to you Krust's summer vibe-laced Dogs On Acid mix! Throw this on, grab a strong drink, and recreate those Summer memories!

Oh, and we started the tracklist – care to fill in the blanks? =)

Tracklist:

01. ?
02. Die & Break - Get Some (ClearSkyz)
03. Total Science & SPY ft. Riya - Testimony (ClearSkyz)
04. Heist - Don't Hold Back (Full Cycle)
05. ?
06. Serum - Go For Yours (Liquid V)
07. Fresh - Heavyweight (Digital Soundboy)
08. ?
09. ?
10. DJ Die & DJ Suv - War & Peace (V Recordings)
11. ?
12. ?
13. SpectraSoul ft. Kenny Knotts - 4 Points (Metalheadz)
14. Vicious Circle - Havana (Digital Soundboy)
15. ?
16. ?

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