Cable

Croydon DJ/producer/MC extraordinaire Dark Tantrums recently released his debut EP 'Unborn/Storm' on Coki & Mala's Highly regarded DEEP MEDi imprint, so we thought it fitting to catch up for a chinwag ahead of his ERGH gig at Cable tonight.



How did you first get into electronic music?

I've always had an appreciation for good music no matter what genre from as far back as I can remember.

You're Unborn/Storm EP is out on DEEP MEDi, I bet you're really chuffed.

I feel blessed that Such a prolific label is into what I’m doing! It feel's great.


 
The EP was influenced by the birth of your second child, will you continue to draw inspiration from them?

Yeah definitely!! they do all the time.

How would you feel about them following in your footsteps?

I'd love them to follow in my footsteps, although I’m not going to pressure them into it. I'm definitely going to give them a chance to get into it from a much younger age then I was though.

What would you say to a younger you (if you ever had the chance)?

I would have definitely told myself to get into producing from a much younger age.
 
Any career highlights so far?

I'd say my highlight so far has got to be travelling around the world doing what I love most.

What can we expect from your back to back performance with Kromestar at Cable this Friday?

I can guarantee some real Dubstep, covering the best of the deeper side and 'tear out' from us both!!! (Team Starfleet)

Quick-fire Questions

You wouldn’t expect it but, sometimes I listen to…
House music.

I Love...
The Growler on Origin Audio.

My next release is...
'The Drive'

My favourite thing about EDM music scene is…
Bass.

If I wasn’t a DJ I would have been..
An astronaut.

Catch Dark Tantrums performing with Kromestar as Starfleet at ERGH tonight.

With an RA podcast under his belt, releases on Seth Troxler's Visionquest imprint, Sammy Dee's vinyl only label, Ultrastretch, Tolfrey's Leftroom and Retrofit, Matthew Burton is a spinner you definitely have to experience. With moody selections, raw sounding grooves, sets laden with unknown white label productions and effortless flow, Burton is sure to rip Relay apart.

We also managed to blag Matthew for a mix and he delivered an epic journey through head-down, stripped back grooves. Enjoy!




You currently reside in Berlin, what's it like for an Englishman living over there?

This is my second time living in Berlin. The first time i was here for 2 years and then we moved to London and now we're back again! Living in Berlin is very easy, the rent is cheap and its a really safe city so not many stresses day-to-day. Being an Englishman in Berlin is pretty easy, but the main thing I miss is the english sense of humour, not many people over here understand it.

How does the scene differ from london? How do you see things in London developing?

Both cities are quite different. London has more people going out to listen to the music, whereas Berlin has more people going out just to party. Its hard to say where how the london scene will evolve, there are loads of great producers in the UK (all my favourite ones are based there), but then it seems to get over run by this obvious stuff. However, there's loads of stuff being made by 'not real' producers to get well known - you know the "deep house" thing thats going on - anyway I hope there is less of that and more stuff from the really talented guys in the future.

Where do you see your music going this year? Which musical direction do you intend to take with it? More housey, more techno?

I can never answer that question because when I think I have made a techno track someone else will call it house.  I don't make anything too housey anyway, I guess my music has been steadily getting more stripped and raw this year with influences from both house and techno.

Who was the first producer you were really into and passionate about? Did this person make an impact into the sound you produce today?

I have always been into Lee Scratch Perry and the other guys from the same time who were making dub.  There style has had a big influence on my music. They kept the music so raw and instead of layering new elements to the track they would just strip things right back so you pay attention to something like the bassline that was present throughout. Although my music is not the same style their techniques work really well in dance music.

Which artists do you think we should be keeping an eye on? Who's emerging from the UK & Germany at the moment?

BLM from fear of flying, he has had a couple of great EPs out recently on Underground Quality and Tsuba. I have been friends with him a long time and he is making better music consistently than anyone else I know.

On the Friday your playing at the launch of Love Squared at Relay / Cable, London Bridge. Have you played there before? What can we expect from your performance?

I have not played there before, but I have been down there a few times and I'm really looking forward to playing. From the vibe i got from the place I think I will be bringing my druggy, trippy records with me. I always play a few styles from old electro, techno and techno influenced dubstep.

