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 Dirty Bass is unknown to some but known to others as the producer behind the Emotional Soundscape record that was played by Sasha and Marco V in 2003. Who is he?, What is he up to? and What does the future hold? Read on to find out!
Dirty Bass is a UK Based producer and deejay who was responsible for Emotional Soundscape, Hammer and Tongs and some other techno records. He is largely new to a lot of us, so i:Vibes sat down with him, asking him about his life, his career and what is next.
i:Vibes: How long have you been deejaying and producing?
A: I have been producing electronic music in one form or another for over 10 years, I started out playing drums, and making music in an industrial band. As for DJing, I have played since 1998. But I learned to play on our soundsystem at illegal raves, so playing sometimes 4-6 hour sets, put me through a rapid learning curve and I guess although my years of DJing are short, I probably have more experience than most of my years (certainly in a lot more variation of environments). It`s funny, but most people think that dance music producers were DJ`s
first. I have found that just because a DJ can play records, it doesn`t necessarily mean he can make good music.
i:Vibes: How did you gain the nickname Dirty Bass?
A: Dirty Bass reflects the style of music I tend to play(techno with big dirty B-Lines) and the music I like to make. Basically, I`m big on bass
and I guess this is how it came about.
i:Vibes: Was Emotional Soundscape originally meant as a non-vocal tune or did you plan a it with a vocal?
A: Emotional Soundscape was a tune made purely for my girlfriend, as I write music for her on occasion, and was not intended for release. I made the tune, and scoured around for vocals that would fit, and found one. It got heard by my distributer (Pat Hurley), and he told me it had to be released. I`m glad for his wisdom.
i:Vibes: Were you surprised by the reaction to Emotional Soundscape?, Were you surprised that Sasha and Marco V played it so often, as well as other big name deejays?
A: Totally blown away! I never expect anyone to like my music, it is always very personal to me. My music is like a part of me and it reflects my feelings at the time it is made. I make music because I feel compelled to get it out of my head, and don`t really expect other people to understand it. But I am glad they do.
I knew sasha was a big name DJ, but I had no idea of the style of music he played, so It didn`t really dawn on me at the time, that this guy was playing to thousands of people.
i:Vibes: Did anyone come and ask you to make the song into a 4 min edit to go for more commercial or mainstream success?
A: No, not yet anyway.
i:Vibes: What's with the secrecy surrounding everything you do? Would you rather just let the music speak for itself?
A: The music is the only thing that is important to me. I prefer to just get on and make it, I am very conscious of ego, and how dangerous it is,
and how, especially in the music industry, ego and greed cause all the trouble. I don`t do this to get worshipped or adulated, I only hope my music can effect people in a positive way.
i:Vibes: Who started London Techno and how did you get involved with it? Or did you start it?
A: The London Techno Collective was started by me towards the end of my time as a organiser of free/squat parties. The scene had splintered and I was missing the brotherhood that had fallen apart, mainly to drugs, ego and greed. I wanted to get a collective of talented, like-minded, and most
importantly sound and trustworthy (and basically nice) people together. And slowly people with a similar outlook to me, have drifted into my life and into the collective. It has all happened very naturally, and I feel we are starting to bloom, with a lot of events and productions hovering on the horizon. I would like to think that this year will be
our year. 2004 the year of the nice people.
i:Vibes: London Techno seems to be free of the normal music cliques, where you encourage feedback and criticism and producers to send in their stuff.
Why do you aim for this? and How has it worked for you guys?
A: Well I have been in and out of the music industry for years, and it such a hostile, cold and cliquey environment. I have pretty much dealt with
all the bad side of things, and whenever someone approaches me with a demo, or a dj set or whatever, I think how I was treated when I was in the same position, and try to react differently. I really just think talent shouldn`t be held back, and if I think I can
help someone I will. I believe in Karma and what goes around comes around. It`s a bit
hippy-fied, but it has worked for me. Also making stuff available for criticism is the only way you can learn and grow. There is always more to learn, and the only people that
object to criticism are the ego heads.
i:Vibes: So you started your own label Dirtybass Records? Where do you want to take your label? What do you want your label to be known for?
A: I want my label to take my music to as many people as possible, and to effect them in a positive way. I would like the label to become known for being a place to hear deep bassy emotional techno, representing the
light and the dark side.
i:Vibes: Why the change from Dirtyblue records to Dirtybass records?
A: Ah, well, there was already a label called Dirty Blue records, although I didn`t realise this at the time of my first release. The original name of DirtyBlue records (yes, all one word) came from a painting I had done called DirtyBlueOcean. So the after apologising to the owners of Dirty Blue records, it seemed only natural to call my label DirtyBass Records, and also helped keep the DB catalogue code.
i:Vibes: Most of your stuff is done in London, What's the scene like there? and How receptive are they to your style of music?
A: Well, the scene in London has become a little stale I think. The warehouse parties have just become debauched and drug addled (although
some are still good), and plagued by gangsters. And the club scene is in desperate need of some fresh talent. My harder stuff seems to be going down really well in the illegal raves, whereas the more deep progressive stuff seems to get played in the clubs.
As a whole I always seem to get good reactions, which is always humbling. But getting told that Sasha has been playing my stuff worldwide to thousands and thousands of people, is a really odd, and humbling experience.
i:Vibes: Do you see Emotional Soundscape/Hammer and Tongs release as a benchmark for you?
A: Well, in terms of commercial success, I have set myself a difficult standard to beat. But in terms of my music and how I feel about it.
Generally, I am very much a frustrated artist in the fact that I hate everything I produce soon after it is finished. I feel I am improving all the time both in production standard and quality of song writing, but I never think I am good enough. I am always learning.
The day I finish a production and say "yep, that`s it, perfect", is probably the day I quit.
i:Vibes: Where do you see your label, and your music going in 2004?
A: Well I would like the label to continue to allow me to make hard, progressive dance music, with an emotional content. I hope to be able to reach more people in more places with my music. Where do I see my music going? Well I like to think I always have my head in a progressive and forward thinking headspace, so I will let my music evolve into whatever it wants to be. But I think my production standard is improving all the time. I have another label starting soon, and I hope it to be a vehicle for my non DirtyBass records material. I like so many types of music so expect to hear some electro, breakbeat, harder techno, and maybe some more vocal tinged (ala Underworld) stuff. I would also like to be able to do some more re-mixing, as I really enjoy this.
i:Vibes: Do you see 2004 being bigger than 2003 for you? Why or Why Not?
A: It feels like it`s gonna be bigger. My music is getting more attention, and I am getting approached by other labels to provide them with
material. I have around me now, a lot of good, decent and talented people, and I
think together we can forge a new movement within the Dance community. We intend to take our Underground City club night forward to become a place respected for pushing the cutting edge of dance. Hopefully more labels will join the collective to, so that we can all help and nurture each other. Maybe our open attitude will spread and more talent will come our way and join up.After all United we stand, divided we fall.
i:Vibes would like to thank Dirty Bass for his time with this interview and we wish him the best in 2004.
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