NexGen are doing an awesome competition where people submit their music and to win $250 and a release on the label. We caught with Dan, owner of NexGen for a chat about the label, read on for details of how you can enter the competition and what you can win…………

Hey Dan, can you tell us a little about how NexGen music started and how its progressed?

Well, like most aspiring DJ/producers it all started in my bedroom studio back in ’95. My underground musical influences started in early Dance, Rave, Hardcore, Breakbeat, and later Jungle/Drum & Bass, which when I started producing.

I first started dabbling with music management when I set up a mini-audio production company on a local college campus in London, where I went on to be quite successful at producing TV commercial/advertising jingles for a few recognized British brands. One jingle I produced in 1997 ending up being used by the #1 washing detergent company in the UK at that time, which ended up running for nearly 8 years!!

In the late 90’s I really started getting into the new sounds of Downtempo and Deep/Chill-House which essentially inspired me to expand the audio production company into a record label that would eventually include the wide array of style and genres that NexGen Music represents today. In 2001, I re-branded the audio production company to NexGen Music, and in 2003 I moved the company across the pond to Brooklyn, NY where I officially incorporated as a record label in 2004.

It’s now been 13 years since that happened, and I have to say today the label is stronger than ever musically. We have 3 labels under NexGen: NexGen Records, Migration Recordings, and Affectionate Grooves – which all have and serve very different and distinct sounds in underground music. We are still very much doing projects closer to our roots in film, TV, and interactive, however our focus today is very much on evolving our artists, brand, and blend of sound.
Who are the core artists on the label that people should look out for?

I would say our “core” artists today are Earth Leakage Trip, Rob Sparx, Kachina, Neveready, Wigz, and myself — representing all three of our imprints.
You have released some massive EP’s in the last 6 months from the likes of Digital, Rob Sparx & Kachina across the label group. There is obviously a strong focus on quality. What are you looking for in the competition entries?

I’m REALLY looking for music that pushes the boundaries of sound… And, I’m not talking in a “who can make the gnarliest bass” type of way. Today, underground music genres are so intricately divided — yet still very connected — that for me the platform of these genre are really just defined by the tempo. What I hear all day long in most new music is producers that are simply following the ‘blueprint’ of the genre in terms of its typical sounds, samples and arrangement. I’m looking for producers that are striving to create NEW blueprints. So, in other words we are seeking music that is out-of-the-box, non-formulaic, envelope pushing, but yet still groovy and melodic.
How do people enter the competition?

It’s super simple. We are looking for 3 to 4 original tracks in one of the following genres: Drum & Bass, UK Garage, Bass Music, and Downtempo. All we are asking from entrants is a follow on our Soundcloud.

What can the entrants win?

The lucky winners will have their release backed by a strong PR and social media campaign, and also receive $250 in cash! On top of this, the submission that we are feeling the MOST out the four winners will receive an extra $250 cash. The total package is worth a couple of of thousand dollars per entrant as well as place on our growing roster!

Finally, what does the next 12 months look like for NexGen Music?

Its an understatement to say that we have got so much good music lined up its ridiculous. I mean it really is. Even though we’ve been around for a while now our sound never stops evolving. We’re always challenging each other to push those boundaries that I was referring to earlier, so we still consider ourselves in “build” mode right now and through to around this time 2017. By the summer of 2017 we will be looking to take the labels on the road making some festival appearances and getting some tours going by locally in the US & UK, and internationally.

Soundcloud W/Fangate:­ ­

Competition Links­ ­https://www.nexgenmusicgroup.com/new-arti­st-competition-june-2016

T&C’s:­ ­https://www.nexgenmusicgroup.com/new-arti­st-competition-terms-conditions ­

YouTube Video:­ ­https://youtu.be/BfRyGZKfA4w

NexGen Music Competition

Russian outfit, ALL OUT, are here to prove that the sound of Big Beat is on the march towards our sound-systems once again and to be honest, why the hell not!? It may have got some bad press back in the day, but as far as we’re concerned, we bloody love it! Nothing quite beats the raw, raucous, acid tinged sound Big Beat provides and thanks to ALL OUT, we now have 12 more superbly crafted monsters to go absolutely wild too! The album is only $7 from Bandcamp and as we’ve said before, at any exchange rate, you’re definitely getting plenty of bang for your bucks!

Buy ‘Psycho Breaks’ here via Bandcamp.

Links for ALL OUT :

Soundcloud / Website / Bandcamp / YouTube / Twitter / Instagram

Throughout the month of May, Phibes have been dropping D n B bombs! One a week in fact as they get themselves and us warmed up the summer of festival action ahead. If you’re lucky enough to catch them playing in field somewhere in the UK this year, you’re bound to catch these four remixes of theirs and there will be doubts that when you do, you and the rest of the crowd will be bouncing around because of the energy, singing along because of the familiarity of the originals chosen to be remixed and feeling like you’re having the best time ever because the tunes are that damn good! Total party starters, the lot of em!

Download ‘Good Luck’ here via Hypeddit.

Download ‘No Diggity’ here via Hypeddit.

Download ‘Paper Planes’ here via Hypeddit.

Download ‘Lean Back’ here via Hypeddit.

