Invaders of Nine Interview July 2013

BIOGRAPHY

Since their first drum & bass productions back in 2011 Invaders Of Nine (Danny & Mark) have come a very long way, establishing themselves all over with their music getting support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales, London’s Reprezent 107.2FM and Brighton’s 97.2FM. When they are not in the studio making music or out djing they are pushing their new brand Bass Rebels which is a collective of artistscreating that bass heavy electronic sound. Invaders Of Nine have already been djing alongside the worlds most elite DJs and producers like Jaguar Skills, Matrix & Futurebound, Kissy Sell Out and Scratch Perverts.

With Bass Rebels comes Bass Rebel Recordings a platform for the collective to release their music on. The first release which is from Invaders Of Nine called Don’t Go EP has
kicked off with support from BBC Radio 1 and some of the worlds biggest DJs. Remixes include Radio 1 favorites Jay Robinson and Switch Fusion and also a secret remix from
Mystery Shopper. You can hear what’s coming out on the label on the Soundcloud page here.

Now we are fast approaching 2013 Invaders Of Nine have opened a new chapter as they start to work on their first album “Life Without Sound”. After working on a lot of singles and remixes and giving them away for free download and realizing the amount of interest from fans all over the world the excitement for their first album is building. For 2013 they have an EP coming out with one of the heavyweight pioneers of the scene Infrared Music home to J Majik & Wickerman and a whole host of top award winning artists. Also they have now signed an exclusive contract with a record label which will be announced later this year.

INTERVIEW

Invaders Nine is a name not many are familiar with.  Tell us about the people behind Invaders Nine and what is the type of sound you create?

(Danny) “Well we met in our day job and quickly found we both had a passion for music. We come from very different musical backgrounds so it was really interesting to find out about each other’s music. I was into all kinds of electro, trance, hip-hop, hard house and later got into Drum & Bass music. Once I got to grips with mixing, the next step for me was to mix my own tunes together.  I got a copy of Fruity Loops studio and went from there. After using nearly all the music programs out there and learning various techniques for the past 10 years I finally settled with Presonus Studio One, which was, just as I started producing music with Mark.  “

(Mark) “Like Danny said we met in our day job and Invaders of Nine was born out of a typical conversation about music and Danny’s home studio and then we got round to the idea of working on some music together. I’ve been interested in producing music for quite some time, but apart from the odd attempt with my band at university, I’ve never really got down to business with that side of things.”

(Danny) “As for our music you will hear my influence of electro and that big uplifting trance sound along with Mark’s influence of the more live sounds, guitar, violins, etc. which we think all work great to give our uplifting and energetic sound.”

Your track “Take Me Away” from the “Skyfall” EP is absolutely brilliant!  Who was the vocalist used in the track and how did she get involved in the production?

(Danny) “Thanks mate, we were shocked with the support we have had from our followers and then it getting played on BBC Radio 1 was massive for us. The vocal is a sample that we liked so we decided to build an uplifting idea around that. But since this track we have started working with about 7 different vocalists which has been an exciting experience for us taking our new music to the next level.”

You run your own label, “Bass Rebels”.  What was the concept behind starting the label and what will set it apart from any other major competition out there as it expands and grows?

“Bass Rebels started as a group of local artists around our home town who have been creating that bass heavy sound and after a few conversions we all decided to start a record label to put out our music and do remixes of each other’s tracks. I think Bass Rebels Recordings will grow well as we have a great experienced team behind it. First up we have Jay Robinson who is a firm favourite on Radio 1 and had his music played by the likes of Annie Mac, Laidback Luke, Fake Blood, Armin Van Buuren and more. Then we have, Switch Fusion, who at only 16 was supported on the Fabio & Grooverider show on Radio 1.  We also have on board local beatboxer Mr Phormula who is making waves after him featuring in a BBC Documentry “Rap Brittania” which resulted in him being invited to play at the MOBO awards and was the first ever Welsh language rap artists to appear on the awards. Last but by no means least, is the main man behind Bass Rebels, Mystery Shopper, bringing you some great futuristic electronic sounds.

