First of all, for anyone who still doesn’t know, could you tell us a bit about yourselves?

Formed in 96 and still going 

You made your debut in 1998 and released your first LP ‘Point Blank’ in the same year, how did it all come together?

I was in another band at the time, signed to Charlie Chester’s “Cowboy Records”. We had just had a hit after being on the cult TV show “The Word” with a track called “Why Why Why” which was a cover version of an old Balearic classic by a band called The Woodentops. After that I became bored of the sound that was around at the time. Everything seemed so formulated. It was at that time i heard a track by the Dust Brothers  called “My Mercury Mouth” The band soon changed their name to Chemical Brothers, but it was that fresh sound that they where creating that made me want to change my direction. I started hanging out at the Heavenly Social and The Wall of Sound nights and started making tracks under my new name DUB PISTOLS. We then signed to Concrete records. Our first single “There’s Gonna Be a Riot” was championed by Steve Lamaq on Radio 1. It was also an NME single of the week, but it was our single “Cyclone” that really put us up there it was play-listed on Radio 1 and Tony Hawks signed it for his Playstation game. Suddenly we where on a roll…

And how did you make the transition from the studio to being a fully-fledged live act?

My first album Point Blank was more a collection of dance floor singles cobbled together to make an album. It wasn’t until after the big beat backlash that we got signed in America and started touring the states. That’s when we started concentrating on writing songs and gradually integrating musicians into my DJ sets, which then developed into a full band 

Is there a memorable or favorite moment from all the years of live gigging?

There have been so many amazing moments over the years and a few I’d rather forget. I guess if I had to pick one show, it would be the time both Terry hall and Lynval Golding (of The Specials) joined us on stage at Bestival. The Specials have always been my favorite band, and Lynval and Terry hadn’t played together in over 10 years i believe. So for me to get them together and play with us was a special special moment, one that made the hairs on my arms stand. It was a very emotional day for me, and one I will never forget.

Of the albums you have done, is there a personal favorite?

Every album when you make it is like your new favorite  But I think if I’m honest, my two favourite albums are “Speakers & Tweeters” and our last album “Worshiping the Dollar” but my favourite Dub Pistols track is on our “Six million ways to Live” album, and is the track “Problem Is” feat Terry Hall

You’ve worked with so many artists, too many too mention here but was there anyone you really enjoyed working with and still do or would like to in future?

Obviously working with Terry Hall from the Specials was a dream come true, but to be honest it’s been an honor to work with all the collaborators that we have had the chance to work with. From Busta Rhymes to Horace Andy, Gregory Isaacs, Lindy Layton etc. The artist we have had most fun on the road with though is Rodney P. He is a “Hip Hop” Dub Pistol for real. He spent a good few years touring with us through good times and bad, but he always kept laughing and knows how to party like a Pistol, a true legend!

In a era of genres, sub genres and sub genres of the sub genres, how do you describe yourself musically?

I hate pigeon holes, so I will pass on this one 

And which artists do you rate and listen to at the moment?

There are so many artists and DJ’s that I’m into across the board if its breaks then I’m loving the Marten Hoger and Mafia Kiss productions. Future jungle/ D&B: King Yoof, Gold & Aries, Serial Killaz, Benny Page, House: Eats Everything, Hot since 82, Gentleman’s Dub Club and Rudimental.

What can we expect from a Dub Pistols DJ set as we hear you have been doing quite a bit of DJ’ing lately?

My sets vary from show to show. I’m as happy playing a breaks set or a D&B set, as ghetto funk set or mixing the whole lot up. I’ve never been a purist. I’m all about the party and being eclectic. To me, a good record is a good record, and a good DJ is all about rocking the party.

Many thanks for taking time to talk to us, any last words, big ups and shout outs?

Just want to say thanks to all the people that have supported us over the years. Rob Da Bank for signing us when no one else was interested, Sunday Best, my label for their patience and continued support, On The Rise promotions for the amazing job they are doing, and all the festivals that keep bringing us back to their amazing events especially Bestival, Snowbombing, Beatherder, Blissfields and Kendal Calling where we have now almost become family.

