Thursday, December 23, 2010

VTEKK - FUNKY MIX DEC 10


CULT Resident Vtekk has gone all tropical on us in preparation for the huge NYE soundclash between CULT & MIMM at Countdown 2010 (see post below) .

Forget the weather outside, turn your heating up and get you bogel on

01 Track 01 1 by vteckle

Traklist:

2 Far Gone - Kode9
Gabryle Refix - D Malice
More Than Ever - Hackman
Bangkok - Boris Dlugosch Roska rmx
LV - Boomslang
Move Into The Future - Geenus Riddim
Box - N.B Funky
What Do You Tell Me - Mista Men
Feeline - J Kenzo
Copz - Doc Daneeka
Schizophrenic - DVA
Pulse vs Flex - Lil Silva
Dial Operator - CRST
Weedkiller - Seiji
Glitch Dub - Emvee

Monday, December 20, 2010

COUNTDOWN 2010 - CULT VS MIMM ARENA

CULT are hosting a room at this years massive COUNTDOWN 2010 NYE Event which features 7 arenas spread across 3 venues and is being billed as the biggest NYE party in the UK.

The full line up is ridiculous! Details and tickets can be found here:

http://www.detonate1.co.uk/event.php?eid=33317

In our room we’re going up against local bass music providers – Mimm, for a clash of epic proportions featuring Doc Daneeka, XXXY, Jubei, Ulterior Motive, Spectrasoul and a midnight set from Alix Perez.

MC duty is covered by SP, Ruthless, Karizma and ASL.


Monday, December 06, 2010

MOUSE - SNOW JOKE MIX [DEC 10]



Damn its Frosty outside!

Best way to stay warm is to jump around a lot, so stick on this 135bpm excursion by CULT resident Mouse, and do just that!

Mouse - Snow Joke Mix (Dec 10) by mouseisthedaddy

Tracklist:

June Miller - Time (Free Download)
Kode 9 feat the Spaceape - You Dont Wash [Martyn's Scrub] (Dj Kicks)
SBTRKT - Breakout (Free Download)
A Made Up Sound - Rear Window (Delsin)
Justin Martin - Get Low (Dirtybird)
Kingdom - That Mystic (Night Slugs)
Martyn - Miniluv (Ostgut Ton)
Santiago Salazar - Arcade (Macro)
The Martinez Brothers -Don’t Know Yet (Objektivity)
Catz & Dogz Vs Pol On - Me (Get Physical)
Afrilounge - Lux Dementia (Connaisseur)
Fenix - None of Them [Robags Wokksikon Remikks] (Shitkatapult)
Mala - Don't Let Me Go (Soul Jazz)
Sigha - Shake (Hot Flush)

Thursday, November 18, 2010

CULT D&B SESSIONS: MARCUS INTALEX & MC DRS

For our last party of the year we welcome back CULT's favourite Mancunian for his 3rd visit along with Soul:ution resident MC DRS

MARCUS INTALEX


There's not much to say about Intalex that we haven't said already, so we'll keep this short.

A connaisseur when it comes to selection bar none with a strong deep techno influence throughout his productions and sets, Marcus is one of our favourite DJ's of all time here at CULT.

A versatile DJ who never disappoints a crowd, and with a début album (after 21 years in the game!) just around the corner, a 2hr set is the least we can do!

MC DRS

With a reputation stretching back over 15 years, DRS is a truly versatile MC, host and lyricist. Cutting his teeth and touring worldwide with the legendary Good Looking label, his soulful style on the mic and honest lyrics are unmatched.

In recent years, he’s been an integral part of the Soul:r camp, recording tracks with Mist:ical, Lynx & Kemo and Calibre as well appearing as resident MC for Soul:ution and A Bunch of Cuts nights. DRS is also part of hip-hop crew Broke’n’English, alongside fellow MC Strategy and DJ Konny Kon.

FRIDAY 3RD DECEMBER

MARCUS INTALEX (Soul:R)
MC DRS (BROKE'N'£NGLISH)

SUPPORT FROM STRIKE (ROGUE FM / DETONATE)

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger
, MC Yons

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 4am

***£6 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

SPANKY VAN DYKES, 17 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JT
www.spankyvandykes.com


For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Friday, November 12, 2010

MOUSE - OLD SCHOOL UK GARAGE MIX

A little bit of a blast from the past from CULT resident Mouse.

The garage sound has had a bit of a resurgence of late, but for CULT the time that it was at its best was around 95 - 97, where in London you couldn't move without hearing a chirped vocal or a crisp hi hat. Enjoy.

Old School Garage Mix - Nov 10 by mouseisthedaddy

Track Listing:

Antonio - I'll Take You There (Back 2 Front)
Dem 2 - Destiny (Locked On)
Big Bird - Flav (City Dub Trax)
24hr Experience - All Nighter (Nice 'N' Ripe)
Sound of One - As I Am [Todd Edwards Remix] (Locked On)
Tuff Jam - Key Dub [ver 99] (i! Records)
Dub Monsters - Waiting (Underground Connection)
Groove Chronicles - Your Power taking Over (Groove Chronicles)
Da Chant - 3rd Exit (Catch)
24hr Experience - Together (Nice 'N' Ripe)
Divine Soul - Shake That Ass (Strictly Rhythm)
Nu Birth - Anytime (XL)
Todd Edwards - Saved my Life (i! Records)
RIP Productions - Obsessed (Ice Cream)

Thursday, October 07, 2010

CULT D&B SESSIONS: LENZMAN

For our fireworks night event this year we’re pretty excited to be hosting a Producer who seems to have the golden touch right now.

LENZMAN

Emerging from relative obscurity in the last few years, Dutch producer Lenzman has quickly gained a huge amount of respect in the Drum & Bass world with his deep and soulful take on this underground genre. Influenced by Hip Hop, Soul, Jazz and life in general, Lenzman’s music combines the organic grooves of yesteryears with the energy , big basslines and forward thinking attitude of Drum & Bass music.With a host of already classic releases and a recently signed 12” to Metalheadz (The massive ”Open Page”) the future is looking brighter and brighter for this rising star.

FRIDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

LENZMAN (Metalheadz / Shogun / Soul:R)
SUPPORT FROM RETRAFLEX (FLEXOUT)

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger
, MC Yons

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 2am

***£5 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

SPANKY VAN DYKES, 17 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JT
www.spankyvandykes.com


For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

DARK LIGHT!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

CULT PROMO MIX - SEPTEMBER 2010

Get you teeth in to a brand new hour long Promo mix from CULT resident Mouse.