Catch Matthew spinning at Relay on Friday for the launch of Love Squared

2 Shy MC has been working the mic since 96 and shows no signs of slowing down. The man boasts residencies at Goldie's legendary Metalheadz and Pure Science as well as regular performances here at Cable. With a gig here at Faster on Sunday 6th May we thought it perfect timing to catch up for a chat.

Lets roll things back... how did you first get into MCing?

Coming from a reggae/hip hop/electro background I’ve always been into lyrically influenced music.
To cut a very long story short, everyone wanted to be a DJ back in he day including me. Then I went to my first rave and witnessed an mc on the stage hyping up the crowd and knew right there that was what I was going to do. From that moment on I would grab the mic at bedroom mixing sessions with mates. This built up my confidence and I began to perform at house parties, which progressed onto Pirate radio etc. That’s a very brief version of events!

How do you find inspiration for your bars?

I grab inspiration from everyday life, anything, anytime and any place. I decided from the start that I would only ever rhyme about things that I have personally experienced. I figured no one could be better than me at being me! I rhyme about past and present experiences and spur of the moment emotions that I am experiencing right there in the rave.

Faster NYE was epic for us, how was it for you?

Faster was a great way to see in the New Year, I know the Faster crew very well and it was a great feeling seeing all 3 rooms at Cable rammed out. The line up’s that Faster put on are very well thought out, they always cover every aspect of drum and bass. From the high energy beats, to the soulful breaks and everything in between. It’s a musical journey rather than just a rave. The vibes on NYE were immense, I was there for the whole night and every artist smashed it in all 3 rooms. I’m sure this May Bank Holiday event will be just as brilliant.

It must be hard, but, can you pick your most memorable gig?

There have been way to many over the years. One that stands out straight away was one where Goldie and I had turned up for a festival in Serbia, neither of us were expecting too much from it as we didn’t have much prior info about it at all including the name of the event and what sort of crowd to expect. We arrived at the venue and decided to check out the main stage where we were playing. We walked up the stairs to backstage and pulled back the curtain to see Morrisey on stage performing to an endless amount of people at least 50K!!! Realising that we had to go on and play 2hrs of DNB to the crowd after an act like Morrissey was a surprise to say the least. It turns out that the festival was actually THE ‘Exit’ festival - amazing!

You have been on the scene for quite a while now, you must have a few crazy stories to share!

I couldn’t possibly divulge on any of the good ones, haha, but there have definitely been a few crackers.

How do you feel the role of the MC has changed over the years?

The role of an MC has changed massively over the years. I’m still of an old skool mentality where I believe that we are there to accompany the DJ and be the middle man between the DJ and the crowd. I’m seen more as a host style MC in the scene which is the road that I chose to go down, in the more jump up side of the scene a lot of the MC’s are now the main feature of the line up’s. Love them or hate them you have to respect the fact that MC’s have turned the tables and gone from a being the under dog in some cases to being bigger than the guy playing the music. We’ve always had a voice in the scene but it seems like it is being heard more nowadays and the role of an MC is being taken a little more seriously. We now have more MC’s featuring on tracks rather than a producer robbing a US hip hop sample. That alone is a massive step for a drum and bass MC and who knows where it could lead.

We have seen more and more mixes coming from you, would you ever make a complete transition over to DJ/producer?

I’ve always mixed but back in about 1993 I decided that I had to make a choice of whether to try and become a career DJ or MC. I’ve always been into poetry and felt I could express more lyrically overall. I’ve recently got back into mixing beats as for me its another great form of expression. Sometimes you just want to play the beats that you want to hear and express the mood you are in. I’m enjoying doing my monthly mixes at the moment and they are getting a great response. I’ve been working hard in the studio over the last few years as well and again making a track is a form of expression but rather than words I’m using sounds to get my point across. In the future who knows, nowadays I’m just going where the music takes me. I’d love to be able to do both at some stage.

Check out a mix from 2Shy MC above...

Why do you keep returning to Cable? Is it something in the water?

London Bridge is my old haunt and Cable is yet another reason for me to not stay away! The venues layout is perfect and the sound system in the main room is a killer when it’s warmed up. I’ve never had a bad night at the club yet. Every event I have worked there has always proved excellent! There is always a great atmosphere and superb music policy, Faster on Bank holiday May 6th looks set to carry on that trend. Can’t wait!

What have you got coming up that we should know about?