Dub Pistols-Alive 2013 Remixes Is Out Now, get It Here And From All Good Download Stores

Dub Pistols-Alive Remixes 2013 + Exclusive Dub Pistols Interview

Breakbeat Paradise Recordings is very pleased to welcome back one of our favorite ghetto funk producers: Morlack, who has prepared another ultra-funky EP to all the funk party people out there. Let’s Go Jammin’ EP are going in 2 directions – first part being the dancefreindly 70s funky cookups that Morlack is known and loved for – and the other is a brand new fusion between classic rock ‘n’ roll/heavy metal and ghetto beats and bass!

Morlack is without doubt one of the hardest working producers in the ghetto funk scene and this season we are seeing him all over the grid, dropping one successful EP after another. Most recently on labels like Royal Soul, Katakana Edits, Tru-Funk, Relative Dimension, Funkosol – just to name a few all reaching to the top of the breakbeat charts. Finally this EP follows up on the successful Chinchilla EP that was released on 12” vinyl earlier this year right here on BBP.

Let’s Go Jammin’ EP is designed to keep funky parties going ‘till the early mornings. Morlack is the zone right now so get ready for another booty-shaking funky EP.

Available now on Juno Download:

Beatport:
http://www.beatport.com/#release/let-go-jammin-ep/1195447

iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lets-go-jammin-ep/id731906544

Video:

Free Tune:

Feedback:
Let’s Go Jammin’ is especially dope, Spinforth

Nice Party Release. I like most LETS GO JAMMIN and EVERYDAY THOUGHTS, Jayl Funk

I have to say that “Let’s Go Jamming” is the real funky shit !!! I love it and this one will go straight to my dj sets !!!!, Prosper

The first 3 track of the EP really kicks ass – moods for the right moments!!, Clairvo (Nynfus Corp)

Wicked! Fun and funky release, love “Get Your Back Off Of The Wall”, Farther Funk

Not bad!, Slynk

Funky as hell, Doctor Hooka (NBC Radio)

Full of bangers, nice one!, DJ Kid Stretch

Getting into summer here in New Zealand.. ‘Let’s Go Jammin’ has a great summer time feeling to it! Loving the chilled vibes of ‘Everyday Thoughts’, Funk Ferret

Killer EP, will drop those for shure !!, Funkanomics

Exquisite funky sounds. Love it!, Free Breaks Blog

Rock ‘n roll, baby! Morlack is one of my all time favourites – you know why. This EP is pretty much perfect. Again!, Zenit Incompatible

Reviews:
Monkeyboxing:
http://monkeyboxing.com/content/morlack-lets-go-jammin-ep-2013/

Junodownload:
Morlack’s been on incredible form throughout 2013, and nothing sums up his skills better than this extensive EP on Breakbeat Paradise. “Let’s Go Jammin” takes a cover of a Newcleus classic and applies some serious bubble bass and pop skank motifs. Premium party vibes can be found in the drum-dunking, uptempo bass romp “Get Your Back Off Of The Wall” and the raucous Wu-Tang/ACDC fusing body-slamming “Thunder Banger”. Elsewhere Morlack shows off his more sentimental, emotional side with the Lord Finesse referencing “Everyday Thoughts” and gets his rocks off with the instant air-guitar strutting “When The Problems Are Dead”. All areas of the dance covered in five simple booties – Morlack’s reign over the nu-funk scene continues unabated.

Today we feature the winner of our fairly recent collaborative remix competition (with Top Drawer Digital), Champion Breaks. He has steadily been building his name up with some heavy hitting acid breaks remixes and originals and banging DJ sets. His remix stood out from all the other entries with production skills way above the rest, slamming breaks and his unique acid lines he has become so well known for.

I caught up with Pete to find out a little more about him and his music. Read through to the end of the interview for an exclusive FREE TRACK and music showcase from his Soundcloud.

Madacp – Acid Chant B/W Champion Breaks Remix is out now. You can purchase HERE.