Edit: Mix has now been archived for download, click below:

mouse-serato-wanker-mix-sep-2010

Sigha - Light Swells [In a Distant Place] (Hot Flush)
June Miller - Late Night Lies (N/A)
Atom - Breath In (Amen Brothers)
Felix K - Chamber One (Hidden Hawaii)
ASC & Method One - Deadlock (N/A)
Beta 2 - Release (Play Musik)
Enei - Dustclock (N/A)
Alix Perez - Self Control (N/A)
dRamatic & dbAudio - Cored (Hustle Audio)
Edward Oberon - Noir (31)
Lenzman - Flamethrower (Soul:R)
Lenzman - Fade Away (Soul:R)
Code 3 - Living Proof (Exit)
Anile - Induction (dsm)
Spirit - Night Drive (Ingredients)
Jose - James - Warrior [Rockwell Rmx] (Brownswood)
Need For Mirrors - Lowtide (Nu Directions)
Sabre - Marvel (Critical)
MC Conrad & Furney - Drum Tools (Good Looking)
June Miller - Shora (N/A)

If you like it like this then you know where and when...

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

CULT D&B SESSIONS: COMMIX - RE:CALL TO MIND LP LAUNCH PARTY

After our little summer hiatus, CULT is back and we start the new term as we mean to go on with a launch party for one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

COMMIX


Metalheadz are finally releasing the long awaited remix album of Commix's Call To Mind in October. Cunningly titled Re:Call To Mind, it features some of Commix's favourite techno, house, dubstep and drum & bass producers recording their own versions of tracks from the album.
To celebrate we have invited back one CULT's favourite production duos who, in our opinion, played one of the sets of the year when they played for us last summer.

We're told Guy and George have been in the studio non-stop this year. So if you want to be first to hear the gents brand new stuff you know what to do.

FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER
COMMIX (Metalheadz)
SUPPORT FROM DJ TAKE (DETONATE)

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger , MC Yons

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – Late

***£5 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

SPANKY VAN DYKES, 17 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JT
www.spankyvandykes.com


For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

MARCUS INTALEX INTERVIEW

The second interview taken from backstage at the CULT room at this years Detonate Indoor Festival. We spoke to Manchester legend and self confessed cynic, Marcus Intalex.

You’ve just played an hour or so in the CULT room at the Detonate Indoor Festival. How was that?

76 minutes and 30 seconds of pure bliss!

Lovely! So you’ve been a producer for over 15 years but you describe yourself predominantly as a DJ. What made you get into production back then?

Well to be honest it was difficult to get gigs. I always knew that I could DJ, I always enjoyed it. At the time the scene in Manchester wasn’t great, and I was working in a record shop not making much money. So I knew that in order to progress myself I needed to make that step. Plus having a serious love for the music it seemed worth a try! L Double used to run a van service delivering records to the shops and he said “do you wanna come down to the studio?”, so we did!

You’ve had quite a quiet 2009 production wise, have you been working on something?

I’m working on an album. I don’t know why I decided to do it! I go through periods when I enjoy making music, and periods where it’s difficult. When it’s difficult I just tend to not bother with it, because I know at some point later I will get back in the mood. I’ll sit in the studio and write a couple of loops, if it’s not happening I’ll save them and turn the computer off, and if it is happening I’ll try and finish them. That’s the beauty of making music on a computer.

About six months ago I listened back to all the stuff I had that was half finished and there was a lot of stuff I actually quite liked. Sometimes you don’t even realise you’re making an alright tune, you’re just not in the right frame of mind! I’d been in the studio with Calibre and Zed Bias, and before you know it I’d amassed a load of music. I’ve been in the business for 21 years and I’ve not got an album to show for it, I’ve got to stop being lazy!

I’ve always been worried about what people will think; you’re putting something down and it will be there forever. It’s a stamp and I’m really conscious of that. When I was younger it meant so much to me, every single record you put out was so important. These days it’s not exactly the same because there’s so much music out there already. And the only way to counter it is to put out music yourself. We’ve sat on music for ages for no particular reason other than we don’t think its good enough and then you listen to some of the other shit that’s coming out!

You mentioned Zed Bias; you have been known to produce other tempos, I imagine the album won’t just be Drum and Bass?

It’s mostly gonna be for the club, I‘m not gonna go too noodley! I write music for the clubs. There might be a couple of other tempos on there. I’ll mix it up a little, but it will be mostly drum & bass.



MIST - Clockwork / Entropy was probably one of the strongest 12’s of last year. Can we expect some more stuff from MIST anytime soon?

Possibly! We hadn’t done anything for a bit and we wanted to put out a couple of tunes that were a little bit more “dancefloor” than maybe what MIST where probably known for. At the time the music out there, I thought, was either a little bit too minimal and a bit depressing, or too excitable and too cheesy! Obviously from a DJ’s point of view, we wanted to put out a couple of tunes that work for the listeners at home but still have a good dancey vibe about them.

Would you say that’s what you do when signing tunes for Soul:R? Is there a Soul:R sound?

I’d like to think there isn’t. I guess people think the label has got a “sound” about it. That’s up to them. In my opinion it’s just music I really like, music I’d buy to play out. My ears are open really. I like things that are slightly progressive but at the same time have the right ingredients to get people dancing - there’s a fine line. I like to hear people do something different and that’s what excites me but keeping it within the confines of DJ friendly music. That’s basically a weird summary of it I guess!

As a DJ you’ve got to want to cover all the sounds, take people on a journey. I originally started off as a House DJ, and the DJ’s who inspired me you could listen to for four hours and you go through a whole range of emotions. I still look for that now in the tunes I play and I sign for the label; I get likened to more of a techno DJ in the way that I play.

You play some techno sets, have you not ever been tempted to switch it up in the same set? A lot of people I’ve spoken too recently have said how it’s become more acceptable to play multiple tempos in the same set nowadays.

I find it difficult because drum and bass is at such an alienated speed; it’s out there on its own. You can’t mix it into techno. It’s such a high tempo and energy compared to other types of music that I personally don’t like seeing it mixed up. When things are around 120 – 130bpm you’ve got room and scope, you can go where you want along that tempo, there are lots of different styles. Unfortunately once you’re stuck up at 175bpm there’s not really anywhere else you can go!

I’ve yet to hear it done well enough for me to think “yeah I’d like to start doing that”. It’s easy to start your set off playing a bit of dubstep or whatever, but to me that just looks token. It’s like a D&B DJ’s not really in love with his music enough anymore, so he’s thought “oh right dubstep, that’s popular”. I’m a cynic, there’s no getting away from that!



You’ve been putting out some dubstep yourself on the Revolve:R label. Is that going to become an output purely for that type of music?

What we’ve wanted to make Revolve:R is a “non D&B label” not necessarily just dubstep. I’d also like to be putting out a bit of house and techno on it eventually.
I don’t even know if what we’ve put out before can be called dubstep. It’s that tempo definitely. I do like some dubstep, it’s a very interesting tempo to play with as a producer. You take everything you’ve learnt making drum and bass and do it at a different tempo - it can be a lot of fun. I played in Dublin last night and caught some of N-Type. If I’d have heard most of that music at a different time or in a different set I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it. It’s a sign of a good DJ to get you into something you’re not sure you would like - he did a really good job.

