Q&A :: Hex [AutomAte/Symbiosis Glasgow]

Our special guest this month came in the form Scotland's Hex. We got hold of him recently to find out what makes him tick and what we can expect to hear from him in the future.

Don't forget, you can check his mix out in the seventh episode of our podcast here: http://blackdubpodcast.blogspot.nl/2013/03/blackdub-podcast-7-feat-hex.html


For those of us who don't know much about you, can you introduce yourself?

Hi, I’m Hex! I’m a Drum & Bass DJ and producer based in Glasgow, Scotland. I help run Symbiosis (Glasgow’s longest running active Drum & Bass club night) and I run the DNB Dojo blog.

How did you get into the Drum & Bass scene and what made you want to DJ/produce?

My path into the D&B scene started back in 2004 or so when I started getting into electronic music via the likes of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher and the jungle-tinged IDM/breakcore scene. After that I started getting into Dubstep (back when it was still good) via the early Fortified Sessions nights in Glasgow where I saw guys like N-Type and Vex’d play, and I wanted to buy the tunes I was hearing so I started to buy vinyl records. Once I had a stack of 12”s I began to think about getting decks and learning to mix, which I eventually bought after finishing University and getting a proper job.

Around the same time as I was finishing Uni, I went to Shambhala festival in Canada and caught Ed Rush & Optical and Evol Intent throwing down on a 100,000 Watt soundsystem! Needless to say I was pretty much instantly converted to D&B, and found that I enjoyed mixing it far more than I enjoyed mixing Dubstep, hence my start as a D&B DJ. Neil and the Symbiosis crew gave me a set at one of their events in 2010 and I’ve been playing out as much as I can ever since.

As for production, I got interested in that more recently; I know quite a few producers who make all sorts of music and plenty of them encouraged me to give it a go, and once I’d learned the basics I found it pretty addictive…nothing quite beats the feeling of sitting in front of your laptop nodding your head to a beat you’ve actually constructed. 

How would you describe your sound/ethos both in the studio and the club?

Broadly I lean towards the techstep and neurofunk sounds both in my productions and DJ sets, though I also appreciate the deep halfstep and soulful liquid vibes. I think ultimately I’ve always been drawn to dark, angry music, all the way from listening to punk and metal as a teenager through getting into electronic music via tracks like Come To Daddy. Sometimes it’s fun to make or mix deeper tunes but more often than not I want something hench. It’s all about feeling that sub growling in your chest on a good rig! 

Can we expect to hear any releases from you in the near future?

I’ve got a pair of tunes signed to Automate Tech which should be coming out sometime this year, one of which you can hear in the mix. I’m aiming to get on it and write plenty this year so hopefully there’ll be more coming soon…watch this space!

Away from D&B, I took some time to write a four track EP of spacey, chilled out electronica leaning towards garage and dubstep which is available as a free download here.

Current top 5 tunes?

Always so hard to pick…right now I’d say: 

• Black Sun Empire - All Is Lost (Memtrix Remix) 

• Optiv & CZA - Bring It Back 

• Telekinesis & MC Coppa - Pocket Full Of Drops 

• Fourward - Street Knowledge 

• Command Strange – Regrets 

That list will probably change by next week though! 

Can you give us a little insight into the mix you put together for our podcast?

For the mix I wanted to try and go on a little bit of a journey, starting deep and then building things up into the harder, nastier tunes, and also showcase a couple of my own bits. The mix opens up with my remix of Lethal’s Seductive (which you can grab as a free download via my Facebook page) and goes through some other deep ones (like the excellent Fracture remix of Phantom Force and the sublime new Dub Phizix tune Rainy City Music) before hitting into harder territory with new cuts from Telekinesis and Memtrix. I always try and get a few classics into the mix too, and some lesser known artists/labels like the stuff from Audio Habitat on Sidechain and the tunes from Arkaik and Arclight. Hopefully the Blackdub listeners will feel the vibes! 

Any final thoughts/shouts you would like to add?

Big shout outs to Stu, Jules, Neil and Altron (the Symbiosis crew), shouts to the Automate crew, biggups to everyone who sends me promo at the blog and much love to everyone who’s ever taken the time to listen to my tunes or mixes. 

Anyone in Scotland reading this, check out Symbiosis in Glasgow every 3rd Saturday of the month down at Audio on Midland Street and come catch me playing at Midgefest in Galloway April 12th-14th. Peace!

