Ben Shaw has established himself as a fine producer over the last couple of years. Fire Recordings have been pushing his sound by releasing three of his tracks-one, 'So Strong' has to be one of the finest tracks from the past fews years! How has a hardcore teenager come to be a key figure on todays scene?

INTERVIEW WITH BEN SHAW:
Hi Ben.....


I hear you started out listening to the hardcore rave sound, then through drum and bass, house. Can you describe for us how you found "progressive"? and why this is your dominent sound now?

"I was into hardcore and rave back in the 91-94 days - it was always a little disheartening because I was still young, and wanting to go out, but not being old enough I had to settle with record shopping every weekend and making lots of mix tapes!
I soon got tired of cheesey piano breaks and sped up vocals, but became more interested in the offshoots and more experimental tracks of the time. "Rhythm Section" were a fine example (band members including Ellis Dee, and interestingly - Rennie Pilgrim" of such a band who broke away from the normal sound, with tracks like "Future" and "Perfect Love".
The scene soon split into different directions, and there was an interesting hybrid of genres flying about - Dark hardcore: with moody breakdowns, sinister sounds and technoey influences - the most classic label of this kind being the much underrated Basement Records.
The jungle element to this era, and the dark sound, along with a whole load of other influences eventually developed into drum n bass as we know it today (with some interesting diversions en route - namely LTJ Bukem and the whole intelligent sound etc.).
Today's dance music (along with many other genres) is a result of many different styles and influences.

I wouldn't quite say that progressive is my dominant sound, but it certainly plays a big factor.
My sound now (although I hate pinning labels on genres) is anything between and around progressive, tech-house/minmal percussive house, and breakbeat.

I got into Progressive house from being stoned and listening to Rennaisance and Northern Exposure (as most of us did!), but contrary to some of the dull "progressive is dead" arguments that are flying around here and there, I think it is far from it. Progressive House as a strict genre maybe, but now things have er... progressed (!) and as long as producers and DJs don't put barriers up and get stuck in the same sound, and be afraid to experiment and try different things, then the sound will keep moving on and not get stale - as is true with any genre of music. "

You have a very musical background, with the use of percussion and keyboards a key part. How has this knowledge transferred into your productions today? Also what other studio equipment do you use?

"Yeah, I learned to play the piano at a young age, and I taught myself how to play percussion.
It does transfer into my productions, although probably not that noticeably from an end-listener point of view.
What I mean is - I find it easy to program drum patterns straight into the sequencer in real-time, and being classically trained, I can get the riffs/chords/whatever out of the keyboard and straight down without a great deal of difficulty.... but then - if I didn't have this background I would still probably get the same end result - its just easier for me to work.
Making sounds, arranging, and mixing down/producing a track aren't affected by this, and they are arguably far more important factors in creating good music.

EQUIPMENT LIST -

Yamaha 01V Desk
Akai S5000 Sampler
Korg Prophecy
Novation Basstation
Apple Macintosh G4 running Cubase VST
Boss SE70 & SE50 Effects Processors "


Which other people have influenced your music, whether it be style or how you go about your productions?

"Many people have influenced me. That is a difficult question to answer... I will just say what comes to mind right now:
On a production/tweaking/engineering level - Oliver Lieb (aka LSG etc.) and Gerret Frerichs (Humate) are absolute geniuses. Of course there is the usual suspects - BT, Charly May, Andy Page (for the rhythm programming!), as well as Medway, Rabbit In The Moon and The Future Sound Of London - whose production stands out as being something very special.
Musically - I can't even begin to think! There is too much!

Also, like many producers I am probably subliminally influenced by the general sound of tracks you may not even know, but you pick up the vibe and feel of what is happening at the moment by being in clubs etc."

"So Strong" was an absolutely massive track, how do you see the success of it? did it do as well as you thought it would?

"I was pleased with how well "So Strong" did, but it could have been bigger.
Fire are a fantastic bunch of guys - they had great faith in the tune - initially Lee Burridge who plugged it from the start, and then also Pete and Cass (not to mention mucho support from Justine!).
We went the whole way - shot a video, plugged it to mainstream radio, and took all the steps that are needed in order to break a "crossover" track into the mainstream - but when it came down to it, I guess it was a combination of the track not being as accessible/hooky as I thought, and also down to luck as well - being in the right place at the right time. "

I read that there are plans to begin your own record label, is this true?

