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Ant TC1 answers some questions…

2001 was the year when Dispatch had their first release which was Dispatch no.4 from the Hidden Agenda brothers Nos & Max Fresh with the tracks ‘New Day’ / ‘Quiet Day’.
From then, Dispatch has been releasing music from the likes of TC1, AI, Stress Level, Qproject, Zero T, Tactile, Survival, Chris.SU, Break, Atlantic Connection plus many more. Ant TC1 currently owns this record label and manages all the heavy releases, and at the moment they’re on their 55th release.
For more information about the label, visit their website. 

And if heavy releases wasn’t enough, they’re also playing in room 3 at Fabric this Friday with Spinline, Octane&DLR, Survival, Silent Witness, Cern and the label boss himself, Ant TC1.

Drum+Basics’ LadyRaw caught up with the man behind it all since she is ‘personally looking forward to the night at Fabric as these guys always smash it.’ So here it is!

LadyRaw : This year (only being April) has seen some mega releases (no.55 already!) from Dispatch. Will this be carrying on throughout the year?

Yeah, the release schedule is huge and is already almost planned out until the end of the year, I have left some room for some new signings of course, as you never know whats round the corner but everything until August at least is firmly in the schedule.

LadyRaw : What drives you to make sure these releases are consistent?

It’s hard to say really, I’ve been getting asked this more recently than I have in the past, I just keep doing what I’m doing and thankfully people are into it, I feel like it’s all running well but no matter how well (or not so well!) I manage it all. The root of it is the great music from the artists and I do feel like the D&B I’m hearing and gladly signing is generally in a better place than it has been for a long time.

LadyRaw : Do you think Drum&Bass has had more recognition over the last year due to producers getting releases into the UK Top 40 and mainstream radio playlists?

I’m not sure really. I’m a bit oblivious to all the commercial stuff as the sound of it and the hands in the air party style riffs and snares that you hear in that kind of stuff just aren’t really my kind of drum & bass but each to their own. DJ Fresh for example has done really well but me speaking really selfishly I’d love him to work along the “planet dust” lines of old, clearly he has a goal and reasons behind deciding he wanted to go for something bigger with the music he makes so good on him I say, at least we got some classic productions from him before he switched his style eh!

LadyRaw : What and who inspires you to produce Drum&Bass?

Fresh ideas that pop into my head when I get the extremely rare opportunity to actually go into the studio! I’m looking forward to getting back in when I have the chance but I’m just busy with about another 4 or 5 things so sadly that studio time seems to have dropped to the back of the line. My role working for Outlook Festival and running Dispatch is really what I spend 90 to 95% of my waking day on at the moment.

LadyRaw : And finally, what advice can you give to upcoming producers/Djs or anybody else looking to be successful in the Drum and Bass industry?

I can only advise on my own experiences but for producers I’d say please just try to do something original – don’t model yourself on another produce; I get so many tunes that sound almost like a clone of a sound someone else has nailed really well and they are rarely as good as the original thing, my ears get pricked the most when I hear something that sounds really individual; it definitely makes it more interesting for me. For DJ’s I’d say make sure you’re good, confident and ready to play in a club before taking the next step, seek feedback on your mixes, build good links and more than anything overall patience is a huge key whether producing, running a label, dj’ing or anything in this music scene, your passion for the music should steer this too most of all and not any other factor.

To get hold of tickets to this big night on Friday, just click this link.

Line up and set times for Dispatch Room 3 are :
Spinline > 10-12:00 w/ MC JC
Octane & DLR > 12:00-1:00 w/ MC Gusto
Ant TC1 & Cern > 1:00-2:30 w/MC Fokus
Survival & Silent Witness > 2:30-4 w/MC JC / Gusto / Fokus

DJ Betty Ford Interview

We caught up with DJ Betty Ford for a quick drum&bass themed interview:

“DJ Betty Ford” how did your unforgettable dj name come across?

I actually chose my DJ name 12 years ago when I was playing a lot of techno and tech house. I saw some slip matts with “Betty Ford Clinic Resident DJ” on them, and something just clicked. For those who aren’t sure of who Betty Ford was, she founded the first celebrity Rehab Centres in Hollywood, back in the 70′s. As a DJ your job is to bring people back to life, after a week on the grind. Rehabilitate the mind!!

What intrigued you into the world of drum and bass?