There are a few things in the pipeline that are being tied up rite now so you will have to watch out for those. But at the moment I’m working on a few collaborations with various producers in a variety of genres. I’m still working on my beats alongside Meth and we have loads of stuff ready to drop. Other than that you can catch me performing somewhere around the World doing what I do, rollin’ over beats and amp-ing up a crowd. You can catch my monthly mixes on soundcloud so stay locked to that.

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Faster at Cable
Sunday 6th May

Info / Tickets

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Main Room: Wilkinson, S.P.Y, Lenzman, Dom & Roland, Marcus Intalex, Break, Doc Scott , Anile

Hosted by: 2 Shy MC, SP, Lowqui, Code:breaker

Room Two Hosted by Do it: I Killed Kenny, We're Not Cool, Unit 9, Not Shy

Ahead of Friday's humongous 'May The 4th Be With You' Idiosynphonic party at Cable, we pinned down promoter Alex Donald for a chat. We also blagged an exclusive mix from Idio guest Tomek N for your aural pleasure.

So you’re just back from Snowbombing. Lucky guy! How was it?

Snowbombing was the best holiday of my life, from the very first night of the rally where I ended up on the roof of the hotel with Rankoutsider to meeting dancing next to High Contrast in the Sclussel whilst Shy FX dropped ‘If W Ever’, it is a crazy holiday. It was helped by getting a lot of free drinks from the Eristoff Wolves but there is so much music variety that it meets everyone’s needs. I went to see High Contrast and then found myself at Soulclap. It is the best festival I have ever been to and everyone needs to go plus there is the added bonus of being able to go onto the slopes. I am definitely going back next year!

Tell us about your musical tastes growing up.

At the age of 6 I was jumping around to ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ by The Prodigy and ‘Block Rockin Beats’ by The Chemical Brothers but then went through a more Rock based period however I treasured my Fabric Live CD which was mixed by DJ Hype.

It’s obvious you have a soft spot for drum & bass, but how did this progress through to dubstep?

I was 13 and was chilling with a friend and his older brother came in and played ‘Super Sharp Shooter and I instantly loved ‘DnB’ but what took it to a whole new level was ‘Together’, ‘The Trip’ and ‘Kaleidiscope’ by Logistics they are such amazing tracks! Dubstep came later, I can remember seeing N Type and Hatcha in early 2007 and not really getting it but then listening to Zeds Dead and being amazed by it.

Can we hear the Idiosynphonic saga, starting from day one?

Myself and Phonografik wanted to start a blog to cover D&B and Dubstep and everything in between and had a launch party with Camo +Krooked, Brookes Brothers, Modestep and Dexcell at Goldsmiths University and had 300 people turn up. After that we had no idea where it would take us but I kept asking Cable for a date and they gave it to us, so we got Modestep Live, Doctor P, Roksonix and Dubba Jonny Live on the bill and have never looked back! Idiosynphonic is about bringing the best acts to Cable and charging as cheap as possible plus no rewinds!!!

Anything you want to rant about?

Acts over-charging ridiculous amounts when you have promoted them and helped them get to where they are.

On the subject of bookings, how do you formulate your line-ups?

Idiosynphonic is always a variation in music. This year we have already had Hazard, Cutline, TC, Reeps One, Wilkinson, Shock One, Tomba, Distance, Silkie B2B Quest and next week we have Kill The Noise, Alvin Risk, Calvetron. Basically whoever I can get my hands on and try to be as original as possible. Also we like Live stuff and later on in the year you will see Document One’s first ever Live Show in London underneath Cable’s arches.

Which acts are on the Idio-hitlist?

We have had Camo + Krooked play a DJ set but we would love to have them play Live for us at some point. Noisia are another, incredible producers and would just be nuts. I can remember when they played at Cable for Metalheadz and they tore the place apart. Dillon Francis would be amazing to land and also Zeds Dead, every track they produce is different but smashes it in everyway.

You also have other strings to your bow such as artist management. What led you down that route?

I knew Modestep from when they had under 1000 fans due to a housemate going to school with them and Xkore was similar and they both have become really successful. I just want to help people in as many ways as possible and this is just another way I suppose.

What was it that initially drew you to Cable?