Dubstep has done a lot for D&B, it’s made people realise that you don’t have to smash things along at a hundred miles an hour. It’s changed the face of the music. It’s also brought more people into electronic music. Dubstep is the sound of the younger generation nowadays, it’s very similar to D&B but it’s something they can call their own because it’s developed during their generation. Maybe D&B is for old people now!

Dubstep has brought a lot of people over to beats and bass music. That sound is probably the predominate sound in the UK right now, bigger than house & techno, which has never been the case. It’s like they’ve almost amalgamated together to create one massive scene. There are 5000 people here tonight, and there’s not really many 4x4 things going off, its all about beats and bass. The scene’s as good as it’s ever been in terms of being able to play what you want as a DJ, which is all I ever ask for. Five years ago, everyone was playing the same tunes, you’d go to a rave and hear the same six fucking tunes all night! You don’t get that as much any more, everyone’s got their own little thing; it’s completely the opposite almost. It’s very healthy.

So what’s coming up for Soul:R then?

This year we’ve got some pretty big projects on the go. Next single is from a new guy called Phil Tangent, two very true liquid tunes. I hate that word “liquid”, but it is what it is. It’s good musical drum & bass! He looks pretty promising for the future, because it’s basically the first couple of tunes he’s made really and they’re outstanding.

We’ve got a Hobzee & Zyon Bass album to put out, which is not dancefloor at all. It’s a home listening thing, almost ambient drum and bass. Musically it’s amazing, really well produced.

My album’s due, a S.P.Y album later in the year, maybe early next year and also there’s gonna be a DRS album as well. He’s collaborated with nearly everyone in the scene on that, but I’ve yet to hear a single track off it! I’m told by DRS that they’re really good!

There’s a lot to get on with, the difficult side is the business side because it’s a difficult market out there at the moment. This music needs to be heard so it’s coming out regardless!

Just some quick fire ones:

Vinyl, CD or Serato

Serato

Favourite release on Soul:R

Hypnotise, or maybe Fire & Water, or maybe the first Mistical EP!

Your last Non D&B purchase

The new Kings of Convenience album, I like a bit of folk! Its good anti-D&B music!

If you could have one other producer’s laptop, whose would it be.

Mark Pritchard, Floating Points or J Dilla


Words: Nidal

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

D BRIDGE INTERVIEW

Taken a while to get this up but some wise words worthy of a read from the EXIT, Autonomic and former Bad Company man as we chatted to him after he smashed it up in the CULT / Soul:ution Room at The Detonate Indoor Festival 2010....

You probably first came to most people’s attention as part of Bad Company, with quiet a hard industrial sound that they where famous for. More recently the Autonomic sound has been your thing - that minimal / stripped down affair. Was it a conscious decision to move away from that BC sound?

You have to look at this whole minimal tag first really, there are tunes I know that are a lot less minimal (if that’s possible!) than a lot of tunes we’re putting out. Tunes people are playing that are just literally “drum” and “bass” and that’s it. I think with the Autonomic stuff there’s always a lot going on, different layers and elements, different chords and key changes, so people seem to think its minimal and this is the tag its been given, but if anything its just not as loud and cluttered.

In terms of the change of direction as a producer, was it a conscious thing? I don’t know. I think it was a natural progression. As a producer, you’ll find in any genre of music, that you want to progress, you want to keep pushing yourself forward, you want to keep yourself interested. There have been plenty of times when I’ve been pretty disillusioned by the scene and almost given up on it. Every now and then people come along and remind you things aren’t as bad as you think they are.

For me personally, because I’ve been involved in it for so long, I’ve seen it go through so many different transitions and changes. At one stage I felt like it wasn’t my “scene” any more. All I can do is make my interpretation of a tempo if you like. DnB has got a hell of a lot to offer musically, we’ve proven that we can take it mainstream; it can be a commercial success. So okay, know lets see what else we can do.

People are considering it as a defining chapter in Drum and Bass. Did you expect Autonomic to be as big as it has become.

No, we didn’t expect it. I was playing Insta:Mental tunes in my sets and it started off as a small 10 minute section, then 15 minutes, then half an hour and it suddenly expanded and people where hearing what we where doing, and started sending us stuff.

So it was all well and good me playing these tunes in sections of my sets, but people needed to hear them in context. So we felt like we needed to get it out there in a way that people could digest so to speak. Plus, we’d always had this thing where we were really honest about what influenced us and what we where into. That’s something I really like about the podcasts, you can hear the influences in the tunes.

Sometimes with drum and bass there’s that whole bandwagon effect, someone gets on something and soon enough everyone else is jumping on it. We’re not saying we’re perfect and we’re totally original, but we are honest on where we're getting our influences from, we're not getting it from within our own little genre, which kind of bastardises the whole thing a bit.

Maybe it just came along at the right time where people were getting a little bit pissed off with drum and bass. Personally they where quite selfish reasons in some ways, I wanted to be putting out stuff that other musicians outside of the immediate scene could be getting into, the same way I was into their stuff. It seemed for a while that people outside the genre where laughing at DnB and didn’t take it seriously.So yeah it has been surprising, the reaction we’ve had, and I’m really pleased people have taken to it.

You’ve talked before in an interview about “the other side of Drum and Bass.” Are there two sides to DnB now; is the mainstream splitting further and further away?

Me and Instra:Mental sat down and were discussing mainstream DnB and whether it should even be called DnB any more. Because to me, that’s not the perception I’ve got of drum and bass. That’s not part of the progression of the sound from hardcore, darkcore, jungle to DnB.

So yeah, there are these 2 definite sides.If anything it’s just an indication of the scene’s age and size. If there was a parallel, you could compare it to hip hop. In the early days there where all these underground crews doing their thing, and now that has become a very well oiled commercial scene. It will happen. So as much as I may not personally like it, I can’t really hate on it. Because in some ways it helps me. It needs to be there, they’re bringing new listeners to the scene. Everyone’s got to start somewhere.

Moving towards you as a producer, you’ve been a vocal fan of outboard hardware, is that something you’ve always done?

Well, when I stated producing that’s the only option we had! It was outboard, dedicated samplers, DAT machines, compressors, you know? I had embraced the digital side, but it’s got to that stage where it’s quite easy to reverse engineer people’s tunes now-a-days. There are all these forums with people discussing “how did he get this sound” “oh it was this preset”, or "it was that synth”. Plus these entire sample packs you can buy now “The Essential Drum and Bass Sample Pack!”

Working with Instra:Mental, they’d never gone digital, they’d always stayed using hardware, so it was a good excuse to dig all my kit out from the cupboard! It gives you an individuality that digital can’t. Don’t get me wrong, people do get a good sound producing digitally, but it can enforce these quite lazy attitudes towards making music.

Back in the day, Virus had their sound, Full Cycle had their sound, BC had our sound. And as much as we were doing our own thing in terms of samples, a big influence on how our sound came about was the collection of equipment we had. I like the idea of knowing that I’ve got a synth or keyboard that is uniquely characteristic in its own way. Rather than a soft synth on some piece of software that everyone else has got access to, all using the same presets.


