Nu:Tone - Drum and Bass Producer Interview
September 2003
Interview with drum and bass producer Nu:Tone.
Nu:Tone
How old are you?
27
How did you get into the drum and bass Scene?
I was into jazz and funk from the age of about 16, then in 1996 my younger brother Matt played me the Music Box album and it blew me away. I started at Durham University shortly after, studying music and while I was playing at the Uni Radio station, I met a young John B It all went from there…
How long have you been producing music?
I have been making music with computers for 10 years now, but making music in other ways for nearly 20.
What did you do before you started djing/producing music?
Lego
Since you've been producing you've managed to clock up releases on Beta, Soul:R, New Identity and Chihuahua to name but a few. Any stories as to how you became linked with any of these labels?
The Soul:R hook-up was classic Music House, Marcus Intalex cut "E.Spresso" when I was down there cutting… we stayed in contact and I've been sending him most of my tracks since. I've known DJ SS since 1997 when he used to play up at John's night Substance in Durham.
You've recently managed too get hooked up with Hospital Records, how did that come about and can you tell us what you are working on for the label?
I had sent a CD to Linc 'The Contrast', he was into it and played it to the guys at Hospital Records and they gave me a call… the rest is history. Have to big up Linc for that one! Lots of things going on for Hospital - my remix of "Beautiful" by Phuturistix is out very soon, I've got a few more remixes on Hospital to come before the end of the year and my 1st proper single should be out November-ish. Check the Hospital site for up-to-date info!
I believe you have your own label called "Brand.Nu", can you tell us a little about it?
Brand.Nu has been in the pipeline for a year or so now but it's only recently got going properly. I've got a lot of stuff lined up: tracks from me, other tracks from the rest of the Cambridge Gang (eastangliaside) - Commix + Logistics - I'm always looking out for good music though.
Well, the first 45" I owned was "This Ole House" by Shakin Stevens, but I like to think I've refined my musical tastes since then.
Nu:Tone
What are your musical influences?
Well, the first 45" I owned was "This Ole House" by Shakin Stevens, but I like to think I've refined my musical tastes since then. All sorts of stuff, jazz, funk, soul, US house, library music, hip-hop and a bit of Monophonic Gregorian Chant, seen?
What software / equipment do you use to produce your music?
I used to use a hardware setup until about a year or so ago. I haven't looked back.
Do you currently produce any other music except for drum and bass?
I engineer & co-produce for a house producer (1/2 of Liquid People from Defected Records) under the name of Danism.
Which other producers / artists would you most like to work with?
MIST and I have been trying to get in the studio for the past year, but circumstances have made it tricky. We should be getting on the case before the end of the year.
What recent releases on the drum and bass scene are you rating at the moment?
The whole Soul:ution series on Soul:R has been stunning; Signature is looking incredible; "Billion $ Gravy" is a killa LP; and Commix and Logistics have got some baaaaad stuff on the way.
Nu:Tone
Hospital Records
Nu:Tone
What was the last record you bought?
Quantic Soul Orchestra - "Stampede" [LP]
Do you have a favourite tune of all time?
Johnny Pate - "You're Starting Too Fast"
Is there any one tune you would really like to remix?
See above.
How often do you get out clubbing?
A couple of times a month or so.
Do you have a favourite event or club night?
It's a tight squeeze between Hospitality and Swerve… both have excellent atmospheres, great sound systems and the best music around.
Do you have any other interests or pastimes outside the music scene?
Music takes up so much of my time, that when I'm not doing it, I don't have any energy to do anything else apart from spend time with my mates.
I read that you are a fully ordained priest within the Church Of Universal Acceptance… is that true?
Yes indeed my child. Is something troubling you that you need to confess, seen? I signed up on a random internet site, don't ask me why, I think I just wanted to put Rev. before my name. I can legally perform weddings, baptisms and funerals in the States… I can do package deals:- priest/dj bookings go through my man JP at the Vatican.
What are your plans for the future and what do you have in the pipeline at the moment?
I'm just starting work on my first album for Hospital Records now - that's going to be taking up most of my time for the foreseeable future.
Whilst I'm working on that, there's a release or two between now and Christmas too…
- "Our House" on Brand.Nu
- "What Goes Around Comes Around" on New Identity
- Calibre remix of "Our House"
- My remix of my house tune "Come To You"
- I've got two tracks on the forthcoming Marcus Intalex mixed Soul:R CD ("Ebb & flow" and "Vital Organ")
- "Vital Organ" will be on the 1st vinyl sampler b/w MIST - "New Wave" on Soul:R
- My remix of "Beautiful" on Hospital Records
- My remix of London Elektricity's "Different Drum" on Hospital Records
- My first single "Breathe"/"Do It, Feel It" on Hospital Records
- My "Spread Love" Remix on Hospital Records
- My remix of "Fast Soul Music" on Hospital Records