"It is true - in fact it is already off the ground.
Kubist Recordings is the name, and we have already had our first release "Generik" by Sunscape (myself) & Chris Dee (my business partner with the label).
We are pleased with how things have started - we got an excellent Chab mix on the B side, which has already been licensed to Chris Fortier's Bedrock 3 Mix CD, and there is lots more in the pipeline... "

(if so)
"So Strong" and "Celebrate" really push out a quality progressive house sound, "Sunscape" on the Prologue Album is slightly more "trance" edged with more "electro" effects, will we see this sort of variation on your label?

"Well, absolutely. Variation is the key word.
Our policy is basically that if we like the music - then we will release it.
"Generik" was a little bit experimental, what with the drum n bass bassline stabs, bongo loops, and vocal.
"For The Moment" is a track that we just finished off today, which is quite a bizarre one! We are well into the idea of fusing breaks and progressive (along with anything else!) as much as possible. We are deliberately not holding back on genre restrictions.
If we sign or write a progressivey breaksy techy funky vocally track or whatever, then fine! Of course there must be a certain level of consistency, but that can hopefully lie in quality rather than musicality.
If we get James Holden to do a remix for us - fine. If we get Koma and Bones to do a remix for us - fine. If we can crossover with our markets then that is a bonus, but it isn't a great money-making ploy or anything.
*Shudder* - I am going to have to come out with the all time classic cliche! We are in it for the music! "

Again from your own personal productions, the vocals have merged with the track brilliantly, are vocals a high priority in fulfilling your sound?

"I wouldn't quite say a "high priority", but I do love working with vocals.
I also love playing around with them and manipulating - on "For The Moment" we got Chris' girlfriend in the studio, who admitted to not being able to sing at all. She sang about four notes, but it fits so well in the track - vocals can lift a piece of music and shift it up a gear. I hope to do loads more vocal tracks as well as instrumentals in the future. "

When producing "Sunscape" you collaborated with Excession, will we see these artists possibly featured on you label?

"Grant (Excession) is a great guy, who I have unfortunately sort of lost touch with. He moved house, and gave up his involvement with Fire, but I'd love to collaborate again.
His studio is fantastic, and I got to tweak my first real 303! :o) "

What productions have you got in the pipeline? and maybe some more collaborations?

"There is quite a few bits - I am finishing a couple of remixes at the moment, and also starting my album for Fire. Inbetween all this, I am completing a small ambient album, doing some work for a multimedia project, and trying to keep on top of remixes/tracks for Kubist. "

In the future we will see more of yourself as a DJ?

"Yes - I am currently looking for a suitable agency, but I haven't given it enough time yet - I only left my full time job 8 months ago, and I have been spending alot of time in the studio.
I play out occassionally, but it's definitely something I want to pursue more. Although I am only 22, I have been DJing for over 10 years now and I am determined to take it further. As it is though, I also appreciate that it is a highly competitive industry, and few become successful due to the heavy volume of DJs out there. "

and finally... a discography would be great..

"Discography-

Sunscape - "Chi Energy" (Fluid Recordings)
Evolution - "Phoenix" [Sunscape Remix] (Fluid Recordings)
Degrees Of Motion - "Do You Want It Right Now?" [Sunscape Remix] (DMC)
Gradient - "DDTB" / "Platform One" (Control Recordings)
Ben Shaw - "So Strong" (Fire999)
Ben Shaw - "So Strong" (Fire Recordings) (PIAS) (Strictly Rhythm)
Mad Sector - "Kick a Trip" [Ben Shaw Remix] (PIAS)
Ben Shaw vs Excession - "Sunscape" (Fire Recordings)
Cass n Slide vs Danny Tenaglia - "Fever Rising" [Ben Shaw Remix] (Fire Recordings)
Sunscape & Chris Dee - "Generik" (Kubist Recordings)
Emma Nelson - "On To You" [Gradient Remix] (White)
Ben Shaw - "Celebrate" (Fire Recordings)
Chris Dee - "Ultrasound" [Ben Shaw Remix] (Kubist Recordings)"

CHECK OUT:

www.kubist.co.uk and www.sunscape.org.uk (both are under construction but please check back for regular updates!)

Many Thanks to Ben for taking the time to comprise an interview. Much appreciation at what must be a busy time -what with producing, running your own label ect.
We hope to hear more from Ben in the future!
and I and i:vibes wish him all the success with Kubist!