Blackdub Podcast #6 feat. MC Fokus & 2Shy

It's time to kick things off for 2013 here at Blackdub with the next installment of our podcast series. We've got a bumper pack of high-grade beats and bass this month hosted in part by the up-and-coming MC Fokus.

MC Fokus: For bookings: clive@evolutionartists.co.uk Twitter: @mcfokus

Considered a fairly new face on the scene, Fokus has more than earned his stripes, adding his vocal talents to releases on labels such as Dispatch Recordings and Renegade Hardware as well as a heavy gigging schedule across the UK and Europe. He's gone all out on Reevah's first hour mix, warming us up perfectly for this month's guest mix from 2Shy...

2Shy MC: For bookings: info@uniqueartists.co.uk www.2ShyMC.com

2Shy is a bonafide scene legend. Chances are if you're out in the scene a lot you'll have heard him hyping the crowd at raves all over Europe from Renegade Hardware to Ram and Tech:nology to Playaz. His versatility know no bounds illustrated perfectly by the stomping classics set he's put together for our first episode of the year, kicking us off in style! Enjoy the show!

Tracklist:

Reevah In The Mix with MC Fokus:

DBRUK :: Bushy (Able Danger rmx)

Calibre :: Simple Emotion

Meth :: Put up

Halogenix :: Raya

Able Danger :: Exile

Critical Impact :: Only Girl

EBK : Inside

Data :: Vice

HLZ :: 140 Dub

Decimal Bass :: Loudmouth

Survival & Silent Witness :: Immortal

Total Science :: No Justice (Jubei Remix)

Octane, DLR + EBK - Zulu Fade

Jayline & Papa G :: Over Expose

Seba :: Nightrider

Vicious Circle :: Solitude

Foreign Concept :: Possessive

Foreign Concept :: Show You

Icicle & SpectraSoul :: Body Language

??? :: ???

Able Danger :: Nautilus

21.Kasper & Everest ::

2Shy In The Mix:

Tracklist forthcoming

Q&A :: Spindall [Nurtured Beatz/Twisted Records]

Pic: Stiina West

Our special guest mix this month comes from London based Spindall. An accomplished DJ and an upcoming producer alongside partners Kalm and Diamond Eye, we got hold of him to find out what makes him tick and what we can expect to hear from him in the near future.

Can you introduce yourself for the people who don’t know you?

My name is Craig and I go under the artist name of Spindall, catch me on www.rudefm.com every Saturday from 6 til 8PM playing the best in underground D&B.

What made you want to starting DJing and what got you into Drum & Bass? 

I got into it at the very start back in 1992 listening to pirate radio and tape packs etc. via older friends. Being a DJ culture genre it was what I wanted to do from the age of 10! My idols were Hype, Andy C and Randall. Listening to those guys made me want to do it myself. 

How would you describe your sound/ethos? 

Definitely on the deep side. I like the deeper side of the music and the darkside.

You are also developing a reputation as a producer. Would you consider yourself predominantly a DJ or beat maker? Can we expect to see any releases in the near future? 

Producing is still very new to me. I'm still learning & lucky to have a sick engineer in Kalm so I would say at present definitely very much a DJ who dabbles in production . Myself and Kalm have an up coming release on Twisted Records very soon called Parameters. We're also gonna be starting a label called Nurtured Beatz so we'll be releasing on there too. Grab the free single now by myself & Diamond Eye from www.soundcloud.com/nurturedbeatz

You’ve put a guest mix together for our latest podcast. Can you give us a little insight into it? 

The mix features forthcoming material from us, current bangers and also a few people to watch out for in the future. I like to feature new artists and you'll spot a few in the mix.

How do you feel about the general state of Drum & Bass at the moment? 

Musically it is pretty strong right now, so much good stuff around at the moment it's unreal. It's also more diverse now than ever and that can only be a good thing. It will open the door too newer listeners. 

Current top 5 tunes? 

Ooh I hate this question because there are so many! Haha!

1. Charli XCX :: You're The One (Dub Phizix Remix) :: Asylum Records

2. Genotype :: The Good Turned Ugly :: Nurtured Beatz

3. Kalm & Spindall :: Parameters :: Twisted Records

4. Kyrist :: Delusions :: Broken Audio Recordings

5. Kalm & Spindall :: Thorn :: Nurtured Beatz

Any final thoughts or shout outs you’d like to add? 

Yes, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this . Big ups to Kalm, all @ RudeFM, Diamond Eye, DBR UK & all @ Broken Audio, Kolectiv, Donny & Robee @ Extent, Joe @ Twisted, Lucie @ The Drum & Bass Diaries, Ruffhouse, Codebreaker, Syrenz , Antagonist, Genotype, and anyone I missed (I could be here forever but big ups to all the peeps who've supported, you know who you are).

Blackdub Podcast #3 feat. Lethal

It's podcast time again and this month we've decided to upgrade things a little bit. The previous two episodes were in a straight-up DJ mix format but in the time these have been going we've been contacted by a few people wondering if we can play their music. Thus we thought it was high-time we started a more conventional radio-style show!

This month's episode is hosted by myself, Enorme and features a little showcase of some forthcoming tunes from what we feel is a very promising label going by the name of AutomAte, as well as a bunch of tunes I'm feeling at the moment and some awkward  continuity banter. 

As well as all that we have a special guest mix from Surround Sound Recordings' co-owner Lethal. A big thanks goes out to him for putting in the effort for his stomping mix. If you like your Drum and Bass with a hefty techno influence, you won't be disappointed.

You can also read our little Q&A with Lethal on the blog while you listen. Download the podcast here (right click and save link as) or stream it directly from our Soundcloud page. What are you waiting for?! Enjoy!

Tracklist:

OrtoKore :: Peg Leg

Fearful :: Gorilla

Gerra & Stone :: Droneheads (Octane & DLR Remix)

Silent Witness :: Magnetize

Capone :: Friday

Lethal In The Mix

Lethal, Gancher & Ruin :: Rising

Dextems & C.A.2K :: Fury

Optiv & BTK :: Start It Again

Lethal :: Invader

Propaganda :: Hardcore Will Never Die

Lethal :: Rave In E Minor

Lethal :: Darkslider

Denix :: Spusk

Lethal feat. Hostile :: Surr8ted Edge

Raiden & Proket :: Skafandr

The Sect & Cooh :: Danger Nation

The Panacea :: Creatch (Lethal Remix)

Raiden :: Hubble

Proket :: Guta

Lethal :: Tech-No-Step

Ed Rush & Optical :: Check Out Time

Underhill :: Solace (The Sect Remix)

Lethal :: Eurocrash

Art Pathos & Prode :: El Nino

Fearful :: Santura

Arclight :: Pluroform

Enorme In The Mix

DRS :: Bun Ya feat. Dub Phizix, Strategy, Fox, Chimpo, Skittles, Konny Kon & T-Man

Ibunshi & Kodama :: Fragments

Nate Dogg :: Took Your Love (Teebee Bootleg)

Foreign Concept & Xtrah :: Harsh Reality

Octane, DLR & Cern :: Rawness

Icicle & Nymfo :: Franky Mountain

Dose :: Nine Lives

Optiv & BTK :: Cantilever

Ulterior Motive :: 2098

Konflict :: New World Order


http://doomboy.nclhost.com/blackdub/mixes/Blackdub%20Podcast%203.mp3

                    

Q&A :: Lethal [Surround Sound Recordings]

Lethal was kind enough to provide us with a guest mix for the third episode of our podcast series. To whet your appetite we caught up with the DJ/Producer and got a few words with him to find out a bit more about what drives him, what we can expect from his label Surround Sound Recordings and how he feels about the ever-present MP3 vs. Vinyl argument.

For the people who don’t know much about you, can you introduce yourself and give us a little background on the label?

My names Dan Franklin aka Lethal and I own the label Surround Sound which I run alongside my good friend Mike Rogers who is also one half of Able Danger. The labels been going since June 2009 and we’ve had 26 releases so far. We release predominantly Drum and Bass, but have also branched out into Dubstep with plans to move into other genres too.

What made you want to set up a new label?

Mainly it was to have that creative control over my music and output, although it was always a goal of mine to have my own label and one that I was very happy to achieve. I had been working with Raiden helping to manage Offkey and the connection to ST Holdings got made, so I took the opportunity to put my concept for a label forward. Things went from there and here we are today.

How would you describe the ethos behind Surround Sound? What are you looking for when you sign a track?

It’s hard to say, a well thought out arrangement and balanced production is always good for me. I like tracks that have some substance to them, where you can tell the producer has put some thought into it and not just slapped a bunch of loops from a sample CD together. Surround Sound is about a variety of styles and genres that can all work together in context. Techno is a big influence for me personally; however I don't let it dictate the label.