1. Congratulations on winning the remix competition. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, for those that don’t know, who are you, what do you do and what style(s) of music do you play?

Thanks Mike. I am very honoured to be doing this. And likewise, my sincere thanks to Lucas (TDD), Elliot (Madcap), and to all at Free Breaks Blog. And I have to mention Elliot again, for making the track available for remixing in the first place. It is just sublime! A “producer’s” track, if you know what I mean.

As for me, my name is Pete (or “Bad Boy” to my friends J) – and I play Acid Techno, Hard Tek, and Hardcore (Old Skool).

From a production viewpoint, it is currently Acid Breaks (see my remix of Madcap’s “Acid Chant” for a flavor) and good old London Techno and Break Tek (breaks infused 303 Gabber). You can hear current DJ mixes of my own production and original tunes on https://soundcloud.com/champion-breaks

2. Tell us a bit about what you’re working on now, any releases on the horizon?

In terms of releases, I think this Top Draw Digital release, and the forthcoming track on Vinyl Junkie’s We’re Not Dead album is just unbelievable! Of course I also have to mention the Kut Off guys for being open minded and supportive from day one.

In terms of work, well, I have been quite busy for the past 2 years, “cooking” up the Acid Breaks sound in my studio, and it has been hard, but fun and rewarding! I released 24 fully mastered WAV tracks via Soundcloud and my website (www.championbreaks.com) in March 2013, and I am encouraged with the reception and feedback I have received so far. What it has meant, of course is that I have started looking into the future on how I can develop the sound further…and I have some ideas that I am currently experimenting with – and I hope to get feedback for these prototype tracks through your blog very soon!

3. What other artists have you been feeling recently and who has inspired you to become a producer?

Well, as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a producer (in my best Henry Hill mobster voice J). In terms of inspiration, it has to be my initial exposure to the TB303 or Acid sound. So, I’m afraid, the blame squarely lies with Hardfloor’s “TB Resuscitation” LP for everything people have had to put up with from my studio J.

In terms of DJing, it HAS to be DJ Hype all the way. I remember watching him in parties and just analysing every single aspect of him J I used to watch every single move of his hands, and even his lop-sided grin. I used to idolise him. I remember spending hours with my Wood Allen (Airport 89) record and my dodgy cross fader (for those that know the record for what it contains!). I even used to have this scarf with “DJ HYPE” in big letters, which someone knitted for me way back in 1992. I loved it, even though no one else had a clue what it even meant!

4. What have been your musical highlights so far??

Well, personally, speaking, I haven’t had any highlights yet (I dream big J)…and I am still working towards them. But setting up, and running a vinyl label in London from 2002 (Getafix Records), releasing my tunes and remixes on some top Techno Labels, including a Carl Cox CD Compilation, and playing out in parties in London and Europe was a proper eye opener!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hv1caYyPqY

5. What’s your production setup?

The best advice I got from an acid techno pioneer with a massive studio and a professional mastering suite was to get a nice pair of studio monitors, as this is what stands between sonic perfection and mud soup! I have a basic MIDI school boy setup in my studio…What I do have is access to some other proper studio heads…the guys who get turned on reading Sound on Sound! I usually beg them to help me out when I need it!

6. What are your best/worst DJ experiences?

OK – the worst first: Well, I was about to come on at 6AM in this techno squat party (behind Liverpool Street about 12 years ago). A French Hard Tekno DJ called Jef Amadeus was on his last tune (tune: Crusty Mills SH101, by Lawrie Immersion on a label called Prolekult!) and all the boys were standing around giving him the big ups. I opened my record box and found that I had brought the wrong bag…it was the one with my old skool rave tunes! There was another DJ called Jerome Hill (he plays for Kool FM London now) who grinned and said, “let’s see if you will brave the crowds and drop these tunes”. My third tune was “Don’t Go” by Awesome 3 – the rig owner said, “No..please, please go” and I was marched off the rig while the other DJs clapped J

