| |
MONSTERS OF JUNGLE
If anyone was to assemble a Drum & Bass homage to loud 80s metal, Dieselboy would be that guy. His status as one of DnB's most technically-sound DJs, as well as coming with original ideas for each of his acclaimed mix CDs are just a few things that set him apart from the usual Drum & Bass selector. His latest venture, the Monsters of Jungle tour (which is being put on in conjunction with Steez Promo, Circle Management and the William Morris Agency), features DSL and a stable of artists who have proven themselves via his HUMAN Imprint (as well causing ruckus in their own right) taking a few choice venues and events by storm this month. They touched down at Baltimore's Starscape on 6 June 2009, and have a number of big events lined up. We got a chance to speak to the man himself about MoJ, his forthcoming productions and HUMAN releases... but we also went deeper, speaking to Steez Promo, who helped put the whole thing into motion, as well as a host of the DJs, producers and MCs who will be featured in this caravan of calamity!
DOA: The last time we spoke to you, your Substance D project was about to drop. What's been going on with you since then?
Dieselboy: It has been a lot of non-stop touring for the most part. Production-wise, I have been working on a remix of one of my all time favorite C4C tunes called "Seawolf" with my friend SPKTRM. I am also trying to wrap up this tune I started ages ago with Gridlok called "MDMX". Since the beginning of 2009 I have been working on getting this new tour concept, "Monsters of Jungle", off the ground. And I just finished a small tour with a popular artist in the jam band/jamtronica scene called Pretty Lights. That tour really opened up to my eyes. The jam band scene kids are super high-energy and not jaded. It was a fucking awesome experience. Oh yeah... I got married in April to my girlfriend of 12 years!
DOA: Belated congratulations on that! Now, the Monsters of Jungle tour started this month. Can you tell us what this tour will be about? How will this be similar/different than the Planet of the Drums tours?
Dieselboy: Monsters of Jungle was a tour name that I had been sitting on since late 1999. It was my original tour name for Planet of the Drums, but we ended up not using it. Over the past few years I had tossed the idea around in my head for a new tour concept. Like I did with titling a mix CD Dungeonmaster's Guide, I wanted to do something completely different and unrelated aesthetically to the Drum & Bass scene but flip it around and make it interesting and exciting.
With Monsters of Jungle, we are basically riffing on the image and the vibe of '80s metal - hard, fast, heavy, fun. You know – full-on, kick-ass "rock the party" type shit. We are going to be bringing a visual aesthetic to this as well and plan on adding a stage performance along with the musical performance which really hasn't been done too much with DJing and Drum & Bass. We want to do something more along the lines of Justice or MSTRKRFT. Give the kids something to look at while we are pumping out the jams on stage. Musically, it will all be Drum & Bass with a little touch here and there of metal. The vibe we are shooting for is... I guess the visual would be some guy tearing off his t-shirt, pouring a beer over his head and stage-diving. We want to bring the vibe of like a 1986 Anthrax concert.
From a performance standpoint, we plan on doing something similar to Planet of the Drums. We will have one person DJing while another person is rocking the second setup mixing in loops, samples, other tunes, etc., over the main mix. We will have all sorts of custom vocal drops, intros, etc., as well. We also have two MCs with microphone duties and more guys dropping tunes. Should be pretty fucking insane. We are looking to fill the Los Angeles show this year and our goal is to come out of the end of this with an amazing promo video that we can use to turn Monsters of Jungle into an annual bus tour.
DOA: We know MoJ will be touching down at both Electric Daisy
Carnivals this summer -- where else can heads expect to see you guys stopping off?
Dieselboy: The initial stop was in Baltimore on June 6th at Starscape, which is one of the biggest events on the East Coast every year. Then we have Electric Daisy Carnival in Denver, the show in LA and then this giant event called Future Fest in Austin.
DOA: The sets for this tour - will there be any B2B sets, or will each DJ be spinning their own sets?
Dieselboy: We are still working that out now. I think we might have the whole crew on stage rocking out and taking turns spinning. We want the "backstage/dressing room" element to be an onstage performance element as well, so that means you will be seeing the whole crew on stage during the show.
DOA: After MoJ comes to a close, what do you have lined up? Any
thoughts or plans on doing another compilation or mix CD?
Dieselboy: At this point I am looking at doing Planet of the Drums in the fall with AK, Dara and Messinian. I have a bunch of 12s lined up for HUMAN including releases by SPKTRM, Zardonic and a remix EP or two. CD-wise... nothing planned at the moment. I think my next CD project will probably be something along the lines of a HUMAN Resource Volume 2.
DOA: Have you ever given thought to a Dieselboy artist album?
Dieselboy: I have no plans for a Dieselboy artist album. I don't feel like I have the time to put into doing something like that. Producing takes me a long time, longer than most people, I feel. I don't particularly love sitting in the studio for days on end either. However, I do like to work on stuff from time to time.
DOA: Can we get a top 10 from you?
Dieselboy: These are in no particular order:
Gridlok - Void LP
Fresh - Talkbox
Upbeats - Laser Crypt
Subfocus - Vapourise
KC - Extreme Mutilation (Counterstrike 2009 rework)
Raiden - Hubble
C4C - Seawolf (Dieselboy + SPKTRM remix)
Dieselboy + Gridlok - MDMX
SPKTRM + Arsenic - Flux
Zardonic + Counterstrike - Hardcore Will Never Die
DOA: Do you have any shouts before we wrap this up?
Dieselboy: I am curious to see the reaction from people and the scene when we actually get Monsters of Jungle rolling this June. I hope everyone comes with an open mind! We put a lot of heart and soul and energy into making this full-on, exciting, interesting and different. We all believe that if we pull this off on the level we want to it will be a good thing for our scene. Give it a kick in the ass.
DOA: How did Steez first get started?
Steve Steez: I have been promoting shows for almost 10 years and Drum & Bass has been a big part of my life.
DOA: When did you realize that this was not just something you wanted to do, but something that could really pop off?
Steve Steez: Drum & Bass has been categorized forever as just being a DJ and Turntables. Well, with so much technology out the times have changed. If you look at Crystal Method, The Prodigy, MSTRKRFT and others doing it real big, they have a lot going on while they perform. We are looking to do the same and blow people away. We want people to walk away with an experience they don’t forget and that sends shivers down their spine.
DOA: What are some of your more memorable events?
Steve Steez: Fall Massive. It sold out and over a thousand people could not get in. In addition, it was the first time we ever worked in the paradox and I have a lot of history with that place.
DOA: Now, you've recently hooked up with Circle Management. What was the reasoning behind this, and what are some of the immediate benefits for both sides?
Steve Steez: Well, I wanted to do something different. I feel that I have done good things for the music scene in Baltimore and DC, but my eyes are set on the prize. I want to work with the biggest events in the country and have a chance to work in another side of the business.
Kevin Gimble, Circle Management: For about a year prior to me bringing Steve on board, I was just kinda running through the motions. All was moving steadily along, but I found myself bored, basically. Was in a nice little rut. Making an honest living, but still just rutting along... Bringing Steve on has lit a fire under my ass like you would not believe. His energy and excitement about building the agency up to its highest potential has got me more excited than I had been in years.
DOA: You guys are helping put on the massive Monsters of Jungle part – what will be your role within this tour?
Steve Steez: Basically me and DSL had been kicking around a ton of ideas and the whole thing basically came to fruition. He had an idea for Monsters of Jungle and together we took it and put together one of the most exciting Drum & Bass performances you will ever see. I basically tour manage and work on the creative aspect of the entire tour. I hold the organization together and keep the motivation going.
DOA: What are some of the challenges in pulling off a showcase of this magnitude - which isn't just DJs mixing, but all of the visuals and spoken word and such?
Steve Steez: Cooperation, understanding that the artists all need to work together. Budgeting is probably the most difficult.
DOA: With all of this going on behind the scenes, do you ever get to sit down and enjoy the show once its going on, or will you still be running around?
Steve Steez: I normally get a few hours at each event to sit down and enjoy, but frankly I love what I do so much that I don't really care about smelling the roses because I am typically smelling them the whole time.
DOA: After this summer's MoJ, what do you have planned?
Steve Steez: We have a big massive in August with Benny Page, Emalkay, Feelgood, Tittsworth, Hot Pink Delorean, Dara and more. Another in November and more big parties to be planned.
DOA: What do you do in your off-time?
Steve Steez: I spend all of my free time with my girlfriend and we go to NYC pretty regularly. The reality is I work 24/7 365 and I love what I do and I love the people I work with. My job is my social life so my free time is spent relaxing with my lady.
DOA: Do you have any suggestions for people who might want to get involved in your line of work?
Steve Steez: Start small, be professional, make strong relationships, THINK BIG, and work all the time!
DOA: You've been linked with Dieselboy for a while, from rinsing out venues from Philly to the world over, both with him and as part of the Planet of the Drums tour. What's different about the Monsters of Jungle tour?
Messinian: MOTJ is a band of brothers consisting of multi-talented producers/DJs from the Human label. Monster production and monster DJ selection with a couple of Mosters on the m-i-c (Dino and myself). The concept of the MOTJ tour is some mega-rock, stadium status DnB vibes. We're there to have a good time with the crowd and smash the fuckin' roof down.
DOA: We heard there will be some spoken word elements to the shows - will you be involved in any of those bits? Can you divulge any secrets on what fans can expect from you guys?
Messinian: The best is yet to come. There is some rude shit in the works, so come through to the MOTJ show and experience it first hand!
DOA: The only MCs listed are yourself and Dino. How will you guys work this out - will you be going back and forth over all of the DJs, or will you guys only MC for certain DJs?
Messinian: Dino and I have both been flowing to DnB for years and years, so I'm sure we'll have a natural chemistry when working with the DJs on the bill. Dino brings a great energy and I have a certain swag that together should work really well at the Monster show. We both work on all genres of music - Electro, Hip-Hop, Dubstep, whatever, so I'm sure we will work some creative wordplay in there on the bangin' beats.
Dino's a talented dude that works on all types of music - if you don't know him then check him out!
DOA: I've spoken to you in the past, and know you've been making a lot of music on your own. What's going on with your solo music career?
Messinian: I'm starting my own label, Flash Art Records (Ingrooves/Universal) and working on Pop music that has elements of gutter rap/Electro/dance in it. I record at Larry Gold's legendary studio in Philly with Noizetrip (Roots, Black Eyed Peas, Macy Gray) as well as Shotgun Audio, where Designer Drugs and many other notable electro dudes get mixes done. I setup a professional recording studio in my house that I've been recording at as well as doing lots of my own production for electro and Hip-Hop projects. Expect releases in the future with dope producers like Hatiras, Designer Drugs, Toxic Avenger, True Pseudo, Treasure Fingers, Zardonic, Zoundselector, Lazrtag, Lazy Rich, The Upbeats and many more. I'm also producing pop with live instrumentation with 4H2A. They are some dope producer/musicans that do everything from Rock to Rap music in DE.
I've been touring heavy with my electro live sets called WE DONT SLEEP, where I rock to all types of OG tunes for an electro/rave/festival environment with my buddy Commodore 64/Smash Gordon. Dude is a great guy and brings an intense DJ selection. Roll through and check us out when we're in your city!
I also have a project called Our Lady Fatima that I've been working on. Its an indie electro project that I sing on and produced all the beats. This is a complete departure from everything that you might know of my music in the past, but it's definitely a style that I've always been fond of. I'm honored to have had this project compared to brilliant artists like David Bowie and Depeche Mode on blogs, so if that's your shit, then check it out please. Biggup my boy Craveiro on the keys at live shows!
DOA: Where would you like to see your career go in the next couple of years – are you trying to get signed to a major?
Messinian: I actually have a group of people looking to get me signed to the right opportunity. The thing is - if the deal doesn't make sense to me and limits my creativity and vision, then why do it? Most artists take deals because they want to tour the world to packed shows and work with dope producers while making money. I do that already. So if the money is right, then yes, I'll go to a major. Until then, I'm happy with the road I've paved.
I enjoy what I do. At the end of the day all I want to do is make music and
challenge myself creatively. I'm always looking for new talented producers to work with. I write and record really fast, so if you think you can keep up with me and are really focused, then send me some dope shit and if it works with my project I'll KO it. (send inquiries to wedontsleep@gmail.com)
DOA: What do you think is the MC's place within the DnB scene these days?
