Swedish producer and DJ Seba is due to play in the UK this weekend so Drum+Basics couldn’t resist a little chat with the legend himself…
What’s been going on with you and your music since last year?
Last year was a difficult year for me. I had a good start with my EP, but then my record distribution went out of business and I a lot of music that got held up. I found instantly a new distributor, but it still took time to the music out because of the transitioning of my previous releases and other formalities. This also affected my DJ bookings, so I didn’t get that many bookings. At the end of December I seriously thought about locking the studio for a while and focusing on my other job 100%.
How’s 2015 been so far?
I had a great start!! Apparently, I didn’t have to lock my studio. Everything turned around when the first release came out with my new distributor. I started to get more bookings again and people were being really interested in what I was doing again. This got me motivated again. So I’m working really hard in the studio. Forgetting to eat and pick up my children at school etc..
We’ve seen your name on lots of flyers this year and you’re playing two gigs in the UK this weekend; what can we expect from your sets and what are you looking forward to the most?
Yeah I’m really excited about all the bookings I’m getting at the moment. The cool thing is that I get bookings where I can play totally different sets. I would play a heavier and deeper set at RUPTURE in London and a more energetic and uplifting set in Russia. I really look forward to play my new material. I included 3 new tracks in the promotional mix for LAUNCH. One by me, one by me and Paradox with Robert Manos amazing voice, and one by Gremlinz which I just grabbed for secret operations later this year.
Are there any releases we can look forward to?
I’ve made about a release per year on secret operations. Maybe a little bit more since im at my 23rd release after 15 years. This year I’ve already had 2 releases out and got one coming out this month and were only in March. I’m currently working on a release by myself on Secret Operations and then I got a release with Gremlinz. I also have a release coming out on Warm communications this year and 2 collaborations with Paradox on both Paradox Music and Arctic Music. There is tons of material that hasn’t found a home yet and to be finished. A track with DRS and a more material with Manos among other things.
Your music is often described as emotional and deep; do you agree?
I do. Sometimes I fear that it is too deep and that people cant get in to it when I play it out. I remember playing in Russia between a local DJ and Black Sun Empire. Both artists played mega hard and was kinda lost in what I was supposed to do. Since a lot of my music is deep I try to direct the crowd in to a deep mode and then break it off with some more energetic tracks, as a counter balance.
What things or people inspire you?
Movies, my children, the news, things that happens in life. I generally don’t get inspired by other d&b tracks, but every now and then I hear something that someone does and get upset because I believe that I could have come up with that idea. Then I rush of to the studio to see if I can do something similar without being too obvious.
How much time do you spend in the studio in a month?
I try to be there as much as I can. I have a day job and get off at 14.30 in the weekdays. I usually spend 2-3 hours then or so. But then I’m also a single parent with 2 kids that takes up some time. It’s difficult to make the studio work consistent. Sometimes I don’t go to my studio for days or even weeks. It’s hard to be motivated when I don’t get anything back. But right, now I’m on fire!
How’s the dnb scene in Sweden?
It is very healthy compared to many other countries around in Europe. But this doesn’t stop people from complaining about how terrible the scene is and how much better things are abroad. We have two solid dnb nights. Both bring over quality artists in the whole spectrum of dnb. I just wonder where all the Swedish dnb producers are. It’s raining techno producers in Sweden but dnb producers are very shy.
What do you do when you are not producing music?
I work in a school as an assistant for children with social disabilities. Other than that, I play a lot of geeky board games with my friends and I love cooking food. I go out clubbing from time to time, but it’s mostly to check out clubs in general. Not necessarily dnb. It inspires me to write music. I’ve been to a lot of Techno events lately. I think you can tell by the music I’m making.
What’s in store for the rest of 2015?
I got a few more release as I mentioned above. And some bookings coming up. US tour, and most likely Sun&Bass 2015.
If you could collaborate with any non-drum&bass artist, who would it be?
Björn Borg. Cool thing is that he doesnt live too far away from me.
Any famous last words…?
Guess what….I got a fever! And the only prescription is Cowbell!! – Bruce Dickinson
https://vimeo.com/55624839
Catch Seba in Leeds on Friday @ Wire for Overflow: tickets and info HERE and in London on Saturday @ Bar512 for Launch: tickets and info HERE.
