2nd Aug - DJ Krust Interview with Skudge
Lets Talk about your musical roots.
My first memories of music was from my mum she loved Motown, the four
tops Gladys Knight and the pips. Marvin Gaye. Donna summer. The
supremes. Then my older brother got me in to the 80’s electronic era
When I was 14 he brought home wild style and that was pretty must that.
I used to go to house parties a lot back in Bristol There you would hear
anything from rock to punk to reggae and pop music. To us it was all the same.
To me there are two types of music, good and bad. That’s how I look at music today.
Give us an insight in the crew/production at the time.
When we had the hit with Fresh four we were just four guys who got
thrown in the deep end we never knew how to use the equipment and
we spent 6 months in and out of different studios picking bits up, hear
and there. It wasn’t until after that I got in to it and was shown how
to use a sample by my brother.
Back then you only had a sampler an FX box and Cubase Atria ST. we
also had a Roland Sh 101, which we sold. Bad mistake. It was pretty
simple we would spend days chopping up hip-hop breaks and trying to
get them in time and then add baseline and other samples.
Bristol was a hive back then I remember you could go to anyones house
and they had some kind of set up in the corner. Everyone was making
some kind of music. It was a good time very creative.
What is your studio set up for production?
My studio has been the same for the last 20 years I keep going over the
same pieces of equipment getting every last bit of juice out them. I have
the Moog, Arp, Roland super Jv.Roland V synth an Mpc 2000 and some
other bits and pieces. The main part of my studio now is the Roland V synth.
Any favourite bits of kit in there?
I guess the Roland V Synth is the big man on campus. But I think the
1176 Urei has got the soul. I have to many favorites. But the one that
sticks out is future unknown. That was a labour of love that tune really
pushed me. For days I worked it, it was like waiting for a baby to be born.
I knew I had something but it just wasn’t coming. Then finally out of nowhere
it started to take shape.
Early this year you went on the ‘DJ Krust - Music Mastermind Tour’
Tell us about the tour. How did this go?
I’ve been doing workshop and mentor groups for a while now. A collage
asked me to do a tour and I jumped at the chance I think right now we
need to reinvest in the next generation. I really had a great time, there
is a lot of talented people coming through. If we have something to offer
I think it’s a great idea to give a little something back.
Loopmasters releases DJ Krust – Bristol Drum & Bass sample library.
How did you get involved?
Loopmasters got in touch about a year ago and asked. But the timing
was not right for me. But things feel in to place at the beginning of the
year and I started work in January.
Three months later it was done. The process was fun and easy. It’s
generally fun making sound just because you can. I would like to do
another one next year I think it’s a good exercise.
And it’s a good way to sort out your studio. I found lots of samples
and loops that I thought I lost.
You have produced some classic dnb tracks in your time.
What are your personal favourites?
I have to many favorites. But the one that sticks out is future unknown
That was a labour of love that tune really pushed me. For days I worked it.
It was like waiting for a baby to be born. I knew I had something, but it
just wasn’t coming. Then finally out of nowhere it started to take shape.
What are you current/future projects?
I’m also working on a new compilation for my new label Rebel Instinct.
And I’ve join forces with pledge to help get it out to the people Pledge
helps connect artist with their fan base. People can go to Pledgemusic.com
and choose from a number of items. Signed copies of my records. Special
dub plates, A book called !0 years in the cycle a photo journal of my life in
the scene. Unreleased music from full cycle and v recordings. Artwork and
mentoring workshops. We have a launch on the 8th of Sept at the Nest
in London to the get the show on the road. Also I have a down tempo
project coming called George Kurt’s.Which is a fun project that I’m
enjoying which will also come out on Rebel Instinct.
What advice can you give to anyone starting out in dj’ing or production?
In my workshop I tell young and up and coming artist to study there craft.
This is a trade be like a master craftsman take as long as you need to create
something fresh and new, the world is waiting for the future sound. Drum
and bass has been done its time for something new to come out of it. And
there are a few signs that this is happen. Be on the cutting edge
don’t follow the pack, lead it!
The future is unwritten it’s a blank canvas. We all have pretty much
the same tools. So it’s going to take creativity to separate you from
the next guy. You have to spend time making a sound that we have
never heard before. That is the challenge we all face as artist in todays
music scene.
A master craftsman takes years before he can truly leave his mark.
Think about creating something with a deeper meaning.
It will have a lasting impact.
If you want to emulate DJ Krust’s sounds the Bristol Drum and Bass Pack
is now available from Loopmasters.
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