Messinian: What is our "place"? Haha... our place is to kill it for the crowd that paid good money and rock the fuck out on the mic like the promoter paid me to do while letting the DJ rock the fuck out on the decks like the promoter paid him to do. Seriously, to all up and coming MCs... the MC's place is what you make it. As long as the crowd appreciates what you do and you can make the energy more intense and get people involved, then do it. I don't understand the whole MC hater thing or the parties that are MC Conventions. What the fuck? I must be from a different period in DnB, but to me they both go hand-in-hand, and I see DnB progressing in the future the same way. The live shows need it in my opinion at the climax of the night.
So MCs: just be an artist and do you; as long as the crowds are pumping their fists in the air, then don't worry about what anyone thinks your "place" is. Just have fun, rock mics all over the place, and stay loving what you do. If anyone on DOA talks shit, just be humble and understand that in many cases it's because they have too much time on their hands, hah. Focus on your music and art and leave the negativity behind. It works!
DOA: Do you have any concrete plans for yourself for the 2nd half of 2009? Any release dates or your dates we should know about?
Messinian: There will be plenty of releases on my Flash Art Records imprint on Beatport, iTunes, Amazon Rhapsody and many other digital outlets. I'm doing all types of electro/DnB dates this summer and have a European tour being lined up for September/October. Be on the look out for POTD dates as well as a MOTJ tour being lined up across the country. There's WE DONT SLEEP tour, but I will also be taking DnB gigs here and there. The sky's the limit, really... I'm just touring/producing and having a fucking great time doing it.
DOA: Do you have any shouts or final thoughts before we end this?
Messinian: I'd like to thank all the DnB fans for bringing the fuckin' ruckus night after night at the live shows. I'd like to thank my mother Helena Marie and my brother Zia. I know you guys are watching over me and thanks for inspiring me to make music from an early age. You guys definitely gave me a creative soul and you live through my music and everything I do.
Thanks to all the talented friends that I work with for continually inspiring me with amazing beats. Keep smashin' shit! Thank you to Circle Management and the William Morris Agency for all the support on gigs and pushing our sound.
DOA: We've not heard much official news from the Evol Intent camp since Era of Diversion dropped, which might have to do with all of your non-DnB excursions. What's been going on?
Knick: After the album, we decided to tour for the record and take some time to work on our side projects. AJ quickly became very successful with his Treasure Fingers project, so Mike and I started putting our efforts into our own things as well with Computer Club & Ludachrist. We've been taking DJ gigs and performing live as Evol Intent fairly steadily since the album, though. We aren't going anywhere, don't worry.
DOA: You guys are featured in the massive Monsters of Jungle tour that Dieselboy has lined up. Can you give us some insight into the tour that DSL might not be able to break down?
Knick: All I can say is bring your 80s metal mullet wigs and prepare to rage.
DOA: Will you guys be pulling out some exclusives made specifically for these dates?
Knick: Yes, we will. Typically we like to have some "exclusive" tracks or edits of tunes to play when we DJ. This will be no exception. We plan on making quite a few edits to drop at these shows.
DOA: Is there one particular date you're looking forward to, and if so, why?
Knick: I don't want to speak for everyone in EI here, but I'd go ahead and say I'm really looking forward to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles. We did a live Evol Intent set there last year and it was so much fun. That event is absolutely insane. Last year they had about 70,000 people and they're expecting even more this time around. I have a feeling that the DnB tent is going to get really rowdy.
DOA: We briefly mentioned your non-DnB output as of late, which has taken off majorly for all of you, it seems. Can you break down what your different factions (Treasure Fingers, Computer Club, LUDACHRIST, etc.) have lined up?
Knick: Sure, well I have a collaborative project with Ewun (aka Kill The Noise) called Ludachrist. We make party music in the form of mash-ups, plain and simple. We're currently wrapping up our 2nd album/mix and I think it's going to melt some faces. I also started a project mainly as an outlet for random and obscure tracks I might come up with. So far it's mainly dubstep and glitch. That project is called Bro Safari. AJ is now a world-famous hipster with his Treasure Fingers project. Saying that he is doing really well would be a serious understatement. I heard a rumor he just bought a 3rd house in the Hamptons... Gigantor is a gigging machine these days with his Electro project, Computer Club. It's really great stuff and I suggest you check it out if you haven't already done so. You can expect all of us to keep these projects going as we roll out more Evol Intent material as well.