Whilst it did start as a record label to push the sounds of the collective, we decided it would be great to test our sounds out to the local crowd and started playing at our local nightclub, Embassy Nightclub, thanks to Ed Mackie. We then got the opportunity to play alongside the world’s most elite DJs and producers like Jaguar Skills and Scratch Perverts which was a massive boost for all of us!”

You are currently working on an album called “Life Without Sound”.  Why did you choose this particular title for your first album and are there particular producers you looked towards for inspiration?

(Danny) “I had this title in mind since my early days of producing music I just loved everything about it, especially going shopping to Chester with my mates to get new vinyl and after those days I just couldn’t imagine life without music, so from that the title was born.”

You have recently been signed exclusively with a record label.  Tell us about events which led to this crowning moment in your career and how has it already affected your day-to-day life?

(Danny) “Well we can’t say who the record label is at this moment but the contracts are signed and we are just working with the label to devise a release schedule. We originally sent some music to the guys at Infrared Music not even expecting a reply but they did and they loved the sound we were doing and they played a big part in helping us develop the quality of our music. After this came the opportunity to sign with a label that we both felt was the right move for us at this stage. After that our day to day life has got a lot busier with trying to get time in the studio together and working on our DJ/Live set whilst still both working our day jobs, but as long as we have a supply of coffee it’s all good .”

We all know that once a person hears that first drum and bass track they fall in love with the genre.  What does drum and bass and music mean to you?

(Danny) “Out of all the music I produce, the energy behind Drum & Bass is on another level. Not just the energy of the music, but the culture surrounding it and the smiles on everyone’s face, at all the dnb events we have been to, just says it all.”

Invaders of Nine have embraced 2013 as a year where you have experienced continues growth.  What will be the next summit to conquer?

(Danny) “I could list a load of things I would love to do but I just love anything music related so whatever happens as long as I’m in the studio once a week I’m happy. But if I did have one summit to conquer it would be getting my Dad to finish the new studio in my garage haha!”

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RavingFox

Emperor Interview June 2013

Emperor is a Drum & Bass and Dubstep producer from Halifax in the UK.  He’s massive and he is taking the drum & bass scene by storm.  Signed with labels such as Critical, Symmetry and Neodigital you can be sure his sound is dark and simply flawless.  A bass master and musical genius but this is merely the beginning for the reign of Emperor…

INTERVIEW

• Who is Emperor and where did your passion for music and production begin?

“My name is Conor, I’m 20 years old and I’m currently living in Halifax, UK! My drive for music started at an early age really… My family is really musical, so since my younger years I’ve been exposed to all kinds of different music and sounds. It wasn’t until I was about 8 when I taught myself piano that I really thought about creating music myself. I think it just started as a small idea, and then it snowballed into production!”

• Your “Begin” EP features artist Georgia Yates. What lead to her being involved with the track and what element does her unique voice add to the track?

“I knew of Georgia from her track with Enei called “Runnin'”, but I hadn’t really listened to much of her stuff aside from that. Me and Kasra were thinking of who would fit right on the track, and then I went over her Soundcloud and I thought she’d be perfect! She has a really soothing quality to her voice, which really worked well for the light and shade aspect of “Begin”. Hopefully I’ll be working with Georgia a bit more for some different things in the future. She’s great!”

• You have a brilliant talent for creating fast paced and dark drum and bass such as the tracks on your “Begin” EP to producing beautiful dubstep tracks such as “Dust and Echoes”. Do the tracks you create reflect certain aspects of your life and how do you insure you have constant improvement with every track?

“Dust and Echoes was written in one long studio session in the early hours of the morning. I was having a bit of trouble with some personal things, so I guess it was a release for me to produce a track like that. For me it was just about getting over a bit of a hurdle, so that’s why the track goes from having Synths to having huge string chords in the second section, kinda’ like a journey. I love producing all kinds of music, which is why I’m doing other kinds of music outside Drum & Bass. I think it’s important to show people that you aren’t just a one-dimensional producer who can only express himself through a certain idiom.”