On the individuality front, you’ve been singing on your tunes recently. What made you think on that first tune “right I’m gonna sing on this?”

It’s something I’ve always dabbled in, but it’s always been a confidence thing for me and I still have real bad confidence issues with it. What sort of gave me the push, to be honest, was seeing Calibre do it. We’d talk every now and then, and he’d send me a few bits, and be singing all over them, and he’s got an amazing voice! The man is so talented, it annoys me actually how talented he is!

Singing runs in my family anyway, I was in a band as a lead singer when I was a kid. So I thought: sod it, why not. It took getting that first tune out there and for people to say “you know what, that’s all right”.

Personally I’m really unsure about my voice, but people keep telling me I can sing. Plus, again, it’s an Individuality thing; my voice is an instrument that no one else has got! The vocal side of things is important in music, it gives the tune character, and it gives it something that is identifiable as well.

You mentioned the family musical connection - are you planning on doing any other work with your brother, Steve Spacek?

The Black Pocket album is due out this month on Exit, which is good news. The album was supposed to come out three years ago! But for one reason or another it’s been put back. So now we’re happy just to finally have it ready. There will be a CD release as well as Vinyl.

I haven’t really seen my brother for quite a while, because he lives in Australia, but I’ve always loved working with him, he’s got a thing he’s doing with Mark Pritchard called “Africa Hi-Tek” so I think he’ll be touring with that soon. I think we’re gonna try and get him down to our night at Fabric with that.

It’s been a very busy 2010 for Exit already, is that going to continue? What is there to look forward to?

My 12” has just come out (EXIT022 D Bridge - Love Hotel / The Dim Light), and I’ve signed a Digital 12” (EXIT023 Digital - Weatherman / Shanty) which will be out any day now. Also I’m in the process of finishing a Various Artists album which I’m really looking forward to.

One of the things I’ve really loved about the Autonomic thing is drawing people back from others scenes making their interpretation of the sound. There’s always been that exodus of drum and bass producers when a new scene comes along. So it’s nice, since Autonomics started, that a few people are coming back the other way. There’s a track from Distance on there, Skreams done one, Indigo & Synkro, Scuba’s working on something. That should be out around September / October.

I like to keep the releases on Exit as a bit of a surprise - it’s nice for people to listen to something unexpected when they buy a release, so I try not to give out too much stuff so that it’s kept quite fresh by the time it’s released.

How about Exit Vs. Any plans for that?

You know what, the only people I really work with now is Instra:mental. I have just done a track with Spectrasoul where I’m singing on it, and I’ve got a few other things with me singing coming out, so that seems to be what my Vs has become, is me singing on other people’s tracks, I’ve just become a vocalist!

So I’m not sure with that series, same thing with the Aptitude series. I’m just waiting for the right thing to come along. I want Dillinja to do me a 12, so I’m not gonna start it again until he does me one! He may not know it yet! Dillinja and Krust are on my hit list! Ill get them back on it and then I’ll start the series again.

Just some quick fire questions to finish:

Serato, CD or Vinyl?

At the moment Serato

Favourite non DnB tune ever?

Ever? Quite clichéd but Stone Roses – Fools Gold

DnB tune that you find most inspiring.

Krust – Futures Unknown

Favourite own release?

I haven’t done it yet!

Last non DnB album you listened to from start to finish?

Autechre – Oversteps

Dream collaboration

They’re all dead! So I’ve got to do colabs using samples!

If you could have one producer’s laptop with everything on it?

J-Dilla’s

Words: Nidal

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

CULT D&B SESSIONS: SPECTRASOUL

This month we go back to basics, with a 2 hour set from a duo that CULT have been itching to get down for a while now.

SPECTRASOUL

With the drum and Bass market in a state of complete over-saturation, it takes originality, class, and an understanding of quality control to get ahead. Having emerged from relative obscurity in 2006, SpectraSoul, have emerged as one of the new-school pioneers on the drum and bass circuit.

Dave Kennet and Jack Stevens, are a duo that need no introduction to any discerning D&B head. With releases on the some of the most respected labels within the scene, combined with residencies at some of the most prestigious clubs,
Spectrasoul have now firmly stamped their mark on the drum & bass map.

With an ever impressive and rapidly increasing back catalogue, Spectrasoul continue to produce some of the most melodic and widely received drum & bass around and with some of the most stand-out tunes of the last few years, combined with the backing of virtually all of the scenes heavyweights the future can only bring even better things for the Brighton based duo.

Friday 2nd July 2010
SPECTRASOUL (Metalheadz / Shogun / Critical)

Also sets from
DJ WINGS

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger , MC Yons

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 4am

***£5 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

MARKET BAR, 16-22 GOOSE GATE, HOCKLEY, NOTTS, NG1 1FE

For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Thursday, May 20, 2010

CULT D&B SESSIONS: NOOKIE / CLOUD 9 / DEEP BLUE / 2 BAD MICE – OLD SCHOOL & JUNGLE SPECIAL

One for all you old school heads out there as Nookie brings his famed Atmosphere night to Notts for a Reinforced Vs Moving Shadow showcase. Hardcore you know the score!


NOOKIE / CLOUD 9

Gavin Cheung needs no introduction. As Cloud 9 and Nookie he was responsible for numerous anthems that paved the way for Jungle and now Drum & Bass as we know it. His 1993 “The Return of the Nookie EP” on the legendary Reinforced Records is still held in high regard as one of the seminal releases of the time.

DEEP BLUE / 2 BAD MICE

Moving Shadow soldier Deep Blue will be continuing the old school selection with his half of a classics set. Sean O’Keefe is responsible for a host of early jungle classics including the legendary “Helicopter Tune”.
As an original member of 2 Bad Mice, a staple on the early 90’s hardcore scene, the trio are widely credited as among the first UK hardcore acts to begin incorporating breakbeats into the style.


These artists and labels defined a genre and with Reinforced celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, we thought it fitting to give tribute to the sounds of the underground.


Friday 4th June 2010
ATMOSPHERE PRESENTS:
REINFORCED Vs MOVING SHADOW
OLD SCHOOL & JUNGLE SPECIAL


NOOKIE / CLOUD 9
DEEP BLUE / 2 BAD MICE
MC FIVE ALIVE

Also sets from
LOWKEY

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger
Visuals by “minimus”
10pm – 4am

***£4 BEFORE 12 £6 AFTER***

MARKET BAR, 16-22 GOOSE GATE, HOCKLEY, NOTTS, NG1 1FE

For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

CULT - D&B SESSIONS : BCEE / TOTAL SCIENCE – SPEARHEAD RECORDINGS PRESENT… “5LP”

Having risen to become one of the biggest “liquid” labels around in its short lifespan, Spearhead Recordings is celebrating 5 years with the release of the 5 LP.