The MP3 vs. Vinyl argument continues to rumble on. As you run a digital release focused label, do you feel D&B is a little unyielding in its refusal to embrace technology more?

I don’t really feel there’s much of an argument anymore... you can only argue with the numbers so much. The reality is vinyl doesn’t sell like it did, especially not for smaller labels. Many who put out vinyl do it at a loss, which is a real shame. I would love to do some more vinyl releases but the numbers just don’t add up. Who knows what the future holds, but I can’t see things moving back.

What’s up next for you and Surround Sound?

I have a 5 track EP out now on Surround Sound that features some tracks originally scheduled for Position Chrome. Then we have a 3 track EP from Able Danger with more to come. We’re still finalising the schedule but details will be up on the surroundsoundrecordings.co.uk as soon as their ready. Other than that I’m currently working on solo and collab projects, as well as a techno project too.

Can you give us a little insight into the mix you’ve put together for us?

I wish I could say there was some deep thought that went into it, but I'd be lying. I just wanted to pull some old bits and throw them in the pot with some new tracks. It’s very easy to get caught up in the latest tunes all the time so it was good to dig through the old CDs and pull out some old personals.

Any final thoughts you’d like to add?

Follow me on Twitter, @DanLethal and Soundcloud for up to date info on what’s going on with me and keep posted to www.surroundsoundrecordings.co.uk and @SurroundSoundUK on Twitter for all label and associates news. A big thanks to the Blackdub crew for asking for the mix, big ups to you guys. A shout goes out to Mike (MR2) and the Surround Sound family, expanding by the day. Big ups and respect to all those that support what we do. 

Introducing :: Protect Audio

Drum and Bass is flourishing at the moment and with that, there is a consistent rash of labels popping up here and there. 
It's difficult in times like this to stand out from the crowd and keep the quality control high. Worcester based label Protect Audio seems to have both of these factors locked down. They already have a solid debut release out now in the shape of Marukumo's Visions/Ganymede so we thought we'd catch up with head-honcho Pete to find out what's up next.

For the people who don’t know much about you, can you give us a little background on yourself and Protect Audio?

I’m Pete, I’m 26 and I own Protect Audio (sounds like blind date haha). I’ve always had a massive interest in music and I’ve played different instruments for the last 15 or so years.  I started off playing drums at age eleven and soon moved onto bass and guitar. I still play guitar now. 

Around the age of sixteen I started playing around with FL studio, making some weird Aphex Twin inspired music as I was really into that trippy genre back then. At age eighteen I thought about going to guitar school and getting a degree in technical guitar playing as I wanted to teach/session etc. Instead I got a job and worked for a couple of years then went to SAE Institute London to study audio engineering. I ended up quitting my course after a year and I started a small label named Tongue Flap. This is where I learnt the foundations of music business and music management etc. 

2012 came along and it was time to start Protect Audio and really focus it on nineties influenced Drum and Bass. I've been building up my contacts and knowledge over the past three to four years so starting the label and getting people aware of it was a bit easier. We’re now just waiting for PA002 to land on September 17th.

How would you describe the ethos behind the label? What do you feel sets you apart from everyone else?

Protect Audio's ethos is to release Drum and Bass that has a nineties inspiration but with a 2012 feel. We’re not aiming for the commercial sounds and not trying to follow a trend. We just release music that we love which has enough firepower to compete with the big boys and it appears to be working. We’ve had some amazing DJ feedback & support so far. Watch out!

What’s up next release-wise for Protect Audio?

On September 17th we have The Protection EP dropping worldwide. It’s a four track various artists EP featuring Congress, Mono, Homemade Weapons and Marukomu. There is something for everyone in this release and we’re very proud of it. As for forthcoming music, we have a release from Homemade Weapons, Cursa and Hyroglifics. I’ve already said too much so you’ll have to wait to find out more info!!!

Any shouts or final thoughts you’d like to add?

Thanks to everyone that is supporting Protect Audio and cheers to all the guys who work very hard for me. You can hear our forthcoming release by playing the Soundcloud set below.

Rise Of The MC

The MC is the Marmite of Drum & Bass culture. Revered by some and hated by others, this argument has been going on for as long as the music has and we're not going to get into it here.