DOA: Can we get a current top 10 from you guys?
Knick: Spor tune, Upbeats tune, Audio tune, Spor remix, Upbeats Remix, Audio Remix, Ewun tune, Mayhem tune, Gein tune, Evol Intent tune and a wobbly dubstep tune for good measure.
DOA: What's lined up for the Evol Intent label?
Knick: To be honest, we have put the label on hold. Not that we don't want to release any more material, it's just that we haven't heard anything we want to release yet. Most likely, the next Evol Intent Recordings material will feature songs by, well... Evol Intent. We are currently working on a lot of new music as well as having remixes done for some of the songs on our album. Once we wrap some things up and see what fits where, we'll make an announcement.
DOA: Who else are you guys feeling, DnB-wise, these days?
Knick: Same old, Same old. Spor, Noisia, The Upbeats, Ewun, Audio, Gridlok, Mayhem... by all means, if there is new and exciting Drum & Bass out there - SEND IT TO US.
DOA: Before we dip, what can fans expect from this tour from Evol Intent, and in general?
Knick: On this tour, you can expect us to be acting crazy, standing behind DJs simulating humping and we'll probably play a few tunes here and there. In general, expect some rad shit.
DOA: You're currently getting a lot of props for your output under the 12th Planet guise. Why do you think people have grown to love your dubstep so much over the last year?
Infiltrata: I think people have grown fond of my dubstep over the last couple years because of the trend of the "DnB exodus." Deep down inside, I think the majority of my fanbase are people like me, who were once die hard enthusiasts of DnB, but grew to appreciate a different sound outside of the spectrum. In no way does that mean die hard DnB enthusiasts don't appreciate other types of music. I just feel like the times are changing, and DnB is influencing so many genres now.
DOA: You set up your Infiltrata Recordings label, and put out one sick 12". Any plans on dropping a second release?
Infiltrata: I definitely plan on putting out a second release when the time is right. I have been so busy doing side projects, trying to find myself as an artist, to get a re:edge on the making music.
DOA: Tell us a bit about what you will be bringing to the Monsters of Jungle tour.
Infiltrata: I'm bringin' that black metal dude vibe like that homie from Sevendust, and the other dude from Candria. I'm like those Hip-Hop Crossovers with Anthrax & Public Enemy, and Onyx & Biohazard. Overall, I think I might just be comic relief!
DOA: Are you excited for any one stop in particular?
Infiltrata: I'm very excited for two of the stops to be honest - Starscape Festival in Baltimore and Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles. I'm excited for Starscape because this will be my freshman appearance for this historic festival. I have been told by many people in the industry that this is one of the better rave parties on the East Coast each year. I am really excited for EDC LA, because this will be my first time DJing at the festival that first got me into Electronic Music. It feels like I am at the age where I can give back to the generation gap of kids who are 10 years younger than me, and experiencing these same situations I did when I was a youth.
DOA: Have you ever given thought to dropping an artist album?
Infiltrata: I have given many a thought to dropping an artist album, so much that I am currently working on an album under the moniker 12th Planet. As soon as I finish that, I'm going to more than likely continue working on my Drum & Bass album.
DOA: You were one of the main producers within the TEKDBZ crew – can you shed some light on the status of the label/crew at this time?
Infiltrata: The TEKDBZ crew went on hiatus for a while because the crew went and rebuilt themselves on an individual level. Photek was working on some major projects at the time, Craze was Kanye West's DJ, Hochi was workin' at Microsoft on some super secret business, Mental Sharp started a live band called the Living Sample, and I started multiple projects in Electro, Dubstep, and Hip-Hop. Right now, I anticipate a return of the crew on a musical level within the near future.
DOA: Can we get a current top 10 from you?
Infiltrata:
1. Demo - Untitled
2. Boyz Noise - & Down (Infiltrata remix)
3. Heavy Hittaz - I Push Keys
4. Obstrukt - Untitled
5. Original Sin - Love Games
6. Infiltrata & Define - Parallel Universe
7. Clipz - Ugly
8. Noah D - Untitled
9. MIA - Paper Planes (Silver remix)
10. Jakes – Haters
DOA: What do you get into when not making music or DJing?