Growing up in London, I was exposed to a variety of cultures. I’ve always favoured music styles with big Bass line’s, this obsession with bass started with my love of Reggae and Dub. I remember being given my first jungle tape in 1993, I was 13 and sold! I Would listen to this tape religiously to and from school, and occasionally during lessons, any opportunity I got. Back then I was mainly listening to Ragga, and the Jungle music of the time was influenced massively by Dancehall tracks. I’ve followed the scene ever since, and although over the years I have dipped into other styles, Jungle and Drum and Bass has and always will be number 1 for me. I love the broad spectrum of different sounds and styles within the genre, it’s so diverse, and as a result, this is reflected in the Drum and Bass Community. Have always had love for the broken beats, and Urban styles.

Do you have a icon or role model in drum and bass?

Hmmmmm an Icon……I should probably go for a female, but I’m going to be honest and say Goldie. I have a massive amount of respect for Goldie and his HUGE contributions to the scene over the years. The geezer’s a legend! I also have lots of time for the fact that he recognised credible women on the scene long before it became fashionable. Can’t leave this question with mentioning DJ Rap and Storm either though. From a female point of view, these ladies paved the way, and set the bar!

So what can we expect from you in the future?

2012 has been busy for me so far, and I have lots more projects in the pipeline. At the moment I’m working alongside Asbo Audio in London. I’m set to launch a sister label “Rehab Records” within the next few months. I’m also a Resident DJ for Asbo who have a weekly take over on Waxfm London, and promote nights all over the city. My official label launch is on the 18th May, at club P.S.T, Digbeth, where I will launch my own “Clinic” night also.
My aim this year was to focus on production, however with the opportunities that have been presented to me so far I’m thinking that producing may have to take a back seat this year
so I can focus on establishing the label, and continuing to promote my own nights, as well as co-promoting with others. And of course continuing to push forward as a DJ is always a priority.

You can catch me on Waxfm Fortnightly on Friday’s, next slot 9th March, Beatfreakz 6th Birthday, Boat Party on the Thames 21st April, Asbo Take-Over, Revolutions, Croydon, Clinic, P.S.T, Digbeth 18th May

Finally, who do you think will smash it in 2012?

There is so much good Drum and Bass coming through at the moment, and so many awesome Producers and DJ’s around that it’s a really difficult question to answer. But for me Dub Phizix are the one’s to watch in 2012. BIG, fresh beats and working with some great MC’s. Marka was a great kick off to the year, and is really starting to get some recognition across the scene. I also think that Jungle is coming back in a massive way this year, so Serial Killerz, Jaydan, Serum I predict will do well with that sound.

DJ Betty Ford’s February promo mix can be downloaded here

Bi Polar EP – Sub Zero Interview

Jake Carter AKA Sub Zero is one of hottest producers and DJ’s in the Drum and Bass World right now. Formerly of G Dub alongside Playaz label mate Original Sin, he’s been putting out dance floor bangers for many years. Since going solo in 2009 and releasing face melting monsters such as ‘Motion’, ‘Spin Doc’ along with remixes such as ‘Jungle’ for the likes of Sigma, DnB fans will have noted a slight change in style from his productions over recent months. With the release of his Bi-Polar EP out on Playaz this week, we caught up with Jake to tell us a little more about it:

The Bi-Polar EP has just dropped on Playaz, what can we expect from the new release?

You can expect a diverse selection of music that hopefully will appeal to a wider audience of people, its naughty but nice, like me! It has deeper musical tracks full of emotion and moodiness and you get some straight up in your face dance floor tracks.

We’ve begun to see a change to the traditional ‘Sub Zero sound’ in recent releases, was this a conscious decision to evolve?

No not really a conscious decision just something that happened. I suppose it’s just part of my progression as a producer. I’ve always been very into the deeper stuff and just find it really enjoyable to write those kind of tracks and the response from people has been great, so I suppose that has just given me the encouragement to write like that.

You’ve recently started up the Sub Zero TV channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/SubZeroTV2012). What made you decide to come up with it and what can we expect to see on it in the near future?

I have been DJ’ing and touring all over the world and just thought it would great to film and document the places and experiences. It’s also great to show people what happens on tour…well most of what happens! My good friend Rick has been great at editing the footage for me as well and he drives me to all my shows in the UK, so we take the camera everywhere we go and just have a laugh with it, although some of it is rather embarrassing!

You’ve recently been away to play gigs in the US and South Africa, but what’s been your favourite gig in the last 12 months?

