Steve Carr aka DIGITAL is the main man behind Function Records.
DIGITAL has been releasing his concrete production since 1994.
He sure has had a lot of releases on labels such as Moving Shadow,Metalheadz,Dispatch & Renegade.
He’s a true pioneer.
At an early age you stepped into production.
What + who were the main influences?
My main influences were people around me trying to make a career out of music. Friends like Danny C, Yt, Photek, Spirit, and Gordon Mulraine. From a music point of view as a kid I loved the instrumentals of reggae tracks with all the weird and wonderful effects which we all know as Dub. After that Hip Hop artists like Big Daddy Kane and Mc Shan along with the Electro Street Sounds compilations were big to me. In the late 80’s my oldest sister bought an Acid House compilation called ‘House Hallucinates’ Pump Up London Volume 1 and that Lp got me into other electronic crazy beats I recorded from pirate radio stations in London when I visited my Uncle in Bruce Grove Tottenham around 90/91 . Through these tapes I heard hardcore / jungle and later I found that most of the tracks I absolutely loved were on Reinforced Records. So Reinforced Records are a major influence to me.
Your classic track Deadline still gets played frequently at D&B nights.
Do you think that this track can educate young ears to research into the history of drum and bass?
Not really but it can show them to have fun making music and that you don’t have to follow a trend.
As we already know Function is your independently ran record label.
Is there any forthcoming releases lined up?
There’s plenty coming up. All 12’s this year will feature me plus collabs with Spirit, Drum Cypha, Response, Om Unit, Simon Bassline Smith and DrumSound. Remixes from Dub Phizix and Benny Page.
The first 12 due late Feb is
Silver Lining – DIGITAL+RESPONSE
Deadline – DIGITAL – DUB PHIZIX REMIX
Forever – DIGITAL
I read that a few people thought that you were an new upcoming producer on a social networking site due consistent releases from yourself in 2014.
What’s your opinion on this?
To be honest I read nothing into it I just think they’re new to dnb and whether they check my history or not it bothers me none! I was a little bit flattered actually because I must be still sounding fresh lol
Freshly pressed dubplates or MP3 format?
DUBPLATES! I enjoyed my dubplate and I was sad to see them go but my shoulder is much better now!
This year marks your successful 20 year solo career within music.
Big Congrats!
Has it all been garden roses?
Or has it been one hell of a roller coaster?
20 years and still loving it!
Music is a major part of my life and has been since I was a kid. My Grandma was the loudest singer at church, my dad was a reggae dj, my brother is crazy mad into early hip hop and electro, my sister Angela was a dancer, my sister Debbie was huge on most pop music, my mum danced around the house to reggae so I got vibes from all this so I see my career in music as my part of family’s love for music.
It has definitely been a roller coaster ride because I’ve never really gone with the ‘in crowd’ or ‘in sound’ because I don’t work like that so sometimes I can get left behind. Sometimes I think I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing. I say that because I don’t really have ideas I just play around and hopefully end up with something decent!
Can you see your solo career continuing for another 20years?
Yes I’ve no doubt about that because no one is kicking me up the arse to make music I do it because I really enjoy it. I listen to music and as a bonus I get to make it too. Fantastic!
Final words?
Thanks for all the support over the years. Hold tight for another 20!
Many Thanks DIGITAL
To keep up to date on DIGITAL Upcoming gigs press HERE