Infiltrata: I'm either playin' Fifa on 360 or twittering, really.
DOA: Do you have any shout outs?
Infiltrata: Yeah, Shouts to the whole MOJ crew! Big up the SMOG crew in LA, and the TEKDBZ familia for life. Respect Danny United, Adrian Martinez, Denise Melanson, Gary Richards, Forrest Hunt, Tony Long, Steve Gordon, and Nick Dirty.
DOA: The last time we spoke, you were hyping up your Wun Nation EP. What's been up with you since then?
Ewun: This release came out about 8 months ago on Evol Intent Recordings. We are all very happy with how it was received!
DOA: Do you have any DnB tunes lined up?
Ewun: A lot of what's been slated to come out this year has already dropped. I'm working on a couple things at the moment. I'm really making an effort to redefine my sound. So I'm waiting until I've got some really interesting ideas going that have a cohesive sound to them until I really go back to putting out a lot of records.
DOA: We haven't heard a lot of DnB from you – mainly because of your Kill The Noise and LUDACHRIST output. How does it feel to be getting so much recognition for those projects?
Ewun: The Kill The Noise project took off in a way that I could have only dreamed. It's an exciting time for me, and I'm working my ass off to grab a hold of as many of the opportunities being offered as I can. It's been a great learning experience and a lot of fun to do something new! Ludachrist is also a lot of fun. I enjoy working with Knick (of Evol Intent) on something new, besides DnB all the time. I've been very lucky, and am so grateful how well both of these projects have been received.
DOA: Do you have plans on putting out any more mixtape or remixes from those projects?
Ewun: New album for Ludachrist is 90% finished, and we are STOKED about it. It's at least twice as good as the first. A lot of exciting things happening for Kill The Noise - expect a full album this year. Remixes and tracks are regularly updated. You can keep up with these projects here and here.
DOA: What will you be bringing to the Monsters of Jungle tour? What can heads expect from you?
Ewun: As always, I like to promote and support the guys who are doing cool new stuff. So expect to hear cool new stuff from both names you know and some you don't. I've prepared some special VIPs and intros for the tour; they are pretty hilarious. I think that the most important thing about this tour is that all of us are ready to have a lot of fun with the whole idea.
DOA: Can we get a current top 10 from you?
Ewun: Sure, in no particular order...
Deadmau5 - The Reward is Cheese (Evol Intent remix)
Ewun and Demo - Untitled (Jam Like a Tek)
Rusko - Bionic Commando Theme
Spor - Aztek
Spor - Do Not Shake
LE - Just One Second (Apex Remix)
Apex - Entrapment
Misha - Bugs 2
Upbeats - Mammoth Dub
Don Diablo and Example Hooligans (Spor remix)
DOA: How does Ewun unwind?
Ewun: I try to get some sleep!
DOA: Your "Ladies Night" release on HUMAN caught the ears of many DnB tastemakers the world over. When did you first know that this tune was bigger than any ol' regular release?
Demo: Me and Cease first did the tune joking around with that vocal, we sent it off to Dieselboy and he hit us back the next day saying he wanted it for Human. After that I heard Andy C and even Grooverider & Goldie were playing it. That's when it sank in.
DOA: How long have you been producing?
Demo: I started producing in 2004. My first release was on Ink's NXbeats late that year.
DOA: What do you have lined up for 2009 in terms of releases?
Demo: Me and Cease are finishing up a remix of "Hide the Tears" for Metalheadz. I just finished a tune for this tour, and a tune me and Ewun did a while back. Also hopefully some new things that are stuck in my head.
DOA: You’'e going to be on tour with Dieselboy and company for the
Monsters of Jungle tour. What do you think will be some of the more memorable bits from the tour?
Demo: We are all good friends and barely get to be in the same state or even venue all at the same time, so I'm sure it's gonna be crazy from start to finish!
DOA: Can we get a top 10 from you?
