Strange Rollers Interview

This is your first full EP for Warehouse Wax after having featured on the Ruffneck Riddims’ series of Eps and remixng Vinyl Junkie & Sanxion’s ‘Talk Too Much’ along with featuring on ‘We’re Not Dead: the 3rd Chapter’, for over a decade and a half you have been producing in various different styles and have had releases on numerous imprints such as Top Drawer Digital, Definition Breaks and Future Followers to name just a few, how has the musical journey been so far?

So, lets talk about this EP entitled ‘Outrageous’ which over 8 tracks, takes the listener through a variety of diverse styles, does this represent where you’re at musically right now?

Yes i think it does, I enjoy creating music in various styles mainly because I listen to such a diverse cross section of music, one min I want to dig out a House banger followed by a high tempo Drum & Bass track. The only style this EP doesn’t cover I’m currently loving is the UK Garage Revival I’m loving. But you’ll find I’ve been dabbling in the UKG Scene recently.

In the last few years, people who follow your music might have pigeonholed what you do a bit as a lot of what came out from 2010 onwards was 140/Future Jungle but here we have tracks like ‘The Big Throwback’ and ‘Broken Glass’ along the more ravey ‘Dance With Me’ and dubby 140 of ‘Sweet Reggae Music’, is it fair to say you were looking push the envelope and showcase a bit of diversity with this new EP?

I’m always looking to push the envelope and learn new skills but more so to evolve my music, I think most people would recognise a Strange Rollers track as i seem to have a approach I stick to in most tracks but I love what comes from that little extra spice you add to a track that doesn’t necessarily fit that Genre. The 140 tracks will always be my passion but i love dropping down to the low BPM’s and experimenting.

You’ve had a few tracks out on Warehouse Wax prior to this EP, how did you meet up with Vinyl Junkie and what led to those first few releases on the label?

I think I first knew John through the original Hardcore Breaks scene in the mid/late 2000’s, kept badgering him with tracks. Even though they weren’t up to scratch I think he saw something in what I made and from that date really kept in contact. I think my levels have improved so its been great to get involved with the Warehouse Wax label. We also hooked up way back to start the 140 Youtube channel with Lucas Morris from Top Drawer Digital

Out of the massive back catalogue of tracks you’ve made over the years, which ones are you personal favourites?

That’s a hard one as never really thought about that but one track that stands out as a track that got me noticed was my ‘Dark Love’ track that Definition Breaks released as there first release and got featured by Jay Cunning on his now legendary Breaks show on Kiss.

Recently had the chance to remix a Victor Simonelli track officially with Chris Bad Habit and tbh i really like our resulting remix, should be out later this year on a big anniversary release on his Label

I also really like the Shabba Ranks re-rub I did ‘Pirates’

Tell us a few of your all time and current fave producers?

Frankie Bones, Rheji Burrell for my early picks in House

Rick Rubin for Hip Hop

Goldie for D&B

Stanton Warriors for Breaks

KANT (Denmark) for current house

And which tunes are on rotation right now on the Strange Rollers playlist?

Ten Walls – Walking With Elephants KANT Remake

Sanxion – Interzone (Downbeat)

S.P.Y. – Frozen (Hospital)

Lunate – Pawn Shop Romance (100% Silk)

The Magician – Sunlight

Lights – Muscle Memory

DJ Shadow – Six Days (Machinedrum Remix)

These are the ones that come to mind that are really doing it for me on all levels and styles

It always amazes me how much of a prolific producer you are, how do you draw inspiration for all these beats?

I put it down to the love of music and the constant crazing to make something better

If you could work on a track with anyone from now or way back when, who would it be?

KRS1 – Who wouldn’t want to work on a track with him

And if you could remix any tune of your choice, which one would you choose and why?

Ooo this is a tuff one, im sure after this interview I’ll think of something else but off the top of my head I’d say Orbital – Belfast

Are there any unfulfilled goals or aspirations of yours musically?

100’s i just don’t know what they are!

Could you offer a bit of advice for a up and coming producer?

Practice Practice Practice and just jam, make what you like

And finally, any shout outs & big ups?

Big shouts to Eddie Voyager, John Vinyl Junkie, Lucas, Tony & Skin (Radiokillaz), Chris Bad Habit, Naza, Digital Pilgrimz, Jay Cunning & Terry Hooligan (On-The Rise) Digitally Mashed, Rich & Deller & Jimmy Dineen, Alex (100Me)The Nasty Squad, Beats without Boarders (Tariq), Lika Marques, Anne Allison, Sanxion, , DJ Demo, Nefti, George CRS, Gaz P , Kenny Ivey, Pete Walton, Bassbird, Brewster Bee, Manion, Bennie D, Flashback, Retropolis, Jon Doe, Dani & Gerard Burton, Paul BassRock, The Imperial Brothers, Bassbird, Mellow Theory, Ann D, Grant Waller, Nick Debanke and Glowkid for all their musical support & inspiration

You can stream a minimix of the ‘Outrageous EP’ forthcoming on Warehouse Wax here:

Pre Order Here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/outrageous/id924385874

Buy From Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/label/warehouse-wax-music/22579

Strange Rollers Interview