Unique in the industry for building and maintaining a peerless respect and reputation for his skills on the decks alone, EZ first introduced NUVOLVE in the form of his regular radio shows, which airs across the globe. Now, with the launch of its very own record label, NUVOLVE’s evolution continues, with the aim of showcasing the brightest and best artists of the future alongside those of the past, bridging the gap and completing the evolutionary circle of everything that is NUVOLVE. Each and every segment of NUVOLVE truly encompasses EZ’s love for all forms of electronic music from garage to bass and everything in between, and with each area the brand covers there is a real focus on forward motion and evolution, keeping the music current without forgetting its roots. NUVOLVE kicked off its existence by releasing no fewer than six singles all at once – from UKG legends such as Todd Edwards and Club Asylum right through to up-and-coming future stars like SHOSH and Fabian Dubz. The label aims to truly encompass DJ EZ’s love for all forms of electronic music from garage to bass and everything in between. DMCWORLD grab a world exclusive with three of the label stars Eddie Craig, WZA and Smasher…
Did you feel any pressure knowing that you were releasing music on a label headed up by one of UKG’s most respected pioneers?
Eddie Craig : In terms of pressure. Yes most definitely, especially from a production point of view. There ended up being over 60 different versions of the main track and remixes as we were trying to get it as good as we possibly could, which meant a lot of tweaks and adjustments and very late nights. To get it right we actually ended up removing and stripping back quite a lot of the elements that were complicating the groove and mixdown, some times less is more in the studio and getting to less meant choosing the best bits out of a ton of ideas and sounds. We were very happy with the end result and we were so gassed that DJ Ez and the team at Nuvolve were feeling it.
WZA : I would say ‘honour’. I’m a big fan of EZ, so for him to endorse the WZA (pronounced W-Z-A) vibes – not only through his DJ sets, but also to release on his label – is nothing short of an honour. The guy’s a legend. What more can I say?
Smasher : Not at all its moments like this I relish, and it’s a pleasure to release on EZ’s label.
Do you have plans to release more music on NUVOLVE?
WZA : I hope so – I love the family vibes going on behind the scenes between Z, Paul & Alex. It’s a space I feel very welcomed and at home in.
Smasher : Should the opportunity arise again my door is always open for business!
Eddie Craig (below) : Yes 100% I am in talks with the team at the moment and we are looking for the right record. Excited is a massive understatement.
NUVOLVE’s aim is to showcase the brightest and best artists of the future alongside those of the past – could you give one tip on any aspiring producers out there looking to get signed?
Eddie Craig : Work hard at your craft, soak up as much as possible, be original and don’t try and rush the process or your development. Compare your music sonically to other popular tracks as a reference point and send your absolute best work.
WZA : I think one thing that Producers could have benefitted from during the Global Pandemic is time to express their emotion through music. I think they should be true to themselves in making solid records that suit their style and ethos and if they can achieve both of these things, they will find suitable homes for their brands. And if they don’t, every ‘no’ is closer to that ‘yes’. Don’t lose focus or patience, you will get there in the end.
Smasher : The aim should be to release music to the best of your ability not to chase a record deal, from my experience it all starts with the music, opportunities will find you, try to stay consistant and look at your journey as a marathon and not a sprint, each small win amounts to something bigger, and the beauty of the internet today is you never know who is listening, so put your music out!!
How are you feeling about the UKG scene at the moment?
Eddie Craig : Very positive, there are some quality producers, song writers and artists involved in the UKGarage scene at the moment from commercial to underground and it is certainly becoming more international again thanks to some amazing radio shows like Nuvolve supporting new and established artists.
WZA : Loving it. I can’t stress that enough. I’ve been supporting what’s going on for a minute, with people like Conducta, Sammy Virji, Smokey Bubblin’ B, MPH, CJ Reign, Shosh doing their thing for the new school, with the ol’ guard also bringing major freshness through the likes of Karl Tuff Enuff Brown, Norris Da Boss Windross, Todd Edwards, Masterstepz and many more. With Z bringing the Nuvolve flex to the table, it’s a great, great, GREAT time for UKG. I’m honestly excited.
Smasher (below) : I think it’s in a healthy place, there are many producers contributing to this scene and genre many love so much, obviously our live element has been void for the past year, which leaves a big gap for this genre as it should be enjoyed in clubs, that really is the heart of this sound. I love the fact that there is a community in Garage that is still pressing vinyl, myself being one of them. This is a format I feel should continue in garage as well as the digital world.
How’s the rest of the year shaping up for you?
Eddie Craig : The rest of the year is potentially looking fantastic for me, what with clubs and festivals hopefully reopening and the sun starting to come out again. Lockdown has been such a strange time and I hope and pray we can come together, working on healing the scars of the last 12 months and enjoy uplifting House and Garage music together once again. I am ready to start unleashing some of the year’s lockdown projects and collaborations so I hope you guys are ready!!!!
WZA : I made 70+ tracks in lockdown – no jokes. I have been busy. First up remixing the TJR ‘Just Get’s Better’ classic, then a flurry of remixes, then my first debut record ‘Give It All’ came out on Low Steppa’s Simma Black and was championed by Annie Mac, before ‘The Secret’ now dropping on Nuvolve and enjoyed a host of Kiss FM plays across the premier weekend. I am hoping to get a lot of these bits I’m sitting on either signed or placed with some amazing collaborations and features on the horizon, and then let’s see. I hope you enjoy what’s coming up from WZA.
Smasher : I’m very excited to share what I’ve got coming I’ve spent the past 12 months working on my 2nd album which again will shine a light on the Garage genre I love so much, more vinyl release via my label “On Top Records” so watch this space…
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