FRIEDMYLITTLEBRAIN

DB: So is this a Wickaman release [now out, see link at end] as such or a collab?

RV: It’s a collaboration. Wicka and I worked together on Soundclash, while Wickaman Hoodlum and Mavrik produced One Scratch as a trio. Just lately things have been moving much faster in the studio so watch out for more coming soon!

DB: The tunes are big and brash sounding and I can imagine thousands of people losing minds to them, so how did they come about?

W: For me it’s all about exploring that sound, gritty, crunched and analogue. When it comes to these pseudo oldskool tracks I love to try and get everything sounding like it’s been dragged through the mud kicking and screaming rather than a crisp clean computer sound. I’m really into a natural sound for this type of track.

I think Soundclash is a pretty accurate snapshot of what I like in D&B. I’ve always been a massive jungle fan but I do like aspects of all good D&B: tech, liquid, jump up, as long as it has soul.

RV: Soundclash was a spontaneous session. I’ve been into that jungle sound for years so that was our inspiration really. It all just came together in one studio session.

DB: As this is part of Ram’s new ‘Program’ imprint, how did it come about?

W: We’ve been chatting to Andy a lot since our debut on Dimensions with ‘Ev’s Dead’…

… as the Ram schedule was so jam packed he suggested we put something out on the new label, so here we are.

DB: What’s next in the pipeline release wise?

W: Infrared is coming back in a big way so watch out for loads of solo and collective releases from all of us including SuddenDef. Between us we also have tracks going out on Frequency and Ganja (Playaz). We’ve been working with AMC too so look out for some more stuff on Titan.

DB: As I said I could imagine this in a big set… what other tunes are finding their ways into the set right now? Old and new.

RV: Really like the new Calyx and Teebee Stuff on Ram, Sudden Def and Wickaman are making some killers, pretty much anything from Rene la Vice, the new Athys and Duster stuff on Titan, Hazard’s tracks new and old!

W: I’m loving the new Fred V and Graphics stuff, always space in the box for a cheeky Dillinja or Hazard track too.

DB: This spirit of this music is always insane. People who don’t go out forget that. Got some good road stories?

W: Rolling my car on the way back from a gig has to be the worst. It seamed to happen in slow motion. Luckily there were some people by the side of the road who helped me roll it back onto its wheels, it started first time! I drove the rest of the journey a little shaky.

RV: I was playing at the Stratford Rex a few years ago and a mate of mine went to have a nap in the car. When we came out a couple of hours later the car had been broken into, stereo nicked… and my mate was still fast asleep on the back seat.

Ram

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