Blue Sonix - Drum and Bass Producer Interview
March 2003
Interview with Blue Sonix, drum and bass producer and Aquasonic Records label manager.
Blue Sonix
How old are you?
Older than most in this scene, tho actually Fabio and Grooverider aren't a million miles from my age.
How did you get into the drum and bass scene?
First dance music I really enjoyed was 'hardcore' - I was never into four on the floor styles, and so the new sampler rhythms really interested me. I was asked to do a remix of JacknChill's seminal "Jack That House Built" and later collaborated with DJ SS on a "Lighter VIP Remix".
What did you do before you started djing/producing music?
I've always been around music - did some engineering and producing in studios, ran an experimental indy label many years ago, toured as a keyboard player, did wine bar jazz(!), written occasional bits for TV, taught music technology and piano. Other jobs when times have been hard have been telephone sales and motorcycle despatch riding.
How long have you been producing music?
Since I was about twelve or thirteen.
What are your musical influences?
Jazz, classical, prog rock(!), world music, other drum and bass producers.
What software / equipment do you use to produce your music?
- Cubase on an old G3 Mac
- S3000 sampler
- Mackie 8buss desk
- Some bits of outboard gear
How long do you spend in the studio a week (on average)?
It varies quite a lot, and I waste far too much time, but maybe around 10 to 15 hours a week.
Do you currently produce any other music except for drum and bass?
Recently did a few breakbeat tunes with my Australian collaborator Xylasage. We've got something coming out on his Chrome Yellow Communications label soon, and have been getting support from folk like Tayo and Freq Nasty.
Formation Records was my first label and arose from me sending a cassette of some early work out to a few labels.
Blue Sonix
So far you've had releases on major labels such as Formation Records, Defunked, Phuturistic Bluez, Creative Source and Hospital Records to name but a few. Any stories as to how any of these releases came about and how you got connected with these labels?
Formation Records was my first label and arose from me sending a cassette of some early work out to a few labels. DJ SS invited me up to Leicester for a chat and I ended up putting a few releases out with them. DJ SS is very conscientious about A&R and has been responsible for breaking quite a few big names onto the scene. I think Creative Source was next, with "Manna", which featured some beautiful electric guitar work from a friend of mine Tom Gray. Fabio introduced me to Al Fougy one night at Swerve and I've had a couple of things out on Al's Phuturistic Bluez - he's really into the musical side of things and loves real improvising like my original "This Feeling" track where I did quite an extended Rhodes solo. I've only had one thing out on Hospital Records and a couple for Defunked. Both these labels put out great music and I was naturally drawn to them.
How are things going with your label Aquasonic Records?
Well, it's been a bit quiet really - two releases in two years isn't exactly the most prolific label on the scene. But I like to think we're about quality rather than quantity and both releases have had a lot of critical acclaim. This year looks like we'll be stepping up the production a bit though, and I can tell you exclusively that I've just signed a single by Cambridge based trio "Commix" that I'm really pleased with. It will be out in the Spring and will be followed by either another Blue Sonix release, or a collaboration with Syntax. So we're looking at two maybe three releases this year!
How hard has it been to set up your own label?
There was quite a lot of work and a steep learning curve. I also spent about three weeks solid learning about web design and writing the 'music biz' page on the site which gives artists a lot of intensive information about the way the scene works and how to look after themselves and not get ripped off. There's nothing flashy about the site, but it's hopefully very easy to navigate and provides all the necessary info for anyone interested in the label, and above all, it loads very very fast. I hate all those graphic intros and stuff - I just want to find out about releases, read biogs, maybe look at some pics, and hear some tunes.
What artisits do you currently have signed to the Aquasonic Records label?
- Me (Blue Sonix)
- Syntax
- Commix
What has the response been to the releases on Aquasonic so far?
Very good reviews and pretty good sales for a new label.
Are there any producers / artists on the scene on the moment you would like to work with?
I've got a lot of respect for Syntax and have known him a long time - we've started collaborating a bit. I'd really like to find a singer that I can work with - anyone out there please get in touch!
What producers on the scene are you rating at the moment?
- Marcus Intalex and ST Files
- Calibre
- Tomahawk
- DJ Lee and DK
- Delta and Format
- Influx Datum
- Danny C
- London Elektricity
- Fellowship
Probably a few others I've forgotten.
Do you have a favourite tune of all time?
Fallen Angels - "Biophonic"
Is there any one tune you would really like to remix?
Same one probably, though I don't know how it could be bettered other than phattening it up a bit now that production has improved in the last few years.
How often do you get out clubbing?
Less and less - probably averages out to about once a fortnight at the moment.
Do you have a favourite event or club night?
Swerve has always been my home, though I have to say I'm feeling it less now it's at The End - I hope they find a more appropriate venue soon. I just think that the industrial look at The End doesn't suit the crowd or the music. All that dark red of the Velvet Rooms and the tiny dance floor with the various seating spaces just gave Swerve a certain ambience that it's lost in the large single room at The End.
What are your plans for the future?
Notching up more releases for the label. Several releases this year on various labels including Phuturistic Bluez, Defunked, and Nu Directions. More djing, which has become a new direction for me, is good for my writing and is loads of fun.
Do you have time for other interests outside music?
Yes, as visitors to my site probably realise, I'm quite involved in activism. At the moment it's all about trying to stop Bush/Blair's immoral, inane, and illegal war on Iraq. I don't support Saddam Hussein in any way, but I see it as total hypocrisy that an unelected cowboy, whose dad propped up Saddam for many years, now lies to us about the threat posed, and it's hypocrisy that Blair says he wants to protect Iraqi people while supporting sanctions that according to the UN have killed half a million children over the last decade. It's also massively hypocritical to claim that we must do something because Saddam has ignored UN resolutions for more than a decade, while we continue to ignore Israel's defiance of hundreds of resolutions over the last fifty years and the US gives them billions and billions of dollars of aid every year. I also think this war will hugely increase the risk of major terrorist attacks on Britain. I involve myself in quite a lot of direct action and play with a samba band that takes to the streets during demos (which is great fun too).
For further information about Aquasonic Records and Blue Sonix please visit:
