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SUBFLO & QUESTIONMARK
DOA: We want to first thank you guys for dropping a sick mix and sitting down with us for this interview. How did you guys first get into Drum & Bass, and how did that initial spark turn into MCing, DJing and production?
Subflo: I was really into the Hip-Hop thing in the late 1980s, doing a lot of MCing, some DJing and a little early production work. By the turn of the 1990s, the House bug had bitten me and I delved deeply into LA's emerging underground scene, where the dominant soundtrack was comprised mostly of early Techno and House music. I continued with 4/4 music until about 1995, at which time the sounds of Jungle and Drum & Bass really took hold in Los Angeles. Some friends of mine got deep into the new scene that emerged and I started going to a lot of jungle parties with them around that year. By the end of 1995, I had pretty much been totally converted to more breakbeat-driven sound of Jungle and that was that; I�ve been hooked ever since and am now coming up on 15 years of doing the DnB thing.
Questionmark: For me, the whole Jungle thing started with the legendary Sunday Roast parties that took place in the early 1990s. MCs like Moose and Five-O held it down at Sunday Roast on a regular basis and they were the first ones to really turn me onto the more reggae-influenced, soundsystem-style of lyricism and rhyming. Shortly after that, I picked up the mic myself and started toasting over friends DJ sets; since then I've hosted for nearly every name in the genre and still get out to do my thing every week!
DOA: Now, when heads speak on the LA DnB scene, both of your names are mentioned effortlessly. What is it about the LA DnB scene that sets it apart from other, larger scenes within the States?
 Subflo: There are a few factors that really set Los Angeles apart from the rest of the United States when it comes to Jungle/DnB, or any form of underground dance music for that matter. The constant stream of talent has really kept the scene here vibrant and energetic; where most other cities have lulls in the amount of shows being booked and the amount of headliners coming through, LA has never really taken a break since it started going strong some 15 years ago. Los Angeles is known as a party city on an International level and that holds true on the ground, people here love to go out and, more importantly, most people don't settle for having music simply serve as backdrop to their night. Music is a really important part of life in the city, and we're very lucky to have a large and constantly growing community that loves getting down to Drum & Bass. I do have to admit, we are a bit spoiled with the amount of talent that tours through Los Angeles on a constant basis, but I don�t think anybody wants to see that change. Another big factor in the size of the Los Angeles scene is how serious all the promoters are about giving people a good show worth paying for: LA is blessed with a large group of people who take no compromises when it comes to finding top-notch venues, packing them full of proper sound systems, and stacking the lineups with great talent from both here and abroad.
Questionmark: The Los Angeles crowd can be tough at times, but it just makes myself and the rest of the local artists work that much harder to give them a quality night of music. The audiences also tend to know their DnB on a much deeper level than other American cities, from the diehard heads who are out every week to the occasional attendee who tends to just come out when an artist who is well known for a particular sound comes through. It makes it a lot more fun to perform when the audience knows the tunes and really get into the music, especially at the big events when there's thousands of people in front of the stage going crazy.
DOA: Subflo - throughout your career, you've opened up for some of the biggest names within the scene, and rinsed alongside the toughest MCs in the business, present company included. Is there one particular night that truly stands out to you as the best event you�ve played? Can you tell us about it?
Subflo: Before I mention the stand-out night, I have to say that the most consistently memorable sets for me were at Funktion Wednesdays, a weekly event held by Bassrush that originally ran at a Hollywood club called Vanguard. The club has a massive Funktion One Sound System that is easily the best club system I've ever played on. At the height of the weekly, nearly 2,000 people were coming out on a Wednesday night for Drum & Bass, which is something that is basically unheard of in the United States. As for one specific gig, it would have to be a birthday set I played alongside Kenny Ken and Shy FX. Kenny has really helped me out along the way, helping to guide my career and releasing my tunes on his labels, so playing with him was a real honor.
Questionmark: The most memorable one for me would have to be opening for the Full Cycle camp in Los Angeles back in the day. I performed alongside an old school cat named Raymond Roker who went on to found URB Magazine, one of the biggest stateside media outlets for dance and urban music.
 DOA: Questionmark, you were originally born in England, right? In hindsight, is there anything that you brought ''across the pond'' that helps your craft today? Do you think your roots might somehow give you a leg up on some of the other MCs who are around?
Questionmark: Toasting and the whole sound system culture was a very big influence on me growing up, I was raised in an area where there were a lot of sound system parties and the ragga thing was introduced to me pretty early on. Aside from New York City in the 70s and early 80s, that part of the culture never really took hold in America. A lot of the stateside MCs don't really approach the mic with the same ragga / toasting / sound system influence I do.
DOA: What do you guys think about the oft-spoken idea that somehow American Drum & Bass is inferior to DnB from the UK and other regions of the world? Who do you guys see as some of the leaders within the DnB scene who are from the US?
Subflo: I think this was true back in the day, before the Internet and cheap production software leveled the playing field to a certain degree. On a global level, artists from all types of countries are making a big impact and the US is no different. Another big factor is that nearly everybody has access to the same mastering and cutting houses these days, so that extra amount of polish most UK artists enjoyed can now be leveraged by the rest of the world. For LA artists, Hive has always been someone a lot of people look up to, from his Devious Methods album in the 90s up to the brand new Salvation LP on Violence Recordings. Another local artist making some great tunes is Infiltrata, and two rising names to keep an eye on are Heavy Hittahz and Dub Peddler.
Questionmark: I definitely agree with Subflo on this one, I'd also like to mention that, in addition to the artists mentioned above, AK1200 and Gridlok are some of the guys stepping up their game and proving they can hold their own with the big UK dogs. Plus, they both do a great job of nurturing and spotlighting rising artists in the United States.
DOA: Now Questionmark, another thing people seem to harp on are MCs within live sets. Many heads are put off by MCs in general, primarily those who seem to not know the tunes they are rhyming over, or when to let a track breathe. What is your take on those issues? How should an MC approach a set? Is that something that can be taught, or would you say its more of a thing that is based on feeling?
Questionmark: I say it's a feeling more than anything else, you've got to be able to count the beats and stay on phrase with the music, but MCs also need to understand that they are there to complement the DJ and not the other way around. That's why my style is primarily that of a toaster, not a rapper.
Subflo: MCs are cool, and in the right setting they definitely add something to the music. However, a lot of times they need to step back and let the music breathe a bit; lots of MCs really overdo it these days and that's why I like Questionmark. He is listening to the tunes as well as MCing so u can hear the beats play and when it's necessary, he comes in at the right time and the right way, not overpowering the music. He becomes a part of it instead of trying to go over it.
DOA: Subflo, you've dabbled in production for a bit, and a syou mentioned before, you've had tunes drop on Kenny Ken's Mix 'N Blen, among other labels. Do you have any tracks you're working on/planning on getting put out in the near future? What kind of equipment do you use to produce?
Subflo: Yes! I just had a tune drop on Silver's label and I've been in the studio trying to get a label off the ground. It�s going to be more of a bootleg thing at first with popular remixes geared towards the dancefloor, but there will probably be a more official imprint coming after that project gets going. I've been doing a lot of production work for local Rap and Hip-Hop outfits and I've also been spending a good amount of time in the studio with the Heavy Hittahz. As for production techniques, like most people I have made the move to writing the majority of my music on the computer (on a Mac, running Logic), but I still keep some hardware around for that warmer sound. My main piece of outboard kit would definitely be the Akai MPC3000; it really adds something special to drums and virtually all my percussion parts have been processed through it at some point in the songwriting process.
DOA: One of the more recent events in the California area is the latest edition of the Nocturnal Festival. Both of you took part in their massive DnB area. What do events like this say about our scene? What set, aside from your own, would be a personal highlight from that night?
Subflo: Nocturnal was a great success this year. After taking a break last year from the venue where Nocturnal is traditionally held, the promoters decided to return to the original venue and really went all out with the sound, lighting, and decorations for the event. It was a great show, nearly 30,000 people were in attendance and that number definitely points to the fact that these big events in Southern California are continuing to grow. As for my personal highlight of the night, the set from Alix Perez was awesome. It was his first time performing in Los Angeles, and everybody was really into what he was doing. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of him here in the near future.
DOA: Questionmark, you've played in many venues around the country, as well as outside of America. Aside from the LA scene, is there any city or club in particular that you love to perform at? Why?
Questionmark: Outside of Los Angeles, Miami is always a fun city to perform in, especially during the Winter Music Conference. Outside of the US (somewhat), San Juan has a great scene and the vibe at the events there is unbeatable.
Subflo: I always have fun when I get the opportunity to perform at Movement in the UK, but Los Angeles really is where it�s at for me. Despite all my travels, I still love playing for the home crowd. Recently, the ''I Love LA'' parties have been a great time; it's basically a day-time event packed with all the local DJs playing DnB, Dubstep and other like-minded genres. It definitely has a great old school, backyard party kind of vibe to it. Of course, Bassrush will also be home to me, I don't think anybody can come close to the kinds of shows they put on when speaking about the amount of talent they book, the venues they use and the production they bring. They're also really good about taking care of both headliners and us residents, making sure everybody is happy and everyone has a good time performing.
DOA: Subflo, can we get a current top 10 of tunes that you are absolutely rinsing right about now?
Subflo:
01. Crissy Criss ''Skank Out''
02. Silver & Subflo ''Worries''
03. Original Sin ''D For Danger''
04. Clipz ''Loud & Dirty''
05. Distorted Minds ''Ghost Town''
06. Subflo & Heavy Hittahz ''Can U Work With That''
07. Interface ''It's A Pity''
08. Shy FX ''Bambatta (Break Remix)''
09. Roni Size ''It's Jazzy (Nu:Tone Remix)''
10. SS & Hotwire ''Jancrow''
DOA: Let's get a little personal with FIVE QUESTIONS:
a) What is your favorite sport?
Football (English) Basketball (Go Lakers baby!)
b) Obama or McCain?
Why neither
c) Do you have any favorite cartoons from your childhood?
Thunder Cats Battle Of the Planets / Robotech
d) What's your favorite alcoholic drink?
Jack and Coke! 2 of them please! Or Ray and Nephew, but it's hard to get over here.
e) What's the last movie you saw?
Ironman (Tony Starks baby!) Hancock
DOA: What's going on for the rest of 2008 for the both of you? How will 2009 be different from 2008 for you guys?
Subflo: 2008 seems to be ending strong for me with lots of shows lined up until the new year. I'm also doing an FM radio show in LA called Radio Bomb every other Friday on KPFK 90.7FM; it's a ton of fun and has definitely got me hooked to do more broadcast work. As for 2009, I'm looking forward to spending more time in the studio and trying to get my label off the ground!
Questionmark: For 2008, I'm looking forward to a lot of gigs lined up and for 2009 I'm hoping to spend more time in the studio honing my production skills.
DOA: Do you have any advice or tips for budding DJs/producers/MCs who are trying to get in the game?
Subflo: Keep at it, stay hungry, record promo mixes, try to play out as much as possible, and enjoy it!
Questionmark: As for MCs, connect with a local DnB DJ who is willing to work with you and get your skills up working together. Understand that you do not need to MC over every track a DJ plays, and finally, enunciate!
DOA: Thanks for taking the time out - we really appreciate this!
And now, we bring to you an exclusive mix from Subflo, with MC Questionmark hosting!
Tracklist:
quote:
Subflo & Heavy Hittahz ''Can U Work With That (Remix)'' (Rum Runnerz Dub)
Subfocus ''Time Warp'' (Ram)
Zen ''In Full Effect'' (Flipmode Audio)
Clipz ''Loud & Dirty'' (Audio Zoo)
Distorted Minds ''Ghost Town'' (DSR Dub)
Taxman ''The Circle'' (Ganja)
Interface ''It's A Pity'' (Dub)
DJ Hazard ''Skankers'' (Frontline)
Roni Size ''It's Jazzy (Nu:Tone Remix)'' (V)
Jaydan ''Iron Fist'' (2nd City)
Dub Peddler ''Hit The Deck'' (Dub)
DJ Sly ''You've Got A Nerve'' (Low Down Deep)
DJ Levela ''Minimal Fuss'' (Radical Beats)
Bassface Sacha & The Force ''International Sound'' (Stereotype)
Original Sin ''Ohm'' (Ganja)
Zen ''Jah Colours (Remix)'' (Low Down Deep)
Visionary ''Run For Your Life VIP'' (One Point)
Crissy Criss ''Us'' (Mix & Blen')
TC ''Driver'' (Bootcamp)
Crytical Dub ''Don't Understand (Remix)'' (Co-Lab)
Silver & Subflow ''Worries (Remix)'' (Rmx 003)
DJ Hazard & Distorted Minds ''Mr. Happy'' (Playaz)
DJ Sly ''�Code Of The Samurai''� (Dub)
DJ Panik ''Dread Or Alive (Taxman Remix)'' (Dub Science)
Clipz ''Offline'' (Audio Zoo)
Jaydan ''What U Want'' (Smokers Riddim)
Distorted Minds ''Don't Hold Back (Remix)'' (Universal)
Callide ''Nuclear Warhead'' (Mix & Blen')
Clipz ''Information Dub'' (Audio Zoo)
Aries ''Run Fa Yer Life'' (Dub)
Eddie K ''Stink Box'' (Stereotype)
Taxman ''Original Ninja'' (Ganja)
Prestige ''Breakin' The Wall'' (Nemesis Dub)
Visionary ''Skylarking'' (Dance Rock & Groove)
DJ Zen ''Ravin' Rudeboy (Remix)'' (2nd City)
Silver ''Superstar (Remix)'' (Rmx 003)
Words: khal |
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Dogs On Acid > Comments > SUBFLO & QUESTIONMARK
10-15-2008 02:08 PM