BCEE

Spearhead Records was established in January 2005 by Steve BCee. Since then the label has been responsible for showcasing a large number of both established and up and coming producers. Spearhead has found a carefully crafted balance in its output from the more soulful sound with tunes such as Lenzman’s “Caught Up” through to dance floor destroyers like SPY’s “Sunship”.

Over the years the label has also boasted a number of other top producers such as Lomax, Atlantic Connection, Danny Byrd and a handful of high profile rmx’s from the likes of Logistics, matrix and Nu:tone.

Bcee’s own production efforts always find there way into the record bags of the scenes top DJ’s as well as his own! Cult are excited to welcome Bcee as he show cases the new album “5 Remixed, Rewired, Rewound” which celebrates 5 years of Spearhead Records and features remix’s from Shock one, Cyantific and Total Science.http://spearheadrecords.bigcartel.com/http://www.myspace.com/spearheadrecords Y

ou can also check out the latest pod cast from Bcee right here…http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/spearhead-records-podcast/id251905854

TOTAL SCIENCE

Cult are also very pleased to welcome Total Science aka Jason Greenhalgh (Q Project) & Paul Smith (Spinback) Drum and Bass pioneers, who over the years have established themselves as legends of the scene.

The pair first met in 1987, both living in and around the Blackbird Leys estate in Oxford, England and brought together through a mutual love of hip-hop and school girls. Between them they have release records under a number of different monikers such as “Funky technicians, Total Science as well as Q projects solo efforts. The boys have had releases on every label imaginable from Metalheadz to Good Looking, True Playaz to Soul:r and Spearhead.

As well as gracing some of the scenes biggest imprints Total Science have also been pushing their own music as well as tunes from some of the scenes biggest producers on their C.I.A, Deepkut and Advanced labels. Renowned for the versatility of their sound big tunes such as “Defcon 69”, show a striking contrast to that of “Dee Pee” .

Not only famed for their production efforts their DJ sets have been setting the decks a light all over the world for many years and were glad their back in Nottingham on the back of their fresh remix of Bcee’s “Mr. Bidigan”.

http://www.myspace.com/totalscience
http://www.myspace.com/recordscia
http://www.myspace.com/ciadeepkut

New interview and mix ...
http://www.dogsonacid.com/showthread.php?threadid=672814&mode=article

Friday 4th June 2010

SPEARHEAD PRESENTS 5LP LAUNCH PARTY
BCEE(SPEARHEAD)
TOTAL SCIENCE(CIA / SPEARHEAD)


Also sets from:

DUBLEY (TEKTRONIK)

SEMINAL SOUNDS

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 4am

***£4 BEFORE 12 £6 AFTER***

MARKET BAR, 16-22 GOOSE GATE, HOCKLEY, NOTTS, NG1 1FE

For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Friday, April 30, 2010

ZERO T INTERVIEW

With his new label Footprints coming with some serious heat, we sat down with Dublins own Zero T after his 2 hour set at CULT a few weeks ago.


First things first: You where Zero Tolerance until a few years ago, now your Zero T? What’s with the name change?

Yeah that’s true; it’s really just a practicality thing. I DJ’d under the name Zero Tolerance since 1998 in Ireland and released under that name since 2000. When I did my album a couple of years ago, I thought from then on I’m gonna go with Zero T. Basically because it’s bigger when you put it on flyers! That’s the main reason!

As you said, you started off back in Dublin with the Bassbin crew. How did that come about?

Well it was all very organic really. When I was a kid I used to buy records off of Rohan, who started Bassbin, and I used to go to their nights. There was a little group of us, and we all stated getting warm up slots and supporting the headliners. Then the label came from that. I was just one of the crew, part of the furniture!
Around about the same time I got a tune signed to Reinforced, and met Breakage and the others that where releasing on Reinforced and things just naturally grew from there I guess.

I spotted on your Twitter a few weeks ago that you’re making some moves towards other genres?

I’ve always made other music for my own pleasure as it where. If you want to perfect your talent in one area, then you’ve got to diversify otherwise you just get stale.
There’s been a big change in the last couple of years in dance music in the UK, that it’s okay to play different tempos in the same set now, and I really like that idea.
So yeah, I’ve been trying my hand at a few different things at the moment, trying to expand my horizons! I’m constantly exposed to DnB, I live with other producers in an area of London where there is a lot of DnB stuff going on so I get to hear it as it comes out of the studios. So generally outside of a club context or doing radio show or whatever I try not to listen to D&B at all. If you listen to too much of what you do, then you end up becoming derivative. I love all music, I listen to everything from jazz to folk to classical to grime and so anything goes really. I even listen to pop music from time to time to see if I can learn anything!

You moved from Dublin to live in London a couple of years ago; did you find that was a big step in your development as a producer / DJ?

I did my thing from Dublin for years, which worked okay for a while, but there’s only so far you can get. The way you tend to develop in this scene is that you release a few tunes and then you’ll start to get DJ bookings. It’s very difficult to do that from outside the UK. Put it this way: I used to work a job and do this, and now I just do this!

So as a producer, you put out quiet a variety of different styles of DnB. With such a wide scope how do you go about starting a tune?

Well I used to be into Hip Hop before I got into DnB, so I’ve always loved the sample based approach. So I’d hear something and think “you know what, I can do something with that” Apart from that I don’t really have a standard approach, id say it’s a lot of messing around and a lot of “happy accidents!”

Your label Footprints has just kicked off, what have you got coming up for the rest of the year in terms of releases?

Footprints No: 1 is in the shops now, Zero T & Bailey – Wasp Factory / Calibre & ST Files – Devil Inside. And No 2 should be promoing as we speak, Zero T & Mosus – Shallow Grave / Beta 2 – Cabin Phever. That’s Beta 2’s come back single; we used to produce together originally, but he’s been away for a while.
Footprints No: 3 is a remix that I’ve done for Rollo from Faithless’s new band “All Thieves”

Away from Footprints, I’ve got a Fabric Live CD coming up, number 52, and that’s out June 14th so I’m excited about that. Other labels wise there’s an EP coming up on Subtitles later in the year.


With the first couple of Footprints releases you’re going with a Colab on one side and another artist on the other? Is that a conscious thing and something you’re going to carry on doing?

Originally I just planned to do it for the first release. I’d always planned that if I ever started a label that I’d have a Calibre tune on the flip of the first release. Its sort of a little gentleman’s agreement we always had!

Really because of other commitments I’ve got, and because I want to maintain a presence on other labels as well, I decided to take the pressure off me having to put out two solid tracks that make a balanced 12” every couple of months. Plus there’s so much good music out there that id gladly put my name to and be honoured to release. So this way I can put out my favourite tune of my own, plus an array of other tracks from all sorts of other people form established guys like Calibre to people you’ve never heard of before.

Is it all going to be Drum & Bass on the label?

For 2010 its all D&B, we’ll see next year. I think it’s important to establish a solid identity in the first year of a new label. I’m aiming to get 6 releases out by Christmas.

What can we expect from the Fabric Mix?