Demo:
01.Evol Intent "Ghost Town" remix
02.Demo & Cease "Hide the Tears" remix
03.Upbeats "Screw Up" remix
04.Demo "Untitled 'M.O.J' tune"
05.Ewun & Demo "Tek Jam"
06.Counterstrike "Hardcore Will Never Die"
07.Mason "Genocide"
08.D-Star "40K" remix
09.Demo "Push em Up"
10.Demo & Cease "Return of Ladies Night"
DOA: Are you going to be bringing any exclusives on tour? What can
the heads expect from you?
Demo: I'm packing "Hide the Tears remix", "Tek Jam" and an original tune I made for the tour that remains untitled at the moment. I'm also gonna bring a couple of my favorite tunes on vinyl I've collected over the years.
DOA: While you're a relative newcomer, you've already gotten some heavyweights picking up your tunes. How does it feel to be aligned with labels like HUMAN and Freak, among others?
SPKTRM: It's definitely been a cool experience, considering I looked up to some of those labels at a younger age. It's all sort of settled in at this stage though. Now I'm just trying to work with whoever I think is the most forward thinking and can let me express/explore a particular avenue of my artistic vision.
DOA: How would you describe your style of production?
SPKTRM: At this time, I'm sort of exploring the definition of my name through sound; meaning that no tune sounds like its predecessor. Underlying characteristics have always been that the songs are hard and heavy. Most recently however, I guess the easiest way to describe it would be that I've been trying to make Jazz music for the... 41st century.
DOA: You're from Michigan – what's the DnB scene like out there?
SPKTRM: I'm actually from New York City, but I've been living in Michigan for a while now. There's absolutely no scene in my town (Kalamazoo), and I have learned to love it. I'm very private with my art, and I don't like extremely busy nightlife unless I'm playing a show. However, if I am for some reason in the mood to party, the electronic scenes in nearby areas like Detroit and Ann Arbor aren't bad.
DOA: What releases do you have lined up for the rest of 2009?
SPKTRM: Not totally sure about the order, but first up should be the full re-release of my tune "Machine March" on Human Imprint. Then, a 12" on Human featuring tunes "Flux" (with Arsenic), and a rework of a tune I did for the Planet of The Drums 2009 tour. There will be other stuff on Human, but it's too early to disclose anything. I have a solo release coming on Gein's Habit Recordings, featuring tunes "Avant Futura" and "Iconia". I also have some material coming on their new label, Bad Chemistry Recordings. Those tunes should include collaborations with Gein and my new Detroit studio partner, Darkcube. I'm also doing a four track EP, coming on the new Guerilla Recordings. This EP will basically epitomize my futuristic hard jazz fusion sound. One of the tunes is called "Surge", and another is untitled but is a collab with Gein. The other two will be solo tunes but that's all I can say for now. And I'm wrapping up a remix of a Cause 4 Concern tune called "Seawolf" with Dieselboy, but don't know when or what that will be released with. There's other stuff as well but those are the immediate plans. I have a couple non-DnB side projects as well, and hopefully will be ready to unveil one or all of them before 2010.
DOA: You'll be getting some major exposure from the Monsters of Jungle tour – has it hit you yet about how big this is?
SPKTRM: I think I now have a fair grasp of the severity and weight of the tour. I'm very excited to see how it all pans out, and am more than ready.
DOA: Can we get a top 10 from you?
SPKTRM: Never just 10, so I'll post a few of my top tunes to play out live specifically. No order...
01. Spktrm - Iconia [Habit Recordings]
02. Spktrm & Arsenic - Flux [Human Imprint]
03. Gein - Bad Chemistry [Bad Chemistry]
04. Current Value - Overclock (Nanotek Remix) [Guerilla Recordings]
05. Spktrm & Darkcube - Untitled (0x7a69) [TBA]
06. SPL & Triage - Untitled [Habit Recordings]
07. Kemal - Fucking Hostile (LoD VIP)
08. Spktrm - Surge [Guerilla Recordings]
09. Protech - Unknown Design [Lost Soul Recordings]
10. Tech Itch & Gein - Kill Sound [TBA]
So there you have it. The artillery has been assembled, the rockers are strapped up, and the Monster of Jungle tour is set to bring hellfire and brimstone to your area - you'd be a fool to miss this show!
Words: khal |
|
|
Dogs On Acid > Comments > MONSTERS OF JUNGLE
06-10-2009 04:37 PM
