The Leeds producer on the move smashes it on DJ Pierre’s Afro Acid Traxx label
Interview by Nicky Trax
You are based in Leeds these days, how much of an influence did this great city have on you growing up. It has a rich musical heritage…
“I’m from a village in County Durham originally and moved to Leeds 6 years ago to study music technology at university. I didn’t really like house music if I’m honest when I first moved to Leeds, until I started working behind the bar at a club called Mission. I eventually became a sound/light tech and things just kinda went on from there.”
How did you start making music?
“I was into indie and rock bands from a young age, playing guitar and bass and I used to record my bands’ tracks at my mates studio. I kinda got hooked on the recording and producing side of things from doing that.”
What was your first break in the music industry?
“My first break would probably be having my first 3 tracks I made signed to the Crossword Vintage label, which really took me by surprise. To have the first tracks I’d made signed is big accomplishment for me. After the releases I did a set at Back To Basics in Leeds playing the closing set for Carl Craig, and which also happened to be my birthday which was insane!”
How would you describe your sound to someone who has no idea who or what you are?
“Good question and I still think I’m trying to find my own specific sound. For instance if you listen to a Darius Syrossian track you instantly know it’s his but I’m still trying to find that sound that makes you go that’s a Dyfunktion track. Overall I like to take elements from all sorts of music and just put them together to make a decent house tune.”
Can you tell us what’s coming up from you next studio wise…
“I’m currently working on some new original tracks so that’s at the top of the priority list. I’ve been playing around with some new studio stuff I’ve got and working on some new production techniques. I’m always working on stuff and I have about 20 unfinished projects in Logic which will probably never see the light of day!”
How did you get signed to DJ Pierre’s Afro Acid label, and was he a personal hero for you?
“Through another DJ in Leeds who sent off my original tracks to the label and it just went from there. I’m so new to the house scene that I’m still learning about new producers every day.”
How long have you been working in house music and what ahas been your proudest moment to date?
“I’d say roughly 2-3 years and the biggest highlight so far has been playing the closing set for Fatboy Slim at The Warehouse in Leeds.”
Is there any one track that you’re particularly proud?
“I made a track called ‘Gets You Hot’ which has some really summery piano chords with steel drums over the top and it’s probably one of my faverouits so far. I’m rather enjoying the new stuff I’m working on and also ‘Chest’ by Chris Lake is currently one that I’m really enjoying at the moment.”
So what does the future hold for you?
“Putting out some more music and working on some remixes of some older tunes. I’ve got loads of vocals from old Motown tunes so I’m going to be throwing some samples of them into some tunes. Really I just love making music and hopefully some people will enjoy the music I make who knows what the futures holds.”
Dysfunktion’s ‘Believe In The Funk/Grooveplan’ double header is out now on DJ Pierre’s Afro Acid Traxx label. For more info stay tuned to… https://soundcloud.com/afroaciddigital