Swerve on a Wednesday night! I was looking for places to go and spend my student loan at Goldsmiths and a reason not to go to my 9am lecture so came a couple of times. I then moved away to Newcastle but came back for a Shogun Audio night and now come quite regularly to cause mischief. Don’t let me anywhere near the lights but on a serious note, Cable has got a wicked atmosphere and some of the best nights in the capital, Idiosynphonic being one of them!

Why do your loyal Idiosynphonic ravers keep coming back for more?

The variation in the night, we try and be completely different from every other night down here, so we try and stick away from the Grime scene and the Shogun Audio sounds but try and bring in the more Electro-sounding Dubstep from the scene with some Liquid/Jump Up DnB thrown in there too. We also try and get as many artists on our line up as possible. Over the last year we have had Genetix, Koan Sound, Captain Crunch, Rollz in the bar and then try and get everyone to have as much fun as possible. Cutline got everyone on their knees the last time they played for us and then dropped their track and the place went mental, I have never seen Cable go off like that.

What were your thoughts behind the recurring Star Wars theme, take it you’re a fan?

I can’t remember why we did it last year but it was a massive line up and the video worked really well with it. This year we happened to fall on the right date and Kill The Noise’s logo goes well with Darth Vadar so the artwork is looking so sick! I am ridiculously excited about it as Kill The Noise, Alvin Risk, Calvertron and our Special Guest will be dropping some crazy tracks full of lazers!! Ha but I do wonder how many will play the ‘Imperiel March’ or a tune with it in.

What have you got coming up in the next couple of months?

I’m off to check the nightlife of Barcelona before gearing up to July 6th at Cable where we have some of our favourite artists in the scene Document One (Live) and Cutline. There will be drunken shenanigans on that night for sure and to follow up we have some very special announcements in regards to collaborations etc but that is towards the end of the summer and is to be kept under wraps for the time being!

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Idiosynphonic 'May The 4th Be With You'
Friday 4th May at Cable

Info / Tickets

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Main Room: Kill The Noise, Alvin Risk, Calvertron, Cutline, Tut Tut Child, Esoterra, Pote, Essbeedee.

Room Two - hosted by Shhhed: Rankoutsider, Gazzinho, Tomek N, Vice DJs, Dankman B2B Vybez, Phonografik.

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Your Dad is a musician so you obviously grew up surrounded by music, what do you remember hearing during your childhood? Do you think that contributed to your musical direction today?

Growing up I l heard alot of reggae, rare-groove, 80's soul and pop music... and yes I think it has influenced me today, I love a big bassline or a good vocal track, got to be good though!

You regularly spin alongside Alex Cellar. What's it like playing without your partner in crime?

I really enjoy playing with Alex, cause its always a healthy competition, I put a track on he wants to do one better, and then I try to put an even better one on! Try!!! We have alot of fun playing together because we are close friends and share the same passion for the music, so always fun.

Do you any future plans for JC Freaks? (production partnership with Werner Niedermeier).

At the moment no, Werner and I dont have any plans for our JC Freaks project, we are both doing different things now.  It was kind of a special moment in time and I think we're both happy we did it and enjoy the memories and the music.

Recently we've seen an influx of female DJs gaining notoriety. In fact the girls have been giving the boys a real run for their money! What inspired you to get into such a male dominated arena and what advice would you give to other female DJs looking to break into the scene?

There have, women are smashing it these days its amazing to see. I got into djing quite naturally, had been buying 12"s for a couple years and playing them on my hi-fi stack system, and met actually some girls that had decks. Was studying back then so had a student loan and a grant I think ( those were the days) and bought some decks instead of books.  I remember my flat mate and I would just jump on them all the time and practice and practice.  Females dont have to break into the scene, the road has been paved for them....

What are you listening to right now?

Nina Simone - Feeling Good

Hows your summer shaping up?

Several parties! Berlin & Ibiza...

Anything else you want to shout about?

Keep your eyes on BROUQADE records, great stuff coming this year!


Connected at Cable - Saturday 28th April
Info/Tickets:

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Main Room: Davide Squillace, No Artificial Colours, Shane Watcha, Jesse James + Johnny Bloomfield, Will Taylor + Connor Benson

Room Two: Robbie Linstead, Jack Sawyer & Ben Davis, Danny Lawson, Matt Rich Steve Shorter & Ian Grimwood

Relay: Anthea, Mark Derry & Rob Cockerton, Ryan Mac, Closure DJ's, Ollie Killick