The best? Well, they say the best ones are the ones you don’t remember afterwards. But I suppose I can remember in ‘97 or ‘98 when my two pals and me went to Newton (the owner of 4 Aces in Dalston) and blagged one Saturday of each month to put on a party at 4 Aces!!! We had never done any events on such a scale. I remember after the first night was over, us sat in Newton’s tiny office on the top of 4 Aces, getting a severe bollocking for not doing any promotions, and basically being chancers! We then printed some paper flyers and took them around to free parties and record shops. And then turned up for our nights with a strong strobe light and our tunes. We would just bang out tune after tune…and one of us would shine the strobe from the stand into people’s faces! Eventually the place filled up nicely J. It was a great experience in my life…one massive strobe light, a fat rig, and us boys…we just couldn’t believe it. Afterwards, we would go to the London Fields pub (Pub In the Park in Hackney) and just wind down with a few jars, grinning from ear to ear!

7. What got you into electronic music? What made you choose your current style and sound?

Hmm…I think the honest answer can’t be printed here. But let’s just say rock music won’t let me have those “adventures of the mind” that I have with electronic music! The right kind of electronic music for me has to have tension. Mellow but aggressive…hard…but smooth…deep but ‘avin it…that kind of thing. And I strive to have those opposing feelings in my tracks, but I am sure everyone else just says, “Pah! This is the same old screaming screechy 303s as he always does”…but if you listen to it in the right state of mind (figure it out yourselves J) you’ll see that it has many layers and levels.

8. What do you get up to outside of music?

I always knew which side of the rig I wanted to be on (clue: not where the punters are!) I then realized that I am my happiest when I am hypnotizing myself with my own music. And then, I realized that I had no time for people who did not want to be in that same state of mind…so the result: I am a pretty reclusive, anti-social person, but not by choice!

9. What do you think it means to be a “successful” producer?

Well, in today’s terms, in order to be successful, you have to knock out your “Black Swan” – that magical track that will propel an unknown person to stardom (YAWN!). Otherwise I think successful production is really about “creating your sound”, developing it, and making sure that you keep going. There is no promised land. It is hard graft. It is many lonely, stressful, frustrating hours in the studio while others go out and have fun, while you chase that elusive sound that is playing in your head…but you just cannot replicate it using the synths and kit in front of you!

10. What can we expect from you for the rest of 2013 and beyond?

Well, anything that can be expected of me or other (non-commercial) artists at this stage is clearly in the hands of party promoters and sound system rigs. Why? In order to get our tracks out there, we need to prove that our music is “danceable and party friendly”. This means that there need to be parties where people can come and be introduced to the sound. That is the ONLY time people will honestly engage with the sound on that visceral level! Laptops and headphones just won’t do it man!

It is only then that people will search out, recommend, and start BUYING some of our tracks. Currently, top quality tracks are “charting” in the Top 10 in online record shops and then you get the sales figures and it’s just abysmal! In some ways, you could say it’s a bit like saying “Wow he must be loaded…he keeps winning in Monopoly man”!

—

Check out a fine selection of Champion Breaks DJ mixes and tracks below and download your exclusive FREE DOWNLOAD.

Free – DOWNLOAD Checkout Added to cart

To download please click the button above. When the item is added to your cart you can checkout or continue adding music. When you checkout please enter your e-mail address, first and last name and click purchase. No money will be asked for this is a FREE DOWNLOAD. You will be added to the Free Breaks Blog mailing list to keep you informed of any future mixes, tracks or features we think you’ll be interested in.  You can download direct from the PURCHASE CONFIRMATION page or via the link sent to your e-mail.

http://www.championbreaks.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ChampionBreaks
https://twitter.com/ChampionBreaks

Champion Breaks – Exclusive Interview + Free Track

Hey All! Well today is one of those days where i’m cleaning out my closet! Not like Eminem though, I’m not going to unload a bunch of emotional crap on you (I’ll leave that where it belongs.. bottled up deep down inside) what I mean is that I have more mixtapes in my possession to choose from than there is weeks of the year left.. maybe even days! So I thought I would post up a bunch of ones I have really enjoyed listening to.. a few different styles in there, something for everyone I would like to think!

I’m getting straight into it tonight, HERE WE GO

First up, this one is actually hot off the press.. from the Funk Hunters! Last year I was stoked to submit my mix for the “Funk Hunter’s weekly mixtape dig” and have it posted up. The tables have turned! And now I get to return the favour. Very excited to hear these guys are playing at my favourite music festival in the world this summer in New Zealand. Splore is about to get hit with some West Coast Canadian Magic!

The Funk Hunters Present: The Detour Podcast #01 by The Funk Hunters

Next Up is a mix I have been meaning to post up for a while, Its the hiphoppapotamus! hard to spell and harder to say when you are drunk, which I was when i met this fella in Bristol earlier this month.. hell of a nice guy and makes some great tunes too! This mix has a great feel to it and I was determined to get it blogged.. so here it is!

The Dance-Off presents….DJ Hiphoppapotamus (DL in Description) by Hiphoppapotamus

Next up.. these guys have been kinda quiet on my radar for a while, but then BANG! they show me that they can still lay down a mixtape like no others.. Rollomatik make great music, and their logo is a polar bear. Need I say more? NO!

The Routines: Bass Funkin’ by Rollomatik

Que the stage for Dr Spider! I like glitch-hop, but I have to say I am a bit pickey choosey with it.. there is a lot of stuff out there that doesn’t tickle me in the right ways (Easy Raybould) but luckily I’v got Dr Spider here to show me that the good stuff is out there, and can be put together into a delicious mixtape juuust for me. Oh and for everyone else too!

Sound Odyssey 7 by Dr Spider

LAST but not least.. here’s another funk filled set from DJ GrooveCellar. I went down to his Cellar once, it was more of a dungeon and it smelled like chloroform, I don’t remember much after that. This guy is repping the funk out in switzerland and I heard through the grapevine that he kicks ass!

Beats From The Decks Vol. I [FREE DOWNLOAD] by DJ GROOVECELLAR

OK That’s it from me.. lot’s of mixes not so much chit-chat this week, I’m sure you won’t complain! BIG NIGHT in Bristol tomorrow, can’t wait! Please leave some thank-you’s for these DJ’s if you download the mixes.. manners go a long way in this world and I’m sure your mamma raised you right!

PEACE HOMIES!

Sammy Senior

WE TAKE SHOP WITH IRELANDS NEWEST HIPHOP CREW

THE ANIMATORS

WE TALK ABOUT THERE NEW ALBUM ,

HIPHOP , THE IRISH MEDIA ,

DOGS ,

GIRLS & OF COURSE PEANUT BUTTER

Yo Animators, Introduce Ur self’s

Johnny whats happening man! We’re are a hip hop collective from Dublin, Ireland. Not a group, but movement!

As Irish Rappers go Ur Sound is very Different , U Got More of Funky, Sunny, Bay Area with a touch Breakbeat Kinda Vibe , So What influenced the making of the Album.

Positivity and a love of hip hop culture. This album represents more than just a collection of tracks. Its almost an ode to hip hop culture in the sounds and samples we use, our lyrical content and how we present the music. Each one of the 6 members in the group are true hip hop fans first and foremost, and I really think that shines through in the music. One of the lines in our opening track is that ‘’we’re taking it back to what it used to be’’. I think that sums it up really. Golden era Hip Hop and a love for the culture was definitely the main influence on Drawn Together.

I suppose ya Better Hype The Album , and lets us Know About Any guests u have on it

Drawn Together is nothing like anything you’ve ever heard coming out of this country. But we’re not gonna bullshit you with a blurb and tell you how to feel about it. Go check it out and tell us what you think! We have to shout out our good friends the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (who feature on ‘Those Were the Days’) and our brother from another Dj Flip (who kills the cuts on our opening track ‘Victorious’). They’re our only guests on Drawn Together.

Do ya think it’s hard to get press coverage and General support In Ireland?

