Darkhalf- Forged EP [Boomsha Recordings]

We had a quick chat with DnB, Hip Hop and Future Jungle Producer Darkhalf about his music career and forthcoming release on Boomsha Recordings

Just to kick things off, tell our readers a bit about the man known as Darkhalf.

Well I’m a 42 year old Hip Hop/ Future Junglist who’s had a dabble at DnB but got quite bored with it and started to produce Hip Hop, which was how I started out in production in the early 90’s. I’ve been involved in many releases and collabs and have more on the way in the future. I try and keep that original flavour with a dabble of future sounds..

How long have you been making beats and what was the initial inspiration to start?

I’ve been making beats since 1991. I started out as a rapper as it goes, teaming up with a couple of other heads as the Fictional Characters, that was when I first entered a serious studio and then I knew it was about making the music instead. I was already djing and had a musical past on 2 instruments, it just seemed natural..

You’ve run labels, produced Hip Hop, DnB and 140/Future Jungle, remixed and produced for labels like Stay On Target and now have a forthcoming EP due out on Boomsha Recordings, how did you get to hear of the label and come to make a release for them?

I first heard of them via Bay B Kane a few years ago now, locked onto some radio shows and got to know people who follow the label.. I was asked last year if I would write an E.P for the label and tbh it’s how I work.. On demand, and so the Forge E.P was put together..

Its very clear when listening to tracks like ‘Forged’ and ‘Your Mind’ that careful attention to detail has gone into this EP, the breaks are tight and on point and have a live feel to them, how do you make this crisp sound and what influences were you taking in?

I spend so much time mixing down the beats, I put more time into them than say compression, which I try not to use as much as too much of it can ruin a good track.. Eqing is a must too and I keep a close eye on the frequencies.. When it comes to filtering, I like to do that realtime on the fly and work with it that way..

Tell us a few of your favourite 140/Future Jungle tracks

This is probably the part that I hate to answer back too because I’m not really a follower of anyone in particular, I don’t like to be online too much and I’m so busy nowadays, it’s hard to find time to sit back and fully appreciate anyone’s music.. I can’t really say I have a favourite track in this case… I’m also working with Hip Hop a lot atm and my head’s been in that.

And finally, any last words? Any big ups, shout outs before we wrap things up?

Yeah can do, can I shout out to Robin (Grimey Rob) @Stay On Target, Bay B Kane for the inspiration, Big shout to Spatts and also a good luck with his new LP release.. Big ups to Rapia, Kawz and to everyone reading this, go and buy my E.P

ha ha ha

Darkhalf Interview