One thing you may have noticed though, is the recent predominance of MC led tracks particularly in the more 'minimal' techstep influenced side of Drum & Bass. Granted, these tracks have always been around over the years. A little hook here, a sampled phrase there and even full vocal tracks. Just dig out Reprazent's classic Brown Paper Bag or Technical Itch's Soldiers with Jakes' menacing vocals driving the tune forward.

Something's different this time round though. Last year you could seldom go out to a bass oriented night without hearing Strategy's indecipherable lyrics on Dub Phizix & Skeptical's smash, Marka. Now everyone's doing it. And it's bloody good.



So why now?
A few corners of the scene have been raising concerns that modern day techstep is "too minimal" and samey. This is perhaps a reaction to such complaints, a compromise as it were; the track retains its essence whilst at the same time filled out with the addition of a few bars of vocals.
Simultaneously serving to keep the mind engaged, fans who quickly tire of droney bass and sparse soundscapes may find their appetites for that something more satiated. This also lends itself well to the ever more popular ethos of tracks standing up to home listening as well as working on the dancefloor.



What about commercial viability?
Is Drum & Bass moving into a new era of mainstream acceptance? This is a question for another time but it can certainly be argued that electronic music and DJ culture has exploded into mainstream media of late. The UK even had a Drum & Bass single chart at number one recently. Coupled with a whole host of tunes making it onto daytime radio playlists, the future is looking pretty bright.
This is all very exciting but it has to be said: no one starts making Drum & Bass to get famous and make a big pile of cash.



As much as it sounds like a cop out, it seems more likely that simply the right minds are around at the right time.
This is simply another step in the ever evolving experiments of its pioneers, let's enjoy it!

Blackdub Podcast #2: DJ Reevah

We've been away for a while but we're back with a new podcast guaranteed to shake the cobwebs out! 

Step forward DJ Reevah, a fellow Scotsman we've been in contact with since Blackdub's inception. We thought it was high time we got a mix from him and he's delivered 90 minutes of  deep, dark rollers and classic techstep with a few dubs thrown in for good measure. 

Read on for the interview and you can find the podcast player at the bottom of this post along with a link to download the mix. Enjoy!

For the people who don't know much about you, can you give us a little background on yourself?

I'm Lewis, 29 and a married dad of one. I'm a self-employed joiner, originally from Peebles but been in Edinburgh for a good 10 years now.

I've been buying all kinds of music since I was 9, got into Jungle/Rave when I was 15 along with Hip-Hop and never looked back. I originally wanted to be a promoter/DJ but ended up starting a family quite young and put down the vinyl!

I got a set of CD decks in 2010 after eight years of not mixing and thought "fuck it"! I started putting up mixes which received support from a host of DJs, MCs and producers via connections I'd made on Twitter.

I've been a lifelong mixtape fan and try to put my mixes into this format as well as trying to balance selection with mixing! I'm yet to play out at a venue but would love to. Twitter @djreevah

You can catch Jammin J and myself on www.nexusdnb.com on rotation with Aesthetics and Renegade every Thursday from 8.30-10.30, the full spectrum of D&B! Guests, features, dubs and dodgy Scottish accents!

What was it that brought you back to the scene?

I went right off Drum and Bass in the mid 2000s. The scene had become very boring and the darker/deeper stuff was too fast. I still had my ear to the ground on some bits but generally my love was (and still is) with Ninja Tune.

It wasn't until 2009 when I caught a Raiden podcast which introduced me to DBR, Skeptical and Amoss to name a few. I was blown away with how stripped back and phat their beats sounded, so that was me straight back into D&B!

2012 has, in our humble opinion, been a great year for Drum and Bass already. What's your favourite tune so far?

Quite a few things! Spindall & Calm - Streams, DBR & Overlook - Stasis, Mechanizm's Dimensions EP on Vampire Records and Able Danger - Asteria come to mind.

How do you feel about the current state of D&B?

Too many things sadly! From the state of raves to the use of the 'Junglist' tag as a fashion accessory! The biggest piss-off for me though is the total lack of knowledge from a lot of people 'involved' in D&B: no knowledge of places, people, venues, tunes, labels or any of the other stuff that has shaped D&B over the years.

Are there any other genres you're feeling at the moment?

I mix Techno, Dubstep, Hip-Hop and anything else I fancy. I like many genres, really feeling a lot of Techno bits at the moment!

Can you give us a little insight into the mix you've done for us?

