A SIDES - Dogs On Acid

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DOA: Another year, another A Sides album. We've gotten a chance to listen through Mysterious Vibes, and love the multi-faceted sound you’re providing. Was there any particular theme or goal you had when working on this LP?

A Sides: I just wanted to present something that is a pleasure to listen to, something that represents the different genres of Drum & Bass and something that portrays where I'm at in life right now.

DOA: What inspired the title, Mysterious Vibes?

A Sides: The name Mysterious Vibes was inspired by a 70's Rare Groove track I love which is by a group called The Blackbyrds. A lot of my music is influenced by 70's era sounds, maybe because I was born in 1970, you can definitely hear this inspiration in tracks on the album such as "Temperature's Rising" or "Knowledge & Wisdom".

DOA: We've heard "Temperature's Rising" (with Fats) getting some love, and we here at DOA HQ are loving the rowdy bits, like "Vent" and "Concrete Combat". What are some of your personal favorites from Mysterious Vibes, and why?

Temperature's Rising Ft MC Fats (Clip) by djasides

A Sides: I love "Temperature's Rising" as it's a perfect example of the rough with the smooth which I love, plus I took Fats' vocals a step higher by having him work harmonies, something which he rarely does. I love the piano, always have since back in the day :)! "Ain't Nobody" is also a special track. It's emotional to me and inspired by a certain somebody :) I love the strings, the smooth bass, the piano (again) and the beats which all create real soulful, uplifting vibes. "Vent" is more on a deep tip for the 'Headz out there, if you listen close it's probably one of the more technical tracks on the album and has a lot going on in the beats, Lots of layers but without sounding too cluttered. "Knowledge & Wisdom" as it has a nice Funk feel to it which seems to be missing in a lot of tracks these days. It's another perfect example of working old influences into today's sounds. Lastly we have "Broken Jazz" which has a different time signature of 7/4, so I went to town on the edits and fees on that plus I had Mark de Clive-Lowe lay down some live keys as well which gave it an authentic Jazz feel.

Broken Jazz (Ft Mark de Clive-Lowe) Clip by djasides

DOA: Speaking of Fats, it'd be hard to deny that some of your more classic bits over the last decade have featured his vocals. What would you say it is about the dynamic between yourself and Fats that works so well?

A Sides: Myself and Fats have had a lot of experience working together in the studio and on stage. We always vibe well together and are very good friends. We both understand the music and like similar styles, plus I know how to work him in the studio. I can be a persistent fucker and can give him more shit in the studio than most people would dare :) A cattle prod works wonders :)

DOA: One of the bits that surprised us was "One Seven Five", which is a nice Hip-Hop-flavored bit. We've known you work on loads of bits, in varying BPMs, but do you have plans to explore/release more tunes of this ilk?

A Sides: Yeah that track surprised a lot of people. It is actually 175BPM but more spaced out, so it sounds like it's running on half speed. There's an arpeggio running in there which runs on a triplet as well, so if you mute the beat's it almost becomes around 130 BPM as you will hear at the end. People like DJ Craze and Hank Shocklee from Bomb Squad liked that track. To me it's just another angle :) I do a lot of alternative beats that people don't normally get to hear but they are mainly used for commercials & music library projects. Anyone interested can check out some of my more alternative beats on soundcloud.com/foodchainprojects, which is a collaboration I work on with Dutch Hip-Hop producer Mack DVD. We have a HipHop track with MC Fats on which sounds really good. Peep it here:

Whats wrong_Random & Fats by DvDBeatCompany

DOA: Were there any tracks on Mysterious Vibes that might have taken longer to nail down than others?

A Sides: I think the most time consuming tracks on the album were "Broken Jazz" and "Vent", because they both have a lot of layers, complex beats and drum edits which would probably go straight over most people's heads :) But I like to make sure the beats don't repeat themselves on certain tracks. It's a pain but it makes me feel good after :) Many producers will think this same way!

DOA: When is Mysterious Vibes set to drop? Do you have any plans for singles from it?

A Sides: The digital album will be available from 10th October from all good MP3 sites plus we will release a limited 12" through ST Holdings on the same day which will feature "Ain't Nobody" and "Temperature's Rising".

DOA: Many might remember your mix for the debut of the DOA/Serato Mix series. Seeing as you’re probably one of the more knowledgeable DJs when it comes to Serato products and such, are there any new products/improvement to the software that you know about and can clue the Serato enthusiasts about?

A Sides: Other than saying make sure you have the latest software which will have all the new features in I can say nothing as I am under an NDA with Serato :)

DOA: We saw that a number of the DJ Controller units are using Serato's "Itch" software. Have you used Itch before? If so, what are some pros/cons to utilizing Itch as opposed to their Scratch program?

A Sides: I always travel on tour with the Vestax VCI300. I do a lot of my radio broadcasts on it when I am on the road and I love it. I had one of the first units when they were released and have always needed it on my travels. The thing I love about Itch is that it's plug and play and more portable plus you have the option of several controllers, which is good, too. It's more universal and now they have released version 2 of the software you can have the layout look like Scratch Live plus it now has an on-board sample player, too. I really want to check out the new Novation Twitch and also the Numark NS6. I like the look of these units but for me playing in a club my preference is and will always be the Technics SL1200 turntable.

DOA: Have you gotten around to playing within the Scratch/Ableton environment we saw them working on?

A Sides: To be honest I don't think I will ever use that feature. Ableton is a good program but it's not my weapon of choice, I am a Logic man through and through when it comes to making music, so I will just keep my DJ sets strictly Scratch Live.