There’s a bunch of exclusive Footprints tunes, some remixes from me and then the rest is all exclusive stuff from some of my favourite artists, whether they’re legends or the new hot kid. Its not all Drum and Bass either, there’s a good twenty minutes of other music on there.

Any tips for who the new kid on the block is then?

Well it’s not really a tip anymore, but Rockwell seems to be taking over the world right now without breaking a sweat! Ulterior Motive are filling up my sets at the moment and Jubei has got a lot of interesting things on the way too. Non D&B wise there’s lots of exciting stuff going on as well, Sigha on Hot Flush is coming with all sorts of interesting beats. Icicle! Wait for his non Drum and Bass stuff, its next level to be honest!!

WORDS: Nidal

Monday, April 19, 2010

CULT HOST "SOUL:UTION" ARENA @ DETONATE INDOOR FEST 2010

As part of this years massive Detonate Indoor Festival, CULT are hosting a line up so deep you're gonna need to bring a spade.

Our arena in conjunction with Marucs Intalex’s soul:ution night, features the man Intalex himself, D Bridge, S.P.Y and special guest Rockwell who, many will agree, is THE producer to watch right now. Hosting duties fall to DRS and Lowqui plus Detonate regulars: Ruthless and MC Dread

The Indoor Fest is the biggest event of its kind in the Midlands and this year’s event raises the bar yet again featuring huge acts across the board including: Claude Von Stroke, Andy C, Skream & Benga, Nathan Fake, Dj Marky, Hudson Mohawke, Simian Mobile Disco, MJ Cole, Noisia, Sub Focus, Roni Size, Foriegn Beggars and so much more...

More info including ticket details can be found here: : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=353087206119&index=1


CULT - D&B SESSIONS : FOOTPRINTS LABEL LAUNCH WITH ZERO T

This Month we welcome down Zero T for his second date at CULT, this time as part of his brand new FOOTPRINTS label tour.

ZERO T


Zero T started out way back in 1998 as a fresh faced youngster at Dublin's now legendary Bassbin Night, supporting the likes of Ed Rush, Matrix, Fierce etc... In late 99 just as Zero T's vinyl debut was dropping on Bassbin001 the mighty 4 Hero snapped up some tracks that he and new cohort Beta 2 had produced. This led to an EP and a 12" on Reinforced, the daddy of all DnB labels not a bad start at all! Since then the releases have come thick and fast on labels such as Subtitles , Commercial Suicide, V Recordings, C.I.A, Shogun, Soul:R, Signiture and Advanced to name a few!

Over the years Zero T has proven himself to be one of DnB’s most respected and prolific artists with a number of high profile rmx’s including Dillinja’s “Sky and Lemon D’s “I can’t Stop. Collaborators have included Alix Perez, MC Conrad, Icicle, Bailey and Calibre, whose fantastic remix of “Refusal” remains a timeless classic.

In 2008 Zero T dropped his debut LP “Cheap Shots”, on Total Science’s C.I.A imprint which was considered by many as a strong contender for album of the year. 2010 promises to be another good year with a number of highly regarded collaborations forthcoming on his eagerly anticipated debut label “Footprints”, which he will be show casing right here in Nottingham, aren’t you lucky!

www.myspace.com/zerotdnb

Good Friday 2nd April 2010
FOOTPRINTS LAUNCH PARTY
ZERO T (FOOTPRINTS)

Also sets from:
Jungleman & Hoax (Dirty Freqs / Hustle Audio)
Braidee (Filtered - Leicester)

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 4am

***£5 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

MARKET BAR, 16-22 GOOSE GATE, HOCKLEY, NOTTS, NG1 1FE

For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Thursday, March 25, 2010

BAILEY INTERVIEW

Despite it being our 2nd Birthday Celebration, we put down the Champagne bottle for a bit, and had a little chat to 1Xtra and Metalheadz legend Bailey after he'd shaken CULT to bits at the beggining of the Month.

You’re well known for playing it across the board style wise. Is that something you’ve always done?

With any DJ their job is to make people dance. People pay their money to come and see you, and dance and have a good time. So if I’m playing a certain style and it’s not going down, then I’ll change the style and go whereever the crowd want to go. You can’t just go in and be like “I wanna play all my dark stuff tonight” and leave everyone in a right mood! You’ve got to give the crowd what they want each and every time.

So going right back, what originally turned you on to mixing D&B?

In 1988 I was bang into my Hip-Hop, big time b-boy, breakdancing, the whole culture when it first came over to the UK. But it started getting a bit slow for me; I liked the fast breaks and bass lines. A friend of mine was playing House music at the time, still in its early days when it still had breakbeats in it, and that was lot more exciting to me. When I went to the clubs, people were a lot more friendly than in the hip-hop clubs, all different colours and types of people all getting on, loving the music, which was a lot more energetic.
About 91 A Guy Called Gerald made a tune called “Anything” and that was it, I was like “I’ve found my sound”. I just followed it right through from the beginning, through Hardcore into Jungle and then into where we are now.

And what about music outside the genre - do your tastes stretch beyond that?

Other than when I’m playing out or doing radio, I don’t really listen to drum and bass at all, because you can overdose on it. So up and down on the road I try to vary what I’m listening to. I like to play other stuff out as well, special occasions, if they ask me to play on the beach at Sun and Bass, am I gonna say no? I’ll play whatever you want!

In your opinion what makes a good D&B tune - what makes you want a tune in your box?

A good driving bassline helps! But really it’s got to have an element of soul to it. I was brought up on Mowtown and Reggae, songs that are really personal and have a lot of emotion in them. Sometimes you don’t even know what it is, but it just feels right. There can be massive tunes out there that everyone else is caining, but if I cant listen to it again and again and again and enjoy it, then I won’t play it.

You must get sent a lot of new music for your 1xtra show, plus you do your bedroom sessions every Tuesday, where you listen to tunes sent to you by unsigned producers live online. Is there anyone who stands out, that when you see their name come up in your inbox you have to listen to it straight away?

There’s a guy called Hybris, who’s just had a tune signed to Critical, and every single bit he’s sent me has been really, really good. There are a few people who are almost there that I’m keeping my eye on, Phil Tangent, Heavy One from Japan, about six or seven guys that are worth looking out for.

Are you finding that D&B, in terms of the tunes you’re getting sent, is moving in a certain direction or is it staying as varied as it always has been?

These days where everything’s about that fast food lifestyle, “now, now, now, I wanna be famous” people will tend to follow trends. D Bridge comes along and makes tunes in his particular style; all of a sudden I’ve got 100 minimal tracks that are D-Bridge but not as good. People try to clone Pendulum, people try to clone Hazard, It happens all the time. What I look for are people who aren’t bothered about that. They’re just making sounds they’re feeling. If they’re feeling it, you can hear that through the music. That’s more important to me.


There’s been a big concentration of producers coming out of Russia and Eastern Europe recently. I imagine you get a lot of music from that end of the world - they’re making moves at the moment aren’t they?