• Recently Skream announced that he will be moving away from producing dubstep tracks and start focusing on other genres. What impact did this have on the industry abroad and where do you see the future of dubstep heading?

“I think it’s important that artists do what they want; that’s why they are artists. Genres come and go, but there will always be something new and vibrant around the corner. There are a lot of artists moving onto different things, which I think is good! There will always be good music, so it doesn’t matter if it’s Dubstep, Drum & Bass or whatever, people always try something new that no one else has done before.”

• You have been signed with various record labels such as Critical, Neodigital and Symmetry to name a few. What’s the importance of being singed with as many labels as possible and how do you maintain the balance?

“I think it’s a bad mentality to sign with as many labels as possible, but I think it’s also a bad idea to tie yourself down with only one output. I think that’s a really big limit to your creativity, because from then on you will always be writing music for the label, rather than expressing yourself. This isn’t to say if a huge label comes and wants to sign you exclusively it’s a bad move, you just have to look at whether it will benefit you or not in the long run.

When I first met up with Kasra we discussed how we want to do things, and the main point was that I would be working with him closely, but I wouldn’t be exclusive to only producing music on Critical. I’m free to work with other labels as long is it’s a good decision to do so! For example I’ve remixed Mikky Ekko and I’ve just finished an EP for Inspected. I recently saw that quite a few newer artists have signed exclusively with labels, which I don’t think is the greatest career move, especially so early on. For me it’s just important to write good music, and ensure the label I release it on has the same vision I do, which is why I’m so grateful to be working with people who allow me that.”

• You are quite privileged to have the support of major players in the drum and bass industry such as Kasra and Enei. Who has been your greatest mentor and which lessons will you always carry with you?

“Definitely! I’m always grateful when somebody shows support for something I’ve done. I think for me the best advice I’ve been given was by Kasra, he just said: “Not everything you make has to be released, quality over quantity.” Ever since that, I’ve thought about everything I produce and really make sure If it’s something I want to be out there or not; whether it’s something that would connect with people or if it’s just “another tune”.”

• You have a bright future ahead of you and your supporters in Africa are always excited to see a new track being released. What can we expect to see from Emperor in the coming months from a production point of view?

“I’ve just done a collaboration with Enei, which is out now! That’s called “Liberation”. I’ve just finished a four track EP for Inspected, which should be out soon, and I’m working on a single for Critical, as well as some more remixes. I’m also currently working on another side project, but it’s too early to say anything about that yet! All I’ll say is that I’m pretty excited.”

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RavingFox

Hybrid Minds – Meant To Be

Comprising of Josh White, Matt Lowe on production, and Jeff Crake on vocals, Hybrid Minds represent a new musical force, with their melodic, soulful Drum and Bass already making waves across the globe. A synergy between influences including trip-hip, acoustic, soul and jazz, Hybrid Minds, consisting of Sensa, Josh and Grimm, draw on a myriad of influences to produce the smooth sound they are known for.

Josh and Matt [Sensa] had worked with one another for a few years running record labels before deciding to put their drive into music making. After only a few joint efforts, the duo immediately shot to the forefront of the Liquid scene, with household names such as Netsky, Lenzman, Marcus Intalex, Logistics, John B and Camo & Krooked all playing tracks from the newly formed duo. Their method of bouncing ideas off each other in the studio yielded immediate results with one of their first tracks, ‘The Place’ becoming one of the biggest liquid tracks of 2011, and receiving vast amounts of love from the UKF fans, a market they did not expect to reach. Combining hard drums, delicate vocals and enchanting melodies, ‘The Place’ features all the elements that now make up Hybrid Minds’ distinctive, soulful sound.

After the unprecedented success of ‘The Place’, Sensa and Haste made the permanent jump to liquid, to the delight of millions of Drum and Bass fans, and began to look for a permanent vocalist. That search ended in the discovery of Grimm, a vocalist from Canada, thus Hybrid Minds was formed.

Hybrid Minds are now set to solidify their rapidly growing reputation in the scene, and become one of liquid’s new supergroups.

Read the RavingFox interview with Hybrid Minds:

Hybrid Minds – A Melodic Dream Affair [INTERVIEW]