It can be tough, and that’s understandable with such a small scene in this country. But things are most definitely getting better in terms of coverage and support. I think the truth of the matter really is that media coverage and support will come once the product is worth co-signing. We set the bar very high for ourselves with everything that we do and we’ve been lucky enough to get support from some key people and publications in this country which really makes a difference.

Nowadays , People Rap In there Owen Accents , Do ya think people are used to the Irish accent in this format , Or Have suffered from The Old “ U would Sell More If ya Rapped in a American or London Accent “

It all comes down to exposure. People in Ireland are not used to hearing Irish MC’s rapping in their own accents, because not an awful lot of homegrown hip hop breaks through in this country. The average music fan has also been conditioned by years of hearing American or UK MC’s performing in their own accents. This is what they’ve grown comfortable with and what they expect to hear. The more exposure hip hop in this country gets and the more chances people get to hear MC’s rap in their own accents the more comfortable they’ll feel when they hear it. I genuinely think the argument of Irish MC’s rapping in their own accents will be redundant in a year or two.

Any dates lined up in Support of the Album

Absolutely. We’ve the album launch in the Bernard Shaw on the 28th of November. Everybody is welcome. Its free. We’ve free beer from Peroni. We’ve dj sets from Goldy and Mark Murphy (Choice Cuts). We’ve an art exhibition from 15 of Irelands leading creatives, artists, graff artists etc who have all interpreted a song each from the album. We’ve the world premiere of our new video for ‘Those Were the Days featuring The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble’ and its all sponsored by Le Cool! We’re also supporting our good friends the Hypnotic Brass in Dublins Sugar Club on December 14th. We’ve a few big things lined up for the new year too, so check out the Animators Facebook to keep up to date.

And Now for a Standard Rock n Roll Question......

How u been ever caught in a hotel with a girl that had peanut butter smeared over her and a pet By Her side?

Never been caught Johnny. Never been caught... ; )

THE ALBUM LAUNCH IS ON THURSDAY 28/11/2013 @ THE BERNARD SHAW

CHECK THIS MIX FROM MATHMAN TO GET A FEELING OF THE ALBUM

HERES ALL THERE VIDEOS

For the next installment of the Oh Shit! series I thought I'd record a mix of all the new stuff I've been playing lately. It's a little different to some of the other mixes I've put up here but it still has a good dose of hip hop, bass and plenty of funk.

Thanks to all the great producers and DJs out there for letting me use your edits, originals and remixes. 2013 has been a pretty crazy year for me as I've spent most of it on the road DJing. From Australia to Africa, North America to New Zealand, France and even French Polynesia. Thanks for all the good times...

Ali B - Oh Shit! ⁠⁠⁠[⁠⁠⁠Vol 1⁠⁠⁠]⁠⁠⁠ by Ali B on Mixcloud

PE DROP A VIDEO FOR "HOOVER MUSIC "

LOTS OF SCREAMING GITUARS WITH BOMBSQUAD BEATS

SHIT RAPPERS TAKE NOTE

THIS HOW ITS DONE !!!

"HOOVER MUSIC" music-video produced by:

Directed by: David Burk

Produced by: Maja Jamšek, Tijana Bass

Field-Producers: Nina Vuk, Aleksander Legen

Art Director: Tijana Bass, Sanya Cherish

Editing: David Burk

Color Grading: Brane Lobnik

3D and Composing: Blaž Strnad

Intro music by: Matt Harris

http://www.imdb.me/matthewrichardharris

Belgrade Set:

Camera: Maja Modrinjak, Rene Černčič, Luka Pocrnjič

Crane Operator: Gašper Gorenjak

Maribor Set:

Camera: Maja Modrinjak

Crane Operator: Nino Šloser

Dancers: Remzi Ajrizaj, Matej Marko, Samanta Tahiraj, Saiti Šaban, Althea Gwashavanhu..

Skatepark PE grafitti by: Teoson

I've known the Beatslappaz for quite a while now and we used to have some awesome Friday and Saturday night mix ups back in the day. This new November Mix from the Beatslappaz highlights how their productions and mixing skills have gone from strength to strength over the years and are starting to make major inroads into the scene of Breaks.