They’re making moves everywhere! Not just Russia. D&B is a very global thing now. I’m getting music from parts of the world I wouldn’t expect to get it from. I played in Puerto Rico a couple of weeks ago and there’s a guy out there who’s lived there his whole life and he’s got a tune coming out on Metalheadz soon! The music is coming from everywhere. Second home of D&B was Germany at one time, and then it was the US for a while, then that died down. Now Russia is picking up. It’s everywhere!

You just mentioned Metalheadz. You’ve been a long time Metalheadz resident, what exactly is the connection there and how did it happen in the first place?

A friend of mine, MC Flux, was also good friends with Kemistry & Storm. Back in about 94 – 95 he introduced me to them at Voodoo Magic, Rob Playfords night. I was just doing mix tapes for myself, the passion of it, going down the record shops, buying tunes, handing tapes out to my mates. So when I mentioned I was doing Pirate Radio at the time, they tuned in. They didn’t say anything until I saw them the next time and then said look “Goldies doing this Metalheadz thing, at the Blue Note, we want you to be a resident” I obviously had no idea about what Metalheadz was gonna become. So they brought me in really. I’ve been resident for Metalheadz for 15 years now, a long time.

In all your years in Drum and Bass, what would say is the craziest thing you’ve seen that you’re allowed to tell us?

People always falling off stage man! At the Custard Factory there’s a pool in the middle of the venue and they drain the pool and put the sound system in there. Just behind the stage there’s a little gap between the stage and the edge of the pool. Grooverider stacked it and disappeared down the gap once! This pool’s about seven foot deep, I didn’t know whether to laugh or jump down to help him or what!
Generally you see random crazy people out all the time. This year at the Drum and Bass Awards I saw a guy dressed all in blue Lycra. I mean head to toe - there was a red one too.

For those who know, there’s the famous Dogs on Acid Photoshop thread of you. Are the forums something you like to keep your eye on? Because I know there are some DJ’s who are quite against that. They make a conscious effort to stay away and not read the forums and message boards.

The thing is a lot of DJs and producers take pride in what they do obviously. I’ve noticed that you can have ten people bigging you up but if that one person slates you, you’ll be in an absolute rage! That’s why I kind of stopped checking out the forums. As for the photoshop thread, I love it man! You know there were a few dodgy images, I wasn’t insulted by it, I just got that it was people’s sense of humour; I’ve got quite a dark sense of humour as well. I feel quite flattered that people are taking time out to graft my face on to some random image!
So I’m not totally against the forums; I really don’t have time to go on them anymore to be honest. There’s a lot of positive things on them but also a lot of negativity. What people forget is that it’s all a matter of taste. What’s the point in slagging someone off? If its not your thing then go and check someone else.

Some quick fire questions to finish:

Favourite country to play in?
New Zealand, easily.

Vinyl, CD or Serato
For me at the moment for convenience, CDs.

How many records do you own?
A lot, can I be bothered to count them? No.

Favourite tune of all time?
Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey

If you could own any producers hard drive, any genre?
Bryan G - he’s always had brilliant taste, and helping bring through that many great artists he’s got so many unreleased dubs from the old days.

Words: Nidal
Photos: Yemi Akinpulumi

Monday, February 22, 2010

CULT - D&B SESSIONS 2ND BIRTHDAY: BAILEY!!

2 years of D&B Sessions! Its been a great journey so far. Thanks to all whove attended over the last couple and have made the night what it is.

To celebrate we we are welcoming 1Xtra and Metalheadz legend DJ Bailey to the CULT turntables.

BAILEY

Widely respected by his peers, Bailey has been at the forefront of cutting edge Drum and Bass for over 15 years and is internationally known for his flawless selection and integrity across the board.

An original Metalheadz resident at the legendary Blue Note nights and with his award winning 1Xtra radio show now in its 8th year, the freshest and most original selection is guaranteed.

We could'nt think of a better DJ to celebrate 2 years of pushing the sound we love at CULT.


Friday 5th March 2010
BAILEY (1Xtra / METALHEADZ)

Also sets from:
Azonica (HQ:DNB / Hospitality Oxford)
Fonik (Everyday Junglist)
Muse (Happy Go Lucky)

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 4am

***£5 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

MARKET BAR, 16-22 GOOSE GATE, HOCKLEY, NOTTS, NG1 1FE

For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

Monday, February 15, 2010

DOC SCOTT INTERVIEW

CULT where extra privileged to get 10 minutes to chat with "The Doctor" after his 2 hours of future beats for us the other week.


You’ve just played two hours for us at our first event at the Market Bar. A nice varied set, all sorts of new stuff, were there a few old bits too?

I get sent so many tunes that it’s quite easy to get self indulgent and just play what you want to hear yourself. I’m in a very lucky position that I get so much stuff sent to me that tunes that maybe are old to me might not have even been released yet. I’m not even aware what’s been released and what hasn’t, and I’m not really that bothered or interested; a good tune is a good tune. So I like to mix it up, old stuff, new stuff, just good stuff!

You’re obviously one of the long serving D&B legends, you’ve been around since day one. You’ve probably seen a lot of things develop over quite a few years. What would you say in your opinion has been the biggest change in the scene since drum and bass started?

That’s a big question! From a personal point of view, not a lot has changed. I’m still looking for the same kind of music that is interesting and progressive. If I take a step back and look at the whole thing then obviously drum and bass has become a lot more fractured, and you have a lot more sub-genres and people who specifically want to listen to one kind of style, which is a good and a bad thing. I’m nearly 40 years old; things that are going to appeal to me might not appeal to an 18 year old and vice versa. There’s a big enough market out there for everybody to do their own thing. From my perspective I’m just doing what I’ve always done, looking for good tunes, trying to play the best, forward looking music I can.

On the subject of forward looking music, your label 31 Records had been quiet for a couple of years and then this year you’ve released the Quality Not Quantity EP’s. The music on that series has been seriously high quality - is that something that’s been in the pipeline for a while?

I go through spells where I pay a lot of attention to the label and then spells when I don’t. If I had more time then maybe the label would be more productive, but as it is I’m happy. When I’m inspired to put stuff out then I will, I don’t want to put stuff out for the sake of it. The last couple of years, I’ve been getting sent so much amazing music, so on these EP’s I’ve had stuff from well-established producers, but also from some new guys.
Again I’m in a lucky position that if Calibre or Commix say “Here’s this tune, do you want to release it” of course I’m going to say yes! But I’m always excited by, and looking for new artists. Week in week out I’m getting stuff sent to me by people I’ve never heard of! It’s very interesting to track them down and find out where they’re from and say “This is a great tune, what are you doing with this?”
So there’s a whole series of 12’s coming out this year, where a lot of people aren’t going to recognise the names. One thing that 31 has always done and something I’m proud of is that we’ve put out releases by artists in their early years who have then gone on to do bigger things. I like to think I’ve got a good eye for spotting people who write good music, and it’s great to see them go on and become really established artists and make some amazing music.

