The London Dub and Bass kings celebrate their 5th Birthday
James, welcome to DMCWORLD once again, always great to have you on board – especially ahead of your 5th Birthday coming up in May – what are you allowed to tell us about the locations and guests…
“Anytime for the DMC family! We’re returning to Scala in King’s Cross for the 5th Birthday. Last year we celebrated turning 4 there and we’re still hyped about the venue and the ability to program three different rooms, focused around the rave worthy main space. This year we’re utilising the enormous stage with some very special live talent. It’s all about turning back to the grimier sound that inspired Urban Nerds’ creation five years ago, so expect a couple of blasts from the past and a very special live guest!”
A few of the team going away Snowbombing in Mayrhofen…always a great party in The Austrian Alps – will we see them in the naked Spa?
“We’re actually all jumping ship to The Alps for Snowbombing next week. Still our favourite festival hands down and one of the greatest parties on the planet. I’m going to say no, you will not see any of us in the naked spa but you may well see us in the hotel lobby throwing back Jaegar bombs at 10am in the morning.”
We spoke to you last year at your 4th Birthday shenanigans, it’s been an incredible year for Dubstep and UK Bass – how you’ve seen it? Who has been head and shoulders above the rest artist wise?
“The scene has evolved so quickly and there are so many strands of dubstep or ‘UK bass’ out there now. For us, some of it’s great and some of it’s not so great but regardless, we’re extremely pleased to see the acts Urban Nerds grew up with as a brand doing so well on a global platform. For us, Redlight continues to evolve and is deservedly finally reaching the masses but with a highly well produced credible sound. He remains one of our favourite producers and DJs.”
Who are the new up and coming producers and DJs we should be looking out for this year?
“Pusherman, Dismantle, Rudimental, Disclosure, Nightwave and South London Ordnance are all pushing things forward across the range of more experimental bass spectrums. Across the board, it’s great to see garage and four-to-the-floor sounds making a return to underground dance music and each of these producers and DJs are touching on that. Mosca led the way on this last year and he’s also set to return later in 2012 with some very exciting projects.”
One tune to sum up the last 5 years?
“Not an easy one…might have to say 501’s ‘Dub You’ purely for the mad drop, or further back, Benga’s ’26 Basslines’.”
What has been your longest every Urban Nerds guest list?
“That has to be the list for New Year’s Eve 2010-2011…as Sally DMC knows all too well (belated sorry to anyone she had to turn away)!”
What is the current Urban Top 10 soundtrack?
“In no particular order…”
1. Mista Men – Baby Cham
2. Scrufizzer – Steam
3. A1 Bassline – Buoyancy
4. Roska – 480bc
5. Bobby Champs – All Night
6. Santigold – Disparate Youth (Gorgon City remix)
7. Mosca – Eva Mendes
8. Pusherman – Still Feel
9. Preditah – Circles
10. Disclosure – My Intention Is War
Who out the Nerds always gets into the most trouble, what’s the latest escapade…?
“Honestly, believe it or not we’ve been keeping our heads down recently…ask me again after Snowbombing next week though.”
Tell us about your involvement with The Camden Crawl, always loads of fun…
“Urban Nerds are hosting The Cuban this year, a departure from our Koko takeover last year but great to be able to bring our sound to a more intimate space. We’re crossing some prolific grime vocalists with indie bands and the most forward thinking electronic acts around at the moment. We can’t reveal the line-up just yet but trust us, you won’t have seen it coming! Whether the clash of styles works or not remains to be seen but we’ve never been afraid of mixing genres and celebrating our varied tastes – Camden Crawl encourage that more than any other festival, so it’s brilliant to be a part of it.”
Bristol about to get the full UN treatment, what are the plans…
“We’re teaming up with stalwart Bristol bass promoters, The Blast and together will present David Rodigan’s acclaimed Ram Jam takeover. The man himself is joined by the legendary Mala and Iration Steppas, Ms Dynamite, The Heatwave and our very own Rattus Rattus. It’s Friday 1st June at Motion, hands down the best rave space in Bristol and will no doubt be a roadblock. Rodigan never, ever fails to disappoint. This is the first in a run of Bristol appearances from Nerds, so watch this space.”
What are the plans for the summer festival and Ibiza season?
“Festival wise, next week we’re announcing a dance stage takeover at a great growing festival in the South East but on the whole it’s a quiet summer for us as we let everyone else do the work and hit the festivals on a party tip. We are back at the end of summer though with a return to Scala on Saturday 25th August for our annual Carnival Special and a mouth watering line-up of Carnival worthy bass! Then it’s on to Outlook Festival at the end of the season where we’re planning to host another of their infamous boat parties and another surprise party.”
Urban Nerds 5th Birthday facebook event | https://www.facebook.com/events/323227241064177/
Urban Nerds 5th Birthday £10 advance tickets | http://www.urban-nerds.com/5thbirthday