That’s a tough question as there’s been so many great moments DJ’ing. I think South Africa has to be one of them, just to be playing on the other side of the world and see the response it’s incredible…also Playaz at Fabric is always one of the best DnB nights on the planet!

Who are your favourite producers/artists right now?

Nosia are without doubt some of the sickest producers on the planet right now and I’m completely in awe of their production and insane tunes. There is so much incredible music about though so it’s hard to be specific thought I think people like the Prototypes, Tantrum Desire, Wilkinson and Rockwell are very sick indeed!

What else can we expect from Sub Zero in 2012?

I have remixes coming out on Hospital Records, Circus and Viper also more releases on Playaz and maybe even an album later in the year.

Finally, did you have any New Year Resolutions, and if so have you broken them all yet?

To go to the gym and I have kept that up!

Drum and Basics would like to thank Jake for his time answering our questions, the Bi Polar EP is out now on Playaz and is available at all good music emporiums.

Drum&BassArena | iTunes | Juno | Beatport

Interview: Crystal Clear & Zen

Arguably one of the biggest tracks in the DnB scene during late 2010/early 2011 was Crystal Clear & Zen’s anthem of the dance ‘Heavy’. Smashed across the board by a spectrum of DJ’s it was a Ronseal track of the highest order, and is still heard being hammered out in the clubs today. All great tracks usually receive the VIP treatment and now Ganja Records has finally released the VIP of Heavy, which paired with Bullet on the flip will add further dancefloor devastation to the masses. Drum+Basics caught up with Crystal Clear & Zen to ask them about the release and they were kind enough to answer some of our questions! Read More

Interview: Original Sin

Original Sin AKA Adam Tindall is one of the undisputed kings of the Jump Up Drum and Bass Sound. Originally part of the much revered Generation Dub production duo, Sin produced such classics as ‘Tink Ya Bad’, ‘Touch Me’ and ‘Les Miserables’ alongside fellow producer Subzero. Sin went solo back in 2008 and slowly began carving a reputation in his own right as one of the true Lords of the Jump Up.
From original productions such as ‘Therapy’, ‘Don’t Be Silly’ and ‘Overfiend’ along with remixes for the likes of Ebony Dusters and Distorted Minds, his crisp, sizzling slabs of bass music have caused carnage on dance floors all around the world. However, his new release on Playaz, the eagerly awaited Move EP appears to signal a change of direction. With this in mind and to find out about what’s in store for the future, drum+basics asked him some questions. He was kind enough to answer to them! Read More

A q&a with Silent Code

SILENT CODE consists of ALINA MAYES and DEAN PRATT AKA MISS REPRESENT AND DJ DAPZ. After DJing for the past 10 years at drum & bass events across the globe they finally decided to collab and start their great production in their own personal studio.

Their first release was ‘Tonight’ feat G’D UP and was signed to Flourish recordings. After this sucess they went onto produce their second release ‘Engaged’ which was featured on Viper Recordings Worldwide 001.

They began having more sucess with ‘Bang Bang Bang’ and ‘I Need Your Loving’ which reached 900 downloads on Soundcloud. They have now just signed a record deal with PHYSMATICS RECORDINGS, releasing ‘DUTTY GAL VIP’ and on the flip side ‘EAST STAR’ which sold out in the first week at BLACKMARKET RECORDS.

drum+basics got a quick Q&A with SILENT CODE.

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Dispatch Recordings 10 Years: Ant TC1

The title says it all really. Dispatch Recordings are celebrating 10 years, Ant TC1 will tell you the story…

So Ant, tell me how it all started 10 years ago!
It was Hidden Agenda who originally started the whole thing off with me learning the ropes initally and supporting him where I could, Jason from Hidden Agenda then had a change of plans and started a family so he asked me to take it over fully and here I am now!

In which ways have the scene changed in your opinion? Both for you as a DJ but also having a record label.

The internet has changed it all MASSIVELY and the way people buy, not as many people hunt for music any more like they did in the old days, most get it presented to them via the internet and choose from a big bundle of digital music and click and buy!

How would you describe the process of getting a tune/artist out on your label? Do you contact the artists or do they come to you?


Its a bit of both really, sometimes I’ve helped artists finish stuff off and given them some feedback on getting a track where i felt it needs to be for the better of the track and others have come out of nowhere and i’ve been more than overwhelmed on first listen, the main thing for me is regardless of the process we get that track to that quality bar or that point we think it needs to be at.

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