Well I suppose the obvious example of that would be Pendulum with “Vault” - I’m sure that’s one you hear a lot! You said you have some 12”s out this year, who should we look out for? Who’s destined for great things in 2010?

Next release is from Nymfo, who a lot of people know already. One after that is from a guy called Nether who’s from Australia; he’s making wicked dub techno type stuff. After that S.P.Y, and obviously S.P.Y’s very big at the moment. After that a guy called Method 1 who’s from the States, there’s a 12” from Seba and stuff from Zero T and Mosus. There’s a lot to come out man, it’s a busy year!

This is obviously a spell where you’re paying the label attention!

I’m paying it attention because I’m getting sent so much amazing music! I always try to give feedback to people; if they take the time to send me stuff then I try to take time to get back to them. Sometimes it’s a bit difficult because some weeks I’m literally getting sent 150 - 200 tracks. But you know it’s not a chore just to send an email back and say “who are you?” and they’ll tell me they’re from St Petersburg or San Francisco or wherever and that’s the global nature of Drum and Bass now.
I can remember when I picked up Vault and was giving it out to a few people and they where asking “who’s done this tune?” “Who are Pendulum?” And I was saying “three guys from Australia” and people wouldn’t have it, they where like “no way, who is it really?!”
I think the point is, you have to listen to everything because you never know where the next big tune is gonna come from or the next big artist will be from.
Going through my inbox is never a chore, because I’m always getting so much amazing music, that’s why it’s so nice to play a two hour set like tonight. When I’m abroad I can play four or five hous sets, but it’s a different culture than in the UK.

You’ve always said you’re a DJ first and foremost. And right now it’s no secret in Drum & Bass that if you want to make it as a DJ, you’ve got to produce. What’s your opinion on that? Because I know you hold some very strong opinions when it comes to DJ’ing in particular.

I grew up in a different generation where it was your DJ skills that got you to where you are. I completely appreciate that now to get noticed you’ve got to make tunes. The last guy that I can think of that totally did it on his skills as a DJ alone was possibly Friction, and how long ago was that?
I find it amusing when promoters will book certain people and then they’ll find out that they can’t DJ, well what did you expect? It has no influence on me really but if people ask my opinion: if you can’t DJ, don’t go out there. And promoters, book people who can DJ rather than people who’ve made two hit singles! Because then they turn up, and the promoters are in a state of shock because they can’t DJ!

Over the last twelve months you’ve put out a series of mixes, and the last part went out at the end of the year. In those mixes you’ve been pushing a sound that you’ve described as “Future Beats”. Also the Autonomic series of Podcasts have been very popular this year, do you think that this new minimal type sound is going to bring a big change to the genre?

To me it’s just music I find interesting, and if you speak to Darren (D Bridge) then he’ll say the same thing. One of the things that was difficult at first, was that we were being sent this really amazing but quite different music, and I had to think “how can I get it in to my sets?” and that was a challenge, but an interesting one. Rather than go out and play a straight bog standard Drum and Bass set, you could really switch it up a bit, take it up and down, go half-tempo. I’ve always tried to do that anyway, but now you’re given all these new tools to do it with.
I just look for music that’s interesting, you know, and music on that mix series and the stuff that Darren’s been putting out on the Autonomic series is just seriously amazing music. Good music is good music to me, I really try not to categorise as much as possible. Lots of people like to pigeon hole things. “Minimal” was a term that was explained to me, but it’s always been there, I’ve always liked stripped down stuff of all genres, but by the same token, I like stuff that’s really highly produced and has got a lot going on.
I really try to stay away from these labels, I understand people like to label stuff to try and describe it and create all these sub-genres. I play at events and sometimes there are three drum and bass rooms! It’s all the same tempo! Sometimes promoters should give punters more credit than they do!

Words: Niddle
Photos: Tom Johnson

Monday, February 08, 2010

LEFT LION - CULT ARTICLE FEB 2010

CULT has been featured in this Months bible to all thing Notts - Left Lion!

Pick up a copy pretty much everywhere, or click below to enlarge.


Friday, January 08, 2010

CULT - D&B SESSIONS: DOC SCOTT

New Venue and Future Beats all the way as the Doctor lands at CULT for our first night of 2010!!

DOC SCOTT


The original “King of the Rollers” Doc Scott is one of the legends of the drum & bass scene. From Reinforced to Metalheadz to his own label, 31 Records, Doc Scott has pioneered the sounds we know as drum & bass today and continues to lead the way forward.

As an artist, he has been responsible for some of the scene’s defining moments including hardcore classics ‘NHS’, ‘Here Come the Drumz', 'Swarm' and ‘Shadowboxing.’ As a label owner, he has strived to release music that pushes boundaries with releases such as M.I.S.T's ‘ How You Make Me Feel’ and the smasher ‘Vault’ by Pendulum.

First and foremost, however, Doc Scott remains a DJ whose sets are second-to-none, effortlessly crossing the full spectrum of drum & bass and igniting dancefloors with fresh and inspirational sounds. In 2009, he's been pushing a new sound alongside more traditional yet progressive drum & bass and playing what he calls 'future beats' as heard in his mix series, Doc Scott 2009 parts 1-11. Look out for more from 31 Records in 2010 as they follow up the 'Quality Not Quantity' EP series with singles from Seba, S.P.Y, Nymfo and more.


Still on top of his game after twenty years in the business, 2010 promises to be a landmark year for DJ, producer and label.

Friday 29th January 2010
DOC SCOTT (31 / METALHEADZ)

Also sets from:
DJ SNAX (Flight Club)
AWACS (MAC II)

CULT Residents Mouse, Vtekk, Houghmeister, MC Anger

Visuals by “minimus”

10pm – 4am

***£5 ENTRY ALL NIGHT***

MARKET BAR, 16-22 GOOSE GATE, HOCKLEY, NOTTS, NG1 1FE

For more information visit http://www.wearethecult.co.uk/ or mail wearethecult@hotmail.com

CULT RADIO # 10


Ten shows down, and CULT are in a festive mood with new beats from Lone, Wigflex, Dealmaker, Hustle Audio plus a cheeky little interview with Detonate promoter Richard Scott. Tasty!

Tracklisting

Lone - Waves Imagination (Werk Discs)
Taylor - Squeege (Wigflex)
Prime Source - Classic (Hustle Audio)
Interview with Rich Detonate
Emcee Killa -Unique_Science (Dealmaker)

GO here to Listen....


Local producers! Send us your tunes!

Cult Radio needs new music, from established artists to newcomer bedroom producers, and of all dance music genres. Here is a great opportunity to have your work heard by the people of Nottingham and beyond...

Please send us mp3’s of 192kbps quality or above to cultradio@leftion.co.uk

CULT D&B SESSIONS - GOOD LOOKING SPECIAL - PHOTOS

Furney and Utah Jazz bring GLO to Nottingham, big scenes.