I always try to maintain a deep rolling vibe, a 'journey' mix if you will. Hope people enjoy listening to this on the commute as much as they do chilling on a Friday or walking the dog. 

Finally, any shout outs or anything else you'd like to add?

Shout outs to DJ EC, Jammin J, Aesthetics, Renegade (Nexus Kru), Deficit, Able Danger, DBR UK, Inside Corrosion, Dissect, Boba, Broken Audio, Spindall, Dave Lowe, Melodie Wu, Salex, Mechanizm, Surround Sound Recordings, 2ShyMC, AutomAte, Nathan DNB Movement, Rude FM... Big ups!

Thank you to all who've checked out my mixes! 

Tracklist:

Halogenix - Tender Chain

Ortokore - Peg Leg (AutomAte Dub)

Sabre - Halo Danger

Anile - Oldsoul

Arclight - Surgikal (AutomAte Dub)

Loxy & Ink - Artical

Darqwan - Warrior Stance (Amit Remix)

dBridge - Creatures Of Habit

Future Forces - Dead By Dawn

Mosus & S.P.Y - 1999

Phace - Non Human

NPhonix & Enei - Transparent

SpectraSoul - In Profile

Amit - Motherland

Enei - One Chance 

Ray Keith - Chopper (Serum Remix)

Dave Owen - Heaven Scent

Cause4Concern & Fierce - Moonbreaker

Fierce & Vicious Circle - Spectre

Calibre - 2 Drop

Jubei - The Take

Aesthetics - ? (Dub)

Arclight - Pluroform (AutomAte Dub)

DBR UK - Policies

DBR UK - Anaconda

DBR UK - Agents

DBR UK - Charged

DBR UK - Fortress

DBR UK - Fighting The Storm

Jammin - Tribe 

Able Danger - Asteria

Fearful - Gorilla (AutomAte Dub) 

Blackdub Podcast #2: DJ Reevah by Blackdub Podcast on Mixcloud

Direct Download (Right Click + Save As):

http://doomboy.nclhost.com/blackdub/mixes/DJ_Reevah_Blackdub_Podcast_2.mp3

Thanks to Dark Skies for the webspace!

Blackdub Podcast #1: DJ Haze

For our inaugural edition of the Blackdub Podcast we asked Red Mist Recordings' label owner DJ Haze to throw it down. He went in deep on this one, carving out a 70 minute slice of tough, uplifting Drum & Bass and we can't thank him enough for his efforts! 
Expect Red Mist tracks past and present, remixes of some of his all time favourites and a few unreleased gems.

Read on for the interview and you can find the podcast player at the bottom of this post along with a link to download the file in glorious 256kbps. Enjoy!


For the people who don't know much about you or the label, can you give us a little background on yourself and Red Mist?
Sure. I started out in the scene MCing for my mate Danny Ethics, that soon sparked an interest in DJing and eventually hosting radio shows, and of course the label.

Red Mist was started by label partner Paul Moody and myself simply because we got tired of being the fans who sat moaning on the sidelines about how we wanted things doing differently. We were alumni of the classic Good Looking era and there were so few labels back then pushing the sounds we were into. It's so easy to sit and criticise when artists or labels change direction but what if you could contribute yourself? It really isn't that hard. We weren't names, we didn't have a lot of money, we just had the will to give it a go. So we got in touch with people in the scene, labels, artists, and took it from there, before we knew it we had enough material for a CD album which felt was the best entry point, soon things had snowballed and we were lucky enough to release music on vinyl as well as CD, which was the ultimate aim.

Influences?
I'd count Good Looking Records, 720, Covert Operations, Temple, Timeless, Renegade and Purified Audio as influences for Red Mist, in terms of artists we've always loved ASC who has been a big part of Red Mist from the early days to now, and of course other stalwarts of the label including Antibreak, Electrosoul System, Greenfly, FX909 and ICR amongst many others, without them none of it would have been possible.

How would you describe the Red Mist sound/ethos?
I guess deep, danceable atmospheric music, not necessarily sticking to one specific style but each track we sign is always something Paul & I immediately feel is simply Red Mist somehow, when that happens we do everything we can to sign it and the rest usually falls into place. We ignore the trends of the rest of the scene to a large extent which is probably to the detriment of wider success in the market, but we both firmly believe that doing our own thing and sticking to our tastes 100% is the best way to stay interested and retain our integrity. I can honestly say we've never signed a track because we thought it would do well as opposed to simply loving the music. As soon as you cross that line, you lose your identity and when your label isn't a career or an avenue to make you money which Red Mist certainly has never been to us, why release with anything other than the heart?

