| |
ATOM
It was over ten years ago, way back in 1998 that Atom was listening to the now legendary DJ Randall throw down Moving Fusion's "Turbulence" (*Ed Note: probably my fave tune ever) with Roni Size's "Brown Paper Bag" that his obsession with DnB began. With that type of combo, it's no wonder he got hooked really."It was the first time that I could listen to a music with so much diversity and energy", he reminisces.
Thus it was only natural that this spark of inspiration would lead from a simple admiration to participation in the community via DJing and production. "I bought a MPC and an Emu sampler about 7 years ago and started playing around with beats making Trip-Hop and Drum & Bass; I then switched to Logic 3 or 4 years ago, and it got a bit more serious". Add a dash of experience playing drums in various rock bands to the mix and there you have it. "Having a live music experience with a band has helped me understand how important it is to have each instrument in the right place to allow them space to breathe"
It was the tune "Dolly" on Sonorous that was Atom's first track he deems fit for the masses. "It was the first tune where I thought that the vibe, the mix and the dynamics was strong enough for a release". This initial release has now translated into a continuing working relationship with the label, allowing Atom to drop to recent digital cuts as well as a vinyl 12". Atom attributes this to where his own tracks fit into the spectrum of Sonorous, and even Drum & Bass, as a whole. "If you look at the discography so far, Sonorous is a label that focus on releasing music from the deeper side of Drum & Bass, but still keeping it open and eclectic and I guess that I fit into this category. Also nowadays you hear that a producer can put his music out pretty much himself, but I don't think it's that easy. A label can bring a nice looking and sounding package to the consumer. I'm very much into associating artwork with music, and I think the scene needs more of that".
As of late, Atom's tracks have been getting some serious recognition from some of Drum & Bass' more reputable names, including none other than Marcus Intalex. "It's amazing and it gives you the confidence that you are doing something right. It's also great for the scene to have respected artists doing their own podcasts, etc. because it enables them to spread the love and be a bit more adventurous with the selection".
While in the studio, Atom holds it down with Logic 8, various plug-ins of course all on a Powerbook G4, an apogee duet soundcard, an Alesis M1 active MkII and 1 Technics 1200MKII. For EQ and dynamics, the Sonnox Oxford plug-in comes into play. He insists that an integral part of production is to spend a lot of time building your own library of sounds before rushing into making a track and focus more on the vibe rather than the technical aspects.
"I just want to concentrate on making music without thinking too much about goals. It's all about trying to make quality music and things will evolve naturally. I would like to work with vocalists and experiment with slower tempos. Also, in the short term, I'm saving up to buy an analog synth, especially for bass". No over estimation, no lofty demands or expectations. Just enjoyment and self-fulfillment. How about that?
If you want to check out Atom you can do so at his residency in Brighton and hopefully with this new string of releases you’ll be seeing him on a lot more flyers soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
Shouts going out to:
Dave @ Sonorous, Aaron Jay @ Influence, Gunston and Benj for always sharing your musical culture, everybody who is supporting my music and a big love to my family and future wifey.
And of course, you can check out his exclusive mix for DOA, which features a slew of forthcoming tunes from some newer artists, a few classics and of course some of Atom's own freshest material.
|
|
|
Dogs On Acid > Comments > ATOM
06-17-2009 06:14 PM
