Swankout Interview + New EP ‘Get Dark’

Swankouts’ massive ‘Get Dark EP’ is out now on Top Drawer Digital. A electrifying blend of Tech House, Bass and Oldskool Hardcore/Jungle. You can buy the EP here and read on for an exclusive interview with Swankout + an exclusive minimix….

So, we first came across your music via this forthcoming EP on Top Drawer Digital and and a Radio One mix from a few years back, how long have you been doing the music and what have I missed out on?

I started DJing in 1996, and producing in 2000 and I started collecting vinyl in 1994, I’ve been behind a few different projects doing rave breaks , house and jungle. I stared doing the Swankout stuff end of 2013

Could you tell us a bit about the different projects?
I did three rave break/fidget hybrid kind of tracks with DJ Faydz in 2010 for future rave anthems 2, I ran a label in 2010 called Unleashed Sound which specialised in rave breaks and future jungle which did quite well in the trackitdown charts.
I’ve had Radio 1 /1xtra, Rinse FM & Kool FM plays. I Was part of a deep house/garage duo in 2014 which had a few releases on what’s your status? And support from EZ, Groove Armada & B traits

Was this a transition over to house music or had you been doing stuff prior to that?

I’ve always loved / made all types of music thought tend to be mostly partial to anything sounding like jungle or old skool I’ve always enjoyed crossing genres in my production and making hybrid music. My vinyl collection is a reflection of that also

Are you still a keen vinyl collector?

Yes! I love vinyl it’s in my blood, started collecting in 94 aged 12 and still buy today, though usually it’s oldskool, I just had 2 delivered actually, Doctors Of Dance – Dance Theme From 91, and Twister On Formation Records from 96

The influence of this wealth of dance music history can certainly be heard on your new EP as Swankout, can you tell us a bit about this current alias/project?

Thanks! I was kind of aiming for “heritage” if you like from this, and I’m really pleased you said that so thanks , and obviously mixing in new styles and sounds as well as modern production techniques, I’ve done a few other bits as well on Deep Freeze Records and Daylight Robbery, which are again two contrasting variations, with the releases on Deep Freeze being aimed more at the Deep House/Garage /bass kind of sound, and the release on Daylight Robbery more proper Deep House. It all started as a bit of fun and a way of getting my hybrid/more experimental music out there too

How did you come to know of and be signed to Top Drawer Digital?

Haha! Well, a bit of a long story this …. Was recommended them by Om Unit. I met him in Bristol, he was behind me in a shop queue , my mate pointed him out and being a big fan of his music I waited outside to chat to him! He is a sound guy! I asked if I could send him some music which was some of the Get Dark EP and he recommended Top Drawer to me!

Which takes us to this EP, a mixture of dark 130bpm ish Jungle Breaks a la Mella Dee, Special Request etc and some ravey Tech House. What was the inspiration behind these incredible tunes?

Wow thanks for the compliment! Well exactly that really, huge huge fan of both Mella Dee, and Paul Woolford aka Special Request , those guys really hit the spot for me musically so with tracks such as Amnesia and Untitled coupled with Mella Dee’s release on Lobster Boy records and the GT Turbo EP backed with all the previous rave projects I’ve done I guess

On a side note, if you could do a Swankout remix of any track of your choice what would it be?

I’ve often thought about bootlegs of stuff like The Prodigy ‘Jericho’ or Future Sound Of London ‘Papa New Guinea’ but to me all these tracks are masterpieces that could possibly left untouched? Though High Contrast did a sterling remix (bootleg) of Papa New Guinea

Great choices, so to wrap things up, any mentions, big ups? and what advice would you give to aspiring producers?

Yes indeed! From my friends and family who’ve supported me in many ways, to my fellow producers who have mentored/helped me through the years and of course Lucas and Free Breaks Blog for the support! Really appreciated! And for anyone aspiring, as cliché as this sounds if you work hard and you believe you Can achieve something, then you will! Thanks for the interview!!

Stream clips of the ‘Get Dark EP’ below and click here to buy

Exclusive ‘Get Dark’ minimix below

Swankout Interview + New EP ‘Get Dark’