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BASHER
DOA: Your name is one that we always hear of, but really had no idea how you came to be. When did you first get into Drum & Bass?
Basher: I got into Jungle when I was about 12; I had been mixing happy hardcore for about a year and DnB was a natural progression from that.
DOA: Were you a DJ first, or a producer?
Basher: I'm pleased to say DJ.
DOA: When did you realize that your tunes were ready for the big leagues?
Basher: I still haven't to be honest. It was Danny Wheeler and Rob from Pendulum that gave me the confidence to send out my stuff to labels. Basically, I hit them up on AIM and blagged that they gave me their AIM names at Fabric when in fact I just got them of a friend who is now massive in DnB and shall remain nameless. After bugging them for a bit, they gave me good feedback on a track I made ("Leachcraft") and it was Danny Wheeler who told me it was good enough to send it out, so I sent it to the top labels (who I also blagged the AIM names of), later that day I had Andy C on the phone :)
DOA: Many producers dream of the day when they get their tracks signed to any label – you got a call from Andy C and the Ram camp to pick up your tunes! Can you describe what it was like, hearing that they were that interested in your music?
Basher: It was definitely one of the top 10 feelings in my life so far, alongside the birth of my kids / passing my driving test and a few others I can’t speak of here. To get a call at 2AM from someone claiming they are Andy C and saying that they want to sign my tunes was crazy. I thought it was a prank to be honest, to have my life-long dream turned into a reality in the space of one phone call was mind blowing to say the least.
DOA: The first tune people heard from you was "Leachcraft", back in 2006. What was it like getting that exposure?
Basher: It was great; I was rubbing shoulders with all my idols, lots of doors were opening for me and I was getting to play in the clubs I used to queue outside for hours. But it also had a negative effect on me in the studio. All of a sudden, I felt massive pressure when writing tunes and I'm afraid to say this has never gone away, though I'm sure it squeezes the most out of my production which is a good thing.
DOA: Over the last few years, aside from your solo releases, you've also remixed tunes from some bigger names, including C4C and the EZ-Rollers. How does your approach differ with solo tunes and remixes?
Basher: The main difference with remixes is you mostly have a bunch of nicely processed sounds to work with straight up, so I can just get down to being creative rather than creating a bunch of your own sounds to work with. This makes it a lot more fun. When working on original stuff, I often kill my own vibe by getting bogged down making and processing sounds to use.
DOA: Now, 2009 is almost coming to a close. What do you have going on, release-wise, for the end of 2009 into 2010?
Basher: My next release on Frequency is "Airtime" b/w "Biometrix" b/w "Vigilante" that drops November 9th; the vinyl 12" is "Airtime" b/w "Biometrix", "Vigilante" will be digital only. Going into 2010 I have more releases on Frequency, a track on Sudden Deff called "Roc Ya Sole" and a 12" on TeeBee's Subtitles label, which is a collaboration with label mates Deep & Shaffie. I also have forthcoming remixes for Universal Project and Juggernaut.
DOA: You're also a pretty active DJ; is your DJ style more or less the hard-hitting dancefloor flavour we hear in your tunes, or do you spread things out more on the decks?
Basher: I tend to play across the board, so there is something for everyone in my sets. I also take the venue and night into consideration when planning a set, coz some parts of the world just like a certain sound. But my main aim is to leave the ravers wanting more.
DOA: Can we get a top 10 from you?
Basher: By the time this interview comes out I'm sure my top 10 would have changed so I'll give you my top 10 tunes of 2009 so far not, including my own productions :)
1. ULTERIOR MOTIVE & JUDDA - INFRASONIC
2. CAMO & KROOKED - TONIGHT
3. CRYSTAL CLEAR & NETSKY - COME BACK
4. NC17 -SLUG PATH VIP
5. CALYX & TEEBEE - OWN THE NIGHT
6. CULTURE SHOCK - MACHINE
7. SUBFOCUS - DEEP SPACE
8. INSIDEINFO – TICKER
9. DC BREAKS - PICKITT LINE
10. DIE - CLEAR SKYS - BREAK RMX
DOA: What would you say is your single greatest feat in your music career, so far? What are some goals you've set for yourself for the near future?
Basher: Of all the pinch me moments I have had so far, touring all over the world playing alongside the biggest names in the game, I'd have to say this interview ;)
DOA: What kinds of things do you get into outside of producing music?
Basher: I'm a family man; I spend most of the free time I get with them. I haven't really got any hobbies apart from music (boring, I know).
DOA: Do you spend a lot of time keeping up with DnB on the 'Net, through the use of forums or blogs and such?
Basher: I'm always on the Internet and I probably check sites everyday to see what’s going on in the world of DnB. I don't really post ever but that's not coz I'm a part of the scene and I think I'm too good, it's just coz I never really have posted in any forums apart from once my blurry player broke and I had a rant at a certain company that shall from now on be known as SHAMSUNG.
DOA: What would you say if someone came up to you, asking for advice on how to get noticed by labels on a grander scale?
Basher: Make big tunes.
DOA: Do you have any shouts before we end this?
Basher: DOA crew, Ram & Frequency crew, my mum's dead dog Josh (coz I sampled his growl and turned it into a filthy baseline that I use all the time), everyone who has supported me from DJs/radio/promoters and you. Big up the scene.
*GRAB BASHER TUNES FROM THE DOA STORE
*GRAB BASHER TRACKS FROM DOA DOWNLOADS
Words: khal |
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Dogs On Acid > Comments > BASHER
11-09-2009 03:13 PM