DOA: We've heard a lot of people critique the rise of digital mixing as hurting the DJ game. Would you say that their negative feelings towards programs like Serato are truly justified?

A Sides: I would disagree; whatever way you argue it, Serato can be used exactly the same way as a normal vinyl record, if that's your preference. Some benefits are no cue burn on tracks, lighter baggage for the traveling DJ, more music at your disposal and you don't have to buy two copies of each track either. If anything, I think it will make you a better DJ. You can only beat juggle or scratch so fast so I say bring it on. I think it gives DJing a new leash of life and will make your set more of a performance if you use the right tools ;) Take for instance someone like Jazzy Jeff, did he become a worse DJ when he started to play on Serato? No. I rest my case :) I will take my Serato to the grave!!!!

DOA: Speaking of DJing, will you be touring in support of Mysterious Vibes? Where can heads plan to see you live over the coming months?

A Sides: I'll be touring Europe from now until early November then in November I'll be hitting up South America and Latin America, then in December touring the USA and Canada with MC Fats. From Jan. to March you can catch me in New Zealand and Australia then back to London via WMC in Miami in late March. for further updates follow me on twitter (@djasides) or on Facebook.

DOA: Before we wrap this up, do you have any shouts or final thoughts for the DOA massive?

A Sides: I just want to give a shout out to everyone who continues to show love and support. Sacha, khal and all the DOA crew. Also to all at Serato and Rane HQ. Promoters, agents, artists, press, distro, industry and my family and friends worldwide - I love you all. Don't forget my new album Mysterious Vibes is out on 10/10/11 :) Peace :)

Now, as a special treat, we have a THREE HOUR MIX from A Sides, utitlizing Serato, taken from a recent gig at Budapest Jungle. It's a nice one – special 1993 – 2011 selection. He really went in, bringing in some golden-era Jungle bits right through to more recent stormers. Get your reminisce on!

Tracklist:

1. Kemistry - Goldie
2. Renegade Snares (Foul Play Remix) - Omni Trio
3. Black - Bangin Tunes 3
4. Terrorist - Ray Keith
5. Must Feel - Cool Hand Flex
6. Flammable (Cloud 9 Remix) - Johnny Jungle
7. Being With You - Foul Play
8. It's A Jazz Thing (Ladies Mix) - Roni SIze & DJ Die
9. Music Box - Roni SIze & DJ Die
10. Dub Plate - Ray Keith
11. Return To Atlantis - LTJ Bukem
12. Breakin Free - Slipmatt
13. Warp Drive - DJ Crystl
14. Space Funk - Digital
15. Watch Out - D'Cruze
16. Dark Stranger (Origin Unknown Remix) - Boogie Times Tribe
17. Dubplate (Original) - What's My Code
18. Hit Man - Marvelous Cain
19. Set Speed - DJ Krust
20. Remember The Roller - Dr S Gachet
21. Champion Sound - Q Project
22. Presha III - Studio Pressure
23. Babylon - Undercover Agent
24. Your Sound - J Majik
25. Jump MK II - Studio Pressure
26. Drone - Dom & Roland
27. Soul In Motion - DJ Krust
28. Metropolis - Adam F
29. Just A Vision - Marcus Intalex
30. Human Nature - Makoto & Specialist
31. Back 4 More - Influx Datum
32. Make It Tonight - Hi Contrast
33. Plastic Soul - Shy FX
34. Deep - Nu Tone
35. Piper - Johny L
36. Side Winder - Photek
37. Together - Logistics
38. Space Invaderz (J Majik Remix) - Hatiras
39. Mistical Dub - M.I.S.T
40. Bring It On - Keaton & Hive
41. Friday - Dillinja
42. Bloodshed - S.P.Y
43. Cutslo (Explicit Remix) - Ed Rush & Optical
44. Forms - C.A.B.L.E
45. Waterboard - Optiv
46. Garbage Man - Calibre
47. Some Things Never Change - Dj Lynx
48. Miryad - Fierce & Survival
49. Did You Forget - TC
50. Dreams Of Life & Death - dRamatic & dbAudio
51. Circles (dRamatic & dbAudio Remix) - Adam F
52. Return To The Atlantis (Marky & S.P.Y Remix) - LTJ Bukem
53. One DJ - A Sides
54. One DJ VIP - A Sides
55. Jelly & Ice Cream - DJ Die
56. Borderline - Fierce & S.P.Y
57. Real Badman - Evil Quest
58. Banther Herd - Drum Cypha
59. Rodigan - Mr Joseph
60. Patience VIP - Jubei
61. Innocent - Serum
62. Why They Wanna Keep Us Down - Serum & David Boomah
63. Touch Me - Cyantific
64. Special Dedication (Sigma Remix) - Top Cat
65. Waste Gash - Mutated Forms
66. Insecticide - Gridlok
67. Feedback - Fierce & Vicious Circle
68. Shake Down - Dub Phizix
69. Leviathan - NRanges & Uberman
70. Ugly Ducking - Calibre
71. Ultranova - Marky & S.P.Y
72. Clipper Man - Calibre
73. Temperature's Rising (FT MC Fats) - A Sides
74. Monster - Original SIn
75. Tap Ho - TC
76. Levels - Crystal Clear & Stapleton
77. Touching Cloth - Twisted Individual
78. Fortress (VIP Mix) - DBR
79. The Editor - Dub Phizix
80. Fury - Fierce & S.P.Y
81. Skylark - Vicious Circle & Nocturnal
82. Being With You (Digital Hunters & Insight Remix) - Foul Play
83. Epic - Mikal
84. I'll Be Gone (Ft David Boomah) – Acuna

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Words: khal