The master takes care of Loopmasters big new Dub Bass House collection
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Tom welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Buongiorno! Back home in Southern Italy.”
Big news for us this week with another brilliant Loopmasters release, namely your Dub Bass House collection that features Classic House Stabs, Retro Strings, Warm Pads and Deep Organs, Deep & Dirty Basses, Skippy Beats and of course some nice Dub FX. How do you put together a Loopmasters producer pack together?
“First it’s about the concept, so I write my own brief. In this case, fusing the sounds of Deep House, retro 90’s Garage and Techno and Dub Reggae effects distilled into a useful production toolkit. It’s actually a lot of fun, as you’re basically coming up with music phrases, loops and starting points that don’t need to be fully arranged into tracks. I make things a bit more easy for the aspiring producer and pop all the loops in the Key of C at 125bpm. (Everyone knows how to warp pitch and time now!) I love making Bass and Synth patches from scratch, jamming some phrases, getting lost in spun design and editing. The beats are intentionally functional and time saving solutions, such as separate elemental loops…i.e. just a Hi Hat, Clap or Kick drum loop. Snare drums going through vintage spring reverbs for unique flavour.”
How do you think house music production has evolved over the last ten years and how do you think the whole ‘ready made’ samples and loops culture/industry fit in?
In general I hear a lot of loop/sample pack based tracks that do lack originality, contributing to a glut of mediocre retro-sounding house/garage music. However, production values have evolved so the tracks sound bigger, brighter and louder. Stand out Artists have their own personality, it’s that simple. So I always say, avoid obvious and use your imagination with loop packs, go for a D&B pack and challenge yourself, think creatively and make Tech/Deep/House with D&B samples for a different flavour and Eno-esque lateral approach.”
What is making you groove out there at the moment?
“iMPC for iPad.”
A recent quote from a certain superstar DJ…“I believe true DJing is actually an art, but it’s a dying art, as everyone is pushing the sync button…it’s a real shame when you see a ‘DJ’ plug his laptop in and call this DJing. Music will always evolve but sometimes not in the best way.” What are your thoughts on that?
“I know opinion is divided, it’s ‘easy’ to sync, but that does leave room to ‘perform’ live remixes/edits of tracks if you’re that way inclined. Personally I still beat match, work the mixer and effects, constantly checking crowd reaction, so I’m always busy behind the decks. What makes a true DJ is his/her ability to read the room, curate and program, interact, entertain and deliver a compelling music narrative or soundtrack to the experience…and quite honestly, a lot of that is down to age and broad music knowledge.”
You are one of the producers that many look up to as you are well known for getting behind the upcoming folk out there. In this crazy dance music obsessed world we currently live in, what are the 3 tips you can serve up for success as a producer or DJ?
“A basic Scientific understanding of what Sound and Music is – and how it affects us. Be curious…why do we dance? Exploring the roots of music, where does the music that you love come from? And where will that never ending journey of musical discovery lead…Learn the basics by observing and copying from the masters in their genre’s. No harm in emulating whilst you’re learning. Then when you’ve mastered the fundamentals, built your confidence in front of audiences, you’ll start to find your voice. To stand out from the crowd, believe in what you do, be true to who you are and what you stand for. And be prepared to have the energy, stamina and determination to fight for your art.”
What are the big 5 records in your box right now
Funk D’Void – Breathe (Joyless Remix) / Outpost promo
Clark – Unfurla / Warp
Jody Wisternoff – The Bridge / Test mix
Jaguar Skills – The Piano Loop mix / Soundcloud
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough / Guardians Of The Galaxy OST
It’s that time of year again, the annual DJ Top100. I interviewed Arthur Baker this week, he remarked…“there are too many DJs and genres for a realistic competition, it needs to split”. What are your thoughts on that – do you actually give a shit?
“Agree. There are many factors that should really be considered. And it should be renamed to something like Dance Music Top 100 Acts, then it makes more sense when a Band who never or rarely ‘DJ’ are charted. Personally, not interested these days.”
Where have some of the stand out gigs for you this summer?
“Curating and performing a chronological history of the Roland TR909 for Memory Box Social 1st Birthday. A proper Block Party in Belfast. And the closing DJ set at Wilderness Festival after an evening listening to Burt Bacharach live on stage on the night of the Supermoon…all spesh. Oh and Will and Fleurs Wedding with DJ Doorly!.”
What is the last great studio toy you bought yourself?
“Korg Monotron Delay – battery powered pocket sci-fi noise maker.”
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
Prince – The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker
…always get you dancing?
Arthur Baker – Breakers Revenge
…reminds you of being broken hearted?
Aphex Twin – Tha
…you wish you would have made?
Daft Punk – Digital Love
The last up n’coming DJ/producer you have seen that we should be looking out for…
“Frederic Robinson.”
The last GREAT album you enjoyed?
“Cheating, two in one go…
Network : ‘Volume One & Two – Bleeps & Detroid’.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Producing an Electronica Artist from Japan, getting ready with releases for Sound Of The Cosmos label, and my own new label(s), including three unreleased albums.”
Tom Middleton presents ‘Dub Bass House’ is out now at Loopmasters : http://bit.ly/1s2HaVc