The last release on Red Mist was the excellent Eleven Shades of Night LP by Antibreak. It's been pretty quiet since then. Any news on what's happening in the future?
It has been quiet, to be honest life has got in the way of things since the Antibreak album, Paul & I have both had our minds on our careers amongst other things with D&B taking a bit of a back seat, but the door hasn't been closed. Our most recent vinyl distributor went bust recently, and the market for CDs is waning but we refuse to take the easy way out and become another digital label. Neither of us see any reason to be involved in this scene as label owners simply putting files on a website, we want to give people something they can hold in ten years and have some memories, you just don't get that from an mp3, and I have great concerns about quality control too. The same tracks you might like but aren't quite good enough to put your money behind can now come out, this can be a good thing but it also brings with it the danger of watering doon the scene, the huge slew of digital content available is a detriment in my opinion as it's just getting too hard for fans to filter the wheat from the chaff, and when you reward mediocre music with a digital release it sends out entirely the wrong message to both the artist and the buying public. But going back to our situation, as soon as we feel we're ready to release again we will, but only when we have full confidence in the music, the format of the release and our ability to dedicate enough time to do it right. 

Are there any artists out there that you're particularly feeling at the moment?
Antibreak still surprises me on a regular basis with his ideas, guys like Yorke, Soultec, Silent Dust, Freebird, Bulb, Mage, Edward Oberon, Shebuzz and East of Oceans are highlights at the moment, and of course ASC just keeps on bringing the quality.


What are your feelings on the general state of D&B and electronic music as a whole right now?
In terms of D&B, the quality of music being released has noticably dropped in recent times in my opinion, partly thanks to the saturation of the scene by there being far too many labels with little genuine identity and it being too easy for artists not quite ready for releases to get tunes out there before they've had the time to perfect their craft, but that could just be me and my ageing ears, who knows! I'd love to see more of a 'quality not quantity' approach, I mean there are digital labels out there churning out 30 releases in the space of a year without the fear of failure that comes with physical releases, and it can be tough to keep up as a listener when that's just one label out of a whole bunch you're following. One of my biggest problems with D&B at the moment is how forgettable a lot of it is, many tracks I hear I think 'yeah this is great', but I can barely remember it the next day, which seems to be a more recent thing to me but again that could just be me and my own changing tastes. I do still occasionally hear tracks which allay my fears I've heard it all though, and the faith is still there that there's life in this music yet. As for other genres I'm enjoying progressive house and trance, both of which are taking up a lot of my time, and have a lot to offer D&B in terms of influences and how they're coping with the changes in market trends I think.


Anything else you'd like to add?
Not much really, I've waffled on enough! I'd just like to say thank you for having me on the podcast and for taking the time to ask these questions, it's been a pleasure answering them and to contribute to what I'm sure will be a great project going forward for Blackdub.
Also, you can check out the Red Mist Recordings website where you can shop for Red Mist releases, download mixes from Paul & myself etc, and Red Mist Radio hosted by myself is every 1st Monday of the month, 7-9pm GMT on Bassdrive.

Scroll down for the podcast player!

Tracklist:

Smote - Moonlight [Red Mist]

Native - At My Side [Red Mist]

Atmospherixz - Daytona Dreamz [Red Mist] 

Kyro - Dark Devotion [Red Mist] 

Laroque - Goldfinger (Unreleased Mix) [Hospital] 

Artificial Intelligence & D Bridge - Better Days [Liquid V] 

Mav & Implex - Chasm (Future Engineers Remix) [Covert Operations] 

Method One & Besk One - Between Two Worlds [Levitated] 

Blame - Alpha 7 (ASC VIP) [Unreleased] 

J-Laze - Stratosphere (Remix) [Unreleased] 

Arje - Over Clouds [Red Mist] 

Funky Technicians - Airtight (Furney Remix) [CIA] 

PFM - The Western (Mike's Ricochet Remix) [Good Looking] 

Blackdub Podcast #1: DJ Haze by Blackdub Podcast on Mixcloud

Direct Download (Right Click + Save As):

http://doomboy.nclhost.com/blackdub/mixes/DJ_Haze_Blackdub_Podcast_1.mp3
Thanks to Dark Skies for the webspace!