FRIEDMYLITTLEBRAIN

Rockwell appears on the new Shogun ep (pictured above with Skrillex. btw Rockwell kindly gave us most of these pics).

We love Rockwell from time, especially ‘Reverse Engineering’ which appears later in the spot.

He’s down Cable next week amongst a ridiculous lineup featuring Fabio, Friction, Spectrasoul, Icicle, Krust, Die and Dynamite ffs.

Damian Bennett: Tell me about some music you were into growing up? You into hardcore punk for eg?

Rockwell: I can remember being really into REM when I was about 11 and taping a live show on Radio 1 where Radiohead were supporting and I thought they were amazing. I went on a school trip and was listening to ‘The Bends’ on my walkman and I can recall classmates saying “What the FUCK are you listening to?” and them thinking it was weird.

From that point I was always on the search for the fastest, most obnoxious music as most people in their teens are. Before the time where you could download an album in the blink of an eye, I’d go to HMV and just buy import CDs from bands without having heard any of their music. Just knowing that they were on labels such Victory, Epitaph, Fat Wreck, SST or Dischord you kind of knew and hoped there would be something there you would enjoy.

The thrill of putting something in the CD player that I haven’t got a clue about how it will sound is something that I definitely miss. Everything today is so instant, and whilst that has many good points, sometimes it’s almost too easy to have everything at your fingertips. It kind of kills the desire to be inquisitive about things.

DB: Re the new Shogun ep and your contribution? Pls tell.

R: My tune ‘BTKRSH’ on the second ‘Evoloution’ EP is quite a different type of tune for me to release, and I’m pleased that it – in a similar way to ‘Full Circle’ – it’s had very wide support from DJ’s across various label camps in D&B. It’s been supported by High Contrast and Logistics from Hospital, plus Kasra and Ulterior Motive who are known for their deeper techy rolling sounds. Also by Hype and Friction who are two of the top DJ’s in the scene. And also all the Shogun Audio crew.

DB: Killer, big look. I love these Shogun nights, they just demolish, how do you feel about them? I mean it seems so many have become jaded with D&B… or don’t go out. But a Shogun night just defies it all and, like a Headz or Bunch of Cuts night, simply slays big style.

R: I think as far as the events in London are going, the Shogun Nights at Cable are probably some of the best parties in the world right now so it’s a pleasure to be involved. I think people becoming jaded with dnb and not going out, and the whole ‘It was better back in the day’ mentality comes less from a deterioration in the quality of the music, but the fact that for the people concerned they are now older, and of course its not as exciting anymore as it was when they were 16 and they first discovered it… but then again what is? It’s human nature for tastes to evolve over time and priorities to shift onto other things. I think sometimes people forget that.

DB You listen to much outside of D&B and electronic-based stuff? What sort of things?

R: At the moment I’m really into scouring youtube listening to weird ghetto club tracks. It’s something that intrigues me as it’s so raw in its construction. I love Hiphop that is gangsta almost to the point of ridiculousness. It’s one of my many guilty musical pleasures.

DB: I know that one and some I can’t listen to now as too full-fat grimy, really is. Nice though. What would you say to a producer or DJ getting into it, what sort of advice, generally?

R: Only do it if you enjoy it.

Enjoyment is the most important thing you can get out of it.

DB: Who really inspired you to create music?

R: I think from an early age I was inspired to create music by my parents as they are both musicians and had a massively diverse record collection to delve into. They had me doing violin lessons from a very early age. I don’t even think I had started school.

DB: Name 5 spots you like to hit for food, drink, beats anything.

R: OK.

Nude Espresso down by Brick Lane make the best coffee in London in my opinion but I’m sure lots will disagree!

There’s a restaurant called ‘Thai Inside’ in Berlin by Alexanderplatz station (below) do really good thai food and sushi. I first was taken there by the promoter when i played in Berlin and have been back there every time I have visited even when not working.

Shogun at Cable definitely. It’s easy when you’re sitting at the computer week after week to lose sight of what it is you’re working towards, and I think the Shogun label nights are the manifestation of all the hard work everyone on/at the label puts in.

‘The Wheatsheaf’ in a village called Badsey is my proper local. Sitting on the tables outside in the sun over a few pints with old friends is a perfect afternoon for me.

I live in Crouch End and I couldn’t choose between the restaurants there so its a three way split between Banners and Monkey Nuts for gluttony plus Hot Pepper Jelly for hangover saviour.

ep

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