Links for Phibes :

Soundcloud / Phibes D n B / Facebook / Beatport / YouTube / Twitter

Simztek & Dubz- ­ Wanting

Combining uplifting pianos with power keys, this one goes in !!!
Optimator Ft Troy Dillard- ­ Paradise

Gorgeous soulful vocal house taking it back to the true house sound
Andrew Greatorex- ­ Together

Driving and infectious, buzzing and breezing house from Andrew Greatorex
The Goons- ­ Ghetto Belles

Big big oldskool 90s style funky house!!!
Barb & Cust- ­ Uninvited

Dark and dubby take on the vocal house sound
Axel- Doorman ­ Whatever You Want

Melody loaded fruity n funky tech house
AKA- ­ House Nation

Tough jackin track featuring the ‘house is a nation’
Wainscott- ­ Acid Sunrise

Like a glorious sunrise, this beautiful slice of classic acid house is worth the price of this awesome EP alone
Inside Out- ­ Nerve (Work That)

One for the terraces, stripped back n bassy with oldskool diva style vox
Fix- ­ Move

Our favourite track on this EP, with a nod to oldskool hardcore/rave and even earlier Detroit/Chicago sounds. We love the tempo of this track and the ethereal ravey vibes
Detroit Project- ­ Flamenko

Just made for the White Isle with lovely spanish guitars and gentle beats
9Bar- ­ You Don’t Like It

Anthemic and soulful vocal garage/house that will set the party alight
Dave Crane- ­ First to Cry

Building and peaking soulful tech house with warm vibes
Sub8- ­ The Fool

Stripped back bumpin’ n jackin house for the heads down and dance crew!!!
Oliver Viking- ­ Soul of Chains

Could this be 2016s’ ‘Ripgroove’? A massive slice of bass house with a huge infectious riff
A.S.R- ­ Response 

A dark opus of a techno track to finish off the Ibiza EP. Shades of the seminal Rising High imprint on this slow builder of a monstrous techno track

Stream clips here: Out on all major download stores 14/06/16

VA- The Ibiza EP [Sweep The Floor]

Swerve Digital reveals its’ first artist compilation loaded with quality sounds across the house/techno spectrum…. ‘Deviate Vol One’ is due out soon on Swerve Digital, we breakdown the the highly lovable tracks on offer

James Wesley ­ MK 1

A deep house track that shuffles along with low slung bas melodies and dubby goodness
Andy Ho ­ Drop It

Pounding tribal beats and old skool acid make for a great modern take on the early 90s sound of imprints such Guerilla
Faulty Minds ­ Shovel

atmospheric late night techno assault that we absolutely adore!!!
Vitor Saguanza ­ Garboil

Pounding, swirling and growling techno that totally rocks our boat!!!
Avesie & Luke Davidson ­ Eledance

Locked in the groove tech House excellence with subtle keys, turbulent bass and rolling beats
Banb Ace ­ The Murder

Verging on Techno with dark dark stabbage and bumping beats, goes down a treat!!!
Barnaby James & Ali Emm ­ Back To Time

For those messy and frantic moments, the beat goes on as do the room filling keys and intense melodies
FlipstiK ­ Bring It Back

Funky club house with a jagged side, the funk filled riffs are accompanied by mutated basslines that’ll drive you crazy!!
Jamie De Von ­ Technology

London style bass house with jackin beats, eerie strings and bouncing bass
Mayeye ­ Checkmate

Super crisp beats, a ridiculously funky bass riff and plenty of bleeps and bloops, a great closer to this awesome compilation. We can’t wait for vol two!!!

Get ‘Deviate Vol 1′ on Swerve Digital from 27/06/2016 on Traxsource http://www.traxsource.com/label/26710/swerve-digital and all good download stores

VA- Deviate Vol One [Swerve Digital]

London based, new kid on the block, Rhyvms, has put together this really neat edit of ‘Peace Go With You Brother’ by, Gil Scott Heron, in commemoration of the great mans legacy. The spirit of the original still shines bright, but Rhyvms has added in a snare hook that gives it an extra level of crispness. If you’ve been ‘avin it large over the bank holiday weekend like I have, this edit is very pleasant ‘pick me up’ to help us return to some kind of normality.

Download Rhyvms edit here via Hypeddit.

Links for Rhyvms :

Soundcloud / YouTube / Twitter

We’ve been fans of Michael Johnston ever since Unique2Rhythms’ label boss posted a Traxsource link to his tracks on Facebook. The things this man can do with a piano would and will blow your mind.

His latest track ‘Budamn’ is out now on houses’ finest imprint the very same Unique2Rhythm. It’s a shing slice of timeless piano house/garage with bumping beats, organ and horn snatches and of course…piano and oh boy what piano!!!   A absolute dream of a track, you have to check out the good feels of ‘Budamn’

Click here to buy ‘Budamn’

Michael Johnston- Budamn [Unique2Rhythm]

Massive dreamy synth laden rave tinged bass n breaks heater from Sanxion on Bad Habit Muzik out now!!! Signature Sanxion brilliance in a massive follow up to his previous track on Bad Habit Muzik. ‘All That I Can Do’ is fire!!! Dreamy synths with a ravey edge lead into some bouncing dirty bass n breaks action!!!! Get this monster of a tune out now on Bad Habit Muzik!!!

Click here to buy Sanxion ‘All That I Can Do’

Sanxion – All That I Can Do [Bad Habit Muzik]

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’

DJ Norbak is a well established DJ hailing from Cadiz south of Spain. he has been pushing the sound of Breaks for quite a few years now with numerous bookings for well known local Festivals and Raves and delivers a high energy set every time. DJ Norbak is this weeks guest for the Funktasty Crew.

Funktasty Crew is a project of promotion for the artists/djs from the electronic music scene, focusing styles as “breaks” and “bass” music.

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