For more mixes from the Beatslappaz you can now subscribe via iTunes, check the link below.
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-rumpcast/id741292499

Tracklist

Gorgon City - Odyssey (Se7en Deadly Breaks Remix)
Rudimental - Waiting All Night (Kidnap Kid Remix)
Beta - Mad Rhythm
Dirt Monkey - Move Yo Butt
Beatslappaz - Take You All The Way
Agent K - Hit Yo Wit It
Torqux - Blazin' (Feat. Lady Leshurr)
Viro & Rob Analyze - Limelight
Crisbeats - ID (Beatslappaz Remix)
Slamboree - Cheeky Peppers (Deekline Remix)
Plump DJs - Humprock (Stanton Warriors Remix)
Beatslappaz - Big Booty Funk
Beatslappaz - Big Booty Funk (D Funk Remix)
Uncle Louie - Full Tilt Boogie (Slynk & Stickybuds Remix)
Marten Horger - LGFU (Jay Robinson Remix)
Plump DJs - Super Imploder
Sidney Samson - Do You Like Bass?

www.rumpshakerrecords.com
www.facebook.com/rumpshakerrecords
www.twitter.com/rumpshakeraus

We are very pleased to bring some exclusive material and an upfront interview from one of the hottest producers on the Electro Swing circuit today. With every track he puts out landing in the sets of DJs from the top of the Ghetto Funk, bass and swing scenes he has secured himself as a serious talent and one to watch.

We caught up with him to find out a little more. Read through to the end of the interview for your exclusive free download of the Kid Kasino remix of Kelis – ‘Milkshake’

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, for those that don’t know, who are you, what do you do and what style(s) of music do you play?

I’m Kid Kasino, i’m a producer/DJ from the south-coast of the UK. I produce music that has a vintage feel mixed with modern beats and big basslines. I take influence from all genres of music whether it be Hip-Hop, Dubstep, Broken-Beat, Funk, Soul, anything that i listen to that i really dig just goes into the melting pot and comes out in my music. Being a trained jazz musician and arranger though, one of my big loves is the sound of Big Band and Swing music and i’m lucky enough now with the emergence of the Electro-Swing scene to now be able to add that into the mix as well.

Your first single is coming soon – could you give us some more info?

It’ll be out this year, it’s a cover of an old Eartha Kitt song that i picked up and started messing about with, doing my own thing on it. Then i got my mate Shea Soul to re-vocal it and she nailed it as you’ll hear, she’s got a great character to her voice which really captures the vintage sound and works great with the modern production.

How’s the album coming along?

Great. I’ve got a whole heap of tracks, actually probably about 2 albums worth sitting on my hard drive and i’m still making more all the time. The thing is, in this day and age with music being so accessible and instant, people tend to try and meet the demand by rushing stuff and just throwing it out there, which is cool, but there’s a danger that the quality suffers. That’s not my vibe, i’d rather take my time and release a quality product that i’m not going to look back on and go “i wish i’d taken more time over it..”
As the great Dr Dre says “Still..taking my time to perfect the beat..”

You seem to specialise in the bass heavy ghetto end of swing. Where do you see your style of music going next?

Yeah when i was first introduced to Electro-Swing a couple of years back, a lot of it was very Housey, four-to-the-floor beats etc.. which was cool but it’s not the sort of music i produce. So when i started on the swing thing i just did it my own way, drew on all my influences that were floating around my head and thats what came out, heavier basslines and beats, i didn’t really think about it. At the time there weren’t that many other people doing it like that, then people like Dutty Moonshine started hitting me up and saying listen to our stuff and i was like “ah cool other people are starting to go this way as well..”
In terms of where it goes next, who knows? Music is an evolution, always has been, always will be, thats the exciting thing about it. I’m just going to keep doing what i do and see where it takes me.

What was it like working with Dutty Moonshine? Any stories come out of those sessions?

That was fun, we actually did it all over the internet, which was cool, and saves money on petrol!
The ideas just developed and actually changed completely from the initial idea to the end product. Again thats the great thing about producing music, you can start somewhere and end up somewhere completely different and when you’ve got other people to bounce ideas off, that journey can sometimes be even more exciting. I think we must have sent the track back and forth about ten times before we finally agreed it was finished.

Can you tell us a bit more about how you produce your music in terms of software / hardware?

I mainly use software, its the way it is nowadays. Its cheap, you can do everything you need to and you can work wherever you like, whenever you like.
I don’t like to always stick to one app for making music though, they all have their different strengths and i think by using different apps, you can keep inspired rather than always looking at the same old screen.
I use a variety of different things, Native Instruments stuff is really cool, i love Maschine in particular for making beats as you can really play it and being a musician i need something to play, it helps me to really feel what i’m doing. I’ll generally get ideas in there alongside Pro-Tools or Logic.. Massive is still a favourite synth for bass.. I’ve actually started dipping into Ableton Live as well, thats a lot of fun and again very musical..
At the end of the day there’s a hundred different ways to go about producing a track, on a basic level all software does the same thing, it’s all about finding your own workflow and what works best for you to produce great music. I think of software as different tools, you have to know how to use your tools in order to get the best out of them and express your musicality through them.

Most of the tracks you produce have first seen the light of day on Soundcloud. Have you found this a good way to get your music out there?

Soundcloud is the BEST way to get heard.. It’s used by everyone, DJ’s, Producers and general public who just want to go and find something completely new. The group thing on Soundcloud is really cool and a great place to start as you can literally place your music amongst a group of people in the right scene where your music will be appreciated. Then people can comment and you can interact with people, you can share free music with followers etc
I think the first track i put up there had it’s first comment within 5mins of it being uploaded, it’s amazing.

How did the Jazz FM session go? Would you like to do more radio work?

Jazz FM was wicked, it was so much fun. Its a great feeling to be able to get on a respected radio station like that and talk about your music, the music you love, and share your knowledge with people who have an interest. It’s definitely something i would like to be doing more of in the future.

What gigs have you got coming up?

A lot of stuff starting to come in for next year so yeh I’ll be out and about, sign up to Facebook/Twitter and check website for upcoming gigs and events.

What can people expect from you when they see you live?

Live i go out with a full band. I DJ and play keyboards/samples, I also have live vocals, bass, drums and horns. This is great as coming from a live background even before i got into production, i can use all the skills i have in terms of working with live musicians and arranging for horns etc in my live shows. I also use visuals throughout my live set, its an audio and visual extravaganza!

What’s the best live gig you’ve done so far?

That’s a hard one as they’ve all been really positive so far.. My first gig was actually Bestival 2012, talk about thrown in at the deep end!! Since then I’ve done all sorts of gigs including going to Milan, Paris, and swing clubs around the UK including White Mink and Electro Swing Club..
I think one of the best gigs I’ve done this year though has to be the Love Supreme Festival, run by Jazz FM. It’s the first time they’ve ever done it and it was described as “a Woodstock moment for British jazz” by the Independent. It was a wicked vibe and everyone was so up for it. I could talk about it for hours but i’m not going to, I guess you had to be there!!

So what’s the future have in store for Kid Kasino?

More music. More gigs.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about?

My website is now up and running at www.kidkasino.com where you can listen to music, view photos, watch videos etc.
You can also reach me on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud where you can find some free music including downloadable free tunes and my mixtapes which you can also download for free.

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www.soundcloud.com/kid-kasino
www.twitter.com/kidkasino

Kid Kasino – Exclusive Interview + Free Download

Its been a little while since Sychosis has graced us with new material so lets change that right now with two huge, fresh and exclusive edits for us here at Free Breaks. He works Digitalism & Tommy Trash’s sparkly, electro banger ‘Falling’ into some peak time breakbeat pressure and GTA’s ‘The Crowd’ into some tearing Marten Hørger style filth. Both perfect for blowing up the dance!

Make sure you hit up Sychosis on Soundcloud and Facebook for stacks more tracks, mixes and edits.

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Sychosis – Exclusive Edits